Well, still gotta make sure that "2021" takes its place in the sidebar. Not that this year was uneventful. In fact it's been overly exciting, but mostly thanks to <see above>. So that leaves precious few other things to cover, mish-mashed below.
After leading a generally active lifestyle for years, I realise how much I've taken physical fitness for granted. It does take maintenance which previously was always sort of naturally built into schedule. Until this year. Few months of spending excessive time in a chair = astounding muscle atrophy. Luckily, this robust, vaccine-hating body of mine doesn't fall sick easily even from the lack of keeping in shape. But still, some things dawned on me, like how easy it would be to develop a chronic disease later in life and why one of my grandmas can't walk anymore. Scary as one gets less and less young... The thing is, discipline, energy and time all tap on shared quota and cardio hardly gets priority over whatever measly remaining amount (because unfortunately I don't enjoy it). It's an excuse but also reality. But then I really miss having springy legs and no issues opening tight jar caps so maybe I might actually make a new year's resolution this time.
I found a new way to spend money hobby. For some background, it was early 2010 when I heard an interesting song playing during JC orientation and asked a friend what language it was in. Through the years since then, I've been a more or less consistent follower of this ancient Kpop group called Super Junior. They have (hundreds of) songs for every season and are super entertaining. In Mar this year, they released their 10th album. I decided to buy it. In physical form. All 13 versions. Then, I also decided to collect their previous albums to make things more complete, including (most) subunits and solos, all versions from back then and into the future. So of course my parents were intrigued when I requested cupboard space for this "sudden interest". I told them it was actually for 10 years of things I didn't ask them to buy xD I'd always wanted to start a collection with key considerations being cost and space. This was definitely an unexpected landing point but not a bad choice I think. I know, there really is no practical use for these things since the music can be found on Spotify/Youtube, but... who says happiness can't be bought? Hahaha. As for Suju, I hope they keep going strong.
Now coming back to real life, I learnt quite early on the sad feeling of having plans spoilt. So for convenience and practicality, I took to roaming alone much more than before. Random solo meals and climbs tend to materialise whenever weekends are weekends and leave is leave, usually decided no earlier than the day before. There's a small forest/park just 10-mins walk from home that's become a sort of favourite place all through covid. If possible to squeeze in time before the sun sets, I go strolling in there in slippers among everyone else in hiking/sports gear. Long bus rides and purposely-longer walking routes are nice too, anything to spend a bit more time outside to listen to music and stay away from the chair in front of the laptop.
Of course I don't mind spending time before a screen for some things. When it comes to entertainment choices, sunshine and rainbows are greatly preferred. These days, "don't need to use brain" is also an important condition. So there's no better use of a Disney+ subscription than to dive into an assortment of cartoons and MCU content. Other than that, K-variety shows (especially Suju stuff) also help with covid boredom. I still don't do dramas though. Incidentally, le sis had an interesting way of recommending Squid Game: "it's sad and dark, you should watch it!!" *narrows eyes* I didn't follow up.
While I don't think I'm unsuited for lone wolf operations, it's easy to remember the happiest days of this year because of the presence of company. In other years, "overjoyed" probably wouldn't be how I'd describe going for a meal/drink/badminton session/house visit/pet playdate, but here we are. I also recently rediscovered the world of difference between climbing alone and with friends. Thankfully, there has been some breathing space this year end, mainly because of having to clear leave en-masse (in real-life terms, work part-time). So by all accounts, Dec has been a very happy month, probably the happiest of this year!
So that's been 2021. The funny thing is that at the end it kinda feels like deja vu from 2020, right down to the +5-pax-max xmas family dinner, meeting bunches of friends and ex-/colleagues (now a lot more ex-) all over the place and tomorrow's free SMTOWN online concert LOL.
Recently while I was taking my time to get home, this song came up on shuffle. My current proficiency in Korean is rudimentary at best and I hadn't read the lyrics before, so I was surprised when one full line registered, clear as a bell:
"이제 걱정 하지마 앞엔 좋은 날이 올 거야."
Don't worry, good day(s) will come.
2022, I'm counting on you! Happy New Year!
 |
| The favourite place |
No comments:
Post a Comment