34 dinners

As usual, days leading to my birthday was super quiet and then suddenly an explosion of everything just because I posted a pic on IG. 

On Thursday at Tapas club with Andy. the paella is so good.

On Friday at Tim Ho Wan with Exxon interns

On Saturday at So France with Eric. The duck confit is loves.

It was all so random lol everyone started texting to meet for dinner etc and I was like ok and the next 2 weeks is full. More to come.

Magnanni sneakers

Last Sunday I was randomly walking around Orchard and went up to Peddler at Scotts to see some shoes and then I spotted there was a 60% discount on some of the shoes. I went in, saw some formal working leather shoes and tried on but they were too big for me, despite my size of EU 39/ UK 5. 

Then the sales person came to chat with me on leather sneakers - he agreed with me that Common Projects were super uncomfortable, and ETQs were one of the best and most comfortable leather sneakers. He had the colour as mine but mine was limited premium edition hehe. 

He introduced me to Magnanni, one of the more comfortable leather shoes and handmade in Spain.

They were white leather, very comfortable and well made. I like their signature leather block, which is the same colour as the inner layer. It was retailing at $530 originally, with 60% off it was $212. That's almost the the same price as my ETQ or CP. It was the last pair, the right size for me and this is the biggest discount for Magnanni shoes because they very rarely have 60% off. 

I was so tempted but I just couldn't make up my mind because:

1. I just bought 2 pairs of shoes in Dec and I haven't worn one of them

2. I just got my ETQs and it's only the second time I've worn them

3. They are white and leather, same as my Pradas

4. $212. Have I become one of those basic bitch who would spend over $200 on leather sneakers now? My shoe budget used to be below $100... 

5. If I get these, I would need to get all the maintenance kit. The shoe wipes, shoe trees, leather conditioner and leather protector

I put up a poll on IG and it was 50/50 -_- Nvm, I shall think about it and not make any harsh decision. This is a want, not a need. I went home to research and to think about it. 

My research showed that it is indeed the cheapest Magnanni I can find, and all reviews said that they are super worth it and comfortable and handmade in Spain, and being family owned and operated means quality controlled.

After 4 days (one day after my birthday) I have decided, if it is still available then I will buy it. So Thursday came with a dinner with Andy, we went to Scotts first, it was still there and I snatched it up. 

Even the sales person said it was a good buy. And then I bought all the leather sneakers maintenance kit on Shopee. Birthday present for myself. A pair of shoes is like underwear - only you know whether they are comfortable or not. 

Indeed I have become a basic bitch. Ok no more sneakers buying for rest of the year. One expensive sneakers per year quota reached.

Pola

The holy grail of all Japanese facial products: Pola.

Yesterday I was casually scrolling Carousell and found somebody who just posted all the Pola BA facial products, which I have always wanted to try. So learning from my lesson previously, I immediately texted the seller and bought everything. 

1. Facial Wash 100g- retailing for $126

2. Facial Lotion 120g - retailing for $251

3. Facial Emulsion 80g - retailing for $251

4. Facial Cream 30g - retailing for $401

If I bought them altogether in the stores in Japan/SG they would cost around SGD $1029. 

The seller explained that she had bought for her mum but she didn't want to use so she's selling it, and she just bought last year so they are all the newest generation range. I was still very skeptical because nobody in the right mind would sell those so cheaply so I waited for them to arrive today to check on my goods. All packed up nicely in their boxes and individual bottles still wrapped up. 

Altogether, this full set costs me $170.50. Yes, this is my bestest buy in Carousell yet. 

Lesson from Carousell

That pair of Jimmy Choo's belgravia high top sneakers was sold in the morning. 

I was still showing my friend the previous night and it was still available on Carousell. It has been on my liked list since a few months ago because it was my size and it was only $140 but I was reluctant to get it because I already have so many shoes and it's not really my style. 

I think I should stop shopping on Carousell. I keep shopping because I am bored and I just love looking for good deals. Just yesterday I bought a new 70g Diptyque candle for only $20 like wudddd. The seller said she didn't like the smell after 1 min of burning it and it was selling for $52 at the stores. Very proud of that buy. 

So lesson to be learnt on Carousell: don't hesitate for good deals. Somebody's fingers will be faster than yours. 

I got over that pair of white sneakers because my ETQs got here and they are so comfortable, so I probably need some time to get over that pair of Jimmy Choo's. 😭 

It's ok, I have no space for new shoes anyway. Is sneakers shopping my new hobby now?

Winter in SG

I guess it's no travelling again till the end of the year. Most of the countries around us were having second or third waves and they are getting worse. Well what can we do? 

Just stay in SG, work, go out on weekend. I hardly go out on the weekends now though, I'm so lazy and going out involves spending money when I'm so comfortable at home. I have been shopping a lot online though. It's so dangerous - I wouldn't have bought certain things if I saw them physically in the stores but it's just so tempting to just click and buy and send to your house at your fingertips. Online shopping is very dangerous.

The weather now is also crazy nice. It's winter in SG with all the rain and temperature dropping to 24 degrees. I just love this weather it's so nice to run, so nice to just work at home, so nice to nap anytime. 

I have been missing winter in Japan since March last year.

New Year's day

I had half-day for New Year's eve and I had no plans so the next best thing - massage. This time I went to the Cuppage outlet and it was a local lady which I didn't quite like. The China lady at Chijmes was much better coz she pushed all the right spots with the right strength. Perhaps this local lady was quite new and it was quite painful at times. I didn't really feel relaxed after that but the ginger tea made it better. 

It was so rainy these days - I was watching Soul at home with my G&T and then slept. I mean, every year's countdown is the same thing and it's just like any other weekend. I think I also half-drunk texted some of my friends lol.

Last year New Year's day we met for brunch. This year, we were also meeting for brunch, but it's dim sum buffet at Peach Garden. I managed to book a table luckily - there were so many people at the restaurant but the service was good and quick. It was so nice just talking about our stuff and our weird friends throughout the whole 2 hours so naturally. The food was really good as well.

One bursting stomach later, we walked around, grocery shopping and stuff and went home. I think I've had too much food these few days and coming Jan is another crazy eating month - bdae and stuff.

Then Jeremy texted me for drinks. I was supposed to get my shoes from him at some point and I thought why not and went out at 8pm, met Ding and we got many drinks. And then we went to Jeremy's place to drink some more G&T. It was crazy lot of drinking but luckily Ding and I stayed near each other so we shared a cab back to our area at 4am. Another crazy drinking day but I throw up most stuff in his place hahahaha so I felt much better and no hangover the next day - Saturday. 

The point is I FINALLY GOT MY ETQ SNEAKERS!!!!!

How I love the smell of new leather sneakers. I tried them on a few times - just the right size and as comfortable as my Asics. It was love at first try. Now I can throw away those uncomfortable Common Projects. I can't wait to bring them out after this rainy season. Totally looking forward to own more ETQ sneakers.

Looking back 2020

January to March
Met choir peeps on 1 Jan

Japan trip with average snow- reminder to never travel with dumb people but overall good and rabak trip with happenings on the last night
CNY JB with the twins, then Port Dickson for 2 nights, with birthday celebration

Came back to SG to celebrate randomly with Vic, Simna and Ben, another drunk night

Jarren treated dinner, visited Alvin's place

Was planning another snow trip but Covid struck

April to June
Covid struck - working from home, drinking red wine, masks, safe-entry etc

Watching a whole lot of shows at home and not forgetting Quanming Party

Changed my mobile plan to Sim-only

Eldest Uncle from Mum's side passed away

Got an attractive job offer within a week and accepted

Got another 3 more job interviews but didn't proceed

July to September
CB over, baked some cakes, met new friends like Paeng

Bought new PC coz my laptop was failing

Last day in Ocean office and enjoyed 1 week plus of holiday

Started new job in Marina One

Getting more into Gunpla

September to December
Random wine and cheese with Geri at her hotel lol

Bought lotsa stuff on 11.11 and 12.12

Selling lotsa stuff on carousell and helping Wei Ling unpack/sell her stuff at home

Visited Jewel for the first time

Xmas tree shopping and gatherings

2020
Financial
This year is wows! I expected more bonus and increment from my ex-company coz they were doing well but oh wells, I guess that made me want to move. Honestly I am really happy for the increment of my income and I do not regret moving.  

This year I managed to save 65.10% of my total cash, excluding CPF. It's record compared to 53% last year because of my increase in pay and super reduction in spending. It definitely exceeds my target of 60% that I set last year. I only travelled once this year and I'm secretly happy that I managed to save so much from eating at home and no travelling. Most of my outflow was to online random buys and alcohol. My Carousell income reduced, which was expected and most of my dividends I chose to receive in shares rather than cash. Also started robo-advisor in Nov.

I did a financial projection for the next year, I hope I really do have enough for my goal.  

Physical
I felt no change in my body although I am going to the gym consistently but I guess that's a good thing because I have also been bingeing on fatty food. Gym was closed for 3 months but I still did running and some home workout which didn't quite suit me. I got Silver for IPPT which pissed me off so I'm going for it again in Jan for the Gold. 

My hair changed in Sep when Chloe decided to give me the Itaewon hair and it really grew on me. I kinda like my natural-looking hair now instead of the side comb and she said it looks good on me. I felt like my face aged more this year but I guess it can't be helped.

My facial routine as below.

Morning: VC100, Elixir moisturiser, sunblock.
Night: Orbis lotion. retinol/EGF, Cilabo cream, hair serum.
I also started to have a bit of face eczema, I need to find out what's causing it. Maybe I will get better skincare in my next trip to Japan.

Social
Beginning of the year was super random with random people - Piken, Sky, Vic, Sam etc and nothing much in the middle coz CB, and then started hanging much with Nigel, Gabby, Eric, Paeng. I am actually quite glad there are no major drinking incidents and I don't have to go out and socialise a lot this year.

I haven't seen Neab this year but we still get into calls and texts. Got strayed away from Jarren and drinking gang, guess I'm not part of their core group anymore. I also opened up my room for drinking twice this year. This year's one-off event is probably drinking with Viv at my place and talking too much about private stuff, but luckily no major drunk incident. 

Overall
This is a really strange year. It will go down in history as one of the most dramatic year due to a pandemic in a modern world. Our lifestyle changed dramatically - we got used to working and staying at home and wearing masks. I completed a record number of shows and books from being at home most of the time and even started Korean series and random animes. I'm very glad that my room is very conducive for working and relaxing but I get irritated at very small things around the house.

My tagline of 2020: Stagnant
Eventful year but uneventful life. All plans were halted since March. No new places explored but new experiences - like first beaching, first massage, home workout etc. Nothing much changed except my job which I'm contented right now. All in all I'm contented with my life, nothing more nothing less. Lagom.

2021
Hopefully 2021 will be a better year with the vaccine in distribution and the world can return to normal as soon as possible. It seems like my snow pilgrimage to Japan is not possible by April but Japan will be the first country I visit once borders are fully open. I already have an overwhelming list of things to buy there. I also have friends to visit in Bangkok, NYC, LA, Quebec, Sapporo etc.

2021 is going to be a decisive and important year for me, especially the second half. 

Be patient, consistent, and work towards my future.