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31st
posted : Monday, June 08, 2020
Probably a memorable one not because it was fun or eventful or anything, but more for its uniqueness in that it came amidst COVID. And praying very hard that it’s the only time I have to go through this, again not because it’s a bad experience or anything, but if this pandemic is still at this scale by the time next year rolls around, we are all effed.
Anyway I had a few variations for plans for this day! Started out thinking of a vacation like last year but ruled that out after shifting it forward because I thought I wanted to do that before June, which was the date I was supposed to transfer. Then it became a staycation because plenty of staycation deals popped up, to attract locals since foreign visitors are practically non-existent. Then CB happened and even though it didn’t get extended into June, it’s not an industry essential enough for Phase 1 Reopening and too late to book anything anyway, so ruled out staycation too and in the end decided to settle for a just a nice meal or two. I mean...that isn’t too different from what I have been doing the past few years to be honest. Save for the part that retail stores aren’t open so there’s no shopping for birthday present. Though I could have done it online (there’s 6.6 sale this year wow) but concluded that there’s nothing material that I really want now (well I really wanted a holiday but that’s not happening isn’t it), so I decided to just donate. It’s not a big amount, but I think it’s something and I think it should be put to good use. So on the day itself, feels like another weekend day (it’s a Saturday this year, so didn’t have to claim birthday off on the actual day). Slept in, plan was just to head out to pick up a high tea set and my birthday cake, and dinner is to be delivered (since I hit the minimum for free delivery). Even rented Tribecar to do it though I was a bit concerned if they actually do regular sanitization but never mind, took matters in my own hands. Then I thought I would just chill at home as usual, entertain calls/skypes if any hahah, and do my usual reflections. Oh and also gave myself a break from workouts because I sure damn well earned it heh. Turns out there’s still a couple of surprises in store. I did wonder if there will be anything like this prior, but shook it off thinking nobody has my address or rather they would not know the exact unit number to be able to send me anything. So I got a bit surprised by the first surprise (surprised by a surprise, well done) which came not too long after I woke up and was still contemplating if I should nip out to tapao a quick McD breakfast. Think the surprise part was figuring out who actually sent it because there wasn’t any note and I don’t recognize the name on receipt. And the panda left before I could ask further or check if she got the correct unit (she was a bit annoyed I think coz I forgot to let her up after I hung up my intercom, too surprised bah, and she had to call a second time). So I paused for a bit thinking if I should eat it hahahah but luckily the surpriser owned up soon enough coz she figured out I was likely confused, turns out she used her BF’s account hence I didn’t recognize the name. Pretty touched by this actually especially when it turns out she is the only colleague who didn’t forget about this day, and actually went about reminding people when by 8pm, there still wasn’t any of the usual well wishes in the group chat.  Good ol’ spiced apple waffle  3 boxes of this Out for a couple of hours, excited to be driving around as usual, the car in my area has been upgraded to a SUV so it’s now more expensive to rent but oh well 久久一次. Delivery #3 did happen when I was out but it was for something that I definitely knew I bought hahah so that didn’t really count as a surprise, but more of a bonus that it happened on this day too. High tea! It’s actually for two because nobody really had a set for one, guess not worth the effort and nobody so loner one hahaha. Thought since everything is supposed to be bite sized, I should be able to manage but I couldn’t. So saved half of the sweet treats for next day.  Did go a bit overboard now that I look at it. Savory items were all hits. Sweet ones not as much, best scones and clotted cream were still from that time I was in London. And really really think meringues are too sweet for anybody. Anyway KH’s rationale was that he thought this was a really good product for me especially because of psoriasis and I would never have spent on anything like this given my anti-MLM views (spot on) so he took it on and asked me to tried it. Sigh ok I don’t suppose I have a reason to insist not to so we shall see what happens. Delivery #4 was dinner, a bit full from high tea (scheduling issues la to be honest. The earliest collection time was 2.30pm, I had envisioned being able to collect it earlier and maybe take it as lunch but I suppose they really mean it as high tea) so couldn’t really finish much. So birthday dinner got extended to a second day heh.  From Peach Garden. Wanted to go extravagant and order fine dining for dinner at first but eventually conceded that it’s best enjoyed at the restaurant itself, because service is part of it. So went for Chinese food.  Peanut butter, Black Forest maybe? (Coz of the cherries), some walnut one, and a dense chocolate one. No prizes for guessing which is my fav. 31st. Admittedly, like I said last year, I imagined myself to be in a very different stage in life by now as opposed to my current lifestyle - going around making plans for myself. But I came to terms with it last year and this past year lived up exactly to my expectations, based on the promise I made to myself last year. To be a better version of myself because I don’t want it to weigh on my mind anymore and it can be a constant distraction if I don’t get rid of it early, so I thought I would spend one year working on it. And boy I didn’t expect it to turn out as well as it did (or even have the perseverance for it) when I made that promise, so I can say I am really, really proud of myself. I think I am perfectly fine living on my own. Problem solving comes naturally to me so I can take care of myself without issues. So there’s really no pressure from that end, which is why I won’t set time-based goals on that front. Though it would be really nice to be able to have that by my next birthday. And changes are coming like I said in the last post. So I guess that will be a key focus this year. We’ll see!  Cake from Patisserie Cle this year - bit pricey but quite good. Labels: food, milestones |
