Empties 2025

Getting older means my skin condition changes and most importantly, I think about my retirement fund. So I was tracking my expenses. One of the expenses was on skincare. For 2025, it constituted around 2% of my total expenses. It's only 2% due to I spent a lot on medical (unintentional) last year. Hospitalization and follow up eats up the money, so less money saved. Plus, most of the items were bought on double11 sales on 2024. So, 2025 is mostly on clearing the items and on items that are too heavily discounted that I couldn't resist.

Anyway, around 1% is spent on facial service. Well, I think I will still going for the service, but I will decline to buy the package. I will pay on the spot even if it means the price per facial is higher. I don't want to be tied to a service for long time again. 

Others are on cleaner, toner, moisturizer, essence, face cream, body lotion, hand lotion, personal care items like tooth paste, tooth brush, soaps and hair shampoo. I wouldn't choose the cheapest brand and I am already pass the phase where I would buy the more expensive brands. Anyway, below are the items that I finished, some even expired long before I could finish it. Note to self, do not buy too much skincare items!

Below is the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream, see the cutting line? I squeezed out all the snail mucin and before I threw it away, I cut it into half and finished everything! I did that to my tooth paste and cleanser too.

COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream

Below is Kundal Ylang Ylang body lotion, I only managed to finish this after few years. The smell is too strong, I couldn't use this on my body. Finally, I used this on my feet. I need to undergo electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing before going into the manufacturing line, and somehow for some socks, I would fail the test and I had to spray some water to the socks to pass the test. Well, I guess the feet were too dry? So I started to apply lotion on the feet, and my problem solved!

Kundal Ylang Ylang body lotion

Below Himalaya Intensive Moisturizing Cream, I used this on my neck, it's too rich for my face. Interesting fact, this is made in Dubai. Wow!!

Himalaya Intensive Moisturizing Cream

Below is my usual moisturizer from Naruko Rose series. However, I couldn't get this from Watsons or the official Naruko shop in Lazada anymore. I am using the moisturizer from other Naruko series. I am going to explore other brands. 

Naruko Rose Hydrating Moisturizer

AMPM RX10 peptide total-defense sunscreen SPF50

Naruko Essence 

Naruko Eye Cream

Others like Watsons WATER360 Mineral Spring Rich Moist Essence Toner is repeat purchases. However, as a in-house brand, it is definitely not cheap. 

WATER360 Mineral Spring Rich Moist Essence Toner and others

Below Hatomugi toner also a repeat purchase.

Hatomugi skin conditioner 

Last item that I had photo is the Paw Paw lip balm. Actually it's not even expired yet, but I felt that the texture is a bit weird. So I scrapped this. I decided to use only Nivea Creme for my lips. There are news that Nivea Creme formula is changed in 2026, not sure it will be effective on my lips or not later.  

Paw Paw Lip Balm

So for 2026, I will focus on finishing up the current stock. I am following a Japanese budget guru "Peach" and she only used 2 products, and singing praises on Squalane oil (moisturizer) and glycerin (diluted to be used as toner). I checked the prices on this, and I felt that in Malaysia, the cost of squalane oil is not that cheap, plus I am worry that the diluted glycerin will become bad before I had the chance to finish it. If I do a small batch, then it will use up my time. Hahhh, I think will stick to affordable brands instead of DIY skincare. 

Instant Noodle is a life saver

I am not a hardworking people in kitchen and I don't have the enthusiasm to cook, I might do it on a whim, but very rare (very very rare). If i am not at my mom's place, I eat out all the time. Well, I am not the type that splurge on expensive restaurant. I had my meals in Kopitiam, having economy rice, noodles, rice dishes, etc. If I worked late, then instant noodle is my go to food. It's so flavourful. 

But of course, I couldn't eat instant noodles for continuous few days. I had this experience when I was in university, it was the exam week and the next paper was like one week away, and that was the time when there's no e-wallet. The nearest ATM was near the exam hall, around half an hour walk. My money was enough for like 5 meals at the canteen (around there, don't really remember), so what I did was I bought one packet of bread for breakfast (I had instant coffee sticks for drinks), I had my lunch at the canteen, eating rice with some vegetable dishes, and dinner with instant noodles (mind you, chicken soup flavours some more). I think after that, I didn't touch instant noodles for months. Plus, I make sure I had enough cash on hand. Well, that was before the era of e-wallet. Now I still have some money in my wallet though. Mmmm, the last time I went to ATM was like a year ago? 

The next time I had so much instant noodles was during the covid time. I worked in "essential" industry and I had to work on-site. During that period, the restaurant had to close by 8pm and even supermarket will not let us to enter around 7.30pm. If I managed to leave by 7pm, I would message the Kopitiam first to order and took my order before 8pm. Me and my housemates took turns to order food depending who got to go back home first. All of us worked in factory. I remembered one time the Kopitiam kept calling me because it's almost 8pm. I managed to take it before the Kopitiam closed. 

However, manufacturing life was unpredictable. If I left the factory after 8pm (and my housemates as well), then the only food I could have is instant noodles. Compared to university life, as a working adult, I had money to buy more variety of instant noodles. However, maggi curry flavour is still in my list although there are so many varieties out there. 

Below photos were taken during the Covid lockdowns period. Hahaha, I am 5s ing my stuffs. Decided to write this down and move on. 

Maggi Curry Mee

Maggi Chicken Noodle with Tofu

Other favourites included the Mamee Chef series (Tomyam and Laksa), Mi Sedaap goreng, and Mee Goreng series from Maggi. Occasionally, I would buy the Korean, Japanese instant noodles, and the newer local kopitiam noodles, I think Covid really spurred this, since then I had instant Pan mee and Kolo Mee. It's not cheap and eating out for Pan mee and Kolo mee is like only few Ringgit more. Plus, eating out means no wok, plates and utensils to wash. 

Mamee Chef Thai Tomyam sauce and powder packets

Mi Sedaaap Goreng

Mi Goreng Cili Ala Kampung sauce packets

Mi Goreng Sambal Tumis Bilis powder packets

instant Mee Goreng

Happy eating. The end.

JBR Bundle Banting

All these years, I only bought second hand books. For clothes, I only accept second hand clothes from friends or family. I have never bought second hand clothes, electrical items, kitchen stuffs, etc. Well, I went to Perodua Service Center on last day of 2025 to service my Axia, and one of the absorbers needed to be replaced, and the technician told me that it might take some time. So, I decided to jalan-jalan at nearby area. There's two supermarket nearby, one Megah right opposite the service center and a Econsave on walking distance. 

JBR Plastic Bag

Initially, I decided to walk to Econsave first, and I passed by this JBR Bundle shop. The exterior looks kind of inviting. So, I walked into this shop. Well, it's a second hand shop that sells used clothes, kitchen utensils, toys, plates, cups, blankets, etc. I still couldn't accept second hand clothes though. As I was walking around the cups and plates area. My eyes were attracted to a Greek-themed plate and cost only RM2. The first thing that came to my mind was I could use that as a space for my keys. 

I walked here and there thinking whether I should get it or not. Along the aisle, I saw many interesting cups and mugs. There are quite a number of mugs featuring the UK royal family. I am interested to know why the person who donated these bought it in the first place. Wow.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana mug

Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II

King Charles III's coronation

Silver Jubilee of George V

Anyway, the plate to commemorate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton is much more expensive, whole RM8 compared to the mugs. 

Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

There are many other interesting mugs. Someone sold or donate the "payroll center" mug. Maybe mug from workplace or free gift from payroll department. Kind of interesting looking at all the items. 

workplace mug?

Finally, I decided to get two plates and four cups for grand total of RM8. The cup costs RM1 each only. The cashier wrapped it with old newspaper to provide some cushion against impact. 

wrapped in newspaper

After I got home, I gave all the items a good scrub. I didn't know what have been done on the plates and cups before. After I cleaned that,  I threw away the stainless steel dish washing net and the scotch brite. Initially I only planned to throw away the scotch brite, but the price sticker is too difficult to remove, so finally I used the stainless steel dish washing net too. 

give a good cleaning job

For all the cups, managed to clean without damaging anything. However, for the first item that caught my eyes, an area of paint is peeled off after scrubbing the price sticker away. It's not glazed. Definitely not a plate for food!

my keys' home (Greek-themed plate)

The plate is clay based, I think. There's even a hole? behind the plate. 

clay plate? I am not sure

For my other purchases, cleaning did not change anything, other than removing the dust. I bought below cup due to it's made in German. LOL. I was thinking to use this as pen holder. However, it still sits on my table doing nothing as of now. 

Lorenz & Sohn Bavaria

Other three cups are tea cups. Two of the cups are same design, made in Japan. I think the brand is Anatole. I planned to put my crystal bracelets into this. 

Anatole Japan

Next cup is made in England. Still thinking what to do this cup. 

Royal Doulton Andante tea cup

Last item is a plate, the image is from a painting of John Constable called The Hay Wain. I think this is a souvenir plate from the museum or gallery. Also didn't know what to do with this, definitely not as my food plate, although this is a glazed ceramic. 

Bone China England

After the initial excitement, now only the Greek-themed plate is being used. Others are starting to collect dust on my table. Yeah, I have to keep remining myself not to buy just because it's cheap. So, that's all my experience in buying second hand items apart from books. I think the idea of second hand goods is good, but my mindset is difficult to change! 

Washing Machine Cleaning with Cosway PowerMax Wash Drum Cleaner

I didn't start to use washing machine until I was in my 20s. Prior to that, it was all hand washing. My mom had the theory that clothes washed using washing machine is not clean. However, I started to use washing machine in my rented place, it came with washing machine. And I can never go back to hand washing again. For two years, I never washed the washing machine. Until I moved to a house where I had 4 housemates. 

One night I wanted to do laundry and the washing machine drum is filled with disgusting black gooey water and I thought the incoming water supply got issue, so I opened up the hose to release all the waters, still the black gooey thingy not going away, I was alone that time, so I actually filled up water using bucket to clean it. So stupid of me! I was busy for around one hour and finally one of my housemates came back and he mentioned that he was actually doing the washing machine cleaning using washing machine tablet. That is the first time I knew that the washing machine can be so dirty. After that, I actually contribute my portion for the washing machine cleaning agent too!

Fast forward to few years later, I got my own house and bought my very first washing machine. Even my mom bought one for herself too, getting older helps to make the decision. After using the washing machine for quite a long time, I remembered washing machine needs cleaning too. So, i surveyed for the washing machine cleaner. There are a lot of cleaning agents out there. After some considerations, and someone mentioned to me that she likes Cosway product, I decided to buy this "Cosway PowerMax Wash Drum Cleaner". Another factor that helps to make the decision was there are lots of youtube video on this product.

Anyway, I used it on my Beko top load washing machine and my mom's Samsung top load washing machine. 

For my Beko, there's a function called "tub clean", so after power on the washing machine, i just pushed the button for "tub clean" and the water start gushing out. 

Beko Machine machine

After the water level reached around the top level, I paused the action and poured whole packet of the wash drum cleaner into the washing machine. 

PowerMax Wash Drum Cleaner

I watched in youtube, some even added hot boiled water to the washing machine. So, I boiled a kettle of water and poured all in too. Then I started back the process. 

cleaning on going

I did this at night, main reason was to let the water mixed with the drum cleaner to rest in the drum overnight. I paused again and went to bed.

after one night, the water quite clear though

The next day, I went to check on the washing machine, compared to the first time when I saw the black gooey dirty water in my rented house washing machine (shared by 5 people, to be fair), I think my washing machine is quite clean. I did see some small sediments. Nothing serious though. Then I run back the machine to complete the tub cleaning cycle. 

Finally, my washing machine is cleaned. I took out the filter to check and there were some brown colour sediments that stuck to the wire mesh. I used a brush to clean it and I feel the area is cleaner. 

sendiments on the filter

interior after cleaning

Well, I am not the kind of person that want her laundry smell wonderfully, but I do scare of moldy smell. Anyway, job done and pat myself on the back.

For my mom's Samsung, instead of pouring during the cleaning process. I did that even before the cleaning process started. And I don't remember why I did that.

drum cleaner in before cleaning cycle start

For this samsung, the function is called "Eco tub clean". I also did this at night to let it rest overnight.

Eco tub clean

After the drum is filled with water, I paused and went to bed. And continued the next day. Well, compared to my Beko, my mom's samsung has more sendiments after cleaned, but no way like the one I saw in my rented house. I guessed due to we are not using softerner. 

icky filter after washing machine cleaning

small sediments

That's all from me, and I hope all learn a little thing or two from this. Mold is not fun, cleaning is important!

Short Trip to Hatyai

*just typing this out at the end of 2023. I had this trip on 2018 (guess, too long ago). The reason I did this was due to the fact that I was doing cabbage fermenting and I forgot the steps. So I read back my own blog for the steps, although I am not earning from this blog, it helps to preserve my memory. I checked back all the photos taken during the trip and it was fun. Getting older and I might forgetting more details. So, here it is. 

Although Thailand is next to Malaysia. It's not the first foreign country I visited. One reason was I didn't start to travel until I started work due to economy issue. And by the time I have some money to travel, a lot of my friends have visited Thailand, especially Hatyai. So, I didn't manage to find someone who is willing to travel with me to Thailand. And I have never travel with night train before, so I wanted to use night train to go to Hatyai, many were skeptical with this thought. But, finally two of my friends decided to accompany me for the night train trip. 

I was so excited and once the train ticket is available, I bought the tickets immediately (Kuala Lumpur --> Padang Besar). Well, after me and my friends boarded the train, I only realized that I bought the opposite direction seat. So, the train was moving backwards from our seat orientation. Ahh, reminder to all, please check the seat orientation before booking, or else it is not a pleasant experience. Another incident was, after we were seated, a guy came to me and said that it was his seat, I was like "cannot be, I triple checked the date and seat number!" I took out my ticket printout, check seat number, same; check day, same. Finally the month, that guy actually booked a month later on the same day. Ahh, it really made me anxious for nothing. 

On this long distance train, power plug is available. It is located between and under the seats. I did some research before I boarded so I knew that the power plug is available, it took me awhile to find the plug though. It is hidden inside a white cover. 

the all important power socket

Well, the thought of night train is romantic at first. However, me and my friends had trouble sleeping, it was so cold and bright. And I didn't know that it was  not a express train, it stopped at so many stations. My fault for didn't check that fact first. However, in 2023, I think I read somewhere that KTM is having a special night train to southern Thailand. The night train I took was years ago. 

Anyway, we reached Padang Besar really early and we took a "private taxi" to the border for immigration check and then into Hatyai. When we reached our hotel, it was still too early (maybe before 8am), but all of us were so tired and sleepy and we asked the receptionist whether we could check in early to sleep and of course the answer is no. Our initial itinerary was to go eat breakfast at a famous breakfast stall, we couldn't stand the sleepiness, so we just slept on the sofas in the lobby area. I guessed due to this, the receptionist woke us up and told us to just check in. We checked in and slept until almost 10 to 11am, then only we went out for the breakfast.  I think we had Bak Kut Teh, well not bad but not so special for me. 

I don't remember must for the rest of the trip, I just remembered that my friends bought so many kid's clothes from the stalls, we visited stalls after stalls. Especially the Frozen themed dresses, sandals, etc for their daughter and nieces. I am still not a fan of that kind of dress. For the boy's clothes, normal with characters from transformer, dinosaurs, etc. Apart from kids' clothing, shoes, we also shopped for dried longan (I regretted this, it is space consuming and heavy and the price is not really that expensive in Malaysia), a packet of pickled vegetable which was sweet (recommended by a few aunties that we were on the same train with, my mother couldn't accept this, our usual flavour was salty), a very expensive and small dried sea cucumber packet (this my mom said still ok, good buy). And we went to the Tesco in Hatyai, we bought Thai instant noodle, seaweed junk food, dried fruits, Pocky, etc. All these are not that difficult to get in Malaysia nowadays, even if we can't get it in physical stores, we can get it easily online. 

I only remembered we went to various Pasar Malam and Pasar Pagi. And in most of the markets, we were pretty sure that most of the visitors there were Malaysians, we went on a school holiday. We only visited 2 tourist attractions I think. Too long ago. We went to a temple with big Guanyin statue and a temple with sleeping buddha. Ah, we also went to the river site market. I looked back at my photos, most of the times we were there, it was raining. However, it was still a fun trip because I was with my friends, I don't really get the appeal of traveling alone, yes, you could make new friends when you are alone, but it will be very awkward if you meet with someone not aligned with your religious or political views, unless what you discussed was something like food or travels? Food is dangerous topic too, Malaysians are too defending when food is involved. 

Taking about food, I had a very delicious roasted pork when I was in Hatyai, no wonder my relatives brought roasted pork all the way from Hatyai. The Thai dishes generally are ok for me. I went to Tianjin for work trip on June this year, I can only say Asean foods are more suitable to my palate. 

Transportation wise, I think tuk-tuk is so over rated. It's not covered, so you have to endure the emissions from the vehicles on the road, and they charged as they like. I think it's better to take Grab. I went to Hatyai a year after that bringing my mother, and I took Grab, it is reasonable priced, the drivers we met were more polite, the road trip became more pleasant. 

I missed traveling with friends, but with job commitments and my friends' family and job commitments, it will be a long long time before I travel with friends again. And a year after this trip, I brought my mom to Hatyai using flight of course, no more night train, and somehow she was not enjoying the trip. I guessed it is due to my bad planning. Anyway, I made a decision, if I am going to bring my family members for trip again, it will be with tour companies. No more DIY!