Covid happened in late 2019 and we all started wearing masks. It's such an ingrained thing now that I sometimes forget to remove my mask even in my friends' house or car. With Covid, came travel restrictions, more online learning and planning and quick adaptations to fluid changes. It has been a rather stifling past few years. I have not worn lolita all that much as there were no longer large group meets, and also because most of my things are in boxes right now.
Picked up mermaiding in 2020, thinking that it could be a good form of exercise since I enjoyed swimming. It turned out to very much more of a performance art than a sport I suppose. It was also a shopping-intensive hobby though, with many things to purchase (from monofins, to mermaid tails, tops, accessories, etc.). I made lovely friends through the hobby and we swam together quite a bit back when we still had our Castle Green home. Many thanks to Stephanie too for generously giving me guidance and lending me her mermaiding stuff.
I learnt a lot about my own insecurities and my own attitude towards learning through bouldering. When I first started bouldering, I was shakey on the wall, prone to chafing, lots of unexpected falls, and I felt really unconfident. But the higher level climbs which I knew I probably couldn't achieve intrigued me, and I loved trying them out even though I failed as expected. Through bouldering, these were the things I learnt about myself:
1) I perform better when I feel like there are no expectations on me, when people do NOT cheer me on, and when I'm just doing my thing quietly on my own.
2) I perceive people cheering me on as expectations.
3) But... I like watching others climb (they are such inspirations!) and enjoy cheering them on XD Allez! (what a dichotomy...)
4) To advance, one must have to courage to let go. When I'm clinging on tightly to the previous grip, I just can't reach the next one.
5) I need to practice delayed gratification. I get upset when I feel like I'm not growing.
Other than bouldering, these were the some other things I did in 2021. 1. Orient Express Waloli meet 2. Soap making with Judith 3. Candle making with Xiu at Sally's Room 4. Made my first teddy bear 5. Completed my first diamond painting kit 6. Had a birthday staycation at Shangri La hotel 7. Tufting at the Tuft Club 8. Went to the Museum of Ice Cream 9. Made our own gin at Brass Lion Distillery 10. Went Kayak fishing (brought home a tusk fish that was big enough to keep) 11. Brought doggies to Coney Island (it was my first time there too) |
Well, I hope 2022 will be a better year ahead. It's the year of the tiger so I 犯太岁 this year...
Surprisingly, I got a work opportunity at the start of the year and I hope it will work out.
Also, since James got his PR (finally) in September last year, we will be kickstarting our IVF soon.
It all feels pretty stressful to be honest, I guess because there are so many unknowns and also that I'm protective of the current free lifestyle that I enjoy. But I suppose I need to be mindful to live in my current moment, rather than overthinking problems of the future.
Breathe Arion, breathe... Everything will be all alright.