Weekend Reprieve - Vacuum Bag Saturday

The previous week was a busy one; loaded with tons of phone and face-to-face interviews. And this week would be just as tough... if not worse! For me, that makes it imperative that I enjoy this intermediary weekend!

Not sure if I have fully maximized my weekend, but it's safe to say that it's more enjoyable than my typical weekend at home.

Saturday was a great D.I.Y. day, with me learning a few tricks with the large zip bags sold in Daiso (the SGD2 store here in SG).

Christmas season is upon us and it is common for Pinoys to be sending some things back to families and friends in the Philippines through balikbayan boxes and such.

(BTW, normal balikbayan boxes usually deliver within two weeks; during peak seasons, this could take longer because of *ahem* tighter customs inspections. *wink* *wink*)

Anyway, in our case, we sent pillows and clothes among other things; if only we had shrink-wrapped them, we could have thrown in even more stuff back home! The space consumed by one Akemi pillow could easily accomodate 4 or more Akemi pillows once compressed. That would have made a very big difference! Oh well, next year, we'll know what to do. :)

Just some notes on using the zip bags:

• Place the articles as neatly and orderly as possible inside the bag;


• Zip the bag leaving a small opening just enough for the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner; we suggest using the "corner" nozzle adapter;


• Ensure that neither the plastic bag nor the articles inside are clogging the nozzle to maximize shrinkage;


• Stop the vacuum, remove the nozzle, then zip the bag as quickly as possible; if you can do this in one fluid motion, you're great!


• Regarding the pillows, note that:
  
  
  • The 90x80 bag accomodates two standard-sized pillows (usually 80x45);
  
  
  • The 110x110 bag accomodates four bolsters.

Take note of these if you are going home this Christmas or if you are sending via balikbayan boxes. Our housemates, who will be going home this November, managed to eliminate one bag after shrink-wrapping about 8 pillows and 4 bolsters. Great space saver, especially for the packrats out there!

That's all for this Saturday. Separate post for what we did this Sunday. :)