I try to make it a point to write not just when everything feels so rotten but also even on mundane days. However, this weekend doesn’t feel too mundane at all though.
Of course, one of the stranger aspects of life during lockdown is how legitimately difficult it is to feel the weekend when there is no separation from home and work. I don’t really have much problem in that aspect since my weekend pre-pandemic versus my weekend now in lockdown isn’t all that different although I must admit I miss the occasional Friday night out with friends sharing drinks and listening to reggae music in a little bar near Oakridge after a fun trivia night in Handuraw. Or even the quiet ones spent in Starbucks or Caffe Marko, catching up on my reading list—- habits that has since turned into video-calling with them but unfortunately even virtual catch ups are harder to maintain these days.
These days I’m just happy being able to finish a book to catch up on my 21 books for 2021 challenge, or watch an episode or two of my kdramas.
#haveasafeflight was trending over the weekend because BTS was set for New York to give a speech and perform in the UN General Assembly. It was their first flight after two years, and as diplomats & presidential envoys with five HOT100 #1. Genuinely so excited for them because gosh, being the voice of the Youth and speaking in front of world leaders is such a huge thing. I can only imagine the pride beaming in their parents’ faces. Also, I’m amazed by how mindful their fans are of fan etiquettes—- calling out people who invade BTS’s privacy, especially when on an important business trip. Honestly, every day you just find reasons to be amazed not just with Bangtan but also with ARMY. They really be one of the kindest and most empathetic people out there.
Bangtan landed in New York safely (or most of us assumed they did) and we’re hoping they’re getting some rest….and that may there be no vlives just yet, until I finish exams because selfishly, I’m not sure if I’ll have the emotional bandwidth for it. :P
I finished reading Almond today.
Almond by Won Pyung Sohn is her debut fiction novel and it is a Korean book that was translated to english by Sandy Joosun Lee. I honestly bought this book for the main reason that Namjoon and Yoongi (two of BTS’s members) were reading this book during their IN THE SOOP show, and you know what? I have no regrets buying this because it is one of the best-est reads I’ve had so far. I started reading this in August but somehow lost my momentum and only decided to try to finish it over the weekend. I’m glad I took those times off because my goodness, I fell for this book. Hard.
The book is about a boy who was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel or recognise emotions. He relies on his mother and grandmother’s little post-it reminders to know when to laugh and smile and look sad. And he gets by like this until an act of violence leaves him on his own to fend for himself; the later parts of the story focus on Yunjae’s friendship with Gon and I really liked the dynamic between the two: the boy who can’t feel a thing and the boy that feels too much. There’s a part at the end that had me bawling because it brought the story full circle and showed Yunjae’s growth perfectly.
I was intrigued by this Korean-translated work and realized have I focused before, I could’ve finished this in one sitting, mainly because the characters were very unique. I’m impressed by this captivating story that majorly explored human emotions. Despite the fact that this book is about Yunjae, who can barely feel any emotion at all, the feelings are all for you, readers, to feel. You’d feel the pain, the sorrow, the anger, the fear, the happiness, all on Yunjae’s behalf.
This book provides an interesting look at how we can take our ability to feel for granted. A lot of us want to be fearless but forgetting that “Fear is an instinctive defence mechanism necessary for survival. Not knowing fear doesn’t mean that you’re brave; it means you’re stupid enough to stay standing on the road when a car is charging towards you”. Also, as much as this book was supposed to be about a boy without emotions, yet it was full of emotions.
So beautifully written (even teared up by the translator’s note, she matches Won-pyung Sohn’s emotions so beautifully too), both heartwarming and heart-wrenching at the same time.
Personal ratings: Owns my whole heart.
I ditched my planner this week too. I resorted to post-its where I jot down all the stuff needed to be fulfilled that day. So far, it’s working better than when I wrote them on my planner. Or I don’t know, maybe this is one of those things/habits I needed to overcome. Digging deeper into something as plain as a planner but I guess i’m really just slowly outgrowing things.
Which is good. And it works well so far.
I’m trying to take the weekend off to relax until another crazy week ahead. Monday through Friday just become days to get through until Saturday rolls around again. Fridays were usually days I ask my parents to take over Cessna to have a little time to myself but to only feel blissfully happy one evening a week doesn't really make for much of a life, now does it? But, we make do of what we have and what we’re currently in now.
It was a good decision to take a break over the weekend. According to Lori Gottleib, psychotherapist and author of Maybe You Should Talk To Someone, in order to properly recharge during these challenging times, it’s crucial to delineate your weekend. During these incredibly challenging times, it’s okay to take refuge in pleasure. People are so afraid of experiencing joy in the midst of pain, or feeling guilty that they’re having fun. Well, both things can coexist. Weekends have always been a time of anticipatory joy, and still should be. Just because we’re in a global pandemic doesn’t mean that weekends are cancelled.
Weekend definitely wasn’t cancelled. It was my much needed recharge.
Off to watch one episode of Record of Youth. Gnight.
Thanks for being here.
Post-its work for me too! I feel so accomplished when I tick off an item, even if it's a relatively simple "reply to this email."
Will read 'Almond' soon. Namgi and Kimi approved!