This was a normal week and nothing happened. GG is very busy with her internship and CCA at school. She also has started working on her statement of purpose for her university application. BB is also busy with school and this is his last semester in school, the next semester will be his internship.

It’s also the last long weekend for a while. May had a super long weekend at the beginning of the month and tomorrow is also a holiday on the occasion of Vesak Day, which happens to be today. Also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima and Buddha Day, Vesak Day is a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists in South and Southeast Asia as well as Tibet and Mongolia. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha in the Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism and Navayana traditions. The name Vesak is derived from the Pali term Vesakha or Sanskrit Vaisakha for the lunar month of Vaisakha, which is considered the month of Buddha’s birth. In Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the holiday is known by its Sanskrit name Vaisakha and derived variants of it. In the East Asian tradition, a celebration of the Buddha’s birthday typically occurs around the traditional timing of Vesak, while the Buddha’s awakening and passing away are celebrated as separate holidays that occur at other times in the calendar as Bodhi Day and Nibbana Day. In the South Asian tradition, where Vesak is celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month, the Vesak day marks the birth, enlightenment, and the ultimate passing away of the Buddha. To those celebrating the festival, here’s wishing you a very happy Vesak Day or Buddha Purnima and may the teachings of Lord Buddha spread the message of universal brotherhood and compassion for everyone and may the Lord enlighten everyone on the path of love, peace and truth.

Today’s quote is from the British novelist and author of the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis who reminds us that we are never too old to dream of something new and different. So this is a lesson for us to not stop dreaming, even when we think we are too old for it. And this is an apt quote for me as a reminder.

And on that note, Happy Vesak Day and stay safe, stay happy and always be positive.

It was so hard to get back in a work groove after the long weekend, but we did what we had to and the week ended before it even began. R is back after almost two and a half months as we missed her. I know she will leave Singapore soon to go back home and her being here was never a permanent thing. But when she does, we will miss her because, over the years, she has become a part of our family. And like people in a family, we sometimes have our fair share of differences, but at the end of the day, we are friends again.

Today’s quote is attributed to the American actress, Jennifer Freeman who gives us the reminds that we are far too smart to be the one thing that stands in our way. This quote reminds us that we need to make a mindset shift if we want to achieve anything and today, this quote resonated with me as I seek to make changes in my life.

Here’s to a wonderful week ahead and to staying safe, happy, healthy and positive.

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!