at work

My hubby has taught me so much that I always look up to him no matter what circumstances I go thru. Without knowing, his ocd-ness has taught me to be a bit of ocd too, although not entirely true. My office had a major reshuffle so my desk was moved one floor above. Upon entering my new room, I felt uneasy looking at the layout so I threw almost 95% of the things inside away. The new room feels so empty that I feel afresh. And I slowly believe that I'm actually quite a minimalist at work. Today, I have got the news that I'm moving back to my old room, which I'm not quite sure of its reason. Office politics is always demoralizing but I'm always taking things positively. So I'm gonna have to shift again, to a room that I'm so familiar with. But the most tiring part is, I have to move the furniture and change its layout again.

Major problems

Packing for traveling is a major problem that I’m facing most of the times. I was trying to fit our clothes into our two 26-inche luggage but I guess it won’t fit unless I pack really minimally. I must confess that I’m a true minimalist when it comes to traveling but I always regret because all the photos feature me wearing the same jacket. Last year, I did it again and it was a breeze since it was autumn and didn’t require thick clothing. Now, as the autumn is going to end, the temperature goes really low that we have to pack more to layer up. So again, the hand me down rimowa came to the rescue. I have never thought that I would need its service again so I left the bag with my bro. Thank goodness he is home so I can collect the bag from him.

Then another problem I’m facing is to help the boys to nap. I actually should drain them out so that they can sleep soundly in the plane. Unfortunately or fortunately, they enjoy their time onboard and plan ahead the activities they are going to do throughout. For that reason, I have to force them to nap although they are very much reluctant to.

Wishing us Bon voyage!

旧鞋子

出国走一趟，赶着为朋友买包包，说什么如果经过就会买都是假的。明知道是相熟的朋友，我又怎会让他们失望呢？于是买呀买，后来回到家了才想起自己穿了6年的耐克休闲鞋是时候退休了。6年了，陪我走过算多也不会很多的地方，四季更换，还是它最牢靠，从来不负于我。只是年老摧残，我应该把它扔了，可是说好的minimalism 呢？

Minimalism is a new normal

Yesterday, my eldest sis was sharing about konmari methods she is applying in her life. Hearing that from her, I was in disbelief, first because she is so fashionable that she has a really wide range of clothes in her closet. She buys a few blouses of the same style but different colours, or the same shoes but different colours. Second, she is generous in buying things and also giving them away. She buys a lot. Third, her fashion changes very often following the season. So I was reluctant to believe that she has been decluttering her things. But she is in awe with Marie Kondo's lessons which are very inspiring. I was thinking she probably has detached herself from the circle of friends who are synonyms with dolling up themselves and donning on nice clothes. But to hear this from her and the effort to be a minimalist, I'm totally surprised.

Looking around, I think I myself have been a minimalist! I hardly change my wardrobe and I'm proud of it. But I'm still a loser if I'm to compare with hubby. The only thing that I'm quite ashamed of, is, I have quite many handbags which I can't let go yet. I keep them in the wardrobe which I hardly see. Then in my household, there are too many toys that mess up the house, although the toys have their own place. The place is getting bigger each time and it occupies some other places. Hubby will definitely like my ideas of clearing the kids' stuff.

the merdeka month

While this week has a very long weekend, thanks to our PM for an extra day off on Monday. I'm feeling a little sad that August is coming to an end. I get some priviledges throughout this month because, one, there is always merdeka sale, two, there will be some extra discounts due to my birthday. I hardly utilise the vouchers given because I have been telling myself to be a minimalist. This time around, I'm still very tempted but I just have to keep reminding myself. I guess the only redemption I managed to get is going for a movie with the kids. Today, we did not manage to go to the Dataran Merdeka for the parade because we were too excited last night for the holiday granted. We went for late night supper and stayed up to listen to PM's speech. Today, as other public holiday would be, the city is quite empty but shopping malls are just so packed. We survived the whole day at mid valley but coming home feeling a little guilty because we were too spoilt with food and entertainment. Happy Merdeka, Malaysia! May this place we call home be blessed and may the younger generation especially my kids grow up to be compassionate and empathetic rakyat.

OCD

I think I grew up in an environment where my family used to be hoarders. They keep many things in the house, making small room to move around. Without me knowing, I also grow up to be one. I used to (still do) keep many things at home, although they do not serve their purposes. In my defence, they have so much sentimental value that I can't simply let go. For example, my kids' first books, entrance tickets to heritage sites, or even my kids' boarding tickets. I seriously have issues of detachment that I can't describe in words. But hubby has taught and still is teaching me to be a minimalist, that at times I cannot stand his OCD-ness. There are almost everything in the house that he is willing and ready to dispose of, to which I joke that there are 4 things at home that he has yet to throw away- the 3 kids and me. Months ago, my friend shared a video of Japanese being minimalist and the so-called konmari method of decluttering things. I really have to learn from them because I should not bring troubles to my loved ones to clear my things up if I'm gone one day. But unfortunately, I shop a lot recently. So talk about, having 3-4 pieces of shirts, a handbag and a pair of shoes.

Feeling heartache

Over the weekend, XY has achieved quite a big step in her life that one, she was busy climbing the stairs and finally made it up to upstairs all by herself. Second, she keeps saying ma-ma, I won't know if she means me or mum-mum as in food. But since she is such a foodie, she probably means food. Having her as no 3 also means that we have become ZEN parents. The brothers adore her so much that they feed her whatever they eat, which includes junk food like ice cream and biscuits. Without hubby and me supervising, the boys feed her and she happily takes it. What makes it worse, she asks for more. It's too bad that she enjoys the flavourful table food at this young and early age.

On another note, our last weekend was very eventful. But also quite a heartache for me. It has been so long since our last visit to IKEA food court. Everyone was excited! But Xuan lost the digital pet we got for him. The pets have been lying quietly at home and out of a sudden, he decided to bring them out. The second day, one of them cannot be found, until to today. I'm upset because they were brought in to Malaysia so far away from Japan by my sis' bf and they are not cheap. Coming home, the father decided to paint the wall. Without changing the clothes, the duo decided to help the father and stained their new shirts and pants. Everyone who knows me should know that I'm a real minimalist, I do not change our wardrobe often and most of the times, my kids' clothes are gifts from family and friends. While I'm still heartache that those shirts and pants got stained, my hubby told me not to cry over something we cannot mend. Hmm.........

Romper from London

Firstly, I'm such a minimalist that I do not spend much on my kids' wardrobe, even myself too. Secondly, boy's fashion has always been shirts and shorts, as simple as that. Lastly, my family esp sis bought a lot for them. A lot is like a few sets of new clothes can last them for many CNYs. Then, I have some friends who always buy clothes for them when they come back from vacation. This romper has been worn many many times and my kids have definitely over worn it. But it has so much value that I have no reason to dispose it of.

Traveling in winter

My siblings were here last weekend, we had our gathering and they were excited for my kids who are up for another trip soon. But my kids love places with snow. The joy of playing in the snow remains until now and they look forward to going to those places again. Whenever we mention we are going places, the first question pops up will be, will there be any snow? I couldn't hold my laugh when they anticipated snow in Taipei. The uncle is going to New Zealand in winter and they are envious of him. Xuan asked him to bring home some snow. Anyhow, even it's not winter in Europe, I'm still cracking my head what to pack for all of us. We are truly minimalist, I do not have to think about dress up at all. It's still chilly and my sis asked me to bring some thermal wear. I'm already determined to not over pack. I think I have to change my plan.