Big Bad Wolf December 2019

Well, I didn't go to the Big Bad Wolf book sales for the pass one or two years because my book buddy and I were busy and we have tonnes of unread books. However, she resigned on the middle of this year and we felt that we could use this Big Bad Wolf as a chance to meet up. So, same like previous years, I took half day leave on the first day of the sales to go to this sales.

We parked at The Mines Shopping Mall and went to the MIECC after having lunch. Me and my buddy were very surprised that we couldn't see anyone at all lugging bags of books in The Mines Shopping Mall. I remembered previously when we ate lunch in The Mines, we could see a lot of people with the Big Bad Wolf plastic bags. I think everybody else already bought enough books to last a lifetime from previous sales. 

Me and my buddy separated after entering the sales and promised to meet again after one and a half hour. Initially, I took a basket, then I felt that it's not not convenient, so I returned the basket and took a trolley (like the one used in supermarket) instead. But after awhile, I felt that I won't be needing that, so I pushed the trolley back to the original place. 

At the local publisher corner, I saw a lot of academic books, no wonder no one was there when I was browsing at the area. It is not as interesting as novels. I think most were excesses from the university publisher, there were even books on how to write thesis. A very dull subject. But it will be useful for the final year university student.

There were many translated books also. I didn't see it on previous sales. Maybe I didn't pass by the area previously. This area was also quite deserted.

The most popular and happening area would the children's section. The parents (maybe some were businessmen) were so enthusiastic, buying loads of books. Most of the people in the area has a trolley full of books.

Looking at the books were quite fun too, I would buy if I have a child.

I didn't have access to this educational children's books when I was young. It was very expensive and my parents would not be able to afford that. I remembered that some of my friends, they had the ladybird series when they were young. I only started to learn ABC after I attended kindergarten, no preschool learning or anything else. My earliest memory on learning was right before I went to the kindergarten, my late grandfather thought me to write my own name in Chinese. I only went to the kindergarten for one year and then directly started primary school. Nowadays, parents send their children to kindergarten as early as 3 years old, so early. But some of my friends said that they were afraid that their children would be left behind if they started school too late. Well, this book sales helped parents to save a little with the affordable price.

There was a small corner of Chinese books too. Didn't find any interesting titles.

There were many other unusual titles too. Interested to look at, but no desire to buy and keep at home.

I found many classic titles too. Example below, Madame Bovary. I read this book when I was in secondary school, it was available in the school library and it is a Malay translated version. I couldn't understand why Madame Bovary wanted to have affairs and destroyed her own life. Too complicated for a form 2 student. I read a lot of books when I was in secondary school, no computer that time and free time was spent reading. I read "Tulang-tulang Berserakan" then, I couldn't believe that I actual finished reading that book, I couldn't even finish 5 pages of "1984" now. I still remember that "Bukit Kepong" was a struggle, it was a much more difficult read than "Tulang-tulang Berserakan", but since it was the exam requirement for Malay literature classes, I finally got an abridged version of it and only remembered the important points. But another novel for Malay literature was very easy to read, I forgot the name, but I still remember the story.

There were many box sets also, like "Harry Potter series", "Paulo Coelho", etc. I only wanted "The Alchemist", but I couldn't find the single book, only available in sets. I also couldn't find Terry Pratchett, I bought many Terry Pratchett's books from Big Bad Wolf previously. So finally I got myself three books only. The least books that I have bought from Big Bad Wolf sales.

I bought "Paper towns" from John Green, "ok" from Allan Metcalf and "The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks". Haven't started to read yet,  but I think I will enjoy all these books. Apart from the books, I also enjoyed meeting up with a good friend. 

Empties 2H19

2020 is coming soon and Malaysia is not yet a developed country as envisioned by Tun M years ago. I still remember I was still very young when I first heard about this Wawasan 2020, I was very impressed by Tun M speeches and I couldn't imagine how it would be in 2020 then, I was just in primary or lower secondary school that time, what I remembered was that Tun M didn't need notes and he just continued his speech in English and Malay without stopping. I was so young then, it was so impressing and I did believe that Malaysia will become a great developed country by 2020. Now, I feel tired with the current political state of Malaysia. So negative. We all need to work together to make Malaysia a better place. 

Anyway, enough ranting. Time for empties. This is a record for myself.

1. Nivea Vanilla & Almond Oil Infused Body Lotion
As usual, Nivea didn't disappoint me, it is affordable and it works to combat dry skin. However, the smell takes sometimes to get used to. 

2. Clinelle Purifying Toner (Purify, Soothe & Protect)

I don't normally change my moisturizer, but I do change my toner a lot. This is my first Clinelle product. The smell is quite refreshing and non sticky. I tried to spray directly on my face and it was disastrous, my face until neck was all wet, so finally I spray it on cotton pad before apply on face. Overall, a so so product, not so cheap compared to other toners. Can buy if in deep discount.

3. Naruko Rose & Aqua-In Super Hydrating Moisturizer 
This is my staple moisturizer. Well, it is not so expensive and I feel that it is quite good, so, repurchase again and again.

4. Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream
Well, I don't like the smell, but it not not oily and quite moisturizing, so have to bear with the smell for first few days. After that, one would get immune with the smell. This cream is full of the Hyaluronic Acid, so I think Hyaluronic Acid smells like this cream. Plus, I bought another Dr Morita High Purity Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Facial Cream, both have identical smell. But in my opinion, the Dr Morita's smells better. Hahaha. I don't understand though on the packaging, it is only a 50g cream, but the bottle and box is so big compared to the actual volume.

5. L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh Hydration + Antiox Active Night Mask-In Jelly
If the box for Hada Labo Hydrating Cream is big, then this L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh  Night Mask-In Jelly is huge. The volumn is only 50ml, but the box is so much bigger than the bottle. I have to admit that when I was deciding which nigh mask to buy, the big box gave me an illusion that it is cheaper per volume. I didn't notice the actual volume is only 50ml. I just guessed from the box size. Anyway, this is not a bad night mask but I still think Naruko night mask is the best.

6. Special Biomedical Repair Cream 
My second bottle and it didn't solve my chin acne problem like the first one. I think that before I stopped using, there must be around half bottle left, but when I opened yesterday night, only a thin layer left. Anyway, time to throw.

7. Nivea Creme
Very cheap, affordable and versatile cream. Haven't buy a new one, but planning to get one soon.

8. Loshi Moisture Skin Cream - Horse Oil 
A very moisturizing cream. So rich until can use on body, I applied this on my feet to avoid crack feet. So unbelievable, 220g and I finished it.

9. Sukin Hydrating Day Cream with Rose Hip Oil (120ml)
This is quite cheap considering that it is a huge 120ml bottle cream. But the box is smaller than the L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh  Night Mask-In Jelly, Hahaha. I have no luck with the Sukin night cream, but this day cream is not so bad, it has a pleasant smell, quite moisturizing. But I think I will not repurchase.

10. L'oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Aging + Firming Aqua Milky Toner
I applied this after the Clinelle toner. I feel that actually this step can be skipped. But since I already bought this, have to finish it up. It is heavier than the Clinelle toner, but not as heavy as the normal moisturizer, cannot be used as moisturizer on its own.

11. Botaneco Garden Organic Chia Seed & Honey Hand Cream
A Guardian Pharmacy house brand. The hand cream from this Botaneco Garden range is really quite good. Initially I thought that this Honey Hand Cream would be too sweet, but no, it is not smelly and non sticky, easy to absorb. I put this in the office, whenever I felt that my hands were dry, I applied this hand cream. And one day, I lost the cap, and it didn't dry up. After one month I think, the cream texture is still the same. A very good hand cream. Now waiting to finish current stock, most likely will repurchase, unless Botaneco Garden comes out with new flavour, then maybe I will change. Hahaha.

Happy new year everyone! May 2020 bring you happiness, peace and prosperity. (sounds like Chinese new year wishes!)

Empties 1H19

I am getting lazier and lazier. Didn't touch this blog for around 6 months. However, I have empty bottles to throw away, so have to do this for my own record.

1. Palmer's Olive Oil Body Lotion

Frankly, I bought this during sales. It is much more expensive than my usual body lotion. There is another variant, the coconut oil body lotion, but since coconut oil is comedogenic and I have issues with body acne, I just chose this olive oil version with no paraben, no mineral oil, no sulfates, etc. It also contains shea butter, not sure the percentage though. This body lotion is more fluid than the normal Nivea body lotion, the smell is not bad too. I didn't feel stickiness when I applied on my skin. And I didn't feel itchy after that, so I guess this is a good moisturizer. Will definitely buy again if it is on sales.  

Palmer's Olive Oil Body Lotion