Walked and read a lot in Nov 23

1 day to Dec.

1 month to 2024.

Happiness is waking up to listening to 在晴朗的一天出發。Blissful as no more deadlines. I spent most of my adulthood worrying about work deadlines, which have no impact on the universe regardless whether I meet them or not. Joyful as I wake up daily not worrying them anymore.

Wars are going on. I empathised with the children and have donated money. However, I am beginning to resent that every time I go to TikTok, someone is scolding other ethnic group for not taking their side in the war. I just deleted a few paragraphs of my thoughts as tired of being presented as the villain over a war that I have no part in starting, over conflicts that started over thousands years ago, over spiritual books in which my race is not even mentioned.

Read many books in Nov. I love libraries. Hope they never go away. There are many voices asking libraries to be removed in name of digitalisation. My blood boils over such soulless suggestions.

Went to the zoo to see the baby panda before it going back to China. Went Flower Dome, Changi Airport, One North, Esplanade, Orchard, Bukit Merah, Paya Lebar etc. I have not stepped into Paya Lebar for such a long time and the whole place is so different from last time. Went Admiralty parks during heavy downpour. Walked a lot to explore old and new places. Hope to see more old before the old is torn down and become new again.

Just another mumbo jambo blog.

Turbulent Oct 23

World war 3 seems to be looming. I don’t like terrorism, and I also hate people occupying others’ homeland. Quite disgusting that Israel invaded Palestine, killed innocent children when they themselves suffered a lot during the holocaust.

Came across an article that G7 countries are condemning countries that banned Japan seafood. The same G7 countries that ban products from other countries whenever they are threatened It is okay for Japan to throw nuclear waste into sea but other countries are wrong for not wanting their seafood. These rich G7, American and European countries are bullies. They keep talking about human rights, but they are the one who had bloodbath in many countries in the past and continue to invade other countries now.

On personal front, mum is not feeling well. I have a health check and result is good.

Went for a short holiday. So happy for my first flight in 3 years. The vacation reminded me of my childhood, when I lived in a less developed but happier place. I want to be able to spend without worrying about the price hikes in my own country.

Cleaning my room at a very slow pace.

Investing in treasury bills and saving bonds.

Finally have a swimming pool and gym near my house.

So sad that Mathew Perry has passed away at 54 years. Gone too soon. Chandler is my favourite Friends’ character.

Sep 23

Retired for 3 months. Relieved no longer waking up with unhappiness.

Presidential election.

Heavy flood in Hong Kong.

Earthquake in Morocco.

Visited Pa at Mandai.

Brought mum to hospital for check up

Dental checkup and bought medication with my own money. No more company’s benefits.

Went Bishan and Ang Mo Kio.

Cleaned cupboard. Threw away stuff.

Changed Korean won to $ changed $ to MYR.

Visited Garden by the Bay for Lantern festival.

Went Vivo and Now is not the time’s exhibition

Went Orchard for Grubbin community day and abalone noodles

Attended first aid course

Binged watch HK drama

Enjoying TikTok/youtube on Rose and Anzai’s country life

Went Kallang sport hub. Visited sport hub library before it closes down.

Cut hair

Played piano tiles, draw, write and play harmonica.

Celebrate lantern festival with mum, sister and helper. Looked at Supermoon.

Read, walk, dance, weight training.

Jul 23

Started jogging again. It’s a great feeling to be able to run. But realised that my shoes are spoilt and have to buy a new pair. Luckily, the new shoes are comfortable and do not cost a bomb.

Managed to read a few books. One of it was Delight, which was written in the early 1900s. Despite written in a world much different from now, the writing resonates with me. Perhaps, I longed for a world that is no longer in existence.

In the domestic political front, both members of PAP and Workers Party have affairs. I don’t really care about the news, but more afraid that there are more hideous stuff that are not made known to us. I am more concerned about the loss made by MAS and Temasek. If Tan Chuan Jin stepped down in 2020, Soh Rui Yong may have better achievement in the running world. Not happy that the sport scene is run by people with political power rather than people who care about sport.

Coco Lee and Sinéad O’Connor have passed away. Both are around my age. It is such news that reinforces my belief that I made the right decision to retire. I want to enjoy life while I still can. I do no want to continue to work for a organisation in which the CEO publicly said that work is part of life and there is no such thing as work life balance 🙄 Easy for him to say this when he made record bonuses year after year. My salary was stagnant for the last few years but work kept increasing. And can’t even have a new laptop and have to use a 2nd hand laptop left behind by ex staff. So glad I am no longer in a toxic corporate environment.

Watching bits and pieces of women World Cup.

Officially, there are aliens. We know.

My only problem is I spent too much. Groceries, groceries. And unplanned cost such as new kettle, new shoes etc. Still, I prefer not to work.

Argentina 86, 22

The first time I watched World Cup was in 1986. I have not entered the workforce yet. I was supposed to enter the corporate world but delayed due to recession.

I remembered the Argentina vs England match. Tension was high due to the Falkland Island’s war.

Such wonderful memories watching Maradona winning the World Cup. The final was between Argentina vs West Germany with score line of 3 – 2. I was slightly rooting for Argentina but I wasn’t too worried about Argentina losing the match then.

It took another 36 years and the 9th attempt for Argentina to win another World Cup. I targeted to retire this year but delayed my retirement due to inflation.

I wasn’t really following football nowadays but I am happy that Messi win the World Cup. A relief after many setbacks. Argentina vs France was too intense for me. 3-3. I was too nervous to watch the penalty shootouts.

When Maradona won the World Cup in 1986, Messi didn’t get to see his country won because he was born in 1987. When Messi wins the World Cup in 2022, Maradona couldn’t witness Argentina wins because he passed away in 2020.

I am blessed to watch both Argentina, wins.

Nov 22

Extremely busy. Have to wake up early just to work. On Friday, worked till 7.45pm and missed the World Cup match between Wales vs Iran.

Brought mum for medical checkups. A relief that she does not need to be hospitalised.

Pokémon Safari at Garden by the Bay. Paid around $30 for it. Ouch. Missed the early bird as have to ensure mum’s health is okay before I book the ticket. Took Thomson line early in the morning. Nostalgic about garden by the bay as used to jog around that area on Fridays. Heat is tolerable after slight rain in the morning. Got 10 shinies. Wasn’t playing too hard. After the event, watched Pikachu drone show.

Watching world cups. No longer have the intense feeling that I had in my youth. Still a joy to see upsets such as Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2, Germany 1 Japan 2. Didn’t watch Iran – Wales but Iran beat Wales 2-0 during injury times. England best Iran 6-2 but goalless draw with USA. I enjoy watching the fans’ celebration more than the matches. Hope that Italy make it in 2026.

Busy month for work. Busy month for Pokémon and World Cup. Juggling work and play while having daily exercises and ensuring enough groceries for the household.

Read two books in beginning of Nov. Borrowed three books but no time to read.

Oct 22

Learnt to grow vegetables.

Went for K-pop class. Need painkiller after that.

Bought new towels.

Never ending work.

Go back office once a week reluctantly.

Never ending work.

Went for long walk from Marina Promitory to Merlion Park to Queen Elizabeth Walk to Asian Civilisations Museum to Boat Quay to Raffles Place. I used to walk this route after work occasionally after work. Merlion Park wasn’t this crowded before the pandemic. It is a great feeling walking this familiar ground.

Hands are painful, again.

British PM quit after 44 days. I also want to quit my job but I don’t get USD129,000 yearly after resignation. She is still better off financially even though she lost out to a lettuce.

My Instagram stories are full of people going holidays while I am stuck in the little red dot. I miss taking plane for holidays.

Sep

23 Sep 22 was terrible. Working on 4 live cases. Worked till 8.30pm while communicating with hospital at the same time. Neck pain.

24 Sep 22 – exhausted. Napped two hours in the afternoon, which I rarely did.

25 Sep 22 – worked the entire afternoon and still haven’t started looking at one case. Hated that customer. Took one year to give me documentation, and expected me to complete the minute I received them. Hate this kind of customer. Hate.

Rest of the month – queen of England died. I don’t have good or bad feelings about her. No time to look at all the elaborated funeral which took weeks. Too busy with work to care for a woman who live a long and good live. My heart will always find Princess Diana more endearing.

Mum was hospitalised. Luckily, discharged with treatment.

Trying to read but too tired.

Went for a staycation. I really enjoy cycling. All the work problems were temporarily gone during that hour.

Long service award. From a young girl to an white hair bitter woman.

I wish to strike TOTO, so that I can retire.

Jun 22

First half of 2022 is almost over.

Expectations: Intended to retire and thought of working a few months to earn money for entertainment purpose, such as Netflix, new laptop etc.

Reality : Inflation largely due to the Ukraine war. Transferred half of my bonus to my retirement account. Forked out $ for new helper. From Feb till now, I am spending more than I am saving while working. Can’t imagine how much the savings would be depleted if I am not working.

Been having headache and shoulder ache daily due to work. Feeling extremely stressful over work. Can’t seem to beat the deadline. Have to lie flat on my bed for at least 15 minutes before I can head out for dinner.

I am walking slowly after dinner every weekday. Need this to destress as well as to slow burn my calories.

Been going supermarket quite frequently. It’s quite therapeutic after stressful day of work. Also, need to get groceries.

Finally, execute a new will. I have one in the late 80s, I just didn’t know it was a will as it was signed together with my first insurance policy. Also, execute the lasting power of attorney. Seeing how my parents are not able to take care of themselves, made my siblings and I realise the importance of such matters.

Follow up on my health check. Still waiting for the results.

Since COVID-19, my passport is on the cupboard for 2.5 years. Glad to travel to Johor Bahru. It is so great to be away from work. Hope to be able to fly one day

Watched Stranger Things Season 4. Was a bit impatient when there were too many plot lines in the first two episodes. But the last few episodes are really great. Great casting for the new villain.

Lots of birthdays. Friends, niece and my idol ⭐️⭐️

To remember

SG

Tuesday 29 March – can officially be mask less outdoor. I still wear my mask as everywhere is crowded and I don’t want to infect my mum. However on 29 Mar, I took out my mask and walked a short distance at a quiet path when I see that there were no people. Also, walk maskless at the playground near my apartment.

Friday 1 Apr – in the wee morning, watched lots of news and TikTok on people crossing the border from Singapore to Johor Bahru. Although I am not one of those people who crossed the border to Singapore when Malaysia closed its border on 20 March 20, I am very happy for those who can go back to Malaysia without too much hassle in 2022.

In Jan 2019, my siblings and I went to Johor Bahru for staycation. We rarely go overseas together and we would not have imagined that we wouldn’t be able to do so for a long time.

Friday, 1 Apr evening- Went out for beer after 10.30pm with my sis. For 2 years, alcohol was not allowed after 10.30pm outdoor due to COVID-19. Finally, this bizarre rule was uplifted on 29 Mar. We can’t get in the first restaurant as it was packed. Have drinks in a crowded cafe. After that, walked home maskless as there weren’t too many people on the street.

Personal- 清明。Prayers for my father.

World

While the pandemic is still ongoing, there is a war going on in Ukraine. When I was young, world wars and pandemic were something in my history book. There were many wars in my lifetime but this war felt like one that can turn into a world war 😞 May the war stop soon.

I have huge respect for Ix Shen who went back to Ukraine for humanitarian aid. He demonstrates that at least some of my fellow Singaporean still have a soul. It is quite disheartening to see so many Facebook comments condemning the Ukraine president for daring to want to join the NATO. These Facebook cowards do not know the meaning of sovereignty. They reminded me of those 狗奴才 in many Chinese period dramas.