good atlas

I recently noticed that the end of the year marks Koel season. This means you are awaken in the morning with the crescendo of a familiar bird. It goes u-woo u-WOO U-WOO, calling out to mate. There is something comforting about it. Lyn says it is her favourite bird call because it reminded her of her childhood. Just a few days ago, I was looking into a bush at a neighbour’s house. There, I saw a Koel, staring at me before flitting off in a second.

So the year closes in, again. But a blog post merely scratches the surface of everything I have felt and experienced and learned over the past year. I can only say I am filled with immense gratitude. I am not the same person as I was before, and it really is a wonderful, empowering thing.

For now, a collection of random thoughts:

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Of late, Lyn and I have been cooking more at home. It has been one of the greatest pleasures of sharing a home together and I am grateful for it. Lyn asked me what my favourite meal of the year was. Very quickly, I got an answer – it was the porridge we made at home, inspired by One Good Meal a Day’s ee-ma’s porridge recipe.

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Best books I’ve read this year, in a non-chronological order:

• How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
• Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber
• The Vegetarian by Han Kang
• A Pale View of the Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro

Best movies I’ve watched this year, in a somewhat chronological order:

• Abang Adik by Jin Ong
• Hit the Road by Panah Panahi
• Tampopo by Juzo Itami
• High and Low by Akira Kurosawa
• Past Lives by Celine Song
• God of Cookery by Stephen Chow

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Now is good. Lyn is colouring in some birds in a book gifted by Mardhi. I’m typing away and thinking about what to pack for our little staycation tomorrow. Nothing big, nothing much, but in it, so much and so much more still.