I need a blu ray player!

I am not quite a huge fan of the movie version of HP. But then, I don’t exactly hate it. I guess I am like many fans (of the book) out there – there is always something not right with the movie. But anyway despite that, I have 2 DVDs for EACH movie. The first version are the individual ones that I gotten when I first started to watch the movies. Then 2 years ago (I think!), I purchased a all-in-one package cos I wanted to binge watch them.

I never open it as I was always so busy. It wasn’t those really expensive ones but a very basic set with all the movies in a disc. So today, I decided to start my binge watching. But it did not go according to plan. Somehow my LG DVD player was down. I spend the next 20mins or so trying to figure out what went wrong. But in the end, I still couldn’t get it to work. We have a second DVD/CD/Radio player at home. From the brand name, I am quite positive that it is a china brand. I was so happy that it works. But I tried to put in my disc….. It took a long time to load. So I open and try another disc (CoS). BUT IT COULDN’T LOAD. I cannot remember where I get my disc from. But I never have a problem playing those DVD from amazon. Yes you can play them internationally. You just need to “unlock” region code. Since it is quite obvious that it is not working, I went to my room and took my other PS DVD. It took a short while to get started but it finally play…. But it get stuck at the scene where the troll was knocked out. So I stop the disc and open it again. I tried fast forward but it got stuck at the same scene. Feeling frustrated, I went to iTune to see how much it would cost to get the digital copies. It wasn’t cheap. Okay, it is cheap if you break down by 8 movies and you get to own it. I can watch it on my MacBook… But why would I spend another 100bucks again?! So I think and decided that I need to get a new player!!

For a few years, I never thought of getting a Blu Ray player. Silly me – I always thought those player can’t play the normal DVD. But it wouldn’t make sense as DVD player can play VCD. But not the other way round. So I decided to get a Blu Ray player. Yes, I know… lots of people don’t even buy DVD anymore. But I still enjoy watchng DVD as I love to watch things on a big screen… So I am going to spend some times to research on the different player models.

My first concern is of course getting one that allow region free.

After doing some research, I believe that there isn’t something call region free. Only Oppo (Yes the same mobile phone company from China) advertised it as multi-region. It was recommended by people who actually watch Blu Ray with all the sound setup. But its pricey and they don’t sell it at normal electronic store.
Well, I don’t have a super fancy tv. Ours is the a normal LED tv from Samsung. Then I don’t need the sounds effect as I am sitting in my living room. So my concern is to able to play all the DVDs I have from amazon. Cos we are in region 3 and they are region 1. But for blu ray disc (I have none as of today), I guess there is no problem as we are in the same region as US.
Then I realise there is a new term – UHD? It sounds like an upgrade to the current “blu ray” technology but again, do I need it? As my tv is a normal tv set.
Whatever player I decided to get. I am going to get fantastic beasts as my first! I was reading a thread on reddit. I wasn’t the only one who don’t understand Mr Scamander sometimes as he seems to be mumbling.

[Update]
So I got it! A Samsung player. Its not the latest model or anything. In fact, it’s from 2015 from my research. It’s 3D but my tv don’t have 3D (I think…) I was thinking of getting a UHD one but I don’t even have a UHD tv (and not planning to get one) so why would I need such a fancy player? So I decided to get a cheaper one. I am happy as long as it can play the DVD or disc I wanted.

 

New stuffs!

Since it’s a new year again, so I decided to talk about new stuffs….

New header – Okay, obviously it’s kinda odd and it’s kinda not quite HD. But this would be temporary until I find a decent one.

New look – so I change the font and colour to follow the colour scheme.

New (old) interest – As mentioned in one of my previous posts, I have an new-old interest! So I would be blogging more about it…. In the meantime, I am also clearing some of my stuffs to make room for my interest. In a way, it also helps me to remove things that I couldn’t get rid off previously due to sentimental value.

Old interests to keep – So minimalism is still kinda of my thing. I would be reminding myself to buy only what I need and to live with less things 🙂

As for fashion, I would remind myself to only buy what I need and probably trying to cut down to clothes that are comfortable and more sustainable!

Last year, I tried going into bits of the “nautical” style which I love. In future, I would be investing in clothes that are more sustainable and probably in this style. In the meantime, I have to learn to practice “the need not want” concept!

 

 

 

Melissa x TSCS satchels

I always want a satchel! They are so old school and so everything. But the problem is good company like TCSC made them using real leather. There is no way I am buying a leather product!

Last year, i purchased some satchel-looking bags from a Thailand company, Merimies

They are made in PU and in Thailand itself. They look nice for a little while. But sadly, after a while, I found them way too bulky! The base is quite wide….You can’t really carry things like umbrella cost the bag itself is very hard. And I need to carry umbrella everyday.

Recently, TCSC released a new collabration with Melissa – Yes, The rubber shoes company! I am a big fan of Melissa shoes as they are really nice and all vegan. 🙂

Ahhh look! it’s the classic style but totally vegan!

But I decided not buy….
1) I do not need another bag 😦
2) I realise I am terrible at storing bags like this.
3) I just don’t have the space to hang them anywhere.

Well, one of my goals this year is to cut down the number of bags I need. Maybe by then, I would find a genuine need to get this. Till then, I am not spending.

My obsession with Harry Potter

Latest update – I am obsessed with Harry Potter… again!

I have been a fan since…. well, I can’t remember. But GoF is the first book I purchased. So its somewhere there. I have been re-reading the books every few months. Then I kinda stop last year with work and study and everything else. I divided my time between other things that I am crazy over – Lost, LotR, X-Files etc. Then a few days ago, I decided it is high time that I should re-read the books again. You know, when you started the first book, you absolutely cannot stop until you finished. So I spend the next days between lunch, work and bedtime to finish all seven books!

After finishing the book, I was “lost” for a night or two. Wondering what I should do now? Then I decided to watch Fantastic beasts! It was open in between the period of my exams. So I didn’t watch it. Okay, I didn’t really like or hate it. But I kinda get obsessed with the wizarding world again.

Then I went to the site that I always go to – Mugglenet & Pottermore (of course) to catch up on news and stuffs I have been missing…. There is so much stuffs on Pottermore that I haven’t read.

Some stuffs I did:
– Purchase a mystery keyring pack at a local bookstore and I got….. Ron! (MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER!!) So lucky! There are 8 or 9 designs so I am so happy!!!!

• Sort myself at Pottermore – I got into Hufflepuff! It was a bit shock…. as I never expect myself to be Hufflepuff!
• Ordered the Harry Potter subscription box at LootCrate. Yes I know, considering the past history I have with subscription box (I decided it was too much!) but I couldn’t resist. This is HARRY POTTER! The next theme seems to be related to house. I am quite excited as I don’t own much from my house.
• Ordered some stuffs from Hot Topic… Got a sweater and lanyard for my house 🙂  I need a scarf, robe and beanie!! 😀  My Hot Topic order didn’t go through. It is so fustrating. Tried both credit card and PayPal payment but both didn’t work. Send an enquiry to the CS. But they are useless Asked me to call the bank but I am so positive that it wasn’t anything related to that. I have an recurring payment on Paypal so I am positive my Paypal is fine. (On a side note, I called Paypal to as my account was locked. Guess what? The CS is so nice. He gave me $20 (!!!!) for being an long time customer. My account was set up in 2005!)
• Out of frustration, I got my Hufflepuff scarf and beanie! It is cheap so I doubt it is anything official….
• Got some kawaii bag charm and stuff toys
• A HUFFLEPUFF RUG from Thinkgeek. It is on sale but the shipping costs almost as much as the rug itself. But I need to get it as I doubt I can find anything like this anymore… I shouldn’t be complaining since they can ship this internationally. (I saw a tapestry on Amazon that ship oversea. But somehow Hufflepuff costs more than other houses. Being a smart shopper, I am tracking the price. But I may not get it as I don’t have a place to hang tapestry.)

I have a few books to get. Including those wonderful Fantastic beasts books. I will wait for next month as I spend way too much on the HP merchandise for this month already 😦 well, I don’t own much HP merchandise. I have a Gryffindor scarf, a Ron (of course!) funko, some clothes from Primark, UK, some toys, 2 wands, cards, bookmarks etc. I didn’t have much honestly. But of course, I have to exercise some control as I cannot be buying everything I see. haha.

01 Jan 2017

Happy new year!

I have been looking forward to a new year – as I can finally start my routine of doing planning and organising.  So looking forward to a fresh start!

This year’s new year resolution:
1) Keep room tidy & organise
2) Minimalism
3) Need not want
4) Reading target – 20
5) Daily planning
6) Write more, read more
7) Brisk walking

For me, the most important thing is to “practice” minimalism. I have not been applying the concepts to my life as diligently as I would. But hey it’s a new year, I hope I would be able to work on this again!

A friend bought this from Japan Daiso for me 🙂 It is so cute! Japan’s Daiso is one good reason for me to visit Japan as they always have different stuffs. I wish they could have it in Singapore too. I am using it to record my spending 🙂  I hope I won’t write much in it!

On the background is a notebook from Campus which I am using to jot down my daily thoughts! It is a great notebook as it’s not pricey and it’s super smooth to write on. I got it at Tokyo Hands. For buying a pack of 5 and a stack of loose leaf, I got 2 notebooks free 😀 Both Muji and Daiso sell similar notebooks. But the ones from Muji are not as good. I haven’t try the one from Daiso.

It was always good to meet up with friends over for meals or coffee. As I grow older and having a change in lifestyle, I no longer find shopping a joy. Sure, I do like shopping once in a while. But mainly I shop to get the essential stuffs. I am okay with not shopping for a long time. To me, the most enjoyable thing is to talk to friends. I realise some people are glue on their mobile phone instead of having conversations. There was this friends  who have dinner next to us. They were looking at their phones instead of talking. Maybe they have shopped for long time so they don’t want to chat. But well, I think it’s important to keep your phones away when you are having dinner.

As mentioned in my previous post, brisk walking is in my agenda to get more active. For me, it is never about pushing myself to run or jog for marathon. I don’t like gym activities either. Maybe few years down the road, when I have the space, I would get a treadmill. But for now, I enjoy brisk walking with the nature. 🙂

I finally update my reading challenge for 2017. I haven’t read much for 2016 due to my study. But I will definitely aim to read more. In fact, my target has been set at 20.