Reflections & Intentions

I wrapped up 2025 with a trip to Hokkaido, Japan with my partner, and came to the conclusion that while snow is pretty to look at, I am not a Snowy Weather person.

I always knew I didn't enjoy the cold and before the trip, I suspected that I wouldn't like the snow, but I wanted to challenge myself to try it out and not let my prejudices stand in the way of having a good time. Unfortunately, snow didn't win me over fully, but I gotta give it credit for making the world look a little more romantic and a lot gentler than it is.

On the whole, however, it was good to be away from sunny Singapore for a bit and just indulge in being in an unfamiliar place where I could basically only understand extremely basic preschool level Japanese. (Probably lower than preschool level, to be honest.) I enjoyed the food, especially the seafood, and I enjoyed the views when I was in the warmth. But most importantly I enjoyed time with my partner that wasn't taken up by all the things we had to do.

As 2026 approaches, I wish to be more intentional about my choices of activities taking up my time. I have so much I want to do that has nothing to do with my career and only the rest of my life to do it all in. I hope everyone finds their way to enjoy being alive, to find fun and joy in spite of everything that isn't.