A Weekend in Singapore: MacRitchie Reservoir Walks

We’ve been away from Singapore for a while. Whenever we come back, it’s usually only for a short period of time. The timing never seems quite right — sometimes due to busy schedules, and other times because of the weather. Rain often disrupts our plans, and it feels like we rarely get long stretches of time here.

Quiet walking trail in MacRitchie Reservoir with calm nature surroundings

This trip, we decided to stay over the weekend since my boyfriend has to be back in the office on Monday. For me, it’s something I really appreciate — a quiet weekend in Singapore, even if it’s just for a short while.

One of the things we always look forward to is our walk at MacRitchie Reservoir. Our walks are never short. Usually, we cover around 11km, walking through the golf link and TreeTop Walk. Yesterday, we went over 14km, including the distance from Caldecott MRT. It’s a long walk, but we honestly enjoy it.

Quiet moment of reflection during a long walk in MacRitchie Reservoir

There’s something calming about being surrounded by nature (minus the monkeys). The greenery, the quiet paths, and the slow rhythm of walking help us disconnect from everything else. We also appreciate the convenience of public transport — it was easy to get there without needing Grab or a taxi. As long as the weather stays on our side, the experience is even better.

Walking in nature to relieve stress and clear the mind

Lately, my boyfriend has been dealing with a lot of stress, mainly from work. It has been ongoing for months, and it has taken a toll on him both physically and mentally. On top of that, he has been trying to work on his weight and overall health.

He is currently taking a more strict approach to his diet, and while I understand his intention to improve his health, I do have some concerns about whether it is sustainable for him. As he is working full-time and already under a lot of stress, I worry about whether he is getting enough energy and proper nourishment.

I don’t fully agree with everything, but I also try to be mindful of how I express my thoughts. He has been more short-tempered lately, likely due to the stress he is facing, so I try not to add unnecessary pressure. At this point, I can only support him in the way he is comfortable with.

One thing I really appreciate is that he still makes the effort to go for walks and do light exercise. When he is at home, he is more disciplined with his routine, although things can be more challenging when he travels, especially when it comes to maintaining habits.

Our walk yesterday felt especially meaningful. For me, it was a chance to clear my mind and take a break from unnecessary thoughts. Walking through nature helped me feel lighter and more present. For him, it was a quiet moment as well — a way to unwind in his own way. Sometimes, he zones out or gets lost in his thoughts, and I gently nudge him back into the moment.

I really hope things get better for him soon — especially with work. The stress has been affecting him for a long time, and I just want him to feel healthier, both physically and mentally. For now, we’ll keep doing what we can. Just walking, one step at a time.

May xx

My First Crochet Project as a Beginner

Beginner crochet project.

I finally did it — I completed my first crochet project.

Meet Fred the dino. 🦖

This is something I’ve been wanting to try for a long time. My mum was always really good at crochet. Growing up, I remember seeing her work, and somehow it always felt a bit out of reach for me. Like… I could do cross stitch, maybe some knitting, but crochet? Different story.

Recently, I kept seeing beginner crochet kits on Instagram, and I decided to just give it a try. I ordered one, thinking it would be a small and manageable first project.

The kit came with everything I needed, along with step-by-step video guides. It made learning crochet as a beginner feel less intimidating. I used this kit if you want to have a look: The Woobles Crochet Kit.

But still… it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

I had to restart a few times. Actually, more than a few. I kept losing count of my stitches — please tell me I’m not the only one 😅 — and every time that happened, I had to undo everything and start again. Typical perfectionist behaviour, and yes… I did get a bit frustrated at some point.

Funny enough, I caught myself thinking — closing monthly accounts feels easier than this.

But I kept going. Slowly figuring it out, one step at a time.

And then… somehow, it started to come together.

Not perfect, but I made it myself.

This little dino is actually called an amigurumi — a type of small crocheted stuffed toy. I didn’t even know that term before I started.

It’s not perfect. You can probably tell it’s a beginner’s work. But I made it myself, and that counts for something.

There’s something quite satisfying about creating something with your hands. I guess I’ve always liked handicrafts — seeing a piece come together is just… satisfying.

The struggles, but it is all worth it.

So yes — a small win, but a meaningful one.

And now, Fred sits there as a reminder that maybe I can learn new things, even if it takes a few tries (or many restarts).

I might try another one… let’s see how it goes.

May xx

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How I Organise My Pokémon Card Collection (Beginner Collector)

I finally sorted all my Pokémon cards and organised my Pokémon card collection into binders.

As a beginner Pokémon card collector, I’ve been learning how to organise my Pokémon card collection, sort bulk cards, and build my own binder system.

I didn’t expect to get back into collecting Pokémon cards after more than 20 years, but here I am — slowly building a collection again, one card at a time.

I started with just two black binders — a small one for my 20+ year-old vintage collection, and another for the cards I got from CG. That was how everything began.

From two binders to this… it escalated quickly

Then I started learning more, bought some bulk cards, and slowly grew the collection. Now… it has expanded quite a bit, and I’ve added a few more binders along the way.

From the bulk cards, I managed to get a lot of new additions. Of course, there are duplicates (which I keep separately, not in binders), but I still enjoyed going through everything. Along the way, I realised I was getting close to completing one series — Scarlet & Violet (SVI English). That got me thinking… maybe I can try completing a master set. So I’ve dedicated a blue binder to that.

The rest of the cards are sorted into a few separate binders — mostly randoms, but still part of the collection.

As I learn more about Pokémon, I’m starting to notice the types and designs I really like. So I created a “favourites” binder — the purple one. Any card from the other binders (except the SVI set) that makes it into the purple binder… means I really like it 😆

Slugma and Magcargo...slowly became favourites.

A bit random, but that’s the fun of it.

Helioptile and Heliolisk. Somehow, these caught my attention first.

Right now, some of my favourites include Slugma, Magcargo, Helioptile, Heliolisk, Slakoth, Yungoos, Gumshoos, Mimikyu, Dipplin, Flapple, Hydrapple, Eiscue, Eevee, and Espeon.

It’s still a mix of random favourites, and I think that’s what makes it fun. I’m still learning, still exploring, and slowly figuring out what I really want to collect.

I think that’s enough for now…

But knowing myself, this is how it always starts 😅

This is part of my Pokémon collecting journey — I’ll share more as I continue building my collection.

May x

My First Pokémon TCG Pack Opening: Suicune Knockout Collection (Surging Sparks & Twilight Masquerade)

Sometimes, I find myself wanting to try something new… but also hesitating a little.

This time, I decided not to overthink it.

I filmed my very first Pokémon card opening video — something simple, something I’ve been quietly enjoying lately. No big setup, no perfect script, and definitely no voiceover. Just the moment of opening packs, seeing the cards, and reacting in my own way.

It felt a bit strange at first, watching myself do it. But also… fun. There’s something oddly satisfying about opening Pokémon cards again after so many years — a mix of nostalgia and curiosity, not knowing what you’re going to get.

I opened the Pokémon TCG Suicune Knockout Collection, which came with two booster packs: Surging Sparks and Twilight Masquerade. Nothing too fancy, but enough to make it interesting. Honestly, I’m still very new to this, so I don’t really know what counts as a “hit” or what I should be expecting to pull.

But I did manage to pull a card that I genuinely like — and I think that’s good enough for me.

I don’t know if I’ll keep doing more of these yet. But I’m glad I started.

Sometimes, that’s all it takes — just starting.

May xx

🎥 You can watch my first pack opening here on YouTube.

Some Days I Feel a Bit Useless

Somehow, it looked so certain of its direction.

Some days, when I wake up, I find myself wondering — what do I actually want to do today?

This is another slightly personal post… maybe a bit of sharing, maybe a bit of grumbling. But I thought I’d just write it as it is. First of all, I have to say that I am happy and grateful, but this feeling is hard to explain.

I know I’ve said to myself to enjoy slow mornings and quiet time. And in a way, I realised this was something I used to want. After years of rushing, working hard, and constantly moving, I thought slowing down would feel different.

But honestly, sometimes, I still feel a bit… useless. Like, I’m not really contributing in a meaningful way.

I think this feeling started after I left my job. Suddenly, there was no clear goal, no structure, no objective to work towards every day.

And just to be clear, it’s not that I gave everything up unwillingly. I made the choice to be closer to my boyfriend. I wouldn’t call it a sacrifice… but at the same time, I know I did give up certain parts of my life.

I also know how it might look from the outside. Some people might think I’m living a “tai tai” life. But honestly, that’s not how I see it.

I don’t spend on luxurious things. I don’t shop much, and I’m not into branded items. I live quite simply. I cover my own expenses and don’t rely on him for what I want. Even when it comes to birthday gifts, I tend to think carefully about what I actually need.

So no, it’s not really that kind of life.

From the outside, everything probably looks fine. Life is comfortable, things are stable. But internally, it can feel quite different.

It’s a quiet kind of feeling that just sits there in the background.

There’s no real reason for it on those days. Nothing particularly bad happens. It’s just that sense of not doing enough, not being enough, or not moving forward in any clear direction.

Some days, I wake up and wonder what I actually did that day that mattered.

Not in a big, life-changing way. Even just something small that feels meaningful.

Some days, I manage that.

A short run. A few pages of a book. Clearing something at home. Finishing a small task. Those days feel a bit lighter.

But there are also days when I don’t feel like doing much at all. And those are the days when the “useless” feeling creeps in a bit more.

I’ve been trying not to be too hard on myself when that happens.

Because maybe this is just a slower phase of life.

I know not everything has to be productive all the time. Not every day needs to have a clear outcome.

Maybe sometimes, it’s enough to just get through the day quietly.

I’m also learning that just because something looks small, it doesn’t mean it has no value.

Resting has value. Resetting has value. Even doing nothing for a while has its place, whether we like to admit it or not.

Maybe part of this feeling also comes from being away from people.

I don’t really have anyone here besides my boyfriend to talk to. Most of my conversations are online — with my siblings, my nieces and nephew, and a few friends I don’t see often.

So I do appreciate the small things — a reply, a message, even a simple like. It reminds me that I’m still connected in some way.

I don’t have everything figured out right now. Maybe this feeling is just part of the process. I’m still slowly figuring out what I want next… it just feels like it’s taking longer than I expected.

And if you’ve ever felt this way too, you’re not alone. I’d really like to hear how you get through those days — or if you’re still figuring it out too.

May xx

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: Finding Myself Between Places

Lately, I’ve been thinking a bit more about where I am in life right now. I’m turning 45 soon. Midlife crisis? Not really. But sometimes… I do feel a bit useless.

This is a bit more personal than what I usually write, but I thought I’d share it anyway. Maybe someone out there is going through something similar.

First of all, it’s not that I don’t want to work or that I’m not capable of working. I chose not to work for personal reasons.

I’m originally from Penang. Around 2013, I was travelling between Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia for work. By 2016, I was mostly based in Singapore.

When COVID-19 hit, I went back to Penang to be closer to home, especially for my grandma. Around that time, I also started working remotely.

Then, at the end of 2021, I came to Bangkok. It was supposed to be temporary, and I thought I would eventually go back to what I was used to.

But somehow, I never left. We never left.

I didn’t plan to live in Thailand.

Life just shifted along the way. Plans changed, and what was meant to be temporary slowly became something longer. Before I realised it, I was no longer living in Singapore or Penang. Thailand became the place I was based in.

My boyfriend travels a lot for work, and his schedule is quite unpredictable. If I were to take on a full-time, office-based job, it would be very hard for us to spend time together. It would almost feel like we are living separate lives.

So to be honest, it was my choice. I chose to be closer to him, even if it meant putting some parts of my own life on hold.

Since he travels quite a bit, I sometimes follow him on longer trips. Otherwise, I’m mostly based here in Thailand.

Sometimes, I do help out with some of his work — small projects or assignments here and there. It’s something I’m familiar with, so it still feels good to use my brain and do something related to what I used to specialise in.

But outside of that, my routine is quite different now.

I don’t really participate in running events anymore, mainly because our schedule is quite uncertain. There were even times I signed up for races but ended up being in another country. We move around and adjust plans quite often, so it’s hard to commit to anything regularly.

What I do try to do is keep things simple — run occasionally, read a bit more, and lately, I’ve even started gaming again.

To be honest, I wouldn’t say I love it here. Somewhere along the way, I feel like I lost parts of myself — my routine, my circle of friends, and a sense of familiarity.

Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t try to build something new here.

But the truth is, we’ve been moving around quite a bit. We’re usually not in one place for more than a month, and that makes it difficult to settle into any kind of routine.

Some of my friends say from time to time, “Wow, you’re always travelling.” But the truth is, we’re mostly just moving between our homes and the places my boyfriend needs to be for work.

We now have another place in Penang, so technically we can move between the two. But for now, we are mostly based in Chonburi, Thailand. Partly because of the weather.

(Yes… the weather. 🙄)

There isn’t really much for me to do here in a way that feels meaningful to me. Some days feel fine, quiet and manageable. Other days feel a bit empty.

I wouldn’t say I’m unhappy. But I also wouldn’t say this is exactly the life I imagined for myself.

Maybe it’s just one of those phases that I’m still adjusting to.

There’s quite a bit going on at the moment, so for now I’m just letting things be.

Maybe it will change again, as everything else has.

For now, I’m just learning how to sit with it.

This wasn’t really my plan, but it’s where I am.

If you’ve ever felt this way, too, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

May xx

Just One of Those Quiet Weekends

The weekend just flew by again. Somehow, Mondays always arrive faster than expected.

My boyfriend is away on a business trip for the next two weeks, so I had the whole weekend to myself at home. Sometimes I enjoy the quiet time, but this weekend my body was just not cooperating.

It was that once-a-month thing again. The kind that makes you feel tired, uncomfortable, and completely unmotivated to do anything productive. The cramps weren’t great either, so most of the time I just felt like doing absolutely nothing. But I did manage to read a few pages, which felt like a small win.

I tried to get myself out of the house on Friday night for a walk. It had been raining earlier, so I waited for what looked like the right moment to step outside. The air was nice, and it felt good to stretch my legs a bit. Unfortunately, the rain started again shortly after I began, so the walk ended up much shorter than planned. Sometimes you just have to accept that plans change.

Saturday and Sunday were mostly very quiet. Honestly, I spent a lot of time just lazing around at home. No running, no gym, no big plans. Just resting.

Mostly, I watched TV and took it easy. And yes, I watched the F1 yesterday. For the first time, I found myself quietly cheering for my favourite driver, Lewis Hamilton. It was really nice to see him finally make it onto the podium for the first time with Ferrari.

A special podium moment with George Russell, Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton — together with Bono.
Photo credit: Formula 1 on X

Watching the prize-giving ceremony was quite touching. Two Mercedes drivers were on the podium. Kimi Antonelli became the second-youngest driver in Formula 1 history to win the Grand Prix in China, alongside an ex-Mercedes driver. Toto Wolff’s comments, saying that Hamilton is “still our driver,” were really moving as well. Moments like that remind you that, behind the competition and rivalry, there is still a lot of respect.

Other than that, I did manage to do something that made me strangely happy.

I finally sorted out the bulk of the Pokémon cards that I brought back recently. If you read my last blog post, you probably know that I’ve somehow fallen back into collecting Pokémon cards again after many years.

This weekend, I decided it was time to organise them properly. I started sleeving the cards one by one, then sorting them and placing them into my new binders. It sounds simple, but I have to admit I got quite excited doing it.

Helioptile collection page — one of my favourites.

Magcargo cards together with the Magcargo plush.

There’s something oddly satisfying about organising Pokémon cards neatly into a binder. Flipping through the pages and seeing them all lined up properly just makes the whole collection feel more real somehow.

I probably got a little too carried away because I didn’t even realise how quickly the time had passed. Before I knew it, it was already past midnight, which is unusual for me since I normally try to go to bed early, especially when I'm keeping a routine.

So yes, it was a quiet weekend. Not very productive in terms of exercise or running, but maybe my body just needed the rest.

Now that the new week has started, I’m hoping my body will feel better in the next few days. Once the cramps settle and my energy returns, I want to start moving again slowly. Hopefully, I can get back to running soon.

For now, just taking it one day at a time. Sometimes a slow weekend is exactly what the body needs before starting a new week, right?

May xx

Magcargo and Helioptile Joined My Pokémon Shelf

Two cute Pokémon plush finds: Magcargo and Helioptile.

I brought home two small additions to my Pokémon collection — Magcargo and Helioptile.

I found these Pokémon plush toys at the Pokémon Center Singapore when I was in there a few days ago.

I didn’t plan to buy them.

But sometimes you see something cute, and that’s enough reason.

The red one is Magcargo, a Fire and Rock-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II. It looks like a lava snail and is known for its extremely hot body temperature.

The yellow one is Helioptile, an Electric-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VI. Its large ears, which look like solar panels, allow it to absorb sunlight to generate electricity.

Nothing rare. Nothing serious. 🤭

Just two small plush toys that made me smile.

Sometimes, collecting Pokémon cards and toys is less about value and more about simple enjoyment.

And these two were too cute to leave behind.

May xx

When Running Isn’t Possible, I Walk

I was inactive for the past three days.

I travelled to Singapore for a medical check-up and only returned to Thailand yesterday. Between the flights and the appointments, running didn’t happen.

Today I thought about going for a run again. But when I paid attention to my body, both my legs still didn’t feel quite right. Not painful. Just… not normal.

So instead of forcing a run, I decided to go for a walk.

For runners, walking can feel strangely slow. When you’re used to running, everything normally passes by quickly — the trees, the houses, the people, even the distance.

But when you walk, the pace changes. You notice things you usually miss.

The quiet of the evening.

The sound of the waves.

The sun slowly setting and the sky changing colour.

A slower pace, but still a beautiful evening.

When you run, your focus is often on pace, distance, or finishing the route.

When you walk, there’s no pressure to keep moving fast.

Today’s walk reminded me that slowing down isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes the body just needs a bit more time to settle.

I’m still frustrated that I can’t run properly yet. But at least I’m still able to move.

And for today, walking is good enough.

May xx

Starting Pokémon Card Collecting Again After 20 Years

I never thought I’d be back into Pokémon. After all, it had been years since I last touched a card or knew the newest Pokémon.

It all started when CG gave me some Pokémon cards during my last trip to Singapore. Seeing them again brought back so many childhood memories.

Cute Pokémon cards in my binder, including the ones CG gave me that started this journey.

More Pokémon cards in my binder from CG.

Earlier this year, in January, I wrote a short post about how Pokémon came back into my life. If you want to read that story, you can find it here: When Pokémon Came Back Into My Life.

Recently, I decided to start collecting Pokémon cards again. Nothing serious — just buying cards I think are cute and keeping them in a binder.

My Pokémon binder and some cards I bought from Shopee

My first daring purchase of Pokémon cards from Shopee

For now, I’m not studying prices or rare cards. No spreadsheets, no checking price history, and no real strategy. I’m not collecting to chase rare cards or make money. I simply enjoy choosing cards I like and arranging them in my binder, seeing the old and new cards side by side.

CG also mentioned something interesting when we were talking about Pokémon cards. Sometimes it actually makes more sense to buy single cards instead of opening packs. So for now, I’m just picking up a few singles from Shopee whenever I see cards with artwork that I like.

It reminds me a little of childhood, and honestly, it just makes me happy.

I bought a simple binder from Shopee to store my cards. Nothing fancy, but it feels surprisingly satisfying flipping through the pages after a long day.

Maybe one day I’ll learn more about the collecting side of the hobby. But for now, I’m happy just collecting cards that make me smile.

Sometimes, that’s more than enough.

May xx

International Women’s Day: The Strength of Women We Don’t Always See

When I think about International Women’s Day, I don’t immediately think about famous leaders or historical figures.

Instead, I think about the women I have met throughout my life — women who may never receive recognition but have shaped who I am in small and meaningful ways.

When people talk about strong women, they often imagine something dramatic. A powerful speech, a major achievement, or a moment of recognition in front of a crowd.

But over time, I’ve realised that strength does not always look like that.

Some of the strongest women I have met are simply people living their lives with resilience.

They wake up early every day to support their families. They manage work, responsibilities, and relationships while still finding time to care for others. Life is not always easy, but they continue moving forward.

Their strength is not loud.

Sometimes it appears as patience in difficult moments. Sometimes it is the ability to endure challenges quietly. Sometimes it simply looks like kindness in small gestures.

During my travels with World Vision, I met many mothers who carried enormous responsibilities. Their circumstances were not easy, yet they remained deeply committed to providing a better future for their children. Watching them reminded me that resilience is often built in ordinary moments — in the decisions people make every day to keep going.

These women may never appear in newspapers or history books, but their influence is real. Their efforts shape the lives of their families and communities, and their strength leaves a lasting impact on the next generation.

I also think back to the Malaysia Women's Marathon in 2019. My youngest sister and her daughter ran the 5km, while my second sister and I tackled the 21km. It wasn’t about winning or comparing distances — it was about sharing the experience, cheering each other on, and celebrating what each of us could do in our own way.

That day reminded me that strength looks different for everyone. Sometimes it’s running long distances; sometimes it’s simply showing up and taking the first step. Either way, the support we give each other makes all the difference.

International Women’s Day is often associated with messages about empowerment, equality, and progress. Those conversations matter, and the progress made over the years is important.

But for me, the day is also a quiet reminder to notice the everyday strength that surrounds us.

The women who continue showing up, even when life is difficult.

The women who care deeply for others.

The women who quietly hold families and communities together.

Sometimes the most meaningful lessons about strength don’t come from famous stories. They come from the women we meet every day — my sisters, my nieces, the mothers I’ve met, the friends I lean on. And it’s their courage, quiet resilience, and care that shapes the way I move through the world.

May xx

Rest Is Harder Than I Thought

Some days, doing nothing feels impossible. Even sitting still feels wrong.

I’ve always thought discipline was about doing more.

• More miles.
• More structure.
• More consistency.

Now I can’t run. And I feel… off.

Walking or running usually keeps me steady. Gives my day shape. Clears my head. Without it, everything feels weird.

Rehab is slow.

Calf releases. Tiny strengthening moves. Slowing down stuff I usually rush through. Nothing feels like progress.

No sweat. No Garmin numbers. Just doing it.

I poke at the injury sometimes, just to see if it’s okay. Old habits die hard.

I know I need to back off before it actually hurts.

I keep checking, “Can I run now?”

“When do I get back to normal?”

I like plans. I like certainty. But recovery doesn’t care about that.

Anyway… I went for a swim because I can’t just sit around.

Played a bit of MLBB and scrolled for new Pokémon cards instead.

Maybe this is what rest really is — finding a way to keep moving, even when you can’t do what you usually do.

May xx

How Compensation Caused My Calf Strain

I couldn’t sleep last night.

The pain was stinging and uncomfortable. That was when I knew I couldn’t keep waiting. I’m glad I finally made the appointment to see a physiotherapist about this running injury.

Compensation isn’t obvious. Until it hurts.

Although I’ve been to a few physio sessions before, this one gave me more clarity about what was actually happening. The explanation was much more detailed — maybe a little too detailed. I kept thinking about the time ticking away from treatment. The first visit was supposed to be 75 minutes: 15 minutes consultation and 60 minutes treatment. In the end, I was left with about 45 minutes of hands-on work.

But for the first time, I properly understood the why behind the pain instead of just being told to rest and stretch. There were many technical terms — some I thought I knew, but actually didn’t.

So here’s what happened.

I already had issues on my right side — plantar fasciitis and shin splints. A classic overuse injury combination for runners. Without realising it, I started overusing my left side to compensate.

And now I’ve created another problem on the left.

Not bad luck. Just imbalance. 🫩

The physio explained that my soleus and medial gastrocnemius were tight and overloaded — essentially a calf strain from prolonged compensation. When those calf muscles don’t function well, everything down the chain reacts — including the plantar fascia.

It isn’t just shin pain.

It isn’t just hip discomfort.

It’s compensation.

It’s load management.

It’s how the body adapts to injury — until it can’t anymore.

What struck me most was how easily the body adjusts. When one side is injured, the other side quietly takes on more work. You don’t notice it immediately. It just feels like you’re “managing” your training load.

Until you’re not.

The hard part of injury recovery isn’t always the diagnosis.

It’s accepting that recovery doesn’t follow your schedule.

I like structure. I like plans. I like knowing when I’ll be back to normal training. But rehab doesn’t give you that certainty. It asks for patience instead — something I’m not always good at (and honestly, something I don’t enjoy).

Right now, recovery looks like calf releases, controlled strengthening exercises, and being more intentional with load management. The therapist said she’ll share videos so I can continue the rehab exercises at home. Not exciting. Not dramatic. Just consistent work.

I know one physio session won’t fix a running injury. And the clinic is too far from home for regular visits. But at least now I understand what I’m dealing with.

And somehow, that feels calmer.

At least I know I’m not dying. My legs aren’t going to be chopped off. It’s just muscle imbalance from compensation.

And imbalance can be corrected.

I just hope I’ll have the discipline to follow through with rehab and recover properly. I get frustrated when I can’t run — angry, even. Running keeps me steady, and not being able to do it feels like losing part of my routine.

But being stubborn clearly hasn’t helped either.

Maybe this is a reminder not to ignore the small ache that won’t go away.

What’s one signal your body has been giving you that you’ve been brushing aside?

Have you ever compensated for one injury and created another without realising it?

May xx

A Quiet February: Travel, Routine and a Running Setback

February went by so fast I can’t even remember what I’ve actually done.

Me, pausing long enough to appreciate the stillness.

There was a short getaway to New Zealand with my boyfriend, and then it was Chinese New Year — which I decided to stay away from this year. A quiet CNY. I don’t really celebrate it anymore, and I shared why in another post.

New Zealand was beautiful. There’s still so much I would like to explore, and I know I will go back someday.

It was a short trip, too short. 😬

A bit of looking around.

A bit of walking.

A bit of running.

Amazing view of Lake Tekapo. Even more beautiful in person.

A photo taken during our boat ride along Milford Sound.

One of many beautiful views we passed on the drive to Christchurch.

Then we flew back to Bangkok.

I had a week of work that kept my brain occupied. After that, I tried to return to my normal routine. Quiet mornings with coffee. Reading again. No rushing. That part felt good.

Then I tried to run properly again.

But I couldn’t run much.

Somewhere along the way, I probably picked up a minor running injury. I tried managing the load and running through it.

There’s been persistent pain along my left shin, especially after impact. My right plantar has been flaring up on and off. I saw a physio when it first started, but the pain came back.

I’ve rested. I’ve adjusted. I’ve done what I could.

Almost everything — except properly following up.

I kept telling myself I would wait until I flew back to Singapore for follow-up treatment. Maybe it sounds a bit silly. Still, if I’m honest, waiting isn’t helping. Even walking is painful now.

So I’ve decided to see a physio here tomorrow.

Sometimes discipline isn’t about pushing through pain.

Sometimes it’s about pausing and fixing it properly.

I don’t like slowing down. But maybe this is also part of training.

It’s something I’m still learning — even though I’m always the one saying I should listen to my body.

Maybe now it’s my turn to actually practise it.

May xx

Early Mornings at the Laksa Café Brought Back My Wet Market Memories

I still have quite a bit left to finish Early Mornings at the Laksa Café by Janet Tay. I’m only at Chapter 9. But I felt like sharing this now, while the thoughts are still fresh.

There’s a paragraph about Ah Hock buying spices from an old shop at the Main Bazaar — “big plastic bags of shallots, garlic, dried chillies, candlenut, cumin, cardamom, clove, nutmeg. Thirty ingredients altogether.”

When I read that line, I paused. I even told my boyfriend about it straight away. Somehow, it reminded me of going to the wet market with my Mum.

To be honest, I never liked going to the wet market that much — especially the seafood section. The smell, the wet floors… not exactly my favourite place. But funny enough, those are the memories that stay.

Wet market memories are like that. You don’t think about them often. But one mention of spices, and everything comes back — the smell of dried chillies, the slightly damp floor, stall owners talking loudly over one another.

Image recreated with ChatGPT.

I remember standing quietly beside Mum at the spice stall. The aunty would scoop spices into small plastic bags without measuring anything. You just tell her what you’re cooking.

Maybe something like,

“Auntie, wa ai zhu kari hanga hu.” (stingray curry) Or “Wa ai zhu kari kay.” (curry chicken)

And she would just nod.

No recipe book. No weighing scale. No hesitation. Her hands already knew what to scoop.

Thinking about it now, they were like magicians.

I didn’t realise then that I was watching skill. I just thought it was normal.

There’s something about Asian food culture that carries so much unspoken knowledge. Experience passed down not through instructions, but through doing. Through watching. Through years of practice.

I haven’t even finished the book yet. Maybe the story will go somewhere else entirely. But today, at Chapter 9, it brought me home for a moment. So I’m sharing this before I turn the next page.

Sometimes reading isn’t about finishing quickly. Sometimes it’s about pausing when a memory knocks. Especially this one.

Do you have a food memory that comes back just from one smell or one line in a book?

May xx

My Rafaela Star of the Show as a Roamer

This is my first time writing about gaming on my blog, and it feels a bit funny to admit that I’ve quietly been playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang for almost two years. Not a full-time gamer, not an e-sports player — just someone who plays as long as I know I have a proper 20–25 minute slot to finish a match. When I first started, it was addictive, and I could play for hours. Now I limit myself to about three matches. If I lose the first game, I usually stop for the day. It helps me keep some balance.

I mostly play as a roamer, and recently, I finally got Star of the Show with Rafaela. It may sound small, but it meant a lot to me. I’m slowly building up my favourite heroes and collecting hero titles. Haha, at my age — the younger players would call me “aunty” already — but aunty also can play games ok 😆 I used to play a lot of games when I was younger — DOTA, Counter-Strike, Age of Empires (you can roughly guess how old I am!) — now I just have to pace myself a bit more.

Anyone who plays roamer will understand. When teammates are killed, the roamer is often blamed first. People expect you to protect everyone every second of the game. But the job is usually invisible — giving vision, rotating lanes, protecting teammates, setting up fights. These things don’t always show in KDA, so newer players may not see the value. Experienced players do notice, though. Good map awareness, timing, and positioning can change the whole game. A good roamer makes the team look strong, even if nobody says anything.

Along the way, I met a few online friends who were patient with me. That helped a lot. After two years, I’m still learning, and I think that’s normal. Consistency matters. Quiet effort still counts.

My little roamer's rules now are simple. Don’t chase kills. Stay near the core when needed. My eyes are always stuck on the top-left corner, looking at the small map instead of the main screen because I’m scared to miss anything 😅 And most importantly, keep calm (with rolled eyes 😒) when blamed — what can you do, we can’t see their faces behind the screen.

Things I’m still learning are better map awareness, better timing for my ult, and better positioning in team fights. Every match teaches something, even the messy ones.

A little “aunty showing off” here… got the chance, so why not! 😅 I’m no video editor — I just download the replay, fast-forward the highlights, and upload to YouTube.

Learning slowly, just like my gameplay. Still, I’m happy to share this as a small personal reflection.

May xx