Like I said, there are many things I have to catch up with.

And one of which, is the reason why I created this “category” - The vast out there, for.

Yeap, my Moscow 2008 trip.

Of course, the clues were there for all to find, with me constantly saying how out of my mind I was.

It was a lazy day at work, I remember, when I saw Ming’s nickname on his MSN.

He was going to Moscow, it said. For THE match, it said.

My jealousy was absolutely seething. I messaged him and congratulated on his luck, and started to whine about how I would love to be there too.

I then recounted 1999, when I was in UK, watching the final in a pub with then schoolmates, days before my A levels.

The adrenalin rush.. the punches in the air.

Then, he dropped the bomb.

He had an extra ticket.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And he has a friend there.

It was 7 days before the match, with the following Monday a public holiday.

I remember I could hardly breathe, before I ran into my manager’s cubicle(bear in mind I was barely 3 months in the company!!), and asked for leave.

Alas, with the match on Wednesday, I was part of the committee to hold an internal kick off meeting, which attendance was compulsory on Friday.

How like that?!

And with Ming’s flight is on Tuesday, thus it would mean my time window was very narrow.

But does anyone really think I care?

Of course I didn’t. After a flurry of phone calls, I booked my air ticket(if I wanted to be back for my meeting, the only airline I could take is SIA, and we all know that means a big hole in the pocket). I rushed home during lunch time, to submit my passport for visa application.

The very next day, I went down to Queensway, and the last piece of ladies’ jersey in sized S, was mine.

A lady was behind me, and I bet she would have strangled me on the spot when the uncle told her I took the last piece.

I was happy like don’t know what, I tell you.

Back to my visa. My travel agency was not that helpful, though they did send a courier down to collect other documents from me.

Though I know ticket holders were allowed into Russia without the need of a visa, but I ain’t gonna take my chances.

Thank God, the Russian Embassy was opened on Monday, which was my collection date with express processing.

I was in time for the morning flight on Tuesday.

The tight timeline means there wasn’t room for mistakes.

On Monday morning, I was one of the firsts to arrive to collect.

And… I walked away from the embassy with my head feeling absolutely light, and a skip in my steps. I sure I could have started some silly dance in the middle of the road.

When I blogged how it would be one of the highlights of my life, I had no idea.

And truly, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that I would one day look back and say…

“Fucking hell! I was there.”

I am glad that I did not even hesitate, even for a moment.