Thirty Three

It's been a year and a half, Covid is still present. We went through a phase of loosening restrictions where life seems to have gone back to normal for a bit, just that we had to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Then we went back to tighter restrictions. At this point, dining in is restricted till late August. Last year I felt a lot more excited on staying indoors but this time, I miss being out a lot more.  

Earlier this year I bid goodbye to my favourite company I was working at for a good 3 years. In a bid to expose myself to a different working structure, I decided to change my job. 

Boy it was rough, I had to speed up 3x how I usually work, and I had to master the domain knowledge and design something workable at the same time. There were many times where I really missed my previous company. Despite that I definitely learnt a lot as well, being way outside of my usual comfort zone. I knew nothing about real estate just 3 months ago and didn't think it was a topic I might even be the slightest bit interested in. Now I think maybe, just maybe feel that looking at data, figures and understanding all these jargons ain't all that bad. Hey I was designing annual reports back in my younger days looking at graphs and figures and didn't think it was boring. An important thing was also learning to tell myself that no matter how much work I have, my well-being will always be priority. I told myself I must learn to emotionally detach from the never-ending comments, anxiety from meeting deadlines with quality that I have to do in my job. I'm still learning but I think I'm better than a few weeks ago. 

Another key change was me getting slightly better at investing. Thanks to fintech apps and huge advertising posters plastered all over the MRT station whenever I pass by going to work. (It works!) I got curious about all these broker apps and signed up for an account to play around. I haven't made a lot of money but I've seen the figures go up and down, some days I earned 20% some days I lose 20% all within a month or two, it's interesting to know what affects stock prices. I've also got my friend to thank for introducing me to stocks. After I started, I naturally went to read up more. This was something I couldn't imagine myself doing just months before. Maybe now that I'm working in real estate, and designing for data displays reading, checking out these information seem slightly more relevant. Another reason that triggered this was just me wondering what other ways can I diversify my income so I don't have to stick to a job. So I'll give this a shot.  

Hobby wise, I've started painting on a new medium – Gouache! It's a rough medium to master given how sticky the paints are compared to watercolour. But I quite like the effects it gives on the painted. It looks way more pigmented than watercolour!  

I might have changed the most this year, dabbling in all these new areas that I didn't think I would have done. Some habits as well, (I think that my new work attributed) one big one was I used to eat my dinners watching shows on Netflix, but nowadays after work I actually find myself preferring to eat at the kitchen away from my big computer screens. This wasn't something I would have done previously! I was just feeling too tired being glued to the screen working from home all day. I'm also preferring to watch documentaries or short real life knowledge infoseries kind of shows. 

Last year I talked about increasing my chances of serendipity but I don't think I've done much given the restrictions. I hope to try more new things the rest of this year and I can't wait to head out again! 

Last Steps

Just a day where I'm sitting in my room working from home as usual. 
Today's mood is last steps covered by this awesome couple who covers a lot of my favourite city pop songs. Playing this song sent me lots of nostalgic vibes up from memory lane. I know I should be working now but I'm so distracted enveloped by my own feelings. Alright, rant done, back to work!