So.. let’s see who’s the culprit last year and maybe I’d learn how to minimize it this year.  As they say, if you don’t try to learn where your money went, you wouldn’t know how to save and budget.

1.  Canon Ixus 970is  (USD 406 or RMB 2780)

As I was getting sick and tired of my Olympus digital camera which drains battery faster than it can shoot, I wanted to buy my very own Canon digital camera.  My cousins and friends have used this brand for quite some time and were quite satisfied   with the shots they’ve taken and the camera itself. 

At first, I was contemplating of purchasing a SLR but I don’t  know how to operate one.  The only one I know how to operate    is my friend’s Nikon D50.  I hate SLRs because it’s big and  bulky and not friendly to put in your pocket.  I would admit though the picture quality is much better than a point and shoot.

Another reason why I want to purchase a new digital camera is I’m going on my first ever trip to my ancestral hometown in China.  So, with the help of the web and my friends, I visited several reputable shops in Beijing to find my perfect camera.  I was able to buy one at Carrefour for a discounted price as it was near Chinese New Year.

The purchase?  A Canon Ixus 970IS which has 10 megapixels image sensor, 5x optical zoom lens with image stabilizer, Motion detection technology, 2 gb SD card, face detection technology and other standard camera features. 

I’m quite happy with my purchase and enjoying the long battery life.  Now, I don’t have any reason to say that my camera is running out of battery.  I can also shoot to my heart’s content.

2.  Shishi, Fujian (USD 570 or RMB 3,900)

As I want to getaway from Beijing during the Chinese New Year as it’s so boring, I contemplated on visiting my ancestral hometown for the first time.  My grandfathers are both from  Fujian province and I’ve never even met them let alone visited     my relatives in China having lived here for 6 years already.

I was so excited as I didn’t know what to expect during this holiday.  As we’re not practicing Chinese, the Chinese New Year is a non-event back home.  Chinese New Year is giving out  sticky rice cake which I don’t even like to eat.  We don’t get red envelopes as we receive those during Christmas.  This trip would show me how Chinese New Year is spent in a traditional Chinese family.

When I arrived Quanzhou airport, my two uncles picked me up at the airport.  It was night already and the roads are all empty.  People are already in their homes fixing the Chinese New Year eve meal.  When we got to the ancestral home, it was already freezing and no amount of heat will make it warm. 

The fireworks were bland compared to the ones in Beijing.  Overall, the trip is quite boring and I don’t want to go back there.  One good thing that came out of this trip is the black Skechers boots (similar to the photo above) I bought for half the price.  With Uggs coming out, mine I think is much better than the ugly Uggs..

3.  Mom and Sisters Beijing & Shanghai Trip (USD 1,516 or RMB 10,385)

During holy week, my mom and two younger sisters visited me here in Beijing.  It’s my mom and youngest sister’s first trip to China.  I’m quite happy as this would be the first time since 2006 where the ladies in the family are together.  I was quite shocked with my mom as one day my dad just said she has her visa and bought the ticket already.  All I can say is “WHAT?!”  Oh well, I did offer to purchase her ticket but I didn’t expect it was that soon.

My two younger sisters will be coming from Manila via Shanghai.  As usual, I had to fly to Shanghai, pay for my ticket and hotel as well as pay for their roundtrip tickets from Shanghai to Beijing. 

I got to see the Shanghai Aquarium for the first time and we enjoyed it.  The weather wasn’t that great as it was cold and foggy.  I’m happy to visit the city again and was able to help my Starbucks collector friends in their collection.

My mom arrived the night when we came back from our Shanghai leg.  Her flight was direct to Beijing via Tokyo.  We visited the Great Wall and Summer Palace together and enjoyed the food in Beijing.  It was a memorable trip as I miss my family so much.  It was a sad day when they all have to leave and go back to reality.  It’s money well spent as it’s family.

4.  Seoul Searching in South Korea (USD 1,052 or RMB 7200)

For our 3 day weekend in May, Marco and I decided to go soul searching at Seoul.  Unlike our other holidays, this one is pretty relaxing but draining in our pockets.  We visited the mandatory sights and allotted the rest of the time shopping.  I was able to buy some beautiful dresses and work outfits which everybody loved. 

We stayed at Itaewon which is where the foreign bars are located.  Our location is quite good as there are several fast food chains in the vicinity as well as being in front of the subway stop.

We enjoyed visiting the palaces, Seoul Tower and shopping haven Dongdaemun.  We almost missed our flight as the alarm didn’t go off.  Luckily, we had enough won to pay for the exorbitant taxi cab fare. 

5.  Manila and Cebu (USD 1,695 or RMB 11,608)

Late August, I had to go back home unexpectedly as my grandmother took a turn for the worse.  It was a very sad occasion as I was already planning to go back home during the October holidays. 

I was sad as I wasn’t able to say goodbye to her when she passed away while I was on my flight to Manila from Hong Kong.  It was a very hectic week with the funeral services both in Manila and Cebu.  Since I was the only one who’s on a holiday, I was more or less at the funeral parlor all day long.

My dad and mom came from the US and it was really a trying time.  It was a mixture of sadness and happiness as people whom I haven’t seen for quite some time was there to give their condolences. 

6.  Acer Laptop (USD 899)

As my Dell laptop celebrated it’s 5th birthday last May, I decided   I need to replace it with a new laptop.  With the help of my   brother, we scoured the net for an affordable,  light, easy to carry laptop, with long battery life and will last me another 5 years. 

Our search ended with the help of numerous PC websites and Amazon.com.  Through amazon.com, I was able to buy a new Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T-6415 series for USD 899.  It’s all I ever wanted in a laptop except for the lack of DVD drive.  I don’t mind much about the DVD as I don’t use it that much.  The    speed is much better as I can play Pet Society (hihihi). 

 Currently, the model number of my laptop is AS3810T-8737.

7.  Singapore / Manila Trip (USD 1,606 or RMB 11,000)

During the October holidays,  I see to a point that I’m out of Beijing for a two week journey.  I only stay in Beijing if there are family or relatives visiting.  Also, October marks my birthday.  As it’s been quite some time since I celebrated my birthday with loved ones, I decided to go back home and celebrate it. 

Before going to Manila, I decided to go on a side trip to Singapore.  With a place to stay at my friend’s apartment, I enjoyed the different cultures that surround this small country.  I was able to buy a pair of shoes and boots which have gotten good reviews.

Singapore is a nice country but it’s too hot and humid to go around.  Also, there aren’t much things to see.  I’d probably go back when Universal Studios is open and eat my favorite cereal prawn at Jumbo restaurant again.

In Manila, I celebrated my birthday with my aunt’s family in my mother’s side and a post-bowling/dinner party with my cousins.  It was fun and nice to see everyone together.  I was also able to visit my niece but she was still in NICU. 

Since I was planning to search “actively” for a husband to be, I decided I need to learn how to be pretty.  Hahaha.. So, on this trip, I studied how to put on makeup.  Yes.. I don’t know how to put on makeup so I don’t wear any most of the time.  If I do have makeup on, that’s courtesy of the salon.

Conclusion

Hmm… This has been a very expensive year.  I’ve already finished computing my 2009 expenses and I can’t believe I’ve spent roughly RMB 9,400 a month (excluding insurance premium).  I really need to cut down my expenses.  So, does that mean I have to minimize my travels this year??  *sniff*  I don’t want to!!! 

In China, we have two week long holidays and several long weekends.  The first week long holiday falls on Chinese New Year.  This year my wandering feet took me to my ancestral birthplace, Shishi, Fujian, China.  It was freezing and boring.  There wasn’t that much to do.  I enjoyed meeting the relatives though.  It was a different experience but not something I want to repeat.

During the Qing Ming Festival long weekend, my siblings came to visit me.   I fetched them in Shanghai as they took the Cebu Pacific flight.  We went to the usual tourist haunts such as The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Gardens and Xintiandi.  A first for me there is the Shanghai Aquarium which I thought was a good place to visit especially for kids and sea animal enthusiasts.

During the Labor Day long weekend, my travel buddy and I set our sights to Seoul, South Korea.  It was a pretty relaxing trip as there weren’t that much places to see.  I did  get a chance to wear a Korean dress and have my picture taken with it.  Shopping there is fantastic and the price is reasonable with the quality they give. 

Towards the end of August, I had to suddenly return home as my grandmother took a turn for the worst and we had to lay her to rest in Cebu.  It was a tiring week as I had to attend the wake in Manila and Cebu.  However, I enjoyed eating home cooked meals and food that I miss the most while I’m here in China.

At the end of September, my wandering feet will bring me to Singapore.  This will be my first visit in this small progressive country.  I’m looking forward to meeting old friends and classmates who are based in this country.  Of course, I have to visit the Merlion, Sentosa Park and probably do some shopping.  

The second week-long holiday will be spent in Manila.  I’m planning to celebrate my birthday with friends and family.  I also have a list of things that I would like to do and experience while I’m there.  Of course, I need to look my best and probably catch a man while I’m there.  (hahaha!) 

Towards the end of the year, my brother and sister-in-law will visit me in Beijing.  We will be doing a side trip to Datong and see the Hanging Monastery and Longmen Grottoes. 

I hope there won’t be anymore surprise trips as  I don’t have any holiday leaves left and my bank account won’t be able to take it anymore.  I’m really a sucker for travelling.  I should find a rich man to fund my travels.   Till 2010.  I should be planning ahead for the Chinese New Year again.