Today’s quote comes to us from Henry Ford, the American industrialist, business magnate, founder of the Ford Motor Company, and chief developer of the assembly line technique of mass production. By creating the first automobile that middle-class Americans could afford, he converted the automobile from an expensive luxury into an accessible conveyance that profoundly impacted the landscape of the 20th century. Ford tells that obstacles are what we see when we take our eyes off our goals. What this means is that when we are focused on the goal and has blinkers on, then when we take our laser focus off the goal, everywhere we see obstacles around us.

The week otherwise was mundane and slightly boring even. I have been writing a lot and have written blog posts almost every day this month and once I have a bank of posts, I want to focus on writing some fiction.

BB & GG are busy with school and work and we are all looking forward to the long weekend next week. We have a four day weekend because of May Day and Eid and the weekend includes a family function too where we can catch up with extended family. So that’s something to look forward to.

Just as the week came to an end, the Singapore government announced that it was clawing back on pretty much all restrictions from next week. This is such great news that everyone was celebrating. The DOSCORN level which had been Orange since February 2020 has now been dialled back to Yellow and to be honest, I have forgotten how life was pre-pandemic. All employees can return to the workplace and there is now no limit on group sizes. Mask-wearing will however continue to be required indoors, including on public transport, and optional outdoors. And for travellers, there is no need for a pre-departure COVID test if you are fully vaccinated and above 12 years. So travel is going to be more or less back to pre 2020 levels. This is exciting news…

That’s all from me this week. Take care and catch up soon.

It’s the end of another week and our medical troubles seem to continue. After GG’s thyroid diagnosis, it’s BB’s turn now.  Last week when he went for his National Service medical test, he was told he may have a condition known as Retinal Displacement. I lowkey panicked and immediately took an appointment to get a referral for him to see a specialist. At the polyclinic, we realised that his eyesight has deteriorated significantly over the last few years, which could also be why the doctor mentioned the retinal displacement. So over the weekend, we got him tested for a new pair of glasses and have also gotten an appointment to see the specialist, but this will take a couple of months to happen. Hopefully, till then his new glasses would help.

GG is very busy with work. School starts tomorrow, but GG will not go to school, instead will complete a couple of modules online. BB will start physical school tomorrow and I will be home alone most of the day. But it probably also means I should be able to get more done. R comes back in a couple of weeks and then I will get more time to myself to do my walking as well as more writing.

Today’s quote is from one of my favourite children’s authors, Dr Seuss. He tells us to be ourselves and say what we feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. It’s such a simple quote, but so profound because in just a few words, it tells us to be true to ourselves and those who love and care for us will do so irrespective of how we are and those who want to find faults will do so even with perfection.

And on that note, have a wonderful week folks!

It’s another week to the end of the month and in India, next week will be the start of various new years as different communities celebrate their respective new years. I’ve written a bit about the different new years, so pop by here, here and here to read more.

GG is busy with her internship and she kept busy with work and school, most of which is her Co-curricular Activity or CCA. She has a leadership position in the CCA, so she is very busy and will be the same for the rest of the school year. BB’s school starts in two weeks and that will be his last semester in school before his internship. He also has his medical check-up for his National Service next year this week and hopefully, he is certified fit to serve and can get the vocation he wants.

Today’s quote is from the former US President, Teddy Roosevelt who tells us to keep our eyes on the stars and our feet on the ground. This lifehack will help us reach our goals simultaneously be grounded in our ethos and values.

Other than that, life moves on as usual. We’re now used to life without R, but she will come back by the end of the month, so then that’s another pivot for us.

Take care and stay connected!

This was a very quiet week for us and nothing happened that stands out, so this update will be short.

My walking this month mirrors that of February because I have not been able to walk as much as I want to. I have now reached the state of Assam, the biggest of the northeastern states and am about 200 km from the state capital of Guwahati. I’m still a long way from Mumbai and then I still have to make my way to Bengaluru.

My reading this month has also suffered, but I am still reading, just not as much as I should and would have loved to. But the year is still young, so I am confident of meeting my reading goals for the year.

Many countries have now removed mask mandates, including many Indian states. Maharashtra, Delhi, Telangana, and West Bengal have announced complete relaxation of the Covid-19 norms starting from April because of the steady decline in cases. So in Maharashtra and Delhi, whether to wear a mask or not is debatable as both states have done away with the penalty for not wearing a mask in public places. Even in Singapore, masks are not mandatory outdoors but are still compulsory inside. I think I would perhaps take off my mask if I am outdoors and especially if there is no one near me, but would be more comfortable with a mask if I am around people. What about you? Would you continue to wear a mask even with mask mandates off?

Today’s quote is from Orison Swett Marden, an American inspirational author who wrote about achieving success in life and founded the SUCCESS magazine in 1897. He says our thoughts and imaginations ate the only real limits to our possibilities. This is something to think about as it feeds into the theory that we are the total of our thoughts. So let’s think positive and uplifting thoughts this week so we can extend ourselves and reach what we are capable of.

That’s all from me this week. Stay safe everyone.