I’m flying 4 different states in US in this month long trip. Technically 32 days if I include the time taken to fly to and fro. I went with 39.6kg for 2 checkin luggage and I wonder how much I will come back with.

US is so big that I am in 4 different timezones in 4 different states. I started my trip in Chicago for a work conference, then flying to New York City for holiday. Then I went to San Francisco to visit my friend, Gulabi, and also chill/vacation before heading to Scottsdale for work. Definitely counting my blessings and feeling thankful for the opportunities although I can’t help but to feel lonely at times and missing my Singaporean food. I definitely lost weight because my belt size has downsize by 1 hole within the first week. Now it is the end of the second week and I am like at the same belt hole (which is also the smallest) but I am feeling it is a bit loose… I got the 90cm length 13mm belt just last month and now I am regretting because I should have gotten the 85cm one. Hmm, maybe I need to get another one at 80cm. Sigh, the belts are expensive even though it works pretty well. I just spent thousands on 2 Canada Goose winter coats though. Oh well, if I am going to get another belt, I probably will get in NRT airport. But I am not sure how fast I will gain back the weight and my belly fats again. Aiyo. The food choices in US is making me lose weight too quickly liao lah.

Well, I am blogging while I am flying again. As I grow older, I realised these timings are like the most reflective moments – especially when I am flying alone. There are WiFi available on flights usually but somehow I don’t use it. I only post it on my blog much later. Haha.

I’m realising the benefits of being an adult and having adult money. I’m on a flight from JFK airport to SFO airport. It is a 6.5 hrs flight and I booked Delta Airlines main cabin initially. Somehow I decided to just pay for the upgrade to Delta Premium Select less than 12 hrs before my flight departure time. There’s no seats available at Delta One (first class equivalent) so I went for the next available tier which is Delta Premium Select. There’s upgrade got me 2 free checkin luggage which anyway, I also needed to pay US$80 for it with main cabin. I was worried that I need to checkin my hand carry luggage which was what happened in my last year’s trip (JFK – SFO). Well, I was one of the last few passengers and nearly missed the flight. The main cabin seats are pretty decent for US domestic airlines but the Premium Select seats are much wider and comes with an inflight meal which was served in ceramic plates and glass cups. I spent US$478.38 for the upgrade which is a bit pricey. 

I am wearing my new Canada Goose expedition parka which I got it in New York City for the flight since it is heavier than my existing The North Face jacket. The coat has better backpack straps which makes it really comfortable to carry around. I can carry it like a backpack instead of lugging around on my arms. I really like its portability for sure. 

Couldn’t have done all these if I don’t have adult money for sure. I’m feeling fortunate that I have money to do and buy all these stuff and experiences. This is my first solo trip to NYC. NYC is really quite expensive so I am glad that I can afford to do 5 nights here.

I’m on my second business trip for the year and yes, I am back to US again. This time it is earlier than the usual time because I managed to get selected for the last minute slots available for Grace Hopper conference in Chicago this year. So I am flying to US earlier and staying for a month until I am done with all the work required in US. Technically I can fly twice for conference and work but nope, I am not subjecting myself to such long hours of flight 2 times in a month. Lol. Doing that for twice a year is already making me question reality. It’s a blessing to represent my company in both Women in Cybersecurity and Grace Hopper conferences this year. I’m thankful for the opportunity but a part of me is like…. Why am I doing this to myself because I really do not like long and numerous flights… I had 8 flights when I flew to US in April and now another 8 flights in November. Well, at least it is a month duration so it is not as jam packed.

However it is also because it is 1 month long that makes me quite anxious. It is my first time preparing to fly while staying by myself. It is also my first time leaving my house unattended for more than a day. Maybe I should have tried something like 1 week vacation first before doing this 1 month business and vacation trip.

I haven’t got chance to blog about my trip in April and I don’t think I blog about my last November trip and now I am off to US agin. Wah everything is very delayed… This time round I will be in 4 states/cities in 1 month, starting Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and finally ending in Phoenix. Yup, that’s like east coast to west coast then centre of US. Quite like an US tour. Now I feel like some singer/musician flying around for tour performances. 😀 Nope, I have not change my job hahaha.

I am going to Chicago for conference then work for a few days in Chicago office before starting my vacation in New York City and San Francisco. Then I have to head to Phoenix to work in the Scottsdale office before heading back to Singapore. Well, I have to take vacation in the middle because I am only expected to be in Scottsdale on end of November and my conference is on the start of November in Chicago. I do want to visit New York City again, in particularly Central Park since I wasn’t able to explore more of Central Park last November. I was having a massive blood flow from my menses – like need to change my pad every 30 mins. So I got no choice but to listen to my body and cut short my Central Park exploration. Very glad that I am going back now again.

Yesterday was one of those days when I am like so productive. Started my day shifting my luggage to my parents’ place then went for my personal training class before heading back to my parents’ place for lunch. Then I went to see TCM because I am still having back flow of mucus and my knees are hurting again. Then I went back home to do laundry before heading to Vivocity to check out the Monday Made x Miki Rai collection as well as getting a replacement pan from Happy Call.

Then I went to Steph’s place to collect the lemon essential oil that I asked her to help me get from Young Living before going back home to cook my dinner and rest for the day/night. My legs were so tired from all the rushing but also because of the leg/butt exercises that I did during my personal training session too.

I fell sick yesterday. I spent most of the day sleeping and now I’m not feeling that sleepy to sleep. I will be back to work tomorrow though so I do need to sleep earlier. I think I have been lacking sleep due to the amount of housework and my new job responsibilities.

Well, I got promoted to MTS2, or rather Career Ladder 7 (the new terminology) after close to 5 years. That also helps to reduce some of the financial burden I have since a job promotion means more salary. Haha.

I need to prioritise my sleep more and stay healthy. Being sick while staying alone is especially lonely. In fact, staying alone is already quite lonely. Oh well. Today I realised the single lady owner of another unit in my floor is renting out 1 of her bedrooms to another female tenant. I’m surprised that she can somehow manage to store all her stuff in 1 bedroom when I am struggling with 2 bedrooms and to store all my stuff. Lololol. Well, she has 2 toilets for her house since she got the bigger unit while I have only 1 toilet. At least I can still sustain for now. Hopefully I can sustain without the need to rent out any of my rooms because I am really struggling with space.

One of my neighbours who is staying in a 4 bedder in the same condo project as me is renting out 1 of their bedrooms to a male tenant. They are a family of 4 and they are also renting out a room. I realised the ability to not need to rent out is a good spot to have. Privacy is really a privilege.