the kakeibo lifestyle

There was an earthquake this morning. It happened while I was getting ready for work. I wore my usual Friday garb. Dark denim bootcut jeans, black linen t-shirt and my loafers. I love my loafers. They have just enough heel to be dressy but still comfortable. I have to admit, they were expensive. I procrastinated buying them and stalked the Rothy’s website constantly for sales and deals but they are worth every penny. They make my wardrobe look professional even if I’m just wearing jeans or a t-shirt. They feel better and look better compared to wearing ballet flats. I think I might follow up with another pair but the pointy toe heeled style. Monday, this week I bought a few gifts for my niece. She and I share a love for needlework so I ordered a neck light, a jar of 500 stitch markers and a portable yarn holder so she could crochet or knit on-the-go. $31.01 I want to use some scrap leather that I purchased from the reuse store years ago so I ordered a leather work kit complete with nee...

Wednesday. Traffic is getting worse. Citizens are getting back in their groove.  Today I got dropped off.  So, I got some needlework done on the drive. The workplace is starting to show its ugliness.  I don't like it. I have worked in toxic environments, and it has left me on the defensive.  I definitely keep my guard up.  I no longer overshare. I do not talk about colleagues with coworkers.  I keep my opinions to myself, and I observe.  I am starting to not like what I see.  It is sad, though. I work with very dedicated people.  They have such wonderful personalities, and they are resilient af.  Breakfast was free office coffee and a snack pack of Knotts Berry Farm shortbread cookies.  Today another colleague celebrated their birthday and they bought pizza for the office. I joined to sing and took a slice of plain cheese back to my desk to work.  Before lunch, I met with two regular clients.  One client left the office sm...

Today was a departure from yesterday. I left earlier this morning and when I saw my neighbor walk to his car with his coffee in hand, I remembered my water bottle. Little blessings. Work was work, as usual.  I did get a lot more done today. I have been experimenting with time blocking.  I've refused entertaining walk-ins and instead encouraging appointment requests.  So far, my time efficiency seems to be paying off.  I've been using my earbuds often to block out unnecessary distractions during deep work sessions, listening to YT videos on finance and entrepreneurship.  Today, was Mel Robbins' podcast 5 Rules of Money: How to Make It, Save It, & Be Smarter About It featuring Tiffany Aliche. It's 10 months old but still relevant. I crochet a few rows during my first 15-minute break.  I have my redeemed chicken and potato stew with multi-grain rice for lunch. I did pack a Clementine Izze but today I needed an extra dose of caffeine. The vending machine pi...

Today was foggy. Thankfully, the freeway was not backed up and traffic was at a minimum my entire commute. I wondered if everyone and their grandmother was stranded in airports everywhere. I arrived at work by 7:49a but because our computer system at work is shit, I logged in via cell phone which is highly frowned upon at 8:03a.  Work was work. I had been out of the office for 5 days. Peopling again after a hiatus put me in such a foul mood. So, I kept to myself and limited exchanges. Even after my single coffee, the side eye was my constant dark passenger. I had a brown bag lunch as usual, but I did forget my water bottle at home (also a reason for my sour disposition) forcing me to buy a bottled water from the often-unreliable vending machine on the second floor. $2.35. Bottle of Dasani water. I also finished my first (audio) book of the year, Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang for free on my Libby app.  I contemplated visiting a local reuse center for cheap c...