Rainbow on the Last Day of CCB in Singapore

Rainbow on the last day of CCB

Today - 1st of June 2020 - is the last day of the implementation of Coronavirus Circuit Breaker or CCB in Singapore. It does not mean that Coronavirus has gone from Singapore. It is still here and today's cases are still numbering so high, at 408, but no new community infection is recorded (it is the first time after more than 3 months - what a good news!). And tomorrow, we are going to enter to the new phase, called Phase 1 (as mentioned in earlier post and you can find more details there).

Rainbow comes after the rain (Rainbow in Singapore 1st June 2020)

In this post I just want to share my excitement with the rainbow photos that were taken this evening from my house's balcony, the first time I saw since I have moved here for more than 8 years (perhaps it happened so many times before but I was not around or did not notice though, hahaha..).

Thank you for appearing today <3<3<3

Nevertheless, I still believe that rainbow symbolizes the good luck, providing us with new hopes and motivation, wherever it is. The weather in Singapore for the next few days is going to be cloudy and rain, which means we have more chance to find the rainbow as well. Hehehe... *finger crossed. 

Hope these pictures can brighten your days despite many of us will still take precautions by staying at home more and only go out when necessary to prevent further unexpected Coronavirus spreading in the country.

It is all temporary (be it good or bad) (Instagram: rimareyka.writes)

Remember that it is not over yet. We still have to stay vigilant and always remember to treasure our health, as we have already known that the health is the greatest wealth that human beings can ever get and let us treasure this gift of life by treating our body and mind the best we can. 

May all sentient beings be happy and healthy, free from suffering and the cause of suffering, life full of peace and joy. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

Dear Diary - Updates of Coronavirus Outbreak

Dear Diary...

Today is 30th May 2020. It is the 54th day of the Coronavirus Circuit Breaker in Singapore. The CCB is going to end soon and will be replaced by Phase 1 - Safe Re-opening starting June 2nd, 2020.

Fyi, there were 611 new Covid-19 cases yesterday taking the country's total number of infection to 33,860. Among 611, only 3 Singaporean and/or Permanent Resident were affected. The rest was mostly the foreign workers (mainly from India and Bangladesh with some Chinese), where the outbreak happened mostly in their dormitories. 

The daily figures are still extremely high and scary. However, most of them have been quarantined, tested, treated, and recovering. This will still take some time until it decreases. 

Phase 1 - Re-opening (Pic source: reach.gov.sg)

The above will be what the Phase 1 activities look like.

The Straits Times said, "More businesses allowed to resume on June 2 but most people to continue working from home.

And types of businesses that will open includes: manufacturing and production facilities in the semiconductor, medical technology and aerospace sectors, as well as wholesale trade and finance companies.

Retail shops and dining in are still not allowed.

Some limited consumer services can resume from June 2. For instance, hairdressers and barbers can offer all hairdressing services.

Motor vehicle servicing, air-con servicing and basic pet services are also on the list, among others.

School bookshops and retail shops selling school uniforms can also resume business in order to support the reopening of schools.

All other retail outlets must remain closed until further notice apart from those that have already been given approval to operate."

Phase 2 and 3 (Pics source: reach.gov.sg)

The above will be what phase 2 and 3 looks like. Phase 2 starting date will be announced somewhere in mid-June, after examining the situation of the Covid-19 cases in Singapore. 

Phase 1, 2, and 3 summary (Pic source: straitstimes.com)

The above picture will summarise the 3 phases altogether. 

Today it will be the last weekend of the CCB. Tbh, I prefer the quiet Singapore like today. And I also heard many others who commented the same. The quiet MRT, bus, road, and so on.

Simple happiness (Instagram: rimareyka.writes)

I also enjoy staying at home doing things I love doing, such as: ritual breakfast/ brunch (prepare whatever I love eating on the breakfast tray), quiet reading moments (no renovation hacking noises from neighbourhood), special home cooked dinner dish for the families (love to see their satisfaction faces and smiles), watching dramas or movies on TV, and so on.

But at the same time, I also miss meeting my friends: coffee times, Mala dinner with beer, home cooked dinner together at home, drinking and chatting at pub, and so on. The balance of both lives will be great!!! 

And after all this over, I will have to think to embark to new journey of life. Let see what life and fate will bring me to, but I am exciting and positive that it will happen for good. 

Be patient (Instagram: rimareyka.writes)

I hope all of you are in good health - both physical and mental, having positive minds towards what will come next (despite some of you may lose your current job due to Covid-19), and always believe that every thing happened for good reasons!!! 

Change your focus (Pic source: google.com)

When you are tired (especially your mind), remember this: learn to stop and rest. It is okay to rest sometimes. And after recharge yourself, change the focus of your energy. Instead of fighting the old, try to build the new. This way, you will not waste your energy over nothing. 

So Diary, let me stop here and 'til next time!!! Hope by then, situation improves and gets much better. Let's hope! :)

Virtual Vesak 2564th Buddha Poornima Celebration - 7 May 2020

Happy Vesak Day 2564th BE

Happy Vesak 2564th B.E. to everyone who celebrated!!! :)

Unlike previous years, this year's Vesak Day celebration was rather different due to the Covid-19 pandemic that spread all over the world.

This year many celebrated by watching the virtual celebration, listening to dharma talk, and even taking 3 refuges and 5 precepts online. I too, was no exception. Once got up, I received the forward message as follow:

Virtual Vesak Celebration organized by IBC (Pic source: International Buddhist Consideration)

"千载难逢！VESAK LIVE from Sacred Places

2020年5月7日上午9时（新加坡时间）开始：

菩提迦耶、蓝毗尼、鹿野苑、拘尸那罗等多个圣地直播卫塞节活动，以及线上瞻仰本师释迦摩尼佛陀舍利。尊胜的法王达赖喇嘛和众僧也将致词。

YouTube直播网址: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4L9AkYfs104qBylCrAaRBQ

Vesak Day, 7th May, 9am (Singapore Time)

International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is organising Virtual Vesak- Buddha Poornima Celebration 2020 on May 7 by livestreaming ceremonies and prayers from: Bodhgaya, Lumbini, Sarnath, Kushinagar as well as Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar, Baudhanath, Swayambhunath and Namo Buddha Stupa in Nepal.

Also being arranged is first ever online exposition of Holy Buddha relics from Wasukaduwa Temple, Sri Lanka.

Video Addresses by most eminent and Supreme heads of Sangha from various countries and traditions will also be streamed as part of this virtual celebration of Vesak. We are expecting worldwide audiences joining this online celebration.

You are welcome to participate in this unique and blessed celebration of Buddha Poornima on May 7. This will be live streamed on Facebook Live, Instagram, YouTube, Zoom and also from Mandala app.

Video addresses by His Holiness Dalai Lama, H. E Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, H. E Gyankhang Rinpoche, H. E Yongzin Ling Rinpoche and many other masters from several countries.

Live online exposition of Holy Buddha Relics from Sri Lanka also part of the event."

I immediately clicked the link as time shown had already past 9am Singapore's time. And I kept watching the program until 2pm plus. 

The above video is the compilation of pictures taken from the online virtual celebration yesterday with the background of "Metta" chant, a melodious song sung by Imee Ooi - a Malaysian Buddhist composer - whose song was also featured on the virtual celebration yesterday. 

Ani Choying Drolma, a Nepalese Buddhist nun and musician, was also there singing and giving speech for all of us. Her songs, Siddharta Gautam and Tri Ratna, were played as parts of the virtual celebration. Her soothing voice was really nice to hear :)

It was such a great arrangements done by IBF by collaborating speakers mainly the Eminent Buddhist Masters from different countries and Buddhist sects, such as: H.H Khondung Ratna Vajra Sakya Rinpoche (42nd Sakya Trizin), Ajahn Brahm, 7th Sechen Rabjam Rinpoche (who is a grandson of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche), and many more, included the Jetsunma Tenzin Pelmo (the author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in India) - one of the women featured in Dakini Power (the book I am currently reading featuring 12 women, both Asians and Westerners, who have been recognized as accomplished practitioners and brilliant teachers, a source of inspiration for all Buddhist women. 

They broadcasted many sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites from India (Bodhgaya, Sarnath), Nepal (sacred Lumbini Garden), Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura), Thailand, etc. I felt so much gratitude upon watching those places, familiar scenes as I have been blessed for visiting those places in this present life. 

If only they hold such celebration every year this way, it enables everyone from all around the world to celebrate even within their own place, and received prayers and blessings from every Eminent Masters located all around the world. Their messages, spirits, and encouragement could be felt. 

I am sure this was not the only portal for celebration. Many other temples, Buddhist organisations were also arranging dharma talks virtually and many had participated in it from their home. 

Super flower moon - from home sweet home

At night we were grateful to be able to end the auspicious day by watching the beautiful bright full moon high up in the sky, blessed by its shine and lovely weather.

Thank you SB for everything. Sabbe Satta Bhavantu Sukhitatta - May all sentient beings be healthy and happy, free from suffering and the cause of suffering, life full of peace and joy. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu. Svathi Hothu. Nammo Buddhaya :)

CCB Day 29

Hello May!!! :)

It is 5th May today. One of the beautiful pair of number in this year (05-05-2020). Some couple decided to give birth today (caesarean birth) so that the baby's birthday will be easily remembered and special. Most people, like me, today passes just like another day. Haha....

It is going to be a month tomorrow since the CCB (Coronavirus Circuit Breaker) started and so far it goes well in terms of our health and well being be it physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Every one is busy with their work (those who wfh or work from home) and study (those who are doing hbl or home based learning). And those who are not engaged in both activities, are busying themselves with many other activities (I fall under this category).

Compilation of my other activities includes:

1. Watching Korean dramas.

The latest popular Korean drama - The World of the Married (Pic source: dramacool)

Since mid March I have managed to watch 6 drama series, which are: Crash Landing On You, Memories of Alhambra, Tell Me What You Saw, When the Weather Is Fine, Itaewon Class, and the latest one, which also my favourite one among the rest, is The World of the Married.

Each series consist of 16 episodes. There are still 4 more episodes left for the World of the Married, as it is an ongoing one. You do not have to get married in order to watch or like the show. The story plot is just so cleverly made that I enjoyed it so much. How the main lady character tried solving each problem that she faced tactfully and the intention was not to hurt. After all, she just wanted to have some justice. I cannot wait for the rest of episodes to come!!!

2. Watching movies online.

Movies online (Pic source: Google.com)

Since mid February till now I have watched more than 30 movies. Be it Chinese, Hong Kong, American, French, Thailand, Korean, many are latest ones and picked randomly.

3. Trying new recipes.

Many of you may have already known that Mala Hotpot is one of my favourite dishes. Before CCB time, I could go down to Chinatown at least once in every 2 weeks with my Mala partners (even named the group of those friends whom I have it with, Mala Partners, in our what's app group chat).

There is a famous stall that serves the best and affordable Mala Hotpot in Chinatown. And it is perfectly eaten together with fresh chilled Tsing Dao beers (a very famous beer from China). It is perfect to have it with great companions, where we could chill, relax, chit chat, and enjoy. It is a bliss!!!

Home cooked Mala Hotpot

With so many ingredients available from the fridge, I decided to cook the above this using the Haidilao spicy sauce and it turned out to taste good and with love put in cooking it, the textures of each ingredients were cooked in perfection.

Initially I thought 5 of us would not be able to finish the whole big pot. But I was wrong. Within an hour, the pot turned empty. Hahaha...

Indonesian Soto Ayam

Some other day I whipped the Indonesian dish called Soto Ayam. It was spiced chicken soup served with vermicelli noodle, shredded cabbage, shredded chicken, boiled egg, spring onion, celery, fried onion, and completed with fried emping (belinjo crackers) and kecap manis or Indonesian sweet soya sauce.

In the past I used to cook this when studying overseas using the instant spices that sold in supermarket. But with so many ingredients to prepare, I had not cooked it for long time. The chicken bone made the soup tasted marvellous. I myself did not expect that the soup would end up tasting that wonderful.

Indonesian potato ball or perkedel

And only yesterday I tried cooking the above dish after watching the video from YouTube. This has been my favourite dish since I was very young. I remember that I always ordered this onto my rice pack whenever Mom buying from the stall. It was made from potato and other ingredients (cornet beef was one of the delicious ingredients).

But since my mother-in-law does not eat beef at home, I wanted to find out what other ingredients could be used without using any beef. I finally found the video and since I had potato at home, I decided to make it. The process and ingredients looked simple, however, it took me 1.5 hours to prepare and wash. Hahaha...

I think next time if I want to eat, I will just go to Malay rice stall and buy it there. The effort taken is not worth. The final products could be consumed in less than 15 minutes. Hahaha....

4. Reading books

Fate with books quote (IG: rimareyka.writes)

I spent my time reading books at home too. So far, I have read quite number of books since CCB started. Just as when my mood was ready to.

5. Updating blogs

Well, I cannot post as often as last time but I am still writing. Looking back at previous posts made me wanting to write more. And if you look at the blog list on the right side of this blog page, you can see that more people updating their blogs more frequent these days.

My blog list - www.reeverking.blogspot.com

I am very happy as I am not alone and blog trends are not dying yet. People still make efforts to write and tell stories (be it from their personal life or others). There was time when blogging seemed dying. People was no more updating and some even deleted their blog). So my blogging friends, hope you keep writing and updating your blog page. Do not let your passion in writing die with laziness and despair :)

Well, I am sure that there are many more activities going on during this CCB time in Singapore. For now, I will end this post. Government said the CCB may end early if the number of cases in community has become zero or in single digit number. Although I prefer this quietness to end longer, I also miss Mala time with my mala partners in Chinatown. Whatever may come, let it come then. Wish you all good days!!! Cya again! :)

"Meditation Saved My Life" - Phakyab Rinpoche (Sofia Stril-Rever)

Meditation Saved My Life - Phakyab Rinpoche (Sofia Stril-Rever)

I borrowed this book long time ago from the library, weeks before my dear friend Tashi Chenzom left the world. She suffered from cancer. That time the doctor already told us that nothing could be done to save her. Then while visiting library, I saw this book on the Religion shelf, and the title made me picking this book up and I thought I should read this. Who knows it could bring any help for her. I often heard from people that disease could be cured by doing meditation, although never really met such person before or whether I could see it on my own eyes that it was a true case.

However with her condition became worsening, I could not help but losing my hope that this book would give any assistance for her recovery. She felt pain every day and injection only made her feeling sleepy and lethargic. She could not focus doing anything as the pain was the only thing that occupied her mind.  And only weeks after she left, I finally had time to open up and read this book.

Cover and back page of Meditation Saved My Life

"In 2003, Tibetan Lama Phakyab Rinpoche was admitted to the emergency clinic of the Program for Survivors of Torture at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital.

After a dramatic escape from imprisonment in China, at the hands of authorities bent on uprooting Tibet's traditional religion and culture, his ordeal had left him with life-threatening injuries, including gangrene of the right ankle. 

American doctors gave Rinpoche a shocking choice: accept leg amputation or risk a slow, painful death. An inner voice, however, prompted him to try an unconventional cure: meditation.

He began an intensive spiritual routine that included thousands of hours of meditation over three years in a small Brooklyn studio. Against all scientific logic, his injuries gradually healed.

In this vivid, passionate account, Sofia Stril-Rever relates the extraordinary experience of Phakyab Rinpoche, who reveals the secret of the great healing powers that lie dormant within each of us."

(Source: Meditation Saved My Life)

One of the Thirty-Seven Verses on the Practice of a Bodhisattva

The first half of the book gave us an overview about the Phakyab Rinpoche, his story of who he was since childhood time, his dream meeting Maitreya and Je Tsongkhapa that he had when he was 13 years old, how he was found out to be the incarnation of the seventh Phakyab Rinpoche - as confirmed by Dalai Lama, how he landed himself to America, how he got gangrene on his ankle, and so on. With it, I could find out a clearer view on who he is.

Dalai Lama replied to Phakyab Rinpoche's letter (From: Meditation Saved My Life)

When doctors and professors were all giving him more or less the same advice, which was to amputate his leg, he had the same inner voice in his head telling him not to amputate.

He went through a difficult period with such dilemma and it led him with asking advice from Kundun or Dalai Lama by writing letter - written together with Pema Dorje, the first and only monk he met in New York city at that point of time.

And soon after, he received the reply - twenty-five words long (in Tibetan) - that sealed his fate, "Why do you seek healing outside of yourself? You have within you the wisdom that heals, and once healed, you will teach the world how to heal."

"The mind is the best doctor; the best remedy." (, From: Meditation Saved My Life)

With it, he left the hospital and started doing meditation on his own with the help of the pecha given by his teacher, Geshe Ake Gyupa, at Golok Monastery. He was given the transmission of tsa lung inner science, since his teacher felt that he was mature enough to receive it, as if his teacher knew really well that one day, it would be very useful for him.

The pecha and the transmission were given only to him and as he started practising, his teacher's words kept playing into his mind to remind himself, "The mind is the best doctor. The mind is the best remedy."

Love and compassion (From: Meditation Saved My Life)

In the book there is more descriptions on what kind of meditation, yoga practices, mantra chanting, and other activities he did every day. Combination of Tsa Lung, tong-len, plus his enormous amount of love and compassion had helped a lot in his process of recovering.

It took him three years of the healing retreat until he was able to walk back normally and recovered from his gangrene, bone tuberculosis, and pleurisy. And with suffering, he had learnt so many things as to achieve liberation from it.

"Everything happens for a good reason." I always remember this quote. Be it good or bad thing happens to us, there is always good reason behind it.

"Accepting suffering is no longer painful. It becomes strength, a power that transforms." - Phakyab Rinpoche 

Final healing (From: Meditation Saved My Life)

This book and his story is so inspiring. I get to know about him better as a person. Although it seems that not just anyone could heal from sickness by doing meditation, but he simply made it not only from his 20 years of meditation practice that he did earlier on (plus the transmission and teaching from his teacher), but also the amount of love and compassion that he had towards all sentient beings.

Overall I really love this book and hope one day you - the reader - may be able to read this too :)

Fyi, Phakyab  Rinpoche currently resides in Jackson Heights, New York, where he has established a Buddhist Educational and Healing Center. He has also established Menla Jambtse Choeling Center outside Paris, France and his Meditation Center in Sera Mey, Bylakuppe, India.

It is not spring, but simply time to grow...

Favorite place to have breakfast or tea :)

As you have already known, there is no spring season in Singapore. We have only either hot weather or rainy day all year long. Since Covid-19 had been declared as pandemic by the WHO, we kept ourselves safe by staying mostly at home. One of the activities I love doing every morning is to prepare breakfast - of any kind. Be it Western style - from wraps, soup and salad, egg, sausage and hash-brown, sandwiches or Asian style like noodles, fried rice, dim sum, porridge, and so on. And all that, I love having it at my balcony.

It has a view of the blue sky and white or black clouds, depending on the weather. The position makes it protected from the direct sunshine. So even if I woke up late and have a late breakfast, the sun will not shine directly on me. Therefore, it is cooling and nice :)

Money plant (19.03 vs 25.04)

On the table I have put a pot of plant. It is called money plant. I bought it many years ago when I was still working, perhaps 7 to 8 years back, where I put it on my working table. It represents a meaning of good wealth luck :D See the photo above :) And as I eat or drink, I keep looking at it and see it growing - see the difference in one month's time. Beautiful, isn't it?

At the balcony there are little space where my hubby does the gardening. It is his hobby to plant something new from the seeds of fruit or vegetable that we eat. Oh, I am a tea drinker too - green tea and black tea. After finishing my tea, I will take out the tea leaves from the tea bag and spread it on top of the soil. Tea leaves are known to contain nutrients and minerals that promote healthy growth in plants - a good natural fertilizer.

Every time I will put it at different pots and as I have the meal there almost every day, without fail I will notice the growth process of the plants there and slowly develop the interest on it.

Chili plant (23.03 vs 25.04)

The above is the comparison of chili plant. See how tall it is now compared with a month ago. Too bad, no chili has grown yet, only flowers. I really can't wait to harvest it and cook it. Hahahaha.... :D

Now it is not spring here, but really the time for the plants to grow. The sun and rain are such a perfect combination to let them grow. Plus one more thing, a very important thing to let them grow beautifully. Do you know what it is??? Say positive and beautiful words to the plants - like 'I love you', 'You are beautiful', 'You are healthy and strong', etc. It really helps in making them growing wonderfully :)

Most important ingredients for growth - Love and positive words :)

Sometimes hubby just anyhow throw any seed into the soil. That is why he is often unsure what plants we are having even though the leaves have grown up tall. We can only know what it is until the fruits are appearing (pray for the fruits to come).

Plant we do not know what it is :P On growing process :)

Growing buds :)

Anyone knows what plant is this??? :D Looks like decorative plant

With spikey leaves. Is it papaya???

Don't know the name of the plant. I think it is more like decorative plant :D

Below are the rest of the plants we have at home :)

Tomato plants :)

Baby Aloe Vera :)

Baby pomegranate :)

Growing up baby leaves - still young and fresh green :P

The last but not the least - my home grown Shanghai Bok Choy (Chinese vegetable)

Hahaha... The last one was grown by me. This is one of my favorite vegetables as it is easy to cook with anything (especially with noodles). One day when cutting it, I thought of dumping it on the soil and trying my luck to see if it could grow. I saw it from Facebook or Youtube last time that usually people use water to grow it. But since there was empty space in one of the big pot, I thought of trying to put it there. I put 2 pieces but only one manages to grow.

One time after pressing the lime to be mixed with chili, I too took the lime seed and dumped it into one of the pots that looked empty. Hubby found it out and immediately removed it as he said he had put something else in it and it took time to grow. You know, sometimes he can be so possessive about his garden hahahahaha..... 

And since one of the Bok Choy grows successfully, it encourages me to try more and put it on empty space. When he saw it, again he complained and asked me not to overcrowd the plant in his pot. Hahahahahahaha..... 

Just for laugh (Pic source: Facebook.com)

Oh man, I wish we have more space to grow more plants in our house. With the extra space in balcony, we are lucky and grateful enough that we can grow it there. But sometimes we feel that it is never enough :P 

Anyway, I am not a passionate gardener like my hubby. Can say that this Bok Choy is the second plant I ever grew other than bean sprout that I did as an experiment during primary school time. Hahahahaha.... :P With this, I think I will let him grow it and just let me enjoy to view the beautiful results :D 

Letter to Tashi - Updates on CCB (Extended till 1st June 2020)

Too many first time (Instagram: rimareyka.writes)

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

P.S. Pardon me for the handwriting. Hope your eyes not suffer much :P

Day 5 CCB - Coronavirus Circuit Breaker in Singapore

What should I make today? (Pic source: Facebook)

Today is Saturday and it is only the fifth day since Singapore gahmen implemented Circuit Breaker or CB all over Singapore, and I have already expanded my stomach like the picture above. Hahaha... (I do not know if I should laugh or cry....)

For the past 4 days, I had obediently stayed at home except two days ago, where I had to go to nearby grocery shop to buy the weekly food and grocery stuffs.

Some friends thought that I would suffer badly since travelling was no longer possible at this point of time and this would go on perhaps for the next 3 to 6 months, or even longer.

Also, for someone who used to travelling quite frequently, they felt that I should have difficulties of staying put at home. Nah, it is not true. In fact, I could actually adapt to the situation pretty well.

My room is my sanctuary (Insta: rimareyka.writes)

Perhaps it is due to my nature and personality that has grown since younger time. I was and am still an introvert person who love being alone, doing things that I love doing, such as: reading, listening to music, writing, sleeping, daydreaming, and so on.

And with the CCB, I am in fact not alone. Everyone in the country is advised to do the same.

For the past few days I heard hubby and sister-in-law grumbling after they reached home from work, saying how so many Singaporean did not understand the meaning of "stay at home", take the coronavirus too easily and take their health for granted.

Both of them witness many people still crowd the supermarket and wet market - be it as couple, families with young children (as if they are on holiday), elderly (who is more vulnerable)
every single day. I mean, since they have no other place to go (retail business and non-essential services are not allowed to open), the only entertainment areas left are mainly those two places. Some are not even wearing a mask.

CCB Safe Distancing Rules (Pic source: CNA)

Fyi, food court, hawker centre, restaurants are still allowed to open but limited for takeaway and delivery only. No dine in is allowed. Many people feel lost as they have a habit of meeting friends over breakfast, coffee, lunch, dinner, and drinking with their khaki (friends). It is now prohibited by law, not even to eat under the void deck.

I feel lucky that I know how to whip up simple dishes and often eat at home. But I definitely miss eating mala and drinking beer with my mala partners (after CCB is over, we definitely have to celebrate it with mala and Tsingdao :P)

Many people posted video on how to cook and posted photos of their food in social media. Some looks easy and delicious. However, I need to refrain myself from practising it. Hahaha.... :D

First, if I cook too delicious, I will end up eating too much and gain weight tremendously. Second, buying too many ingredients are not good for the pocket. Haha again :P

One of simple dishes I often cooked

At the end, I stick to simple meal (yet still nice), take less sugar food (pancakes and waffles are so tempting!!!), and try not to waste food (cook leftover or whatever available from inside the fridge). Just by doing this, I have already gained weight. Imagine if I follow cooking those recipes *nightmare....

Apart from eating, many people are doing more exercise too, be it at home or outdoor (roadside, parks, etc.) If do it outdoor, just ensure do it individually, maintain safety distance, and not disturbing the passersby. I try to do some "guang chang dance" at home with sis-in-law just recently, and hopefully can maintain this habit (an hour a day is our goal). Lol!!!

And another good habit comes from meditating (before sleep and after wake up). Recently I follow this YouTube link, a 3-type of guided meditation - relaxation, Metta Bhavana or loving kindness, and healing - by Bhante Pannananda - in Indonesian language. I found it by one search (a fate indeed) and it is really good and helpful :)

As for Friday, Singapore has reached 2,108 cases with 7 death and 492 fully recovered. Recently the case happened at foreign workers dormitories (mainly people from India and Bangladesh).

Do not feel discouraged by the figures though. Apart from maintaining the good physical health, we also have to maintain a good mental health. Always think positive and be grateful for what we have are the keys to let us feeling hopeful that this too shall pass... Remember always, it is all in our minds!!! It is all depend on ourselves!!!

It is all in our minds (Insta - rimareyka.writes)

There are still so many days to go. This is just the beginning. Hopefully more people are able to stay at home more, go out only when necessary, limit social contact, maintain safe distance when queuing, and everything else that are necessary so that Covid-19 spread will be over soon, just like Wuhan and Daegu. Let's hope!!! We can do it Singapore!!!!