Series of Ordinary Days

Yesterday, I got a manicure for the first time. And a pedicure. I have always been quite dubious about having either manicures or pedicures so to suddenly get the nails on both my fingers and toes done was a pretty big deal for me. Granted, I did not even go for a gel polish with pretty designs or nail extensions, but I have always been rather wary of the whole “someone handling your nails for you” thing, so this is an interesting step.

I am rather pleased with the results, and I especially asked the nail technician to cut my nails till they are very short, since I like to keep them as short as possible. If they get a bit long (like, 3mm long), I start feeling itchy and I end up pressing them into my flesh, so I try to keep them as short as possible. Hence the reason I did not go with gel polish—what is the point of spending extra on permanent gel polish when I will have them trimmed in a week’s time? I did not like the idea of placing my fingers under UVA light, too, so it does not make sense to spend all that extra money. I think I might go back weekly, or fortnightly to get my nails trimmed. I can obviously trim my nails myself, in fact, I trim my nails to this length every week. But it is so relaxing to sit there and have someone trim your nails for you. Maybe I can opt for the “Quickie Manicure” option that they offer, next time. From what I understand, it is just a shape and trim, and then regular polish/buff and shine. It will definitely be easier on the ol’ wallet. But I suppose I can go back every few weeks for the whole works, like cuticle care, etc. That was what I opted for this time, by the way. I am definitely going back every few weeks for a proper pedicure, however, since my toenails are completely ungovernable. I am still on the fence on whether I want to keep having polish applied, or if I would prefer a buff and shine. I guess that will depend on how long these coats of polish last.

Also, I do not mind spending money at this nail salon (The Nail Social). Apparently they provide vocational training to marginalised women, which I can definitely get behind. I am not all that concerned with whether my nails turn out *exquisite* afterwards, since I prefer short nails with clear (or similar) polish, and I do not know much about nail art, anyway. But I am sure their nail technicians can produce pretty nice nails, not that it is relevant to me, however. I wear gloves almost daily, after all. Long nails might make it unpleasant. I

Anyway.

This nail salon also has a cafe one floor down, and they serve a really neat watermelon coconut slushy! What an absolute relief in this boiling weather, Singapore is really entering the season where the weather is just downright unpleasant.

I actually really liked this cafe (The Social Space). From the photo, there are some shelves behind the slushy. Apparently it is their fair trade centre area. I like that. I saw items from local businesses (there was one selling items from a mother and her son), items that are sustainable and fair trade, and I also saw soy candles that are poured by people in marginalised communities in the Riau Island. I think the money from the sales are to go towards their welfare, or something like that. There was a candle that was labelled “Coffee and Cream,” and I imagine burning it will make your house smell like a cafe. Lovely. Unfortunately I did not get it, since we are in a bit of a pickle with money lately (what with our BTO and renovation coming up). Yes, I still did get a mani-pedi, but we all need a little something to live for, don’t we? I do plan on getting that candle in the near future, though. It depends, I am a little sensitive to smells, so I will probably need to sniff it a bit more to decide if I like it enough.

The nail salon also provided iPads with Netflix on it so that the customers can watch shows while their nails were being dealt with. I started watching this documentary called Trust Me: The False Prophet. Went home and subscribed to Netflix and finished the entire documentary (it is 4 episodes long). I have so much feelings about it, so much mixed feelings. I am going to have to sort through my thoughts a little over the next few days. But wow, Dr Christine Marie is so…I am completely in awe of and humbled by her. What a compassionate and courageous human being.

Anyway, I guess this is it for tonight. I will probably pen out my thoughts on the documentary over the next few days, to help me keep a record of some sorts.

Also.

I cooked 20 meals’ worth of food today! Packed it all into containers and into the refrigerator. 10 meals of one variety (Fried rice comprising white rice, cauliflower rice, chopped spinach, and eggs, alongside chopped long beans cooked with minced meat), and 10 meals of another (fried rice comprising white rice, cauliflower rice, chopped spinach, eggs, and an entire half of a napa cabbage, alongside mapo tofu with minced meat). The former have long beans included in the side, so I only bulked the rice up a little with cauliflower rice and spinach. I added an entire half of napa cabbage to the latter because mapo tofu does not contain vegetables. I think our meals for the work week ahead have an impressive amount of vegetables and protein, so that is healthy enough, I guess. Thank goodness we aren’t that picky with home cooked food, though I am mighty picky with the cafeteria food, hence my decision to pack meals for us.

Overall, this meal was pretty easy to prepare. Sure, it took a while to wash and chop the long beans and the napa cabbage, but the chopped spinach, cauliflower rice, and minced meat could be bought frozen at my local grocery store. Thank goodness for modern technology. If I have to chop everything, this would have taken me 6 hours instead of 3ish hours.

I do feel fulfilled, in some small measure. I guess this weekend was an overall good weekend. Getting a mani-pedi, walking around the Tanjong Pagar area with my husband, Q, afterwards…we have not done this for a while. Ever since graduate studies started, my thoughts have been so wholly consumed by it. I am glad I was able to squeeze out some time to live for a bit. Cooking a couple kgs’ worth of food was not all that fun, but the thought of not having to decide which lacklustre meal from the cafeteria this entire week feels great. The thought that I am bringing a bit of home with me through my lunches and dinners is nice too. I suppose this is my life growing in the cracks and crevices of the pavement of adult obligations.

Bealie