Change is the only constant. Clouds are such beautiful representations of this fact. They are also wonderful reminders that changes are not always bad. That they only mean new beginnings. That you can enjoy whenever, wherever. So i embrace the ever changing clouds.. and i wish to share the chanced upons, my loves and whenever the urging calls..
It has been more than 2 weeks since I watched the incredible Aaron Kwok live in Malaysia. After the devastating outcome of not being able to see him last year despite braving Typhoon Wipha in Macau, this second chance should have been twice as sweet. Yet, in these 2 weeks when I do recall that special day of being almost within his arm’s reach, the main emotion that kept coming up was regret.
Let’s be clear: my motto in life is never to regret anything. Any unfortunate event that came to pass in my life shall be viewed as a lesson but I do not allow myself to wallow in that negativity called regret. Eso si que es. Period.
BUT. I had the golden opportunity to challenge my idol, my first love, to Baby Shark. That once-in-a-million chance to chat with him and tell him in person how much I adore him. And demonstrate the effort I put in in the past months to practise this dance. To receive a hand-signed limited edition tee from his hands!!! I let all of that pass because I was shy?!?!?!?! This is so hard to let go.
Even in the immediate high that very night, all I could think about was our could-have-been-conversation:
Him in Cantonese: Do you speak Mandarin or Cantonese?
Me: (in Mandarin) Mandarin better but (in Cantonese) I like you very much!
Him in Mandarin: So you have supported me for many years?
Me in Mandarin: Since I am 10 years old! I am here with the Singapore Fan Club. My friends and I are all long time fans!!!
And I would express my admiration for him, for his dancing, how he inspired me to pick up dancing, that I am similarly doing chinese calligraphy, how impressive his long list of achievements is to me, especially his undeniable work ethic!
All. The. Things. I. Could. Have. Said.
This is a real regret.
Well, the regret has thankfully dwindled to a smaller lump now. And the lesson I learnt is that shyness and embarrassment are never reasons to back down from something you truly want. Never. Never again. Not sure if I would ever had a similar chance to be in that perfect position to do the Baby Shark Challenge with him ever again. If there is a next time, for any similar situation, I would not hesitantly half-raise my hand anymore. I shall stand right up on the chair and put myself out there!!
That said, 12th Sept 2026 was definitely the best day of my long vacation this year. He was the why this vacation came to be anyway. From the endless phototaking with fellow fans and his standees before the concert to the supper we had after the concert which included an impromptu KTV session of his song, it was all irreplaceable.
I don't even remember when my love affair with cats began.
Hello Kitty is certainly a source. But how did swooning over the cat with no mouth transition into an indescribable love for the real deal of sleek, coolness, and independence - I am unsure.
I remember making a declaration "I love all cats! - except Garfield" I could never resist spending time with cats. You have a cat? Can I come visit? If I come across a stray, I would pause even if it is just to say "hello there!" Eventually, it led to volunteering for Cat Welfare Society, buying of cat calendars, regular feeding of community cats, seeking out cat cafes and even the cat village of Houtong. Everyone knew me to be the cat person who, ironically, didn't have a cat. Until I moved to Uruguay.
Oscar was first. He was so shy initially, always keeping his distance, but I had no doubt we were meant to be. I loved watching him as he kneads his front paws, while eating from his bowl or before settling into his favorite spot for a nap. When he first jumped on my lap, the gentle press of his paws seemed to say "I am learning to trust you."
When we lost Oscar, it felt like someone had punched a hole through my heart. The untouched food bowl, the empty corners where he used to nap - everything felt wrong. I wasn't ready to say goodbye, not when we had barely begun our journey together.
Then Chinook came into my life. Her constant purring was like a healing balm to make all things right again. She purred so much, so loudly - we named her after the just as deafening helicopter. We didn't know then that her sweet purring might have been trying to tell us something. That perhaps her body was already fighting battles we couldn't see.
Losing two cats within six months... I never imagined such heartbreak when I dreamed of being a cat mom. How could something I wanted for so long bring such profound pain? I thought maybe this was the universe's way of telling me I wasn't meant to have cats after all. At all.
Funnily enough, it was on the hubby's insistence that brought them back into our lives. He wanted a mouse catcher. So I responded to a giver's posting of kittens for adoption, mistakenly assuming there was only one due to the language barrier. Actually there was a litter of 7 to choose from!
I had often wondered what kind of cat I would choose to be my own and just as I was considering how I would select 2 out of the litter of 7, I was relieved of that choice. I had arrived at the giver's home and we spoke at her gate. As the kittens were all running amok she had to go search for them and the first two she brought out became mine. So none of my cats were actually chosen by me - they chose me, or perhaps fate chose them for me.
This year taught me that love and loss are two sides of the same coin. Oscar showed me how beautiful it is when trust builds slowly. Chinook taught me to cherish every purr, every moment. And now these kittens are teaching me that it's okay to open my heart again.
I miss Oscar's gentle paw kneading. I miss Chinook's powerful purrs. But their brief presence in my life made me a better cat mom, and for that, I'll always be grateful. As I watch Arturo and Estrella play, I like to believe that somewhere, Oscar and Chinook are watching too, purring their approval of these little ones who are helping to heal my heart.
joy or sorrow, they all come to pass like flowing rivers
...
...
Had been inspired to attempt this English translation of a beautiful Chinese song when I finally emerged from the drama-induced haze that was Chef Hua <人间烟火花小厨>.
My first experience with obsession over a drama series was for Scarlet Heart <步步惊心>. I had binge-watched all 35 episodes very quickly often forgetting sleep, meals, even toilet breaks. I loved it so much I even bought the book that it was adapted from after the visual feast for more mental indulgence in the art of Chinese literature.
But that experience also left me so overwhelmed that I swore them off entirely. The intensity of the experience, the way it consumed my thoughts and time, shocked me. I promised myself: never to blindly follow the fad of chasing dramas again.
For nearly 10 years I had been successful. I avoided popular dramas fervently. Even if a short footage that I chanced upon intrigued me, I would strengthen my resolve to not start the series for fear of falling into that rabbit hole again.
Last year I succumbed. I had more time on hand; the hubby was out of town; I was getting interested in cooking... so when the close-up shots of cooking Chinese cuisine in Chef Hua caught my eye, I gave it a go.
It was the flint that started an inevitable forest fire.
I tried to rein myself in. When I wanted to start on Love like a Galaxy, <星汉灿烂> but saw that it had more than 50 episodes, I thought I found a good compromise when I found some "watch-it-in-one-go" YouTube videos of it. Just 2 hours is better than 50 x 45 mins right? But I was only deceiving myself and made things worse because I was so impressed and intrigued and obsessed that I watched longer and longer versions and eventually went back to watching the original series anyway! All 40+ hours and sometimes I even re-watched favourite scenes. Kill me.
With easy access via Netflix and YouTube to a wide variety of Chinese dramas that are being produced incessantly, one drama led to another with no end in sight. Over the past year, I have been sliding down the slippery slope of drama addiction once again into a world of complex story lines, historical epics, and modern rom-coms.
My favourite of all the series thus far is A Romance of the Little Forest <两个人的小森林>. Initially I thought I would not be able to stand the over-the-top act-cuteness of Esther Yu but it appears that she is genuinely that way even in real life. Eventually even she grew on me although what kept me from abandoning it were the breathtaking scenery, the attractive Vin Zhang and the clever, smart and hilarious banter between the main lead characters who are intellectuals. Not to forget the recurring feature of one of my favourite books, The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho, and the sustainability theme which is a passion of both leads. *Swoon* So many of what I love in one series!
It really is a lighthearted and healing drama series. The cinematography often bathes scenes in warm, natural light, evoking a sense of comfort and rejuvenation. It was while *re-watching* one such scene where the female lead mistakenly assumed the male lead is leaning in for a kiss when it finally dawned on me. This was a series that I had curbed myself from watching previously! All I remember of the footage were the luminous frame of an inviting foyer, a sharp-witted dialogue, and an unusually long series title that involved greenery. The irony of my initial resistance to 'A Little Romance in the Forest' becoming my favorite drama is almost comical.
All these series have introduced me to talented actors, beautiful music,
fascinating historical details, and clever storytelling. They've
improved my understanding of Chinese language and culture, and provided
countless hours of entertainment. As I ponder my Chinese drama obsession, I
find myself in two minds. Part of me worries about the time I'm
investing/wasting and the intensity of my interest. Yet another part revels in
the joy, learning, and cultural exploration these dramas bring into my
life.
Actually, I had not completed that translation of the song I shared at the beginning of this post. I am unable to adequately translate the last two lines which can also be encapsulated in the song's title "人间烟火". Its literal translation would be "the smoke and fire of the human world" but these four basic characters encompass so much more. It often represents the simple pleasures and small comforts of daily life. It can mean an in-depth appreciation of ordinary life. It can also symbolize the connection to humanity and the earthly realm, as opposed to the supernatural or divine.
So for more than a year now, I had been grappling with its true meaning. Do I translate it as:
"the enormity of our lives",
"the daily life of ordinary people",
"the hustle and bustle of human society",
"the warmth and vitality of everyday life",
"the trivial but essential aspects of human existence"
"The flavor of everyday life"
"The warmth of human touch"
"The pulse of the mortal world"
"The heartbeat of society"?
Its complexity has me stumped. Interestingly, it is also this phrase (which kept reappearing in my series marathon) that encapsulates much of
what I love about Chinese dramas - the portrayal of human living in all
its everyday glory and complexity.
So, obsession or not, I am going to allow myself to be continuously surprised and delighted by "the essence of human experience"!
Actually I was feeling quite sad about missing multiple performances (Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Drum Tao, Aaron Kwok etc etc) playing in Singapore and that region. In comparison, Uruguay does not feel like a preferred destination for world-class performances as most acts would perform in nearby Argentina or Brazil. (Though Paul McCartney and Lenny Kravitz are some upcoming concerts in Uruguay.) But after catching this MOMIX production in an undeniably top-notch auditorium, I stand corrected.
First time purchasing tickets for a show in Uruguay, it was quite an experience. It appears that tickets can only be purchased online which actually is advantageous for me as I could slowly Google Translate everything to make sure I am not making mistakes during the process. And thank goodness we already have our local identity cards as that was required! Though I got a little concerned that the online transaction did not include a Two-Factor Authentication (so used to that in Singapore!) or any kind of security measures. And since the postal service here is so unreliable, my only other option is to print the e-ticket myself.
Honestly thought the first show I would catch here would be at the famous Teatro Solis which looked modern enough but this show was held at an unfamiliar auditorium. A quick check of the map reveals that it is located near the Airbnb where we stayed for a month in Montevideo. Based on the condition of the surrounding area, I was not sure what to expect of this auditorium. I wondered if it would be at least comparable with the Drama Centre Theatre of Singapore which is located within a library building. But I overworried. Auditorio Nacional Adela Reta looked really impressive and inviting as we drove through some really run-down roads to arrive at its entrance.
As neither my companion nor I had any idea of the quality of the show or venue, our budget for the tickets was not high. We booked the lowest tier tickets which naturally were not stall seats. The printed tickets were of course in Spanish and we could not really make sense of where to find our seats. I expected to climb stairs but did not expect to be sent upwards so many times; my video of us finding our seats was one of us getting rejected at multiple entrances!
When we finally found our seats, I was actually quite satisfied. Usually, I prefer to have a frontal view of the stage but beggars can't be choosers and I liked the proximity to the stage. We noticed that the hall was quite empty and was concerned that the show would not start on time. It was actually a good thing because when the lights dimmed, all (really all) the other audience who bought the same tickets as us moved to the better front-viewing seats! Of course we followed suit! So we kind of got a free upgrade of seats. Judging from the fact that this happened under the eyes of the usher who brought us to our seats and the way the other audience were all standing around instead of getting comfortable in their allocated seats, this is a common and accepted behavior. Wow..
Although Facebook can really be a time-waster, I am so thankful for it because I would not had discovered MOMIX without it. The production is exceptional. From the very first act, I was captivated. Such grace, ingenuity, and seamless integration of dancers, props, lighting and music. It reminded me of my Synergy days where my idol dance instructor Fan Laoshi created similar productions with not-as-talented student dancers. The more I watched, a little spark in me got reignited. If anyone asked me, "What is your dream?"... my dream is to be a d.a.n.c.e.r. Truly, there is nothing I want more but perhaps that is precisely why it is called a dream. It is feeling further than ever. I miss the days when I was dancing more, from contemporary to pole to silks, when I was known as "the dancer" among my friends. Must find some clases de baile aqui!
There exist such incredible performing groups who deserved to be world famous but would remain unknown in other parts of the world. I would never had heard of MOMIX if I was not here in Uruguay. They got a new fan in me! And if they ever go to a theatre near you, do not miss it!!
A casual chat with a friend recently led to the revival of my LinkedIn account.
Not something I thought would happen after failing to transition into a new industry that I was aiming for with my Masters in Science Communication back in 2018, and certainly far from my considerations after moving halfway around the world to a vastly different setting from my birthplace last year.
When I was still in the education service, as fulfilling as it had been, I eventually came to an understanding of what I do not want and what I do want out of my career. Unfortunately, the list of do-nots was disproportionately longer than the dos in my role as a teacher. So I left.
I was optimistic about my "new" prospects in what I considered to be a niche industry for which I had deep passion for. Until I simply was, not. Around the same time, the husband began his research into migrating to a more preferable, desirable country. The whole notion of landing a "sustainability focused, financially rewarding, energetically flowy" career was just, shelved.
Honestly thought I read enough self-help materials to realize the dangers of attaching my sense of identity to work. However, beyond that, I truly believe I have so much more to give and offer than just being a housewife. Thus I promptly got into action when the said friend mentioned the availability of remote roles on LinkedIn!
The engine has successfully restarted.
Well, at least I am pleased and confident enough to share my latest sample work as a freelance writer on Stoicism. Coincidentally, a philosophy that resonated with me after learning about Marcus Aurelius. Even more serendipitous that I just finished his Meditations! Intrigued? Read my introduction to a book on this timeless philosophy.. (although it is targeted at youngsters, I truly think Stoicism is for everybody!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Introduction
External
things are not the problem. It’s your assessment of them. Which you
can erase right now. -Marcus Aurelius
I
stumbled upon the above quote in the aftermath of uncertainties
brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Life is an ever-changing
landscape that shaped our roller-coaster journey through which we
navigate essentially alone. The pandemic with its enforced isolation
had brought out the uglier side of humanity. It was against such a
depressive backdrop that this little bit of Stoic philosophy stood
out for me like a beacon of clarity and wisdom.
Discovering
Stoicism: A Turning Point
Imagine
it is 2020. The coronavirus is spreading to all parts of the world.
We are isolated. The news that we get each day consists of which new
country has it landed in, the number of infected people, the shortage
of supplies, the difficulties, the inconveniences. The death toll. My
mind is clouded with anxiety, frustration, and helplessness. I go
through the mechanics of the day like a zombie. But when I read this
quote, it shone through the darkness like a torch of a thousand suns.
Indeed we have the power to erase the actual problem.
A
Personal Odyssey: Applying Stoic Principles
From
the genius of Marcus Aurelius, I studied other key figures of
Stoicism including Zeno of Citium, Seneca and Epicetus. Each ancient
had me delved ever deeper into Stoic philosophy and I found myself
embracing the concept of identifying what lies within my sphere of
control and letting go of all that lies without. It has transformed
not just my perspective but my very approach to living.
The
Essence of Stoicism
Stoicism
may seem like an abstract philosophy but to put it plainly, it is a
way of life. The core of which is the pursuit of eudaimonia - a state
of “flourishing" that is the result of living in accordance
with nature and virtue (Pigliucci, 2024). When one practices this
diligently, it is equivalent to gaining a superpower that helps
one to stay strong and calm when the going gets tough.
The
Relevance of Stoicism To Young People
As
a secondary school teacher for more than a decade, I have witnessed
first-hand the many challenges and difficulties faced by young
people. From academic struggles and social pressures to mental health
issues and family problems, youngsters can use all the help they can
get to navigate all kinds of situations and overcome obstacles. I
wish I had discovered Stoicism earlier so that more of my students
could have benefited from my knowledge of Stoicism. It is evident to
me that its core principles offer a crucial guiding light in chaotic
times, a roadmap for them to navigate life’s tumultuous seas of the
growing up years.
Walking
the Stoic Path: A Call to Action
Here
let me formally invite you to discover for yourself the timeless
wisdom of Stoicism. It is the wish of all teachers for our students,
young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow, to achieve their
fullest potential. The Stoic Path can guide and lead you on a journey
of powerful transformation if you weave its principles into the
fabric of your life. May this exploration be your source of
inspiration and empowerment, guiding you through the vicissitudes of
puberty and beyond with courage and grace.
He had been missing for days. Which was not unusual. He had been gone for a day or two before. The food we had put out was still disappearing, even though some days it was totally untouched.
It was almost like when we first met him. He was super shy and ran away at the sight or sound of us. It took weeks before hubby got close enough to stroke him. Then pretty soon he couldn't get enough of our caresses.
I remember the first time he jumped on my lap; the one time he let my face come so close to his that we nose bumped; the last time he hung out with me as I sat in the front yard. He was such a source of joy and comfort.
By the fifth day, I got sufficiently concerned that I went out of our compound to search for him, knowing full well that the chances of finding him that way were slim. I even looked in drains along the road.
Hubby found him. A black mess among trash, ravaged by maggots. He must had passed the first day he went missing. Seeing the pendant I put on him just a month ago confirmed it's him.
Strangely I did not cry. About 5 years ago, I was quite emotional when I had to say goodbye to a community cat which I fed a couple times a week. Granted I had been feeding Tux for about a year while we only really knew Oscar for 3 months.
Perhaps it is age or maturity but it was a quiet acceptance as hubby and I stood where he decided would be his final resting place. Away from us but not that far off where we would never find him?
Perhaps as the number of days he went missing increased, we had already started accepting that the chances of him reappearing alive were decreasing. There really was not much that we could do but hope for his return.
So it was with composure and resolute that we did what was necessary to move his body and bury him. I got the necessary equipment and hubby transported him to a secluded corner and started digging.
It was difficult to look at Oscar's body. He had such soft and smooth fur that was .. no more. He had been so graceful and light on his paws but it looked nothing more than dead weight. He had serenaded me with his gentle purring and it was so silent.
Yes, myself playing all 4 winds or "sides" of the table. I did not even use a square table. I did not even have a full set of tiles. I did not even play with normal size tiles.
I was that desperate to play. Actually no. I invited the hubby to join me (even though he barely knows the game) but he was too exhausted from work that day. But I wanted to play something. I had brought both my miniature mahjong tiles and my bead pyramid IQ puzzle to our trapezium-shaped study desk and thought I self-entertain a little before sleep.
I didn't think I would enjoy a solo mahjong session, with tiny feather-light tiles, but as it has been months (4 to be exact!) since I last played mahjong, I chose that over the IQ puzzle.
The miniature set was bought off Carousell because I like mahjong and I like tiny things. It was also inexpensive being secondhand. At that point in time, my personal Hello Kitty set was with a friend and I just wanted a set to begin introducing the hubby to my favourite game so I purchased it even though it was missing the animals.
With the missing animals and solo playing, I figured I would go easy on the rules and just go back to the basics of getting 4 sets and a pair of eyes for a win. So easy-peasy. Thought I would bore quickly...
how I missed these 4 walls
I played for more than 2 hours. Even though I had to think for 4 "players". Even though I had to set up all 4 walls after each round. Even though I got confused at least 4 times "whose" turn it was.
Thing is, despite the simplistic rules, the mental effort required, and the lack of satisfaction from discarding a normal size mahjong tile of substantial weight with style, I still enjoy the game. 😍
unique solo mahjong setup
It is so gratifying to draw that one tile you had been banking on; the pleasure of seeing the sets you envisioned falling into place; that ultimate vindication of winning on that last available tile you needed. Amazingly, even the heartache of drawing another hong zhong 🀄 after finally letting one go on the previous turn does not lessen with the reduced size of the tiles!
this was a big win!
As I had to oversee 4 arrays of tiles, the longish table actually worked pretty well. The tiles for the dealer always comes first. So east, south, west, then north down the length of the table. It was also helpful that I was on a rolling desk chair!
long table is good for solo mahjong! And another big win!
Although I was not playing with money or chips, the "pro" in me still gravitated towards qing yi se, ban se, ping hu and peng peng hu. I was not even counting the tai, but after a few rounds I got curious about which side of the "table" is becoming the "big winner" and began to track "who" is winning.
so amused by how I named the 4 directions of the "table"
Initially I only used the first letter of the different directions but decided to give them names eventually. It appears Libby's fengshui was not so good. Odd that that was the side where my notebook with red cover stood. Hmm...
Anyway, yes, I confess I am a mahjong addict.
The following day, we had a power outage on the estate which lasted for quite some time. Guess what I thought of. I suggested playing mahjong to the hubby and he agreed! He really did not have many alternative things to do. 😂
We got a rectangular table and sat in the living room with lots of natural light. He was "Timmy" (well, he can't be a Tammy right?) and "Ronny" while I became "Libby" and "Betty". I could have played for 3 but it was not hubby's first time so with his intelligence, I was sure he could handle it.
Because I really wanted him to play with me for a long time, I put on my teacher's hat and really tried to make the learning process easier and smoother for him. Kept the rules simple and allowed no tai wins (personalised learning). When he couldn't remember the chinese characters for numbering, I provided a pictorial reference (scaffolding). After every round, I explicitly explained my tiles on hand and my strategy (modeling) and also discussed his tiles and strategy (feedback). Most importantly, I was very patient. At his playing speed, most of my mahjong kakis would want a new kaki!
the scaffold provided to hubby. actually much better versions available online
Maybe it had to do with the name Libby by the end of 1 round (each player being dealer at least once), Libby did not win a single time while Ronny was the ultimate winner. Yes, my hubby won more times than me.
this got to be the ultimate no tai win
I must find our square table so I can finally use my Hello Kitty mahjong tiles but first, I need 2 more players! Let's start a mahjong club in Uruguay??!! Playing mahjong comes with a slew of benefits!!!! Or do you prefer a scientific research conclusion?
Yesterday, I turned on the laptop and had started a new entry on my blog with the intention for something entirely different.
The instant when I found out about your death, my immediate response was an audible "NO!".
Disbelief, shock, horror, and pain... so much pain.
Whatever else I had planned for the day just went down the drain. I felt so paralyzed from doing anything constructive.
I thought about just catching up on news about you. Although I idolize you, I had no idea what you had been up to. But it felt too much. Every snippet of you smiling, spreading sunshine and positivity felt almost.. threatening. Not even you...??
I was afraid my own thoughts will spiral down a path I dare not tread so I chose to distance myself from the news. I asked a friend out last minute and had a wonderful dinner. With champagne no less. Life does go on.
A brand new day. Begun with yoga and a fulfilling day to look forward to.
But news related to you is hard to avoid. So many artistes shared about their interactions with you. All praises and reflections of the beautiful soul you had been. More than your singing or your dancing, I admire you for you, who you are had been as a person, a human being.
It made no sense but tears kept welling. Perhaps I should just allow myself a marathon to review all you had achieved in life. Allow these tears to flow freely. Cry my heart out but remember you at your best and celebrate you.
I listened to your final voice recording. I watched that clip of you relearning how to walk and declaring yourself a warrior. You will always be my idol.
Late is the night, I am supposed to be sleeping. But in the darkness my pillow is dampening.
I cannot imagine the helplessness that you must had felt to come to this decision.
真的好心疼妳
HELPLINES
Mental well-being
Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours)
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
Community Health Assessment Team 6493-6500/1
Counselling
TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555
Visited The Book Barracks today. What a beautiful place. You know how when you come into a space and just know that you belong? That is how I felt when I stepped into The Book Barracks. It is the little details. Signs handmade with love. Tibetan prayer flags. Namaste. I still have fond memories of my first time in Nepal.
Just like the founder of Books Beyond Borders. I remember the children, gorgeous little beings with rosy cheeks and cheerful eyes. But unlike the founder, I did not go on to run a successful social enterprise. Amazing what passion and a heart to give can achieve. Truly inspiring, and very inspired.
I generally prefer to borrow books from the library or source from Books Don't Throw if I have particular titles in mind. Very often I just read what is available if the title or cover piques my interest. But when I do wish to buy a book, I am so glad there is Books Beyond Borders that allows me to get a pre-loved one and do good at the same time!
A special shoutout to Yu Xuan for her assistance in my quest for this Meditation book. When I first reached out, I was informed that they do not have it but I received another message the following day that they just got one! I will call that beatitude!
Had actually walked out of the cozy shop after making my purchase but felt so compelled to put up this post, I returned and asked Yu Xuan for a photo! Thus here's rounding up my fastest blog post of books, borders and beatitude. 😉
I cannot remember how I first came across this concept of Geocaching. Probably it was one of the things recommended to do in your home country when the world was on lock-down. But who made the recommendation? *shrug shoulders* Anyway, I was immediately taken with the idea and promptly downloaded the app.
The very first cache I found was with the kiddos when I gatecrashed their staycation in the Civic District. There are many in the area! As we strolled around the area, I steered them towards this particular one titled Momentum which is located right in the corner of a road junction. It was rather strange to be looking blindly around the bushes. We did not even know what it looked like. But being with children made anything less suspicious/conspicuous. Hahaha....
The joy and excitement of eventually finding it was indescribable! The children doubled that dosage with their squeals of delight. We were initially dismayed that we did not have a pen to log in our find but when there is a will, there is a way: we went to the office building nearby and borrowed one from a security guard. 💪
the little missus holding the cache container
That was back in October 2020. Despite the successful first attempt, I was not so lucky tracking down the many others available in Singapore for a long long time. There was one near home in Bukit Panjang but the hubby and I were not successful in finding it. He even got hurt looking high and low under a flyover. I had even wanted to create and hide my own Geocache, thinking of ideas for the container and the location. But a whole year passed without another find.
Early 2022, my BFF sent me a text "I learnt of a game today that I think you will like!!!" Of course she was right! Her success in finding two in a single day spurred me back on the Geocaching trail again. Promptly found two located near my workplace in the central area. As I was alone this time, it really felt odd to be probing into shrubs and structures in open public places. I always feel like I need to pretend to be doing something 🤣 As another Geocacher wrote in the notes, you will be "shooting awkward smiles at the muggles walking by".
BFF and my logs on the same logsheet
Now that the world is not in lock-down mode, I always open the app to see what I can find in my vicinity. Sadly, I was unable to log any finds in ulu Uruguay or terrific Turkey when I was in those parts of the world. However, here in Germany, I had already found three! As the description of the Geocaches are in Deutsch, I have the added load of deciphering the text (or I should see it as a way to practise my Deutsch!) before I can begin my search. Again, one that was along a busy main road had me pretending to tie my shoelaces while I was writing the log. Ha!
Just last week when C brought us to check out the interesting town of Baarle, I whipped out the app again and we found this one right on one border. And she got hooked! I was already really enjoying this re-found (not really newfound) hobby on my own but it is so much more fun to go Geocaching with a buddy!! She got to practise her Dutch deciphering the descriptions. Haha.. Spent quite a bit of my visit cycling around to search for hidden tokens in Belgium which apparently is really big on Geocaching.
this one had such a lovely back story to why a mill in this location
It should be big everywhere... it is fun, interesting and a great way to make a simple walk that much more exciting. Some Geocaches include background information of its location or its origin so you may even learn something new as you log your find. I can't wait to log more here in Germany before I return to Singapore and conquer the rest! Wanna join?
No, not Dumbledore. Although that was probably where I truly first heard of this name.. I remember relishing the way Johnny Depp enunciated it for Ezra Miller (start at 3:59).
Had not even registered it while watching Gladiator... He was already put in such a good light in that movie... What an unfortunate way for a great man to pass but his death as shown in the movie is not verified.
It is just this year when I was reading "The Power of Now" that I first came across the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism. I was so blown away by how it resonated with me that it earned an entire page entry in my bujo.
That was my reminder to dig deep into stoicism but it is only just now that I remember and make another resolution to get the book! Which is really saying something because books are one category of things that I do not really buy anymore. Although I love reading physical books over Kindle, they often feel like clutter at home because they are so rarely picked up. I only kept a very small selection of books that I do not think I will ever let go. And now I am certain, this book has earned its space in my house before I have even read it entirely.
So, what jolted my memory again? For the month of June, I have been reading one book a day according to a suggested "30 Must-Read Books before you turn 50" list. Really not a speedy reader so just summaries of the listed books. 😅 Really gained quite some useful knowledge, even from books I would never have picked up from a shelf ("The 48 Laws of Power"?!?!) on my own.
Recommended book for day 24 is "Meditations". The list does not include authors (and there was no need to because it is always evident which best seller the title refers to) and I had thought this was going to be a yoga-related book but it is actually by that Aurelius this post is dedicated to. 😍 Also interesting that I am currently writing this post on the same land where his wife had died...
Usually, I would peruse a few summaries for the book of the day and draw up my own summary, noting the key points, into my bujo. For this particular entry, I noted that this book is "a collection of personal notes which was never meant for publication" and a command to "READ IT!"
I can't wait to get my hands on it! But first I need to decide which translation.....
I don't actually upkeep a physical copy but I do have a bucket list. Many items are quite typical and I am proud to say I have ticked off quite a few "riskier" ones - skydiving!!
This particular item on the list was not exactly difficult to achieve. Pre-Covid, the husband had even alluded to the possibility of making this dream of mine a reality. Although it requires neither guts nor strength, it will take planning, time, money and lots of luck too..
There was one particular period years ago when weekdays 5pm was sacred to me. I did not want to be anywhere else other than in front of the TV. It was one hour for me to escape. My me-time when no matter how the earlier work day had been, I got to let my hair down, dance, laugh, cry and recharge for another day.
At some point, I told myself "I want to, I got to watch this live".
As it was not as easy as taking a bus to Caldecott Hill, for the longest time I made do with the recorded, (overly-censored) and televised versions and became quite the fan.
Case in point: blue had always been my least favourite colour but I began to take a liking to the blue associated with the show.
When work made it impossible to catch the show regularly, I binge-watched it on YouTube or wherever and whenever I can. I gushed over it and her a lot. So much so that two different friends bought her book for me separately.
When the possible plan of watching the show live got dashed with the pandemic, I indulged myself with her signature gift box as a 40th birthday gift to myself. It was a real indulgence when I found out the postage cost.
I was still hopeful about ticking off this item on the bucket list when I was unboxing my present.
But the last episode had been filmed and aired. The end of a season, forever.
Feeling incredibly sad. Not just because I am now unable to tick off this item. Also what had led to this end. How my faith in my most favourite person in the world had wavered. How I had thought Ellen could be anything more than human.
I still love you. Be kind to one another. Right back at you.
Last week after our tuition session, my tutee discovered that he had misplaced the fifty dollars note meant to be my payment. He became flustered as he most likely dropped it along the way from the drop-off point to where we were and come on who wouldn't pick up $50 off the ground!?
Anyway, I suggested retracing his steps to look for it although I agreed that the note was unlikely to be found anymore. We searched the path but I kept looking into the flower beds and off the path too as if there is a chance to still find it, it would be in an obscure place.
He got more and more worried ("my dad is gonna kill me!") as we got closer to the end point. I, on the other hand, suddenly, very clearly, had "a very good feeling that we are going to find it". I remembered smiling to myself at that point and telling him so.
We walked the last stretch to the drop-off point and he was pulling his hair out when I looked into the last drain that I intended to look and behold!! There it was!! I made him do all the dirty work to retrieve my payment. 😝
So damp fifty dollars note in hand, I was musing on how once upon a time I was not even able to understand what people meant when they said they have a gut feeling about something. It was just inconceivable to my logical brain. And now I am today's years old that I can wholeheartedly believe a feeling that defies logic and plausibility! It felt bloody damn good to be proven right!
I thought it was a gut feeling that I had about finding the note but the more accurate term is actually intuition. Learnt quite a fair bit about the differences between the two but regardless what I call it, tuning in was never something I was good at.
When I first read Malcolm Gladwell's Blink, I was simultaneously amazed and distraught. Amazed by how eloquently he put into words ideas that seemed impossible to explain and distraught that I was so very far from capitalising on my does-it-even-exist inner voice.
Is it an age thing? Come to think of it, I can also remember one time I practically literally felt butterflies in the stomach, which will be closer to that gut feeling I supposed. Or another time I felt my heart turned cold. It is becoming more in tune with what is happening inside instead of having that drowned out by what is happening outside.
