Who Made This Year More Bearable

Actually other than various minor inconveniences, I wouldn't categorize the year to be unbearable. But I am so thankful that the one person who I was stuck with during circuit breaker is this one. 

He is my smartie who is also playful yet giving. 

It is so true that when you marry the right one, everyday can be Valentine's Day. Even when confined within four walls. 

So true that it is the little things that make the biggest difference, like bringing me my hot lemon water first thing in the morning, turning on the heater before I get home, and indulging me with our silly winkie routine every single time.  

4 years ago, during a course titled "Growing from Within", I penned down a list of wants and dreams. We were told to be as descriptive and specific as possible. One thing I wrote down was to be able to wake up to the face of a special someone who will bring a smile to my face (I believe I even mentioned luxurious bedsheets and glorious sunlight). The fact that I am in fact living my dream makes everything, anything bearable. 

A Game I Discovered This Year

Although I do enjoy games but no one beats my brother when it comes to playing games. He has 3 open shelves full of toys and games and I think they are mostly his rather than his kids'! 😂

I was introduced to many new board and card games by him. Catan was one I unexpectedly won the first time I played with him and his friends. Rat-a-tat-cat is one I enjoyed so much, I "stole" it from him, laminated and all! 😝

This year, he discovered some local games and we played as a family (including my parents and the kids!) after Phase 2 started. It is called the Kopi King. It is very similar to Snap but with a distinctly local flavor and even more shouting. 😄 

Anyone who had ever ordered a drink with a waistpouch-clad uncle or auntie and had your order shouted across the Kopitiam (or experienced something similar even if it was not your drink) will find this game quite nostalgic. You also get to learn what actually goes into each type of beverage found at an extremely comprehensive Kopitiam. There are quite some drinks I have never even heard of in my years as a Singaporean. 

Case in point - bandung dinosaur. And amazingly, we saw it readily available at a food center not long after. Dylan was so excited pointing it out to me and we just had to give it a try. So it is not only a fun and exciting game, it brings the family closer together too!

Of course, I have to mention I became the ultimate Kopi King earning the most with my speed, agility and sharp eyes during that game we played. Muahahahaha!

One Thing I Regret

This is a hard one. My motto in life is to live it with no regrets. Even if I had an unpleasant or undesirable episode, I believe there is always a life lesson to learn from it and thus should not be viewed as a regret. 

But after thinking and really reflecting on it, I regret wasting my time on meaningless activities just because they are easy to do. 

During the circuit breaker when days passed in a blur, despite having a written schedule of an ideal day, I allowed myself to do too many useless things such as playing online games, watching inconsequential videos, scrolling Facebook posts, often way past my designated bedtime. 

Although John Lennon said, "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted," deep in my heart I know I could have used all that time more effectively, yielding better benefits, or at the very least, develop healthier sleep habits! 

I obviously lack discipline. I know I can do better. And I will. 

One Thing I Accomplished This Year

I wish I could say that I have reached Deutsch level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) because it was my plan to do so by the end of this year. Plan fell through. 😶

This thing that I did complete really should have been done years ago since it was started in 2012. Finally, after countless man-hours, sore fingers and 2 broken needles... I managed to finish it, frame it and flaunt it at my parents' new home! 

It is exactly the kind of housewarming gift I want them to have 🥰 An impressive one-meter long cross stitch of an idiom in gorgeous calligraphy saying when one's family is in harmony, all will be good. 

I really believe so. 

One Thing I Miss From Pre-Covid Days...

... is definitely traveling. 

Ever since I began earning my own money, I don't think I have ever stayed in the same country for more than 365 days at a stretch. Even a day trip out hiking in nearby Malaysia is able to satisfy that wanderlust in me. 

Today marks exactly 11 months since I last traveled. That was quite the adventure with awesome discoveries in my underwater dives and a volcano eruption too! Just realized I have not even crossed the sea to Sentosa this past 330 days...

We had plans to visit Axel's family in April and other diving trips but of course all of that went "poof" when Covid happened. Even traveling next April seems highly unlikely.. we have not met his family since becoming husband and wife! 

Just keeping the fingers crossed that the wanderlust need not be suppressed that long anymore. 

The first group I met when Phase 2 started

.. is my family! 

Pre-Covid days we meet at least once a week for a family meal as I do not stay as close to them as I used to.. the long period of absence really made the heart grow fonder even though we managed a few sessions of video calls to stay in touch...

It was wonderful to be able to get together again and just in time to celebrate Father's Day too! Ordered two special "cakes" for the occasion so we had great food and amazing company! 

Family is really everything.

"You go through life wondering what is it all about but at the end of the day, it's all about family. " ~Rod Stewart~

My Favorite Mask

Huge Hello Kitty fan here. So when I searched for reusable masks to buy the search phrase was "hello kitty reusable masks" As I am pretty particular about the quality and standard of the hello kitty products I purchase, it actually took me some time to find designs I deem acceptable. This one is one of only two designs I ultimately found. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with filter but that makes it super breathable and comfortable! I bought the last two from the Carousell seller and gifted the second one to a fellow Hello Kitty lover. 😍