Frustrations

Why does a person feel frustrated at times?

This occurs when expectations are not met, wishes not fulfilled, perceived inferiority when compared to others.

On the other hand, without setting expectations in life, we may never improve. Without failure, there will not be success. If we are contented with what we have now, there will never be progress.

The wise one said ... it's all in your mind!

Work hard to achieve your dreams, but don't be disheartened if you fail in your endeavour. Be happy with what you have now, as long as you can still make ends meet.

Life is so confusing sometimes!

Something soothing for your mind,,,

Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 2020

Mid-autumn Festival falls right in the midst of COVID pandemic.

The festivity is kind of muted during this period. Nevertheless, the light decorations still go on as per normal.

The light decorations in the previous years had been dogged with controversies - with derogatroy comments of "moon fairy being musculine", box shaped laterns resembling that of paper decors for the dead in funeral wakes etc.

This year, the moon fairy was felt to be too "rounded" (as if she was pregnant). And the Chinese captions extolling the festivity was kind of "strange". 

Went there at around 9.30pm (on Sunday). The crowd had dwindled somewhat. The many stalls that lined the street in previous years were no more / shuttled closed, no thanks to the COVID pandemic.

 Strolled around the streets of Chinatown, taking some snapshots. 

Family gathering during Mid-autumn festival

The "rounded" moon-fairy

Personally, I am not particularly disturbed - I feel it is just the way how the cartoon characters were designed.

The light decors in the main street. Nothing to shout about... just the usual decors.

Some of the words used in depicting the festivity were felt to be out of place... The more controversial phrases have been removed. Some of the remaining captions still sounded strange though.

The vibrant colours of the lantern figurine caught my attention as I strolled the streets of Chinatown.

Replica of facade of shop houses in the old days

Exercising during COVID partial lock down

Many countries were and are still afflicted with COVID pandemic, and Singapore is not spared.

As a matter of fact, all hell broke lose when it was announced that thousands of foreign workers housed in various dormitories had been infected in March 2020, leading to introduction of total lock down (Circuit Breaker CB in local context). Over the next few months, it seemed that only dormitory workers were affected mostly, sparing widespread community involvement... gradually, the lock down was loosened and school resumed (students going back to school) and people were now allowed to venture outdoor (in group of 5 with social distancing and masks) by June/July.

With COVID pandemic, my clinic workload has dropped significantly. Most obvious is the total absence of foreign patients (with travel restrictions imposed by various countries), and the significant drop in children with flu/cough symptoms (face mask, social distancing and no school attendance have worked remarkably well in bring down upper respiratory tract infections amongh children). 

As such, I knocked off work from my clinic earlier over the past few months, and had more time to engage in leisure exercises in the afternoon/evening. 

I have been doing brisk walking diligently almost daily (or at least 4-5 days per week) over the past 3 months, covering a distance of 6-9km per trip. My pace is ~11-12 min / km. Somehow, I can't go beyond 10 min/km. Nevertheless, I have managed to "trim" my body fat somewhat over the months.

I listened to audio book +/- music (via Xiami app) when brisk walking. I have read over 7 audiobooks (mostly fiction) over the past 3 months. I have never read so many non-work related books over the years.

Things seem to be looking up over the past few weeks.... patients are trickling in gradually, albeit not back to normal yet. Hopefully, I will still have time to do my regular walking exercises when things improve in the near future.

                   

              Cought in the rain in one of the walking routines....

                                                            My exercise trail...

attempts at "artistic" photography

Had been browsing through youtube channels to learn more about photography over the past few days. Trying to brush up on my basic photographic skills.

Trying to take photos with the "artistic" feel of the Chinese landscape drawing.

I was mesmerized by the snow-capped mountain of Mt. Wudang (武当山) with some sprinkling of pine trees in the distant... it is genuine reflection of how a typical Chinese landscape looks like.

Here are some of my attempts:

Tree with its sprouting branches

Nibbled leaves

Alone... in pensive reflection

snap shots from balcony

With "Circuit Breaker" (@Lock Down) in place because of COVID pandemic, no leisure walking / outdoor activities are allowed. Exercises (brisk walking/jogging) are exempted though, but I guess I can't hug along my camera when I do brisk walking. I don't want to run foul of our friendly Social Distancing Ambassadors who patrol our friendly neighbourhood to make sure everyone toes the line when venturing outside.

Managed to take a few photos from our balcony in my spare time...

Pleasantly surprised by the birds...

The trees... 

after the rain...

The deck...

The hangers... the clothes need to be taken care of.

Sheltered from the rain...

Circuit Breaker measures in Singapore

Many countries are adopting some kind of lock-down to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection over the past 2 months.
It is easy to understand what "lock-down" or "movement control order" mean. In Singapore, we call it "circuit breaker". I had a hard time trying to find out the Chinese equivalent - literally it means 阻断器- then I noted that it was translated as 阻断措施in Chinese newspaper.
Of course, when the CB is uttered, people who understand Hokkien may give you a sheepish look. Worse still, when complete circuit breaker (CCB) was imposed a few weeks later.

Barrier being put up to prevent people from loitering in the exercise trail

walling off the exercise area

Kids' playground - out of bound

Table/chairs "sealed" off. People standing 1 m apart (social distancing)

Trees

SINGAPORE

Trees with their lush of green leaves, are common sights in the tropic. 

They exude a sense of calm and serenity, particularly when view in the morning, enhanced by the surrounding fresh air. 

But, don't be surprised if you come across of trees that give you a "autumn" feel, in Singapore...

KYOTO

Trees during winter, deprived of leaves, generate a sense of melancholy. The cold air adds to it a distinctive quietness and looliness. 

SOUTH KOREA

The multiple mixed of red, orange, brown, yellow and green that adorn the tress during autumn creates another mood ... the last burst of vibrancy before retiring. 

All of us may harbour various kind of emotion. Some are exuberant in nature, some are downright depressing. We must learn how to deal with it... Nothing is permanent, both positive and negative feelings. Learn to take all those emotions in our stride.