My Surprise 45th Birthday in Bangkok with Family at Nobu

I turned 45 in a way I really didn’t expect.

On the morning of my birthday, it started like any other morning we’ve had in Bangkok. I followed my boyfriend to the office for a cup of coffee, but that day he said he wanted a haircut first, so I tagged along. After that, we went to his office, and he told me to wait for him so we could head back to the hotel together and maybe have lunch later.

Back at the hotel, he had a conference call. I was thinking of going for a run, but realised I had forgotten my socks (classic me), so I stayed in the room, played some games and just waited.

Then the doorbell rang.

I opened the door and just froze.

There were my siblings, nieces and nephew standing there with a cake, singing happy birthday. I was honestly stunned. It took a few seconds for it to register that they were really there, in Bangkok, as a surprise for me.

Apparently, my boyfriend had been planning this for two weeks — hahaa, so not him actually. Especially with how busy and stressed he has been with work, it made me feel even more grateful.

In the evening, we went to Nobu, a place my boyfriend had wanted to go to for a while, so he made it part of the celebration. High above the city on a rooftop, with Bangkok lights around us, it felt like a special occasion in every sense.

(Original photo recreated to protect the privacy of my niece and nephews.)

We talked nonsense, laughed and caught up on life. It was fancy — not really my style — too atas... but because he had arranged it, it felt meaningful. And somehow, what made it special wasn’t the place, but simply having everyone there together.

I think at this age, I don’t really need big celebrations. But this meant a lot — the effort, the thought behind it, and just having family around me.

And thanks to my boyfriend and my siblings for keeping this so quiet from me. There was so much thought and effort behind this surprise, and I felt deeply grateful. It was more than a celebration — it became one of those simple but meaningful memories I know I’ll return to often. 💛

May xx

Just a Quick Check-In

Life has been moving… a bit of everything. Nothing too exciting, but not bad either.

I’ve been dealing with some shin pain and plantar fasciitis, so I haven’t been running. It’s a bit frustrating, but I’m trying to let my body recover properly and not rush the process. Some days feel better than others, but for now, I’m just taking it one step at a time.

I flew back from Singapore to Chonburi for a few days because my partner had some work to do. We also came back to pick up the car so we can drive down to Penang.

Another road trip… from Bangkok to Penang. Same time last year. Hahaha.

Haven’t really had the mood to write lately, but I thought I should show up here again.

Sometimes, that’s enough.

Sometimes, just being present is already something.

May xx

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