Tag Archives: technology

Protecting My Passport and My Identity

Blog, Expats, Expats and TCKs, For the New Expat, International Travel, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

Whenever I fly, I’m always paranoid about my passport. After all, I’ve heard the horror stories! Someone I know had their passport stolen while traveling, and they were trapped in Africa for weeks. This stuff happens! However, I’m not so worried about it any more. Why? because I’ve ditched the insecurity of a clear plastic bag for an Alban passport wallet that holds my passport, my ticket, and my cash. If you’re a frequent traveler, you’re going to love the security in this! Read on…

 

 

Why I Need a Passport Wallet

Ben and I travel light, We usually take a backpack as a carry-on and pass on the checked baggage. As you can see from the photo above, that backpack is pretty huge, and I have to buckle the waist strap to carry it. It’s not easy to take on and off constantly. Obviously, I’m not a big fan of storing my passport in the backpack, and I’m not comfortable just walking around with my passport and ticket loose in my hand.

 

 

The Alban Passport Wallet solved that problem for me! I can stick my passport in there, of course, but it also has a nifty slot in the back that is the perfect size for a plane ticket. It can also fit money, a drivers license, and credit cards. It’s like a tiny purse that’s easy to manage and can slip into a personal item or carry-on.

 

Benefits of the Alban Passport Wallet

There are a lot of different passport wallets out there, but they are not created equal. Ben uses this clear plastic thing that he stuffs, like, seven documents into, along with a wad of cash. He’s never lost anything out of it, but it’s not very secure and he has to keep it in a pocket or a bag while he’s walking around. Even nice passport wallets aren’t as good as the Alban one I have. What sets it apart?

 

 

 

Here’s what makes this passport case better than the rest: RFID blocking material. The lining of this case protects against your identity being stolen! You can walk through crowded airports and city centers without worrying about losing your identity to a stranger. Stick your passport in the wallet and your credit cards in the back, and you’ll be safe from RFID devices.

With this passport case, I can keep my wallet, cash, and plane ticket all together! No more digging through bags or stuffing important documents in hard-to-reach places. This case is big enough to fit a passport with extra pages. I travel internationally a lot and have the extra pages in my passport, so I need that kind of space.

 

 

Plus, did I mention that it’s made of authentic leather? It’s tough, so your passport will be protected. Badly damaged passports aren’t valid. One of my favorite singers, Keith Harkin of Celtic Thunder, had to miss an entire tour due to a damaged passport. Don’t let that happen to you! Get a good case.

The case is also very attractive, by the way. It comes in seven colors, including black, red, and purple.

 

Where you can get the Alban Passport Wallet

The Alban Passport Wallet is only $20!

You can get the Alban Passport Wallet on the Alban website here.

 

I am so glad that I discovered an affordable, beautiful, and secure passport wallet. I’m always stressed out about losing my passport on trips, but now I have peace of mind! If you don’t have a good RFID-blocking passport case, this is the perfect one to get.

PS: check out my post on the Alban phone wallet!

 

This post contains sponsored content.

My Inspiration Wears a Little League Jersey

Caribbean, Expats, Expats and TCKs, International Travel, Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Well, my master’s classes are in full swing and I’m not exactly off to a fabulous start. Admitting that is hard for me, because I’m a type-A personality who had a 4.0 GPA in undergrad. People warned me that taking online classes can be a lot harder than actually going to class unless you’re extremely organized and on top of things. Generally, I am. But I’m a lot better with paper and pens than I am with a double-password access online classroom with instructions in electronic format in a few different places. Find the library on campus? No problem. Find the library online? Well, now. That is a different story.

So here I am, looking at ten articles that I have to read and use to write a discussion paper and post online for the class to read by… well, by last Sunday. I guess tomorrow’s deadline for the unit meant the unit closes then for further discussion, not that the reflection is due then. That is something really I wish I figured out before today. I guess now that I know, I won’t be making that mistake again.

I’m sitting here with my pen and paper, feeling a little discouraged about my abilities to pull this off. School has always been my strength, and now I don’t feel so sure that I can be good at this online school thing. Besides, everyone else in my cohort has a lot more experience than I do. And let’s not fail to mention the fact that this is University of London, and I’m American. Will I be able to remember to spell “analyzing” as “analysing” with an “s?” Or put my quote marks on the inside of my punctuation? Am I supposed to do ‘ or ” for quotes? Will I get marked down for spelling things American-style?

In the middle of this stream of self-doubt, an image breaks in:

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These kids are so inspiring. Every afternoon, they come from Dutch, French, and English schools to Player Development Program for further help with reading and math. It’s really hard for a lot of them. Being bilingual or trilingual makes learning to read really, really tough. Some of them are in sixth grade and struggle to read very basic English kid’s books. But they don’t give up, they don’t let embarrassment stop them, and they keep pushing to get better and work up from where they are.

I’ve seen Spanish-speaking kids learn English in two months. I’ve seen kids who struggle with reading and writing spend as long as needed to compose a thank-you letter. I’ve seen kids sit, study, and sound out long words in until they could read the whole book.

To me, writing a short summary of Curious George is not hard. Reading 16 pages doesn’t drain me. Conjugating and pronouncing verbs takes no mental energy. But it does for them, and I would say that they have to work a lot harder to get it right than I’ll have to for my master’s degree. Does it discourage them? Sometimes. Does it deter them? No, it doesn’t.

If a seven-year-old can learn to distinguish vowel names and sounds in French, English, and Spanish, I can learn to use “s” and “u” the British way. If a twelve-year-old can have the courage to learn English as he goes during baseball practice, I can have the courage to post my late work where everyone can see, have a positive, non-defeatist attitude, and do better next time. If a nine-year old can have the humility to do sight-word flash cards in front of his friends, then I can have the humility to admit I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m willing to do what it takes to improve.

You know, the kids at SXM Player Development Program think that they’re learning a lot from me. I guess they are. But I think I’m actually learning more from them. God knew what he was doing when he put me into their world. There’s a lot of determination, courage, and hard work going on at those blue picnic tables. There’s a lot to be inspired and encouraged by. There’s a lot to look at and think, “that’s how I want to be.” I know that if they can work hard and never throw in the towel, so can I.

So I’m going to wipe away these tears of frustration, go back to that online library, and find that PDF e-book that’s hiding from me. I’m going to write my best paper, and I’m going to turn it in even if everyone can see that I’m late. And tomorrow, I’m going to do better. And I’m going to do it with those kids as my inspiration and my encouragement.