Family through Facebook (part 2)

Today is Easter Sunday and the government has just announced that Victoria will extend the state of emergency till 11th May. Usually a four-day long Easter weekend would feel very different from my usual routine but with the lockdown, it doesn't. Of course it's a no-brainer that I'd be gaming four days in a row putting the hours into "Final Fantasy VII Remake" (I'm currently at chapter 16, the third last one). Once I complete that, my original plan was to move straight to "The Last of Us: Part II" (due to be released at the end of next month after two delays) but that has been delayed yet again and this time indefinitely! Damn you COVID-19! Fortunately I can go back to "No Man's Sky" now that the game's repetitiveness has been temporarily alleviated with the recent "Exo Mech" free update.

Like my gaming non-work routine, the one I follow on working-from-home days is just as fixed and predictable. They say one of the ways to cope with prolonged self-isolation is to create a new routine and stick to it. To me, this is obvious as a homebody introvert who loves routines, so here's my lockdown time table from Mondays to Fridays.

0630: Waking up and getting fully awake checking Facebook on my phone
         in bed
0645: Home gymming session using the exercise band and body weight (2
         muscle groups a day for 4 days)
0745: Breakfast (usually of toast with spread or cheese and instant coffee)
0845: Getting into the work mindset (e.g. going through the work plan for
         the day, connecting through VPN—I don't dress up differently for
         work)
0900: Start work (I usually work through a simple lunch that takes very
         little time to make e.g. sandwich or microwaveable meals)
1700: Cardio (a jog at either the oval or park near my place—thankfully
         that's still allowed)
1730: R & R (gaming, watching downloaded videos, etc.)
1830: Dinner
1915: More R & R
2030: Easing into bedtime by checking Facebook on my phone in bed
2100: Sleep

This is a routine that I'm very comfortable with and I don't find working from home distracting at all. That's because I'm always very focussed when I'm at work regardless of location and that means no snacking and no taking breaks. A lot of people are worried that they'd put on weight over this period but not me, in fact I'm getting leaner. Not spending an hour a day on the commute to and from work means I have more R & R time too. All in all, I think this lockdown is really working out for me.

The only thing is travelling will not be on the cards for a long time as hot spots popping up one after another in different countries continue. This means that international borders would have to remain closed for at least six and more likely twelve months. As you know, I don't travel a lot for leisure and I do it mainly to catch up with my Mum and I'm unsure in the face of COVID-19 when we'll see each other again. Well at least I have pictures from part 2 of the "Family through Facebook" series (part 1 is here) to relive my recent time with her. I'm sure she'll miss the outdoor times we've spent together too not least because Singapore is undergoing lockdown as well (they call it "circuit breaker"🙄).

Out gallivanting with Mummy and shopping is the best way to spend this rainy afternoon! #BoughtMummyANecklace

Of all the local delicacies I've had outside, Mummy's cooking is still the best. Lunch is now served, in the most perfect way. 

PS: I packed the unfinished bits for dinner tonight as I will be out.
#BraisedShiitakeMushrooms #ChilliSquid #BBQPorkFriedShrimpNoodle #BakKuTeh

My vacation days in Singapore are numbered so I have to grab every opportunity to savour home-cooked dinners, simple or otherwise. #WholeChickenHainaneseStyle #Acar #FooChowFishballSoupWithTongHo #ILoveYouMummy #BestCookInTheWorld

Heading to the "countryside" on a day trip with Mummy. Be prepared for more fun-filled pictures!

First countryside stop. I love being Mummy's personalised photographer. #SheLovesPhotoshootsMoreThanMe #PrettyOrNot

Second countryside stop. The croaking is a little sleep-inducing.

Third country stop. More photos of Mummy but this time with fruit trees, a yummy and reasonably-priced lunch and an offer of permissible nudity which I surprisingly didn't take up (too many mosquitoes haha). #BackToNatureAndLovingIt #ValuableTogetherTimeWithMummy

I'm so glad I could enjoy the Don Don: Donki experience before my trip ends. It wouldn't have been fun doing it alone. #MummyIsMyPartnerInCrime #TheFreakingJingleDrivesMeNuts

Last stop of the day. A free night-time exhibition at the most scenic location in Singapore. #teamLab #PerfectWeatherTonight #WhatAFulfillingDay #IWillMissYouMummy

Last chance for one of my most endearing childhood morning rituals—shopping for the day's groceries at the wet market with Mummy.

As I start the unenviable task of packing, at least I'm comforted tonight by this simple dinner Mummy cooked with the groceries we bought together this morning. #StirFriedCeleryWithSquid  #BraisedPigsTrottersAndEggsInDarkSoySauce #ChilliFlowerCrab #RadishAndCarrotSoup

Got a little teary-eyed when I said goodbye earlier. Mummy I promise I'll take good care of myself and come back as soon as I can. You've been fun Singapore but after 6.5 weeks being away, let me get back to my life now. #IWillMissYou #SeeYouSoon #BaoIAmComingHome

PS: Masks are available at Guardian post-check in (limit to 4 masks per passenger with boarding pass). There's still hope in this world. Oh I still have 28GB data left...