Fishing
Thankfully, after the 2-month break, I was able to work from home till July as my workplace did not allow employees to return to work due to Covid-restrictions. By then, I'd went on several fishing trips on my paddleboard and continued doing so into 2022. My luck in catching barramundi improved significantly after my friend shared the best place to catch! Alas, catching bara is not good for inflatable SUP due to its sharp fins... my last fishing trip was in Sep 2022 after my SUP suffered punctures... I have since fixed it but the weather in Q4 of 2022 had been unpredictable and wet so I decided to stop fishing for the time being.
Art - Urban Sketching, Watercolour and Hand Lettering
As my knee hadn't fully recovered, I went looking for something less physical to do. Towards the end of 2021, I picked up urban sketching, watercolour and hand lettering. Learned all the basics on YouTube and enjoyed going to local art shops buying art supplies. It was also fun being able to do something artsy, producing art work and sharing them with friends as gifts!
Motorcycle
Thanks to Covid, I didn't do much motorcycling due to border closures. I sold off my Triumph Tiger 800 which was due for COE renewal. I also sold off my beloved Yamaha Tricity 125cc and replaced it with a used Piaggio Yourban MP3. The Tricity struggled trying to hit 90kph. Since I like the safety and stability of a three-wheeler, I went with the MP3 (300cc), which can go up to 120kph. My interest in biking has somewhat died a bit. I now treat motorcycling as solely for commuting. Perhaps one day, my dream to travel long distance overseas on a bike would rekindle (and also hoping for the crazy COE to drop!!!)
Run Run Run
I have been struggling with my weight for the last 2-3 years. Despite doing weight training, I simply couldn't get over my growing waistline especially after my accident. Most importantly, I still felt a sharp niggling pain when I put weight on my left knee... the thought of not being able to do anything physically dynamic ever again... but me being me, I couldn't accept that reality so in mid-September, I started doing some light running, which then led to me joining a 5km Real Run in early October. By Christmas 2022, I have completed a half marathon, averaging 30-50km of running per week, and have 9 pairs of running shoes! And best of all, my left knee is almost as good as before (except for the squeaky sound it now makes when doing squats - which makes for a good conversation starter!). I have certainly caught the running bug and have been religiously watching/reading stuff related to running! I am feeling a lot fitter, losing 4-5kg in the process and almost eliminated that belly fat! I'm looking forward to attempting the full marathon in 2023 as well as participate in more running events (including the dreaded 2.4km - which in hindsight, is rather short considering that my minimum distance nowadays is 5km... hehehe).
Personal
Back in Sep 2021, I took a Specialist Diploma in Professional Accounting at Singapore Polytechnic, which was funded using SkillsFuture. I had wanted to do a Masters programme but was not prepared in committing myself to a 2-year part-time programme. Having to juggle work, family and studies would have been simply too much for me to cope with - hence the shorter 1-year diploma. Despite the programme being conducted mainly online (again due to Covid restrictions), it was still a lot of work and time commitment. While I have never been good in accounting subjects, my recent exposure to finance-related stuff at work gave me the confidence in wanting to do well. I am happy to report that I graduated in Oct 2022 with 1 Distinction, 4 'As' and a lousy 'B+'. I guessed I'm really a late bloomer academically.
Career-wise, I have been rather stuck at work due to this big project that is going no where. But thanks to my bosses, I'm allowed to look elsewhere within the organisation. Let just say that I had passed my interviews and moving up in late 2023. Looking forward to new challenges come 2024. Till then, I'm working to clear as much of my current work as possible while forging a good working/lasting relationships with my colleagues.
Summary
Overall, I have been rather productive in 2021 and 2022. I am happy that I was able to overcome the setbacks and becoming even stronger that ever. I think for 2023 and beyond, I hope to re-kindle my connections with friends and relatives now that the world is back to normal (almost). Till then, I wish all my readers another year of self-discovery and live life to the fullest!