Writing this slightly early. This month felt long, and maybe unproductive, but I think we can classify it as rest even if it was uncomfortable rest. It was not initially planned for this to be a full month in SG, but it became the case as I sought to plan towards a Mongolia trip that I had agreed with friends when they managed to get leave. I’ll be going up a week earlier to Beijing, spending 2 weeks with them in Mongolia and then eventually probably travelling one more week in Kazahstan on my own - that will in essence be my month 4. I have done much less planning for this trip than I did for South Africa and Namibia - partly because I’m travelling with friends for a large bit so I’m less worried, and also the internet states that Beijing and Kazahstan are safe for female solo unlike all the reddit threads for Africa. My flight was booked as of 24 March.

But back to what I have been doing in Month 3. I had the opportunity to catch up with quite a number of friends which has been lovely. I spent time with my family.

I switched my physio and am SO PLEASED because my knee finally seems to be getting better after 3/4 of a year of general soreness - nothing too bad to affect daily life but bad enough that I couldn’t plan hikes. My new physio was able to in one session diagnose and switch my exercises to much more targeted ones by comparing the differences in my 2 legs and observing the way I move, whereas the previous one just encouraged general strengthening of both legs (which would still continue the muscle imbalance) and the ortho also suggested exercises to help me knee alignment but which did not deal with the root cause of the pain. So on the health front where are seeing progress.

I cooked! for the first time ever. And without any time pressure I can actually sustain my interest in cooking and show patience in it whereas usually my brain switches off when trying something like that new. It reminds me of the 4000 weeks for mortals book which talks about how we can learn anything but usually we are not willing to accept the time required to learn. For my first dish, I tried mushroom soup, and I also cooked ABC soup + rice cooker rice and ingredients. I cooked with my mum to learn how she does ABC soup, and I realise how much easier and valuable it is to learn with someone guiding you, so we learn the tips tricks and diversity in the way we cook rather than just follow a generic recipe online. For instance, my mum showed me how she chops carrots (in the way she did it with her mum) and I also discovered the magic of dried ingredients such as dried mushrooms or dried scallop.

I also managed to read.

In my third week in Singapore, I decided enough and booked a last minute trip to Langkawi where I stayed at a female hostel. When I went there, it started out by feeling a bit pointless and I questioned my decision to go and my money spent. I was reflecting on the kind of travel I wanted to do. But I did make the most of it and ended up enjoying myself. The people there seem to enjoy their lives and they seem content. I spoke to the taxi grab drivers who ferried me around and they are all friendly and said they liked the slow pace. And the beaches are calming - even when it is crowded there is still enough space for everyone and it has a vibrant atmosphere. And if people want more solitude they can still walk to the far end of the beach where there is more than plenty of space. I can also see how people can just go for early morning swims in the ocean or just relax there without anyone bothering. I visited a waterfall and just sat there quietly for quite a long time without being worried about someone coming buy and disturbing. This does not feel possible in Singapore where there is such little space.

I now have 1 week more to Week 3. I will try to

• Prepare for my trip! much planning has not been done and I will do this tomorrow (procrastinating)

• Pack

• Finish clearing my old room

• Finish backing up my photos and hard drives

• Launch my blog

• Settle basic finances

• Cook

• Celebrate birthdays