Hello 2020, it has been an intense year thus far.
I felt like I wanted to continue documenting life and happenings here, on this very intimate space which capture my growing up & cringing moments hehs. How timely of my return since it is the half year mark of 2020 & I'd like to note the bigger happenings of this mid year.
- J A N U A R Y -
I kickstarted 2020 with a short holiday to Hua Hin with my parents and met up with my couzzies & nephews from Aussie! The main purpose of the trip was to spend time with them since it was tricky to arrange a trip over to Melb. I also wanted to go to a less bustling place and escape from the city life - Hua Hin was perfect because there honestly wasn't much to do except for tons of massage and traveling out to nature places. But a short 4 day trip there would suffice because there really wasn't that much to do hahaha!
My parents and I stayed at this hostel hotel. It was small but very well-maintained and really beautiful. I exceptionally loved the outdoor space, it's the perfect outdoor porch area that I've always dreamt of having - tons of natural light peaking in, wooden fixtures, play of colours, green plants. Ah, it delights me even at the thought of it.
We visited the weekend Cicada night market and I fell in love with the set up! White tables and chairs, hanging white lanterns, food stalls - I honestly wouldn't mind an outdoor wedding setup like that! Oh yes, food was really really good! You have to purchase a booklet of food vouchers in order to buy food from the various stalls.
The main reasons of my trip ^ to spend time with my cheeky nephews whom I missed dearly. I wish that y'all are around more often so that I can be part of your growing up milestones. But I'm thankful for technology so that we can have our occasional Skype conversations though after 15 minutes, they go away or I end up watching them play video games. Despite that, the real physical connection can never beat virtual connection.
It was also my first solo trip with my parents. And to be honest, I was a lil apprehensive only because I'm not really close close with them so I was really afraid of it being awkward. As much as I wish to have that close bond with them, I don't and it does bother me from time to time. However so, they are still my parents and I do love them.
Clara & I also launched our baby business - Point.OneNine !!
I was very excited for this because it is my first ever business venture & it is me stepping outta my comfort zone. Short story: it all started when we were talking about how much we both loved earrings but many shops were selling them at pretty steep prices when we can find them wayyy cheaper on Taobao. So we decided to start an online shop of our own & we aimed to sell earrings at an affordable price so the ladies can share the joy of earrings!
For an educator, with zero business background & knowledge, the learning curve was very steep. There was so much to learn and explore. I also had my lil wish of 'modelling' fulfilled. But hey! It isn't easy man. It's not just looking good and posing in front of the camera, there is so much more to it. After doing it this, I have mad respect for models & even influencers who do product & content creation. 6 months on, I'm still learning, exploring and trying out new stuffs. I am very thankful for all the support & love that our friends have graciously showered us with and spreading the word of our existence. Business has been doing pretty great & I hope that it'll continue striving!
- F E B R U A R Y -
I turned 25! Despite the whole supposedly 'quarter life crisis' term, I feel none of it. I still feel like I'm 22-23 and nothing has changed except the number of my age has increased. My loves surprised me late at night & I can finally ticked the 'late night surprise' off the bucketlist kekeke. My bestests & Kai know how much birthdays & surprises mean to me and they nailed it perfectly! Also, Kai & I went for our first fine-dining experience at Burnt Ends and the experience was amazing! But once a year would suffice hahahah, shall share that another day. Geez, I have sooo many backlog entries to share!
Ever since Eunice & I signed up for Absolute spin programme, we've been seeing each other more and going for classes together. Having a workout buddy really makes a difference because you are accountable to be there for your buddy. I love the support system! Some days I'm just so lazy but Eunice insists on going and I end up dragging my lazy self for class. But no regrets after! However, after I've used up my credits, I don't think I'll be heading back for more. While I do enjoy class, I don't see myself doing this long term - I don't feel that I burn a lot from the session & its quite costly!!
I also reconnected with Anna after our Vancouver drama hahahaha! I'm genuinely glad that I didn't lose a good friend & communication is truly the key to any good relationship. Thank you for reaching out otherwise the friendship couldn't have been stronger. Funny how I feel that we grew even closer after being apart for awhile but life works in funny ways, that's the beauty of it.
- A P R I L & M A Y -
Since it was my last school term in SUSS, I pretty much cleared all my day classes were left with night class. So I decided to do some relief teaching to earn extra cash. In less than 3 weeks, the Covid-19 situation worsen and a new measure aka 'CIRCUIT BREAKER' was implemented. That meant that schools were shut, everyone had to work from home (unless you are working in essential services) and you basically were confined to your homes. I remember the initial feeling upon receiving the news, it felt very surreal. Like wow, the entire nation had to stay at home and drastic measures were implemented.
I tried the recipe thrice to make the perfect ondeh-ondeh that I missed.
The whole experience is something that I believe every Singaporean will never forget and it will be an episode that will be relieved and used as a 'resilience' example in the future. So yes, I ended up 'jobless' and staying home. But it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was busy doing assignments & studying for my final exams in Uni, I tried many cooking & baking recipes (that's for another day), couldn't see Kai for sucha long time was miserable hahahah (this is the only con of the Circuit Breaker) & I used the time to rekindle old hobbies and tried new ones too.
My cousin found the invention of FaceTime & they were constantly calling me to chat and play hehs. It was quite cute lah!
Singing K using the 'Quan Min' app
Zoom birthday parties with Mum's side of the fam bam!
It was interesting to see how human interaction had to take place virtually - dates, parties, meetings, karaoke, lessons etc. Even expressing affection & love was now translated through food deliveries! But it felt like birthday season because the surprise came one after another. It was really heartwarming & cute!! Although technology had tried its very best to replicate the physical human interaction, it just didn't feel the same. But it was sufficient to tide us through this trying period.
Albeit challenging in the initial stage, Kai & I managed to work something out! We started off playing games together online, then we watched videos, theatre plays & eventually Netflix! We also made time to video call daily, unless Kai had assignments/lessons. This arrangement helped me to stay sane hahahah! So I'm really thankful for the effort put in by Kai!!
Masking up will be the new norm for awhile
OFFICIALLY DONE WITH UNIVERSITY!!!! Anna & I just had to be very extra and took our own grad photo together to commemorate since Convocation might not be happening sobs. I was really looking forward to taking one last photo in my grad gown & mortar board. But this shall suffice for the time being!
- J U N E -
We turned 7 (': ilysvm.
xx.
