Looking Forward to things in my Life (35) – Recycling Right

What I like about aspect of recycling most? It is bringing down a huge bag of collected recyclables from home to recycling blue bin.

As a family, we are for recycling instead of dumping items that can be recycled into rubbish chute. We make sure TetraPak carton packages, bottles, metal cans are cleaned and dried before collecting them into our recycling bag. Likewise for papers, newspapers, plastic bags before collecting them.

I clear these collected items once a week into the recycling bin. We have the joy of knowing that we have done something good for our earth.

Copyright © 2023, limkimtong for Living Investment

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Food inflation rose by 11.5% over two years

Food is pricier now than two years ago. This is confirmed by the food inflation rate released officially by Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for April 2023 and April 2022.

Date	Food CPI (%)	Cost of Food ($)	Cost increase (%)
April 2021	—-	$5.00	—–
April 2022	4.1% year-on-year	$5.205	——-
April 2023	7.1% year-on-year	$5.575	11.5%

A $5.00 food we ate in April 2021 is now costing $5.575 (about $5.60) based on 11.5% rate of increase in Food Inflation over two years.

Food we eat is essential and is not discretionary. 11.5% jump hurt my pocket since I am no longer working for a living.

Copyright © 2023, limkimtong for Living Investment

The material presented is intended to be general and written in layman’s language as much as it is possible. The author shall not be liable for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of material written. Please seek professional advice from your financial advisor or financial institutions on material written covering financial matters.

Looking Forward to things in my Life (34) – Naps

I take afternoon naps. It is about 20 minutes to half an hour, sufficient to revitalise me. I do not sleep through on nights. Therefore daytime naps are important.

I look forward to short naps in the day.

Copyright © 2023, limkimtong for Living Investment

Looking Forward to things in my Life (33) – Celebrating Birthdays

Since young, we know that birthdays are special days. One year has passed after the last birthday. It is a mark that we are one year older. We wish our friends happy birthday remembering them on the day.

With family members, it is a time to eat well with cakes to celebrate our birthdays. It is not everyday when we spend a bit more than usual for our food. Eating cakes or some other sweet pastries is a treat. In some years, we celebrated by taking a trip abroad during birthdays. We have good memories on birthdays.

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Looking Forward to things in my Life (32) – Sketching

In May 2022, I started to sketch again after many years since the last sketch in 2009. I like to use fineliner marker pens. My sketch is in black & white.

When I am sketching I am concentrated. It takes my mind off other thoughts during the duration of my sketching. The end result is a piece of work that amazes me. I sketch from photographs turning colour into a black & white piece.

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View from our hotel room window in Luodong, Taiwan

Looking Forward to things in my Life (31) – Museums and Heritage Centres

We have several museums and heritage centres. Museums include National Museum of Singapore, Peranakan Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum, and Children’s Museum Singapore. Peranakan Museum is now open to public in February this year after four years of renovation.

Heritage Centres include Indian Heritage Centre, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, and Malay Heritage Centre. We learn about other race’s culture and heritage through these centres.

All the above are managed by the Singapore Heritage Board.

I do not visit these places often. But when I did, it was always an eye-opener.

Copyright © 2023, limkimtong for Living Investment

Peranakan Museum

Interior of Peranakan Museum

Looking Forward to things in my Life (30) – Good meals at restaurant or cafe

It is not often that we go to an expensive restaurant for a meal. We eat at coffee shop, hawker centre or foodcourt for most meals. This is cheaper. We do not check out on cafes too.

When we have an opportunity to eat at these expensive places, it is often for some special occasions. We treasured the experience.

Copyright © 2023, limkimtong for Living Investment

Restaurant in Hualien, Taiwan

Interior deco is very Japanese

Looking Forward to things in my Life (29) – Overseas travel

Undoubtedly, leisure travel overseas is a thing I look forward to. We did not travel for more than three years on account of Covid-19 pandemic. Imagine the excitement when we were in Taiwan from 10 April – 20 April 2023. It felt good to be in a country that we were familiar with.

Travelling to countries with my family was treasured because we spent time together. Immersing in the foreign culture, food, language, landscapes, infrastructures, the people, and climate are new experiences.

Travel experiences start from itinerary planning, bookings, and preparation before the trip. Then it ends with coming home to Singapore. This is the total package of overseas travel.

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Looking Forward to things in my Life (28) – Meditation

I spend one hour each day on meditation on most days. I sit cross-legged on a cushion with my body up right. My meditation primary object is my breath, the in-breath and the out-breath. I am aware of my breath with my eyes closed for the duration of one hour.

Thoughts, feelings and emotions will intrude into my mind. When I am aware of these, I bring my attention back to my breath. It is never easy but it is a practice I do – keep bringing my attention back to my breath.

Physical pains and discomfort happen all the time. After practising meditation for many years, pains and discomfort is just part and parcel of my body reacting to long sitting posture. It does not interfere as much as mental “chatter” or emotions.

Meditation is calming if done well. Consistent practice helps. It can be a pleasure.

Copyright © 2023, limkimtong for Living Investment

Looking Forward to things in my Life (27) – Relaxing with songs and videos

After a hectic day, I look forward to songs and Chinese singing programmes on YouTube. The current Chinese singing reality programme on YouTube is Sisters Who Make Waves 2023. We watch it on TV connected to Wifi.

China produces many singing reality programmes by different TV stations. We have our pick.

Copyright © 2023, limkimtong for Living Investment