Restlessness

After the trip, I have spent a lot of time at home, to rest my right knee, for a week. Then last weekend, my other knee was 'treated' and hence I am home bound more for another week. I still headed out to meet friends about once a week and also headed to JB last week to do banking errand. So it has been 2.5 weeks since I've came back.

Were there things done? Yes I guess but not things that would change the world.

Diet-wise
I started counting and limiting my calories once I came back to SG. I set the daily calories to 1457 range, still above 1200 basic level, and started exercising using weights. While sitting down and watching TV, I would use 1kg weights per hand and started with 4 different exercises (biceps and shoulders) x 50 reps x 4 sets. Then I increased to 7-8 different exercises (biceps, shoulders, and 1 stomach crunches) x 50reps x 4-5 sets for days that I exceeded my daily calorie limit. It helped and I have lost 4kg so far. That meant I was back to my flabby self before Taiwan and there is 14kg more to my ideal weight.

But as my shoulders seemed to have gotten bigger and biceps harder, so I have just switched my exercises to triceps and stomach which are flabby to balance out. So for now it will be 3 triceps and 3 stomach exercise, 50 reps x 4 sets. Stomach is challenging and only did one exercise last night. Will work towards 4 exercises, 4sets. Will take a short while. Mildly aching triceps. Also have to upkeep my calories intake and monitoring. It has gotten easier after a while and my appetite has decreased from the monstrous level back to normal and just normal single servings.

What is the driving force for this commitment? It is for health - my future, lighten the load on knees, and practical sake to get down to my normal wardrobe otherwise I have to spend a lot. So very realistic reasons. 14kg is a long way, home I can make it as quickly as I can with my current limitations.

Friends
Went to Quet's place with Tab to lend a hand and help out to tidy it up before her housewarming for colleagues. I walked slower than usual cos that was the week my other knee was 'fixed up'. We reached before Quet came home and started a bit. Tab did the floor and I wiped down the troublesome kitchen top and washed the sink. Later I swept the toilet floor with the magic kleen. Later Quet came home and while I was in her luxurious massage chair, Tab and Quet started going through her stuff in the bedroom. We went out for dinner, super nice and more affordable chicken cutlet. I must admit the sides - baby carrot is super nice and cutlet too. Wouldnt mind eating it more. My area's western food which I tried the following day sucked so bad that even for someone who isnt picky about food, complains about it, served to show how bad it was.

After we came back, I sat in the kitchen and helped wiped some stuff while Tab helped Quet go over the stuff and sort them into boxes. Folded the plastic bags and made her kitchen cupboard a bit more organized. Took a while but with the combined effort of three, the entire place was clean and tidy and Quet's bedroom is super presentable. Quet was happy that she sent us home in her car. I was grateful cos it was running late then and I was a bit worried about getting home via public transport, the bus connecting part.

We did joke that the stereotype idea would be how 3 women are enjoying music, drinking and partying around in a bachelorette pad on a Friday night. But the reality is cleaning, tidying, drinking a bit Xiao Mi Jiu & milk tea, listening to Ed Sheeren on Spotify. Ironic but that is real life. In a way, it was another memory to add to our classics.

Family
It is confirmed that I will have to go back to Taiwan in the early part of Nov to give thanks at the JiGong temple in AliShan. My mom and youngest sis are going there to pray for health too. My sister and her husband are accompanying. So it would be another 14D12N stay. The dates are auspicious ones chosen especially the day we go to the temple. So last week, I called one airline to check on some requirement about bringing your own medical supply on-board. And also last night helped to find some spots to visit to build the itinerary for the trip when certain things are finalised over the weekend. This has implications for my job search, I am still deciding how to go about it.

Things in Msia seemed to be starting up. On the night just before the trip, I got a long email from my Second Uncle, looked through the documents and replied his email, then during the trip, I tried contacting my Accountant cousin to find that she was unable to answer cos her in-law had passed away. Understandably I gave her the time and place for almost 2 weeks before a call from Muar triggered things. Got income taxes to file and subsequently pay, got to find out from the tax firm and I was the one calling them. Then I contacted my cousin to get an understanding about the legal issue and update with regards to the joint estate. Basically we can proceed with my Dad's LA in Msia, would help their case somewhat. Then we contacted our SG lawyer cos still no news of the final part of the SG LA then want to start with the Msia side. Also it involved my mom making her wills, both for SG and Msia. Next thing I know is tomorrow I am following her to the SG lawyer's office. If the LA is granted, it would entail heading down to banks, stock brokers' office and also the Central Depository for shares. A step at a time and want to set things in motion properly. This also has implications for my job search...

Personal
I have been given some divine advice - like make sure my hair doesnt cover my forehead, hence the change of hair parting. Not to roll my eyes backwards, hence trying to change that, dont do hard sport hence KM package most likely I will let it lapse and also one that seemed to advise some sort of waiting and being happy. That is something harder to do but that doesnt mean I wont work on it. Some changes take longer to effect but being aware and choosing to work on it is a good start. Keep at it over time to see the impact of positive change.

I feel the familiar stirrings of restlessness that came about from joblessness. Somewhat familiar with this feeling cos this would be the third time. This was what spurred me to go forth with my job search. The time when you somewhat know that you have had your 'rest' and lax and days of lazing around, and enough of idle days, when you somewhat feel like being more productive and earning $ for your time and effort. Then being told somewhat wait it out and be happy, I am confused... does everything keep hanging? I can also see one aspect, that allowing this restlessness to influence me to find a job but making me unhappy is not the permanent solution to things. Its a quick-fix and later we are back to this. Giving in to this restlessness might not be the right choice. I am still finding out what would help me in my current state, identifiying factors to try to allay my own fears about unemployment and overall becoming a better, calmer and happier person. It wont be easy but as the saying goes: "Great things dont come easy." Though my life is not great nor would it be. In my own way I do want it to work out.