Falling down the rabbit hole

So this month - well March AND April (already!!!) - I have fallen down a rabbit hole. It's called the rabbit hole of no strong will. I have been so good in January and February with my intentional spending exercise. I didn't purchase anything and have spent most of the two months using what I already have. Which I thought was very good, that meant that I have controlled and curb my spending impulses.

Then with the announcement of the Olive Edition TN, all broke loose - I was on a spiral. Seriously guys, I need help. In the span on how many weeks, I have bought so many things that it SCARES me. I am also waiting for the items to arrive impatiently, but a tiny voice inside me tells me that this is it. Stop the spending. Take time to reflect all that you've bought. Ughhh...

Well, here are the items that I'm waiting to arrive:

the Olive Edition TN

So, I initially pre-ordered on Baum-Kuchen's website, and apparently Wakako only received a small number of order this time. Within 5 minutes, I could not place an order. It went so fast O_o haha But, have no fear, I am currently waiting for my Olive Edition TN to arrive from Nomadostore. Woohoo, will post pictures when it arrives <3 

TSL x BK Travel For Life Wallet in Passport size

I bought the regular sized TSL x BK Travelr For Life wallet in khaki/navy - with the intention of using it in my regular size. I have always been a sucker for the wallet that Wakako sells on Baum-Kuchen. I have the Essential Wallet (in black and nude) but the only thing that I don't have is the Lambskin Essential Wallet. So, I decided to get the canvas//leather wallet and I love it. THEN, she posted a picture of the passport sized one and I went bats**t nuts!! Of course I had to have that TOO. I mean I have been religiously using my passport for the past month and also this month. It's been super helpful, especially with carrying little booboo's items around. This is a pre-order item and will arrive in May, so I'm biting my nails waiting for this.

Traveler's Company Brass Fountain Pen

Well, what can I say? It is a BRASS fountain pen in the signature bullet-style that Traveler's Company produces. So, need I say more as to why I caved in? :D I honestly can't wait to use this and looking forward to see the brass patina. I love how my brass pen has patina over time. 

Lamy Safari Petrol Edition

I have no excuse for why I pulled the trigger on this, except that LOOK AT THAT COLOR!!! <3 <3 <3 I honestly can't justify why I did it but oh well... I did and I am waiting for this to arrive soon. I have been a Lamy fountain pen lover for a while. Some people might not like the shape of the pen and etc, but it's one of my first fountain pen and there's something about it that appeals to me. I have my late father's Lamy Safari Charcoal color, a Lamy Vista Demonstrator, a Lamy Safari in Dark Lilac and currently waiting for this one to arrive. 

That's it guys. I hope that I won't be caving in anytime soon and purchase more stuff. I need to rein it all back in and just love what I have and use them as much. Show them loooooovvvvveeeee <3 <3 <3

Which Country Fits Your Personality?

If you're like me and love taking random online quizzes, try this one out. I love trying out these random quizzes, not that I believe them, but it is a fun thing to do. Especially in the current times, being able to just do something fun is important.

I did, and surprise, surprise, the country that fits my personality best is..... JAPAN. With my love for Japanese culture, philosophy and stationery, I am not surprise :D

Take the test here.

Current EDC: Midori TN Passport in Brown

So, with little booboo around, I've taken to downsizing my EDC. I still use my black regular Ace Hotel as my planner, but I keep it at home, where it would house my memory-keeping and other stuffs as well. I've been testing out carrying a passport MTN for the past week and so far, it's been working. 

A huge part of why it works for me, I think, is that I've separated my work planner from my personal. I currently use my brown regular Ace Hotel as my work planner, and the setup is very simple - the 2017 dated monthly calendar and a 128 pages Tomoe River Paper insert. Yes, I thought about using the TMR thousand of times, before finally committing to use it as a work insert. So far, 2 months in and I have yet to reach the middle of the book. It works great for me since I take copious notes for work and during meetings. I also have it as a bullet journal for work - but it's not completely BuJo. Just my way of BuJo-ing. 

Anyway, back to the brown MTN passport. The setup is as minimal as I can make it - or take it hah! - and currently it houses:

• 2017 dated monthly
• Grid insert
• Lightweight paper insert
• Ziplocked pouch
• Kraft folder
• Passport Plastic Sheet for writing
• Be the Light charm from Baum-Kuchen

I decided to use my brown passport, since I wanted it look as nice and aged as my camel passport (which I took on my recent travels and HEY IT GOT BANGED UP RATHER NICELY I WOULD SAY - I love all the scratches on it.)


Since I've been using a regular size for the past 3++ years, downsizing to a passport was a tough decision for me. I did my due diligence in research, tried a few weekly layout that would work, tried to find a way where I could manage the information I needed to carry and at the same time making sure it's functional, and I'm happy to say that I think it's working for now. It fits my current needs. We all know that there'll come a time, where I'll probably change it up again *haha* 

How I Use My Passport

I write down my appointments in my dated monthly - just the time and what it is. Then, I add the information in my Google Calendar (since the Mr is a hardcore digital user when it comes to planning.) We share a calendar and this is the only way that would work for both of us. So, for things that needs addresses, I'd input that into the Google Calendar (which helps the Mr since he would then get directed to Google Maps.)

My grid insert has my weeklies drawn in it. So, currently I would only draw the week that is happening and whatever future planning goes into my dated monthly. If I need to write more about that upcoming event, I would write it down in the next page in my grid insert and keep track of it when I draw the next coming week's layout. 

Notes and other stuffs that needs to be written down, gets written down after the weekly that I've drawn in. So basically, it's week > dailies > notes or important info > then I'd draw the upcoming week on Sunday. It sounds complicated, but so far it works for me. 

The lightweight paper insert is more of my journal/musings. I find that I struggle to write in my regular size these past few months, cause just when I feel like I'm on a flow, little booboo has other ideas. I find that with the smaller page, it helps me write it out faster and easier than seeing that large amount of white space. Having the passport size currently does help me write more, cause I don't feel pressured into writing long passages, since the space is smaller.

I have a fourrouf passport sized wallet insert, but decided to use the ziplocked insert instead since I wanted to be able to see the faces of my loved ones, quotes I put in, etc. I also have a leather wallet insert by INKspiredBy on Etsy. I love it and am thinking of using it as my wallet, and when I want to have it in my passport, I can just slide it in. We'll see what I decide to do.

Since I've been using my passport TN, I've been checking out on other users' setup and etc. I came across this text by Patrick Ng on his Flickr account (p/s Patrick's TNs are AMAZING! So thankful I had the opportunity to meet with him at a Baum-Kuchen event last year. Read Wakako's post here.) So, he said in a post:

Designphil (or Midori) launches a new Traveler's Notebook in passport size, available in March. The idea according to Iijima san from Midori is that you use the passport size leather notebook to capture stuffs and then transfer to your more permanent full size Traveler's Notebook, so every notebook refill of the passport size has removable sheets. It is ultra portable not only good for your passport as a jacket, you can roll it up, throw it into your backpack, torture it and it still has that beautiful raw look. Same as the full size Traveler's Notebook, you can add a plastic zip pocket to store receipts and name cards.

I like that. That makes me feel better about how I'm currently using my passport and my regular - just like how the creators have imagined it.

Idealist Counselor: INFJ

Today I googled up personality test. I don't know how that topic came about in my head, but it did and I keyed it in Google. There were a few options that came out but I clicked the one on Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II.

There were about 20++ questions to answer and it took about 5-10 minutes to complete it. I found out that I am a Idealist Counselor (INFJ). INFJ stands for Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging. It's from the Myers-Brigs personality results. 

• Beneath the quiet exterior, INFJs hold deep convictions about the weightier matters of life. Those who are activists -- INFJs gravitate toward such a role -- are there for the cause, not for personal glory or political power.
• INFJs are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden. They often are found in the wake of an emergency, rescuing those who are in acute distress. INFJs may fantasize about getting revenge on those who victimize the defenseless. The concept of 'poetic justice' is appealing to the INFJ.
• "There's something rotten in Denmark." Accurately suspicious about others' motives, INFJs are not easily led. These are the people that you can rarely fool any of the time. Though affable and sympathetic to most, INFJs are selective about their friends. Such a friendship is a symbiotic bond that transcends mere words.
• INFJs have a knack for fluency in language and facility in communication. In addition, nonverbal sensitivity enables the INFJ to know and be known by others intimately.

Writing, counseling, public service and even politics are areas where INFJs frequently find their niche.

This is also a good read about INFJ.

So what does an Idealist Counselor means? From the website, this is what it means.

Counselors have an exceptionally strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others, and find great personal fulfillment interacting with people, nurturing their personal development, guiding them to realize their human potential. Although they are happy working at jobs (such as writing) that require solitude and close attention, Counselors do quite well with individuals or groups of people, provided that the personal interactions are not superficial, and that they find some quiet, private time every now and then to recharge their batteries. Counselors are both kind and positive in their handling of others; they are great listeners and seem naturally interested in helping people with their personal problems. Not usually visible leaders, Counselors prefer to work intensely with those close to them, especially on a one-to-one basis, quietly exerting their influence behind the scenes.

Counselors are scarce, little more than three percent of the population, and can be hard to get to know, since they tend not to share their innermost thoughts or their powerful emotional reactions except with their loved ones. They are highly private people, with an unusually rich, complicated inner life. Friends or colleagues who have known them for years may find sides emerging which come as a surprise. Not that Counselors are flighty or scattered; they value their integrity a great deal, but they have mysterious, intricately woven personalities which sometimes puzzle even them.

Counselors tend to work effectively in organizations. They value staff harmony and make every effort to help an organization run smoothly and pleasantly. They understand and use human systems creatively, and are good at consulting and cooperating with others. As employees or employers, Counselors are concerned with people's feelings and are able to act as a barometer of the feelings within the organization. 

Blessed with vivid imaginations, Counselors are often seen as the most poetical of all the types, and in fact they use a lot of poetic imagery in their everyday language. Their great talent for language-both written and spoken-is usually directed toward communicating with people in a personalized way. Counselors are highly intuitive and can recognize another's emotions or intentions - good or evil - even before that person is aware of them. Counselors themselves can seldom tell how they came to read others' feelings so keenly. This extreme sensitivity to others could very well be the basis of the Counselor's remarkable ability to experience a whole array of psychic phenomena.

These personality tests are good to understand ourselves in a behavioral science manner, but it should not be a dictating factor as to the need to mold and create your relationship. Knowledge is power, but also having the logic and analytic capabilities to acknowledge and know which is right and wrong. Like the saying, the journey is the destination. 

Minimalism ~ can I do it?

So, I've been thinking about minimalism a LOT these past few months. It's been one of the driving factors towards me finding my planner peace. The fact that Mark Zuckerberg only wears the same clothes to not waste time deciding what to wear, has always fascinated me... and made me feel like, heck I can do this too (we shall see....haha)

One way that I know I can do towards minimalism is cutting down what I buy in 2017 and going through all my stuff that I have. I started reading Marie Kondo's book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up last year and DID NOT finish reading it. Sacrilegious I know!! haha but yes, I did not finish reading it. I still have it on my bookshelf with my bookmark, waiting for me to continue reading the pages. But I figured, I can do it. I mean it's getting rid of stuff right?

Oh yea, as easy as I made that sound, I only managed to go through my clothes in my drawers and closet. However, I knew that going through my clothes and shoes are easy for me. When you talk to a stationery-lover, clothes are easy to go through. It's the planners, books, papers and pens that are harder!! I have those waiting for me to go through - which I have been procrastinating for the past three weeks *facepalm*

Anyway, I hope this weekend is better and I manage to get it done. I need to also take pictures of the planners I am wanting to let go, cause I would prefer they go to new homes where they will be used... We'll see how this weekend pass and fingers crossed I actually get it done - at least halfway is still good enough for me haha

Hello 2017!

This year things kicked off a little late for me. I've been on vacation in Southeast Asia and only recently got back. It was nice being able to visit family and friends; catching up, laughing and joking around as if it was yesterday. Made it a point to visit old high school friends as well, and boy have we grown up. Things have changed so much and we talked about the future and what we expected from our future self.

One of the things that got to me was how much memories I have missed by not journaling these moments down. Past memories that we talked about, so much emotions got evoked, that I realized how sad it is that the habit of journaling was not instilled in me before. I've made it a point that this year, I will record and write more - not to make it complicated on myself, but just find time for me. I do envy planner ladies who are more vigilant at memory-keeping and journaling. I've realized that to appreciate and embrace myself, I need to make time for myself. If I am able to make time for others, why can't I do the same for myself. I matter too and it's not being selfish, but self-care; which I know is a part that is lacking in my life.

So, for 2017, I've decided to simplify my process and be present: for myself, my family, my friends and improve the quality of my life. The word that I've chosen for 2017 is BREATHE. I will slow down and appreciate life. I will take deep breaths to appreciate life and what life unfolds for me. I will breathe and work out to ensure I live a healthy life. :)

My planner for 2017 will be my Midori Travelers Notebook black ACE Hotel edition which holds my monthly calendar, my weekly+memo diary, a kraft folder and my olive fourrouf wallet insert. For work, I am completing the remaining pages of my 2016 Leuchtturm bullet journal :) My intention is to not purchase anymore items, but to use what I already have in stock and will only purchase as needed. (We'll see how that will come along :P)

That's my 2017 kick-off. :)

2017 Planner - checked

So, a while back I was commenting on how I wasn't sure if I was going to get my usual dated vertical weekly insert from Travelers Factory. Well guess what, I pre-ordered it from Baum-Kuchen earlier today :P Who am I kidding? That's the only way I am comfortable planning my days and why should I try and change it just because I'm not sure how it'll look like. I might as well grab one and if I can't use it, I'll sell it off on one of the FB groups.

If you are planning on getting the dated inserts from Travelers Factory, head over to Baum-Kuchen, cause Wakako has the items up on her website for pre-orders. While I was browsing, I also got a monthly passport insert and the 2017 stickers :) I love tabbing my inserts with it. Helps me flip back and forth - also who knows if I'm getting the Weeks. I can use the smaller tabs for the Weeks like how I did this year.

Yet, I am cautioning myself to be careful and not go crazy over the planners like how I did this year. I think I'm going to keep to the BuJo for work, cause it seems to work. Combining work notes in my personal planner seems a little overkill - especially since the notes I jot down are a lot. So, I might continue what I'm doing right now and combine the use of both. I've been thinking about going back to using my Camel TN as my planner/wallet. I really want to cut down the things I carry in my bag, especially with my little peanut coming soon.

More updates soon :)

My Hobonichi Weeks

So, I recently moved back in my Hobonichi Weeks as my EDC. I was using my regular Camel MTN up till the moment I decided to separate my work notes/planner and start using my Leuchtturm 1917 as my work BuJo. It was a carefully thought out plan (as all my planner ordeals have been haha) and I decided to move my work stuff in a separate Leuchtturm 1917 BuJo cause I'll be out on maternity leave soon. I figured that it's best that all my work notes are in that book cause when I come back for work, at least I know where all my notes are rather than trying to figure out which inserts I was in. God knows I go through my inserts really fast and I don't want to lose any information and have them in separate inserts.

After separating my work from my personal planning, I found that I have a lot of space in my regular Camel MTN which is my EDC. I've been updating my Weeks and with the recent Travelers Factory announcement about how the vertical inserts will now have smaller columns as they will have all 7 days in a row, I've been thinking about possibly getting a Weekly + Memo dated insert for 2017. One thing I realize about the Hobonichi Weeks layout and  the Weekly + Memo layout is that it is pretty similar, except that the Weeks would be a tad slimmer and a tad shorter. So, if I am really getting the dated Weekly + Memo insert for 2017, I figured I might as well plan and get used to it.

Another thing that went through my mind is the Tomoe River Paper monthly + weekly insert that I got from PooBirdsRarities. It is undated so I could possibly try it out already, but I have this thing where I don't want to waste the planners that I have already hoarded, ahem I mean bought, for 2016 and I would like to have it all in one year. Also, since it's undated, I didn't want to write out the dates with my handwriting - so of course I purchased a basic stamp set from StudioL2E.

I think I pretty much am set for 2017 - if I decide to just use what I have and not purchase a dated insert from Travelers Company. At the moment, I am okay with using what I have but who knows in a few months time, I might change my mind and hoard, ahem again I mean, purchase what I need based on my enabling mind. Oh well, either way, carrying the Hobonichi Weeks will lighten my load considerably :)

Hmm.... maybe one Hobonichi Weeks, 2 A6 planners, a dated Travelers Factory insert... haha lots to think about :P

Morning Routine

One of the things that I have been continuously trying to do this year is to have a calm morning - where I don't immediately dive into the social media whirlwind, emails, etc - but take time to be present.

It turned out to be one of the hardest habit to kick off but over time, one of the most rewarding time of my day. i find myself constantly craving for that downtime, where I am not inundated by the digital noise. In this day and age, I truly understand that technology and being connected is an important aspect, but at the same time, I really feel that I have been stretching myself too thin, just to accommodate the digital needs. It also comes from the fact that I have family and friends scattered across the globe, and Whatsapp or FB messages comes in at the most inopportune time (i.e. when I am in my REM stage of sleep ~ haha).

This is where my travelers notebook is one of the things that I appreciate a lot. The fact that it's a constant in my life right now, makes me appreciate the time that I make to write in it. It's also too pretty to not constantly be touched everyday ~ you know what I mean. So, the fact that I use it to write, doodle, journal, write quotes, etc in it, makes it indispensable to me. I am trying to not let blank pages scare me or turn me off, but let it be a page where I can let loose and just write whatever.

I've also realized that I may have been too ambitious in feeding my TN-obsession. I have too many TNs that are sitting on the shelves, and I feel bad. On the other hand, I also don't (it's one of those weird moments). Either way, my constant EDC (everyday carry) is my camel TN. I've been super-finicky with the sizes that I'm using. I  have been going back and forth between the passport and the regular. However, at the moment, I think I am set with my regular, cause I have realized that I need the space. So, that is the current setup - which can change again anytime soon - so I am okay with that. Cause I know that my planner setup will change according to my needs and I have realized that I am okay with that.

Living life with a purpose

So, I know I have been MIA for the past few months (read: half the year has passed since I last posted anything!), but life has been good. There are so many changes that has happened and new chapters are beginning.

As much as I haven't been chronicling my adventures online, I haven't forgotten to write it down in my journals. For my mid-year check-in, I have started thinking about my 2017 planner needs. I realize that this year has been really overwhelming and that due to planner-envy, I went crazy and got too many dated planners that I am struggling to keep it all together.

As much as simplicity is a concept that I want to start incorporating in my life, I find that I really struggle with it. It's a concept that feels easy in my mind ~ something that I have always felt that I can easily attain and achieve ~ but in real life, it was much harder for me to practice it. I needed a breather and have taken a step (okay maybe 10 steps back) to evaluate and reevaluate my needs.

Here are my observations that I have concluded:

1. Be true to myself. Just because it looks nice when other planner people does it, does not mean that I am capable of doing the same. I should not try and emulate what other people are doing, but rather let myself find my own voice and style. It's my own contribution to the planner community when I keep true to myself.
2. Listen to my intuition. Don't get suck in that space in between want and need. I should know better than to cave in that niggling, insistent voice that tells me I need it all, cause I know better. 
3. Be consistent. It's hard to keep at it when you have so many things coming up and wanting your attention. However, I find that early mornings help me find time for myself, to sit, enjoy my coffee and write. It helps me cause the day tends to be hectic and after a while, a pattern starts to emerge and I have continuously written every morning. There are days when I just wanted to grab my iPhone, but I try and beat the urge (cause I don't want that tech to control my life O_o) and so far, it has been good. Keep at it. It will be a great habit to start cultivating. 

Another thing that I realize, is how I'm caught in the world of wanting things to be perfect before I start to share things with others or even to myself. And the realization that there is beauty in imperfection needs to come from within. As much as you know it in your mind, or in your heart, the synchronization between those two, where the heart and mind comes together, that is where you will find peace and realize that it's okay to have imperfections. That is character and makes it unique. :)