No breaks

Remember when Nescafe used to sell coffee with little cups that came for free? And the ads used to have Deepika Padukone dancing around. Ho shuru har din aise, ho shuru har pal aise. Feels like ages ago. Anyway, my mother has begun buying Maggi packets because they are now giving sporks for free which she collects, in her own words, “to give to her daughters after marriage and keep one for myself”.  I wonder where I learnt sarcasm.

I know I have read every book/ seen every motivational reel that starts with “waking up early”, and I swear I tried this month. Every time I end up taking a cab because I am running late, I get scolded by the (usually Singaporean uncle) driver for not getting there before him - apparently something about my HDB being on the main road where they can’t stop. It’s a pleasant start to my day. On the other hand, public transport provides its own entertainment, especially on those godforsaken days where you have forgotten your AirPods. I once sat through an aunty advising her son/ daughter on how to talk to their respective partner, and resolve matters after what seemed like a fight. Now, mind you, I wasn’t eavesdropping - I was just sitting next to her. It did make me chuckle though, there is a grown adult somewhere out there who needs their mother to tell them to say "sorry" to their life partner.  Clearly “I need my mom” is an almost universal feeling. Especially when your pilates instructors says pulse for eight during the most core-crushing exercise ever at 7:15 AM.

The last month was so packed, I had two separate friends stay over at my place which first of all, made me acutely aware of how comfortable I had gotten living alone. Think acceptable timelines before which I cleaned my room. But it was nice, having someone at home with whom I can share dinner with and hear how nice Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands was, again. This month also included a music performance, getting onstage after years since I graduated, to do a very simple song as part of the classes I attend. I won’t lie, it was really awkward being the only 26-year old in the waiting area surrounded by a sea of <10 year olds. To put this into context, my co-performers thought I was seven. Ah, one can only wish.

I learnt I like being busy, and then relishing absolutely lazy days like today to do nothing. Well, maybe laundry and nothing. Even though it was a month where every friend of mine is traveling abroad with their respective partners, I did have packed weeks and weekends. Of course I got to meet my baby niece who, despite me having visited her every other week including  the day she was BORN, broke into the biggest giggles to my sister on video call, a reaction she is yet to accord me.  We shall definitely have a face-off when my sister gets here this month. And you can best bet I am not making exactly equal portions of Maggi to share with her.