12 things in February

Small getaway, sunset, lovely scented candle, and more books! I had a beautiful month in February; it was short but packed full of blessings, splendid weekends, and lots of healing moments.  

1. Chinese new year | I began my February by spending my off-day crossing off one of my bucket lists when things go back to normal - visiting Mitsui Premium Outlet. Although I didn't get anything there and the mall was unexpectedly dull, I still had a great window shopping day and watching people roaming around the outlet.  
   
   
2. 500 jumps in 15 min | It was such an accomplishment that I couldn't ignore for breaking my last 300 skips record in a month, even though I abandoned this routine for the next three weeks. Sorry for being inconsistent frail, dear self.  
   
   
3. Sunset at Tanjung Emas | Being stuck at home for almost two years made me appreciate the beauty of the sunset even as someone who wasn't into nature. I enjoyed my slow evening at Tanjung Emas, watching the sunset and listening to my favourite playlist, and forgetting about those stressful things for a moment.  
   
   
   
   
   
4. A date with myself | I am someone who needs company where ever I go. I'd rather starve myself than eat alone, especially in public spaces. But I don't know what was into me, last weekend, I went to KL by public transport and roamed around KLCC all alone, for the first time in 26 years of my life, and I had a good time. Hanging out with friends and family is great, but wasting a few hours in the bookstore without rushing and being rushed was such a healing moment for me. Maybe I should do this once in a month.  
   
   
5. I had one stressful meeting with my team one day and was in a bad mood for the whole day. Painting was such great escapism, and I had a therapeutic moment. And I certainly need to place a new order of more DIY paintings for my future well-being. 
   
   
6. ZUS Spanish Latte | Recently, I've fallen too hard with ZUS Spanish latte. It's perfectly suited to my taste. If it weren't for its excessive sugar, I would drink it every morning before starting my day.  
   



7. What I watched |
   Hwang Jin Yi - It's an old drama series. Hwang Jin Yi is a familiar name in Korean culture. An illegitimate daughter climbed her way to success against all the odds and class hierarchy. It was new to see the fragile side of Hwang Jin Yi throughout the drama, but I expected to see more of her ambitious side and how she'd get to the top instead of her love affair.  
   
   I also rewatched lots of dramas and TV shows in February instead of new dramas. I watched Angel's last mission when I was in the mood for crying, I am Not a Robot when I need comedy and Lending You My House of Wheels for healing - no kidding, I kept on repeating this show.
   
   
8. Reading my old diaries | I was one day reminisced my day by reading my old journals from 2008. One or two logs are missing in between, but reading those 11 diaries since 2008, was cringing in a way. Still, it was also lovely to learn my growth, how my views and perceptions changed over time, my sadness and happiness moments, and I don't regret not throwing them away. Thank you, mom, for still keeping my diaries from I was 12 so that I could hang on to my old memories.  
   
   
   
   

9. What I read | My reading habits still went strong even though I wasn't really impressed with most of the books rated between three to four-star. Bookdepository mail arrived earlier than expected. Usually, it took more than a month, so I expected them in the early of March as I made my order at the end of January, but received all of them in the middle of February. I can't complain though. I finished nine books within 28 days, most of them are classics.
   
   
   -A World Without Islam by Graham E. Fuller
   -10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
   -To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
   -Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
   -Little Women pt.1 by Louisa May Alcott
   -Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne and Peter Holeinone
   -The Apple and the Tree: Life As Dr Mahathir's Daughter Marina Mahathir
   -Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
   -A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
   
   



10. Cosy Playlist | I ran into this playlist shared by @thesunalsoreads on Instagram, and I instantly be smitten by her playlist. It is the perfect go-to songs to set up the cosy moods with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in another while wrapped up in a blanket with rain on another side of the window.
    
    
11. Scented candle | Now that all my scented candles are all used up, I was hunting for a new candle and ended up choosing Bath & Body Works. I was thorn between Champagne Toast, Rosewater & Ivy, and Black Cherry Merlot. They had a Buy 2 Free 1 Sale, it was tempting, but I ended up picking Rosewater & Ivy. Priorities.
    
    
12. KLAB BookFest | It was my first time visiting a book festival in a while. Since I wasn't into local publishers these days (not that I looked down on them), I thought I wouldn't spend much time there, but it went longer than expected. I was itching to buy more books, but I kept reasoning that I had to finish those unfinished books I purchased before purchasing more books. And.. let's just say it went well.

How was your February?