Grateful Week: Backache

It’s been a crazy week - not because I was busy, but because I had a terrible backache. I’m not too sure whether it was due to all the walking I’ve been doing, poor posture, or perhaps a combination of both. Whatever the cause, it affected my lifestyle and disrupted my routines. I was essentially bedridden for more than 2 days and couldn’t even sit up straight. For those few days, I consciously prioritised rest over work, long walks and meals out. Apart from some lingering soreness and muscle tightness around my waist and left hip, I’m now almost back to normal. This episode reminded me of several things that I’m thankful for. 

• Friends. I’m blessed to have friends who reached out and showed genuine concern. One person in particular stood out. D, who lives in the west, offered to come over to help with my meals, which I politely declined. I’m deeply thankful that he offered his help despite the distance. 

• Food delivery. I’m grateful that such a service exists. It may cost a little more, but at a time like this, the small premium was insignificant compared to the pain and discomfort. And since I was ordering in anyway, I finally tried the McDonald’s National Day Curry Chicken Burger. I enjoyed it and thought it was pretty good. 

• Remote controls. This is something I’ve taken so much for granted until now. When moving around became painful, having remote controls for the lights, fans, aircon, tv and other appliances made life so much more bearable. It’s funny how we hardly notice these little conveniences until we actually need them. 

• Back support. This was a lifesaver. Thankfully, I had a back support tucked away in my storeroom from a previous episode of back pain. It helped me walk, even if it was only a few steps at a time, and was especially useful when I struggled to stand upright. Keeping my back muscles warm helped prevent them from stiffening further, and I’m glad I had it when I needed it.

• … and many more. As I lay in bed over those couple of days, I realised how many other things I had taken for granted - my firm bed, my warm comforter, a hot shower, the internet, good wifi, my mobile phone, and so much more. Every single one of them brought comfort and convenience when I needed them most. It’s amazing how the simplest things often become the most appreciated during moments like these. Deeply grateful for every one of them.

Despite the pain, which affected me for more than half the week, I didn’t want it to stop me from living as normally as I could. It was a conscious decision to leave my apartment, visit places and have meals with friends whenever I was able. Walking, within my limits, helped keep my back muscles warm and, I believe, aided my recovery. This episode also served as a timely reminder to pay closer attention to my health and well-being. They are easy to take for granted until they are compromised. More importantly, it reminded me that even during an inconvenient week, there was still much to be thankful for.

Reflections: 1H2026

I want to use this post to reflect on the first half of 2026.

It was, by and large, a continuation of what had taken shape by the end of 2025. As a whole, there is no strong sense of disruption or change in direction. Life has continued in a steady rhythm - shaped by people, routines, and moments that often appear ordinary on the surface. Truth be told, the intentions set at the beginning of the year were not new beginnings, but a clearer expression of how life was already unfolding. It also sits within a broader transition that started in Dec 2023, where my work and way of living have gradually shifted away from a traditional corporate structure into a more flexible and independent rhythm. Over time, this has felt less like a defined decision and more like a slow reorientation - towards a way of working and contributing that feels more aligned with helping people in a steady and meaningful way. And on this note, let me use the key focus I set out at the start of 2026 to frame this post:

Remain Grounded in Gratitude

Gratitude is most visible through daily reflections and writing. It is also expressed through actions, particularly in how I support people who matter to me and how I commemorate major festivals such as CNY and the Dragon Boat Festival. CNY reunion dinners remained important anchor points - sitting together with friends and family across generations, with conversations moving between updates, familiar topics/ complains/ bitching, and stories that resurface year after year. During Duanwu Jie, making nonya chang was not just a way to remember my mother or honour family traditions, but also a way of sharing something meaningful with people who matter to me. Beyond these, there have been frequent meals with aunts, cousins, extended relatives, and friends. These moments are often simple and unplanned, but carry a similar sense of continuity. Gratitude, in that sense, feels less like a practice and more like a way of noticing and appreciating the people and experiences that quietly shape everyday life. 

Live with Purpose and Compassion

Purpose continues to show up in everyday interactions with people. Much of this happens through conversations with friends, colleagues, and people within my wider circle, where the focus is less on outcomes and more on being present with what they are experiencing. Compassion often takes the form of small and ordinary acts such as helping a crow that had fallen onto the middle of the road, or supporting friends going through difficult periods or health challenges. One moment that stays with me was giving my friend, T, a haircut during his illness. What seemed like a simple gesture became one of his happiest moments in the weeks before he passed away. These experiences serve as reminders that purpose is not always found in grand plans or achievements. Sometimes, it is simply about showing up, paying attention, and walking alongside someone for a while. 

Embrace Vulnerability and Courage

Vulnerability this year has been less about expression and more about staying with what is not immediately resolved. The challenges that began in the second half of last year gradually eased towards the end of June. Despite the difficult moments, I chose to embrace the experience and look for what it could teach me - new perspectives, deeper self-awareness, and, perhaps unexpectedly, new friendships. Within family interactions, friendships, and personal reflection, there are moments where clarity does not come quickly, and I am learning to remain in that space without rushing to close it. This includes recognising that not every relationship evolves in the same direction. There are long-standing friendships that have been important parts of my life, yet differences in values, priorities, and perspectives can gradually create distance. Accepting this has not been easy, but holding on out of sentimentality may create more harm in the long run. Courage, in this context, sometimes means allowing certain relationships to loosen naturally while holding gratitude for what they once meant. Letting go does not diminish their significance; it acknowledges that people grow and change in different ways and at different paces. At the same time, there is a gentle sense that life feels a little more open in how it is experienced. Nothing marked or symbolic, but a subtle easing in how space and time are held, allowing days to unfold with slightly more flexibility.

Nurture Relationships That Matter

Relationships continue to form a steady rhythm across different parts of life - family gatherings, meals with relatives, catch-ups with friends, and ongoing interactions with people who move in and out of my life. What stands out is not intensity, but regular return - the quiet consistency of checking in and showing up over time. Alongside long-standing friendships and family ties, this year has also brought new connections. Some of these friendships have grown naturally through shared experiences and conversations, bringing fresh perspectives and unexpected support. Together, both old and new relationships create a sense of continuity and connection that enriches daily life. 

Deepen Spiritual Practice

My Buddhist practice continues through meditation, classes, and reflection, and remains an important grounding thread in how I experience life. This year’s Vesak Day offered a particularly meaningful opportunity to reflect on impermanence and non-attachment. These teachings, while familiar through practice, felt more immediate in the context of recent experiences, including the passing of my aunt earlier this year and the loss of T. Rather than changing the direction of life, these moments gently reinforced the importance of holding people and experiences with appreciation, without needing to hold on too tightly. Over time, this practice feels less like something separate from life, and more like a way of seeing that continues to shape how I relate to change, relationships, and presence.

Care for My Health and Well-being

Health and well-being have remained less about pursuing specific goals and more about maintaining a sustainable rhythm of life. There have been periods of intense work, balanced by quieter days of rest, walks, family meals, and time simply to recharge. I have also become more aware of listening to my body and recognising when to slow down. Whether it was recovering after demanding training days, making space for solitude, or enjoying simple moments in nature, these have become reminders that well-being is not something to achieve, but something to nurture. I am grateful that this balance has allowed me to remain present for the people around me while continuing to find joy in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

Looking across the last 6 months, what stands out is continuity rather than change - a steady living out of intentions already set in motion. As I move into the second half of 2026, the focus remains on living with greater presence and openness, allowing life to unfold with a little more ease, space, and gratitude.

Grateful 16 Jun: Ordinariness

Here’re a few random things that I’m thankful for:

• Toilet bowl. More than a month ago, I discovered that my toilet bowl was leaking. I had initially wanted to replace it since it is an old model, but eventually decided to repair it myself instead. I ordered a replacement cistern ball valve online and got some cement and construction adhesive to plug the leak. After some trial and error, I finally got it repaired! Grateful that it is working again.

• Refund. Bought a t-shirt online and it fitted me very well, so I ordered a second one. However, when it was delivered, it was two sizes bigger than what I ordered. I requested a refund and it was processed very quickly. I received my refund within a couple of minutes. Grateful for how smooth the process was.

• Glutinous Rice. Took the opportunity to make choot bee png (glutinous rice) as I had some spare glutinous rice left over from making the nonya chang. Had initially wanted to make pulut inti but decided on this instead. It’s savoury and is a better option than pulut inti, which is a dessert. Glad it turned out so very well!  Gave a portion to my sis and to D and they enjoyed it. Grateful to D for the suggestion! 

• Tau Sar Piah. I’ve been enjoying the traditional tau sar piah (mung bean pastry) from a particular pastry shop in Chinatown, and I’m grateful to PY for offering to buy some for me. A few days ago, she sent me a random text asking whether I would like any, as she happened to be at the shop. So, I’ve been enjoying tau sar piah for breakfast almost daily over the last few days. Yumz!

So yeah… these are some random ordinary things that I wanted to capture here. They may seem like simple little things, but to me, they reflect autonomy, self-reliance, convenience, ease, connection, culture, and much more. 

And for that, I’m grateful.

Grateful 5 Jun: A Nice Day Out

Went for a hike at Lower Peirce this morning with D. 

Was a spontaneous decision. It was a short walk but I was totally exhausted when it ended. It didn’t help that I didn’t have a good night sleep. I was grateful for the many little things that made today enjoyable: the seamless transport, the prata breakfast that perked me up before the walk, the shady boardwalk, and the refreshing drink afterwards. Back home, a cold shower felt wonderful, but above all, I was grateful for D’s company.

It was a nice day!

Grateful 3 & 4 Jun: Anchor

I have often gravitate towards significant events, meaningful encounters, or important lessons in my gratitude journals and have not paid enough attention to the simple things that quietly support my day-to-day life. So, in this post, let me give thanks for: 

• Sunshine. It's been bright and sunny these past 2 days. Rather than complaining about the heat, let me give thanks for the sunshine that brightens my day and allows me to go about my daily routines, whether it is heading to the coffee shop for my kopi-o kosong, doing my exercises around the estate, or simply enjoying a walk outdoors. It is such a simple thing, yet it brings a sense of ease and freedom that I often take for granted.

• Friends. These past 2 days, many people have checked in on me, and this evening, I met my ex-colleague turned friend D for dinner. So let me give thanks for them. These seemingly small gestures keep me connected and remind me that, even though I enjoy solitude, I am not alone. They reassure me that there are people who think of me, care about me, and remain part of my life. 

• Home. My home provides me with a comfortable space to rest, escape from the heat, work, and simply be myself. It is more than just a place to live. Reflecting on the past 3 decades, it has been the backdrop to countless moments shared with my parents, past partners, and my dog. It is also a place where my siblings and their families, relatives, friends, and colleagues have gathered. In many ways, it quietly holds the story of my life. 

So yes, these are things that feature so naturally in my daily life that I rarely stop to notice them. Yet they form the foundation upon which so much else rests. And I am deeply grateful to these people and things that is such an integral part of my life.

Grateful 21 & 22 May: Keep Going!

I am tired after two long days of training, but I am grateful for the following: 

• Energetic Class. It was one of the biggest classes I have ever had, but I was grateful that the learners were highly active and engaged. They asked deep questions and were genuinely eager to learn. Their energy kept me going. 

• Honey. I have not been feeling too well over the last couple of days. My throat was a little sore, and I was worried I might lose my voice. I was glad I had a bottle of honey in my fridge. It really helped soothe my throat.  

• Comfort. I am deeply grateful for the comfortable home that I have. I slept at 8:30pm and slept very well. I woke up at 5am feeling well-rested, and that kept me going for the rest of the day. 

The last two days have been exhausting. I hardly slept the night T passed on, and I was completely drained when I conducted the training yesterday. Yet the training ended on a high, and I remain grateful for - the energetic learners, the comfort of home, and above all, having honey at hand.

Grateful 23 Feb: Convenience

Today, I give thanks for the many conveniences I enjoy in my daily life. Here are my three call outs for today:

• Amenities. I live in a condominium about 1.5 km from the nearest HDB amenities - coffee shops, a shopping centre, convenience stores, and so on. To some, this may seem far. For me, it is perfectly balanced: near yet far, far yet near. Let me explain. The amenities are located at a comfortable distance - far enough that I am spared the bustle and occasional rowdiness, thereby allowing me to enjoy peace and quiet at home. Yet they are near enough for me to walk there in about 15 mins. That short walk gives me the added benefit of exercise - something that I do daily. I am grateful for this balance between convenience and peace.

• Public Transport. When I bought my place 30 years ago, many felt it’s too ulu and public transport and amenities were inadequate. But that was precisely what appealed to me - the peace. I drive, so it doesn't matter, I thought. Since then, the area has transformed significantly. A housing estate has been built nearby, along with a uni and a biz park; and public transport has improved greatly. Yet the peace has largely been preserved, as main amenities remain a short but manageable distance away. I enjoy the convenience yet without the noise. There is now a bus stop and an MRT station within a 5 min walk from my home. Best of all, the MRT line is underground. In Singapore, the vision is for residents to have access to an MRT station within 500m of their homes, and I am grateful to the urban planners for this thoughtful consideration. I have since sold off my car.

• Giving Feedback. I am thankful for the OneService app that allows us to report municipal issues easily. It channels feedback to the appropriate agency for follow-up action and is suberbly easy to use. Of course, the app is only as effective as the people managing it - and I must say the authorities are truly on the ball. Yesterday, during my afternoon walk, I noticed an unusual sight: a Chinese tombstone leaning against a roadside tree. It appeared abandoned. I used the app to take a couple of photos and submitted a report. This morning, I received a notification from NEA (the National Environment Agency) that the tombstone had been removed. They even sent a photograph showing it being removed last night (or early this morning). I was impressed by their efficiency and grateful that providing feedback is so seamless.

Much has changed over the 3 decades I have lived in this area. Transport links and amenities have improved tremendously, yet I still enjoy peace and quiet at home. For this balance - convenience without compromise - I am deeply thankful. I cannot ask for more.

Grateful 20 Feb: City in a Garden

I have gained back all the weight I lost over the last 5 months over the past 2 weeks - an outcome of all the feasting and fat-rich CNY food! So I decided to head out again for my walk along my usual route - from the housing estate into the Changi Business Park (CBP). Along the way, I saw several interesting sights - wild animals - and it reminded me how lucky I am to live so close to nature, even though I am in an urbanised environment. So today, I give thanks for these reminders:

• Nature. I live next to CBP where a large part is a solar farm and lined with lush greenery. It is also located next to a golf course. With such abundance of greenery, gay men have made it a cruising haunt since the early 2000s. But that’s not why I am writing this post. Rather, the place has attracted many animals. Animals commonly found here include various bird species including the sunbird, spotted dove, pink pigeon, bulbul, drongo, Asian koel, black nape oriole, kingfisher and kite, reptiles such as the monitor lizard, calotes, tortoise, various species of snakes, etc. As a nature lover, I am truly thankful to have this park so near me. 

• Asian Openbill. I saw this eye-catching bird while walking along the fringe of the golf course. I was surprised to see it as it is not a familiar sight locally. I was to learn that it is not endemic to Singapore but a migratory bird that is seen only during the northern winter period. And it was the first time I see an Asian Openbill and at such close range. It moved a few steps away when it saw me approaching. I froze and it stopped moving, but it remained wary of my presence. I snapped a couple of photos and videos before walking on and leaving it in peace. I am grateful to have been able to see this migratory bird up close.

• Wild Chickens. I was pleasantly surprised to see a family of 7 - 8 wild chickens at CBP. A few months back, there was only one! It has certainly multiplied quickly, probably due to the lack of natural predators, and I certainly welcome the sight. It certainly make the place a lot livelier and interesting. Wild chickens, while common decades ago, had almost disappeared for unknown reasons but reappeared during the COVID lockdown period. Since then, they have spread across the island, and we now see them in many places!

I am thankful for the chance to connect with nature even while walking through an industrial/ business park. It was such a pleasant experience. Years ago, we began with the “Clean and Green” Singapore campaign to soften the hard buildings that were being constructed at a rapid rate. This evolved into the “Garden City” vision, where flowering plants were introduced, and in recent years, the vision has been refreshed to “City in a Garden”. As a nature lover, I am blessed to be living in this city-state.

Grateful 19 Feb: Shelters

We were blessed with plenty of “good luck” from the heavens today - yes, it rained heavily for most of the day. Despite the rain, I was able to go about my daily walks and afternoon breaks, without needing to bring my umbrella, and still stay relatively dry. I, therefore, give thanks for the following:

• Rain. I am grateful for the rain - not just because it symbolises good luck - but also because it cools everything down. It has rained quite a lot over the past few days, and with it, the temperature has dropped from 30s to low-20s. It feels really pleasant and such a contrast to the hot, scorching weather we experienced through most of Jan and early-Feb. And as I enjoy rain, I was all tempted to head out for a walk in it but decided against it in the end as I want to minimize the chance of falling sick. 

• Sheltered Walkways & Underpasses. Despite the heavy rain, I was able to walk almost 8 km without getting wet, thanks to public sheltered walkways and underpasses. Of course, there were small stretches - perhaps 10 metres or so, such as when crossing minor roads - that I still had to manage, but these were minor inconveniences. I believe Singapore is one of the few, if not the only, city state in the world with such extensive public sheltered walkways, so much so that they have almost eliminated the need for umbrellas, and for this, I am thankful.

• Last Stretch Umbrellas. The public sheltered walkways link directly to my condominium rear gate. To reach my block, there is a final 80m of unsheltered path. For residents’ convenience, the condo management has installed umbrellas from the gate to the various blocks. Such a seamless arrangement is deeply appreciated by residents, judging by how well utilised the umbrellas are. I thank the condo management for this arrangement.

For all of the above, I am grateful. In the past, whenever it rained, many of us would simply stay home to avoid the hassle of carrying umbrellas or getting wet. But with these thoughtful provisions, I am no longer confined indoors. Life carries on as normal, rain or shine.

Gardening & I

I have loved nature since I was young. 

Over time, this interest gradually shifted towards plants and gardening. I enjoy the nurturing process and the satisfaction of watching living things grow. My earliest memory of gardening was when I was about 6 or 7, living in a kampong in Paya Lebar. One particular plant that left a deep impression on me was the “9 o’clock flower”. My landlord explained that it bloomed at 9 o’clock in the morning, and that was how it got its name. Much later, I learned that it is called Portulaca spp. Those were the days when my neighbours would harvest jambu, rambutan, mangoes and other fruits from trees, then eat them marinated in dark sauce, sugar and chilli. Around that time, I planted a mango seed next to the kitchen. I watched it sprout and slowly grow into a sapling. To a small kid, it was a huge achievement. When we eventually moved, I had to leave it behind. That was the first plant I ever grew. 

We moved to Marine Terrace when I was in Primary 2. During science class, I remembered germinating bean sprouts from green beans. Watching the roots emerge was most fascinating. That was also when I began growing plants in pots at home. My regular walk from school was 3 to 4 kilometres, and along the way I often passed abandoned houses where wild epiphytic orchids grew. I would pick them and bring them home, many did not survive. Orchids needed special care, and as an amateur, my gardening knowledge was still very basic. During my teenage years, I kept many different types of plants - most of which I did not even know the names of, and many of which my sister brought home from school. I watered them conscientiously every day. Some died, but others bloomed, and I began propagating them even before I formally learned how to do so. I remember growing money plant (Scindapsus aureus), dumb cane (Dieffenbachia variegata), and many others, repotting them over time as they multiplied. 

I later pursued a degree in biological sciences and graduated with a botany honours degree. I thoroughly enjoyed my biology lessons. I learned about plant physiology, anatomy, wayside trees and commercial botany and so on. My honours year project, in particular, was meaningful. I spent a lot of time in the secondary forests around Singapore studying how plants interact with fauna, soil and their surrounding ecosystems. I did not continue in this field professionally as I had to return to the army to serve my bond but my relationship with plants never ended. As an officer commanding, I made a special effort to bring back plants from training areas, where abandoned houses and gardens were common. My company line ended with lots of beautiful flowering plants such as orchids, bougainvillea, etc. It was really heartening to see how my soldiers, despite their tough exteriors, tending to the garden with extra care. 

Today, gardening remains a cherished hobby. I keep several potted plants on my balcony and take pleasure in looking after them. I would feel bad discarding them, as they have become companions of sorts. Yet, I do not need to own plants to appreciate them. I find the same joy in seeing them along the roadside, while hiking in the forest, or walking through nature reserves.

Grateful - 15 Feb: Togetherness

Just need to buy my mandarin oranges and I will complete my CNY shopping. And I can see my neighbours busy doing the same! So today I give thanks to:

• Neighbours. On my way out to get my CNY stuff, I met my 4th floor neighbour, M. She’s a chatty person and never fails to have a chat whenever we chance upon each other. Admittedly, I did find her a bit nosy initially, but over time I’ve accepted her as she is. And today, as we chatted, another neighbour from the 8th floor, Mr & Mrs K, walked by. They had arranged to head to the CNY bazaar for their CNY shopping! M asked if I wanted to join them, but Mrs K said, “I don’t think he wants la. He needs to head to the coffee shop for his coffee…” It’s a simple remark, but it tells me people notice, and people remember. Quite a warm feeling, I must say.

• Community. During major festivals, the sense of community feels very strong. And certainly, during CNY, the sense of community amongst Chinese Singaporeans is accentuated. In this regard, I’m grateful for the efforts over the last 4 decades to bring all dialect groups together. Today, we are all Chinese Singaporeans. It doesn’t matter if we are Hokkien (or its many sub-variants), Teochew, Hakka, Cantonese, Hockchew, Henghua, etc… we all speak Chinese and we celebrate CNY similarly. This contrasts with Singapore a century ago, when Chinese of different dialect groups fought each other…

• Country. There’s a certain feeling of warmth and inclusivity I get whenever we celebrate major festivals, be it CNY, Hari Raya, Deepavali, or even Christmas! The mood is highly energising and, in a huge way, brings people together. We don’t really just celebrate as a community, we celebrate as a country! So we have strangers walking by and wishing each other Happy Chinese New Year, or Selamat Hari Raya, or Happy Deepavali - whatever the festival may be to celebrants. It’s so nice to be living in Singapore, where people celebrate each other, regardless of race, language, or religion. I am thankful to be born here. I am blessed.

Tomorrow is CNY eve. And we count down to CNY, I give thanks to Singapore that celebrates multiculturalism, the community I live in, and my neighbours. 

CNY & I (a Singaporean Chinese)

It is less than a week to Chinese New Year, and the rush has begun. When I was at Bedok Mall earlier, the supermarket was crowded despite it being a working weekday. People were stocking up for reunion dinners and CNY visits. I am sure some families will have their reunion dinners early before flying off for a holiday this weekend. Heading overseas during public holidays is a very Singaporean instinct. But CNY always brings us back to the table. For my family, our dining table tells a story.

My late mother is Straits-born - Peranakan - and food is serious business for nonyas. My paternal side traces its roots to Fujian, rich in Hokkien traditions. Growing up, I never saw these as two distinct inheritances, they simply coexisted. During CNY, our dining table is filled with Peranakan dishes such as chap chai, babi pongteh, and curry chicken; and they sit comfortably beside Hokkien dishes that carry strong symbolism. We will definitely have the humble leek (picture above from 2024 CNY), or "sng" in Hokkien. “Sng” sounds like “count”, and thus eating "sng" is a must so that we will have money to count in the coming year. Such details are never treated lightly - they carry hope.

And in my adult years, there is the yusheng. The name itself, carry auspicious meanings of "excess" and "greater heights". We stand around the table, chopsticks raised, calling out auspicious phrases as we toss the raw fish and shredded vegetables. Yusheng was invented in Singapore and is distinctly us. It is now an indispensable CNY dish locally. I see similar unions of heritages at reunion tables of relatives and friends. Some more distinct such as in my case, my mother’s Straits-born roots, and my father’s direct connection to Fujian; and some less, such as when their parents hail from different provinces in China.

My siblings and I inherit both - not preserving them unchanged, but living them in our own way. Each of us has picked up different dishes from mum, and over time we have added new ones that we learned along the way. Around the table, languages flow between English, dialect and Mandarin. Some rituals are observed carefully; others are adapted to fit modern times. We may travel. We may send greetings over WhatsApp. But when we gather, we honour both where we came from and where we are rooted now. Most importantly, we celebrate culture, traditions, and family bonds.

Perhaps that is what it means to be a Singaporean Chinese - not a fixed identity tied to a single homeland, but something layered, lived and evolving. We celebrate our Chineseness in symbolism, in food, in reunion - yet it is unmistakably shaped by the Singapore context. Each year, as we sit before plates of chap chai and leek, as we toss yusheng and shout blessings into the air, we are not just welcoming a new year. We are continuing a story - and shaping it into something distinctly our own.

Grateful - 11 Feb: Daily Blessings

Today’s post might sound a tad personal, but they are still things I feel grateful for. Here are my 3 call-outs:

• Underwear. I recently bought a pair of underwear and it arrived today. I really like the fit - it holds everything up really well. Feels pretty sexy wearing it. So… yeah, I’m thankful for this very intimate piece of underwear!

• Buddy. I’ve recently started using the term “buddy” on a friend of mine. You know… heh… I’ve blogged about him before, but this is probably the first time I’m calling him my “buddy”. He didn’t text me for two days and I got a little worried and texted him. I was thankful when he replied and said he was simply busy and all’s well. We ended by saying we missed each other. So sweet, right?

• Red banner. I decided to visit the temple to give thanks for the year and to pray for smooth sailing and good health in the new year. While on the train, it suddenly hit me that I hadn’t kept track of the date to hang the red banner. After checking, I realised that today was the deadline! I was so grateful for that sudden realization - I would have missed it otherwise. I hurried home, finished washing the kitchen, and once that was done, I could officially kick off the “Little New Year” by putting up the red banner on my door. Let the CNY celebrations begin!

Two of the entries are a little personal in nature right? Heh… It’s less than a week to CNY!

Grateful - 10 Feb: Simple Joys

Woke up feeling a little tired, dehydrated yet bloated from last night’s dinner and decided to take things a bit slower today. It was nice to end the day feeling rested, and energized. With this, let me give thanks to the following:

• People watch. I took my usual coffee break at the coffee shop this afternoon and instead of rushing through my coffee (which I usually do so I could proceed with my afternoon walk), I decided to just sit and observe the world pass by. It turned out to be a rather pleasant experience: watching a rather unkempt uncle sang along as he blasted a speaker with a weird mix of songs - English, Chinese, Hokkien, etc, office workers rushing through their lunch, retirees wilding their time away… and oh, I was singing away in my head to the songs as I drank my coffee too!

• Gardening. I maintain a collection of plants at my balcony and I decided to marcot my ficus plant after lunch. It has grown too big and I thought it is time to create new plants out of it. Doing so will also allow me to downsize it significantly once the new plants take root. Gardening has always been a therapeutic pastime for me and today’s experience is no different. It was a lovely afternoon!

• Visit by B. I am thankful to B for visiting me. He had gone back to his home country last week and decided to dropped by my place with dinner and some stuff from home. I appreciate his gestures and we had a nice chat. Have known him since last year and while he has his quirks that can some time irritate the hell out of me, he is, overall a very nice person. Grateful for his warm gestures.

So yeah, it was a slow day and I ended it feeling energized after attending an online workshop in the evening. 

Grateful - 4 Feb: Routines

It's a routine day for me. And on this routine day, I give thanks to:

• Predictability. As a freelancer, a typical “routine” day when I’m not working would look like this: wake up, meditate, breakfast, time at my own disposal, prepare lunch, lunch, coffee, a mid-day walk or exercise, rest, more time at my own disposal, prepare dinner, dinner, even more time at my own disposal, read, reflect, and sleep. It’s a routine I’ve grown accustomed to, and frankly speaking, while it may be a tad boring, it works well for me. It’s predictable - no surprises, no stress - good for the soul, and it certainly gives me time to catch up with myself and my thoughts. So yes, I had a routine day today, and I’m thankful for that.

• Flexibility. The nice thing about routine days is that I have full flexibility to do what I want. In the schedule above, I’ve indicated “time at my own disposal,” which simply translates to - whatever I feel like doing at that moment. More often than not, that would be gardening, housework, watching TV/ Netflix, or even lazy (some would call it self-maintenance or mental well-being time). This is the kind of flexibility I didn’t have when I was fully employed. Today, I managed to catch up on work admin and preparation, write reports, attend an online event, etc. Work admin and reports are largely mundane but necessary tasks that require attention and time.

• The sunny, clear sky. As weird as it may sound, I’m grateful for the sunny sky today because it allowed me to take an afternoon topless walk and get a nice tan in the process. I’ve been walking almost daily since mid-2025 to keep my weight in check and improve my health. And since I’m walking anyway, why not do it during lunchtime and get a bit of sun while I’m at it, right? I haven’t been able to do this as often as I’d like recently, so it was really nice to be able to do so again today. 

On reflection, I’d say it was a routine but productive day for me, despite it being a routine one.

Mesh Up!

I am so happy and proud of myself.

I finally managed to set up my home mesh system. It took me almost two and a half hours, with plenty of trial and error along the way. I had purchased the mesh to cover the Wi-Fi dead spots in my apartment. After a fair bit of reading and research, I narrowed down the model I wanted - and then, of course, ended up buying a higher one. Heh…

The real challenge, however, came during the setup. Based on everything I had read, it was supposed to be a simple plug-and-play process. But because I already had an existing router, I quickly confused myself with all the technicalities. After setting up the main node, I realised I had done it wrongly and had configured the mesh as the router instead. This disrupted my existing network, and I had to start all over again.

I used the instructions provided, but connecting to an existing router was not covered and I resorted to ChatGPT, and after further trial and errors, I finally connected the mesh correctly to the router. But the second unit refused to sync. So I reset everything - again… and again… and again - until, at last, the entire network came online. I actually shouted “hurray” in my head. But the adventure was not over yet. 

Just as I started organising the wiring, the network dropped again. This time, however, I stayed calm. I systematically checked the Ethernet cables and connections, and once I was sure everything was in place, I simply restarted the modem and allowed the system to stabilise. And voilà - the whole network was up and running once more. Whew!

For someone who has been a technology end user all my life, setting up hardware is definitely outside my comfort zone. So today was one crazy experience, despite all the research I had done over the past few days. The learning curve was steep, but the sense of accomplishment was immense! This whole experience was a small victory - but a deeply satisfying one. 

:-)

Grateful - 30 Jan: Learning, Helping

Today, I want to call out the following 3 things I am grateful for:

• I am thankful for a coachee-turned-mentee who trusted me enough to seek my feedback on her speech delivery for a public speaking contest. As I framed my thoughts after watching her rehearsal video, I also realized how much I have learned over the years. I truly appreciate the many opportunities I’ve had in my life to speak publicly. There is still much I can improve on, and I still experience butterflies in my stomach when I step onto the stage - but I believe I am far better prepared today than I was when I was much younger.

• Speaking of coachees, I also want to extend my gratitude to all my coachees - past and present - for allowing me to be their thinking partner and for being open, authentic, and transparent. They have helped me grow, both as a coach and as a person. Admittedly, I initially felt pressured and unsure whether my coaching was truly helping them. Over time, however, my confidence grew as I saw them improve and move forward in ways that were meaningful to them.

• I spent much of today researching and reading about WiFi extenders and mesh systems, as I’ve been dealing with weak WiFi signals in my room and needed to boost the reception. I’m glad that by evening, I was able to narrow down what I need to do to resolve the issue. My next task is to purchase the mesh system and set it up before my virtual training sessions next weekend. So yes, I’m grateful for the presence of ChatGPT, which helped educate me on the technical details and recommend solutions - along with the broader presence of technology and readily available information today.

It’s been a day of learning and a day of helping. Productive indeed.

A New Router

I’ve just upgraded my home Wi-Fi plan, and the technician came by today to replace the router. With the new router installed, the existing mesh system (or router?) at home has been acting a little weird. I’m admittedly not the wisest when it comes to these setups - considering I don’t even really know the difference between a mesh and a router. Anyway, I asked the technician to retain the same Wi-Fi name, and he cleverly suggested keeping it but suffixing it with 2.4G and 5G to differentiate it from the current one and avoid any conflicts (whatever that means).

The home mesh system (or router?) was originally installed and set up by my ex, and perhaps it’s truly time to let it go and replace it with a new setup altogether. It’s not really about the money; rather, it’s about moving on with life and no longer having to worry about whether things will work now that he’s no longer living here. He moved out in May 2024, so it really is time. Symbolically, this Wi-Fi upgrade - and the accompanying replacement with a newer, more powerful router - also represents an upgrade of me as a person: independent, self-reliant, and no longer living in the shadow of my previous relationship (not that I ever really was).

:-)

Grateful - 25 Jan: Peace

It’s a busy but fulfilling day for me and if I were to single out 3 things that I am grateful for, I would name the following:

• Had a good nights’ rest and woke up this morning feeling great and energized. Managed to finish cleaning 3/4 of the kitchen cabinet, washed the rugs and mopped the kitchen. Also, took the opportunity to declutter the cabinet and gave away quite a few unused mugs!

• Attended a Buddhist class at the Singapore Buddhist Federation. We went into how Buddhist concepts can be applied in life and where things are constantly changing and many issues are not so straightforward/ black and white. Very interesting session indeed.

• Visited my friend who had been readmitted to the hospital, less than a week after he was discharged. It’s nice to see him cheerful and had a good catch up with him. 

I’m also thankful for a friend who took the time to share his life story with me over dinner, for my sis who brought over bananas and food, etc… yeah, it’s a good peaceful day indeed.

Balcony Visitors

Lately, I’ve had quite a few visitors to my balcony daily! They include mynahs, spotted doves, sunbirds, sparrows and even the Asian koels. It’s really nice to see them visiting and perching on my balcony. And of course, the mynahs are comfortable enough to even come into the house and step all over my meditation mat! 

I also noted that swallows tend to stay a bit further away and perch themselves on my neighbour’s window ledge instead. Other than that, there were the infrequent dragonflies, bees, butterflies, and not to mention the perennial pests such as ants, houseflies, moths, wasps and even mosquitoes. Thankfully, the pests only visit me once in a blue moon…

:-)

ps: Can you spot the spotted dove in the photo above?