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The moment I reached home after work, I downed a piece of bread because I was too hungry and then put a round of laundry to wash. Vacuumed. Hang the clothes. Mopped. Scrubbed the toilet floor and walls but I gave up half way because the scrub isn’t helping me to remove the grime. Hand already aching.

Changed bedsheets, put another round of laundry to wash, folded clothes and Iris is back to fetch me out for dinner.

“You smell like Pappy after tennis.”

“Sorry, was cleaning the house, no time to bathe.”

Came home, hang 2nd round of clothes, clean kitchen, bathe.

Continue with hiding my stuff and documents. Now I’m lying on the bed with a smile. At least I know mummy will come home to a clean house tomorrow.

I was very pleased with my cooking progress last week. I cooked 4 out of the 5 weekdays. Tried new recipes. Yes, it amazes me too. This week…I kinda gotten lazy because I’ve got too much things on my mind to actually have the time to think and plan of what to cook.

Been sick the past two days too.

I’m back into my worried and panic mode again. Mummy’s coming soon and knowing her, I got to make sure the house is in tip-top condition when she arrives. Come to think of it, I only have tomorrow night. HAHA!!! I think I can do with vacuum, mop, quick toilet clean, quick hiding things behind cupboards. I used to really hate cleaning because I just think cleaning the house takes a LONG time. I used to dislike cleaning because I think cleaning kills my brain cells. Now that I’ve done it almost every week, the most once fortnightly, it is becoming a routine and I’m getting faster at doing it.

I’m excited that Mummy is coming but at the same time feel stressed. 😀

I’ve never been so engrossed and so into following the news. The recent Japan earthquake and tsunami has got me reading the news many times in a day. I even watched CNN for 2 hours on Sunday which I won’t usually do on a normal day. The news and stories are serious, sad but at the same time, inspiring, heartwarming and touching when I read about how the Japanese are coping in the face of adversity.

It reminds me that we are lucky to be free of natural disaster and life is short.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Japan.

I’ve never really come up with a budgeting plan and track down every little expenses until half a year ago. I have been forcing myself to record in spreadsheet each time I spend so that I keep track of where my money goes to. I spend on food and I want to know how much. I spend on petrol and I want to know how much. I started this way long ago but never had the consistency to keep it going. I’ll either be tracking for the first half of the month then I slowly die away. I’m pleased to say my January expenses track list is somewhat a complete one. It’s not that hard now to record the expenses. In fact, it’s slowly becoming a habit for me.

The reason why I’m dying to do this is because I find it harder to save. I think I was able to save more with the starting salary I had 5 years ago as compared to now even though my salary is higher than that of 5 years ago. So, you see…something is not right and I don’t like the feeling and thought of it. It could be that I spend more on little luxuries (monthly facial and so on) but if you ask me, monthly facial is no longer a luxury, it’s compulsory. As much as I would like to save a big chunk of my income, I wouldn’t want to live miserably either. Hence, BUDGETING!!

And so….while I kept track of the past monthly expenses spreadsheets, I never did anything to it until today. I compiled the data…and I’m thinking maybe I should show it in percentage or in a pie chart of the slices of different categories of expenses. What is necessary, what is not. What can be reduced. What I can do away with. What I should take note of and so on. Honestly, I don’t like the data I’m seeing now. The total expenses of some months is close to the total income, which actually means I don’t get to save much and I cannot allow myself to live like this anymore.

The only good thing about this is…it wakes me up. It opens my eyes to where my money goes to and I need to ask myself if I still want money to go away like that. I also seriously think that I need a side income, if what I want is more than just save but to save and have money to invest. This will be a learning process. If I have a clear overview of my spending habits then I guess I won’t feel overwhelmed and keep thinking why I’m always broke.

Gracie…towards financial freedom. Now, sleep!

Hi Bunny,

I’ve not talk to you for a long time and hope you’re doing well above. This is a rabbit year and it reminds me of you.

This is a very different CNY for me in so many ways. I think and ponder a lot about things that are not happening yet but issues that will definitely happen in the future.

You may be laughing at me but I’m thinking of how and where I should celebrate CNY once I get married. I’m not quite sure if I’m ready of not celebrating CNY in sandakan when that day comes. I think it’s best I get someone from the same hometown so that I can be near home during CNY.

A guy confessed to me just the other day. It has been so long, Bunny. So long since someone tells me he likes me in person. I have to give him bunny points for having the courage to tell me in person. But the thing is I’m no longer the person I used to be. I think too much with my head now that my heart’s kinda cold. It’s because I used to think too much with my heart and got hurt pretty bad.

Anyway, I guess we’ll just remain as friends for now because I really don’t feel the same like he does.

Work wise, I still like what I’m doing but I think I can do with trying out something new. I hope this new, small project I’m trying my hands on will lead me to many more good things.

For the first time, I really really want to own a house. I don’t think it’ll be achievable now but I want to walk down that path. I will have to think of ways to grow my money. Whether or not I’m going to have a partner to share it with me, I really want to buy a house, make it mine and make it a home i’ve always wanted.

Above all, I’m grateful for whatever that has been bestowed over me. I may sound long-winded but I really think I should count my blessings and not take things for granted.

I’m going to carpool to work from tomorrow onwards, you can say it’s a part of being green, economical and I hope it’ll work out well.

Going to get myself ready for bed. I’ve also not been sleeping with any aircon since I came back. I think it’s not too bad.

Feeling a little hungry too. I’ve not eaten a full proper meal for the last 3 days. Tummy is still weak from food poisoning but I want to be well so that I can eat up this Chap Goh Meh.

Sarangheyo!