for here or to go?
The way I feel about CDC’s new mask update is similar to how I feel about my eagerly-waited spring ritual of moving my jackets and coats from our mudroom to the basement closet. I’ve been desperately waiting for this moment, but yet I’m not sure if I can actually shed my safety blanket (especially since I’m always cold, even in the summer). So, I end up keeping my favorite Patagonia jacket and down vest in the mudroom through the humid summer (just in case there is a crazy sci-fi event and we have to escape our house into a freezing cold, of course). So, now that we don’t need to wear a mask indoors (with many caveats), can I dare to go inside a CVS or Whole Foods without my shield? It sounds liberating, yet scary. I’m not sure if I’m ready yet, especially since my children have not been vaccinated. So, I’m keeping one foot in the door of caution and the other foot in the world of hope.
I have finally allowed myself to start imagining a quasi, post-pandemic life, if we can call it that. At the height of the pandemic, I thought I would make fundamental and permanent changes to my lifestyle that were prompted by the necessities and leeways brought on by the pandemic. But, now that I can kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel, I realize that only a few of my “drastic” changes will survive this particular time of our lives, while most will evolve back to some modified form of my pre-pandemic routine. Here are a few major changes that are here to stay that I gladly embrace.
Needless driving. I used to clock many miles in and around DC and the VA suburbs for useless meetings (that could have easily been done on Zoom) and children’s activities (that were actually not that fun or educational for them). The pandemic-inspired breathing space and time allowed me the privilege to evaluate my knee-jerk reaction to attend every meeting invited, as well as refreshing my children’s educational priorities.
In-person yoga. Truth be told, I’ve done a yoga or a pilates class in person maybe 5 times since we moved to the US from Singapore a few years back. But, I was constantly craving the idea (and the nostalgia) of doing a leisurely yoga class and grabbing some healthy concoction of fruits afterwards. The reality is that a quick, 20 minute Yoga with Adriene in the comforts of my own home before my little one wakes up at 7 am is good enough for my soul without having to drive or walk anywhere.
No to school! Kind of. I’m breaking up with the bully teachers and administrators of my son’s school and will continue to homeschool him, while I work on my other new baby, Lernadu.
And then, there are the things that I thought would be cut out of my life for good, but will probably end up staying around in one shape or form.
(Minimal) makeup. As the pandemic progressed, my mascara was the first item to be vanished from my makeup bag. Then, my eyeliner, followed by my foundation and then at my laziest, I’ve-given-up-on-life moment, my eye brow pencil. I tried to convince myself that I looked fine in my natural state…but in the end, I feel much better and more of myself when I have my brows on and am not constantly reminded of all the blemishes and sun spots on my face. 5 minute of effort = A+ for self esteem.
Online grocery. I really tried to love Instacart, Amazon Fresh and other grocery delivery services. But, it’s just not the same if I don’t hand pick my own fruit and veggies, and peruse the aisles for new discoveries, especially since I’m so lucky to have H-Mart near me.
Hair. There was a hot minute when I thought I looked absolutely fine with my lifeless, limp hair, held together by a worn out, black rubber band. But, my hair needs to get a life too (and a haircut by a professional, not by my nanny). I’m going back to my Korean hairdresser (conveniently next to H-Mart) and his magic Japanese treatment.
Yes to school! While I was homeschooling my son in the past year, I also imagined an alternate schooling for my daughter. But then I realized that, regardless of my own wacky ideas, my daughter loves and thrives in her old school and friends. Confusingly, I feel more than ever committed to the public school for my daughter, while feeling betrayed by the same institution for my son. Go figure.
Travel. For someone who travelled internationally for work for over 20 years, yet is petrified of flying, being grounded during the pandemic felt like a blessing. I was sure that I wouldn’t feel the need to fly to far flung places. But having family members and close friends abroad, I feel the itch to travel again (even if I have to make peace with my lifelong fear of flying).
For my virtual dream box this week:
🥕 Garden Gnome. I’ve been wanting to get a garden gnome as a housewarming gift for a few friends who moved homes. But apparently there is a shortage of garden gnomes (?!) Does anyone remember the gnomes in Amelie? I need to watch that movie again.
☀️ Sunscreen. One of my regrets in life is not putting on sunscreen during all those years I lived in Mediterranean and tropical countries. So, I’m making it up these days by incorporating into my daily morning routine. This one is my favorite because it’s light and doesn’t have that cakey, smelly texture that is so typical of sunscreens.
🎰 Pachinko. This book by Min Jin Lee has been on my radar for quite sometime. But it wasn’t until I read her beautifully-written article recently that really made me want to read her book. The author will probably kill me for saying this, but it seems like a sophisticated and literary version of a K-drama (sorry, Prof. Lee!). My husband recently bought the book for me. The cover illustration is so beautiful and it even has a lovely texture. Yes, I am that person that does sometimes judge a book by its cover. The challenge now is finding the time to read it.
🫖 Afternoon Tea Set. My second favorite meal (after breakfast) is afternoon tea. Never mind the tea, I love the little cucumber sandwiches, mini scones and cakes. One day, I would like to channel my favorite afternoon tea place and host one in our backyard (in a theoretical world where I sip my leisurely tea in a serene garden every afternoon with friends). Subconsciously, I think might just be looking for an excuse to buy a three-tiered cake stand.
After a long hiatus, I finally got my act together to invite an amazing guest to this week’s WhiteTable. Alexa Lowe is a passionate conservationist (hello, Sir David Attenborough) and an accomplished show jumper (not to mention a rockstar mom). She is dedicated to protecting the planet and is one of the few people I know who has the courage to seek out and live her dream and passion.
what is your superpower?
Hahah I wish I had one! I feel like I could use some wonder woman powers to get done what I need to accomplish in a day.
what’s your story in 6 words?
Travel, athlete, tree hugger, friend, mother
what’s the best advice you never got?
If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, a passion or a mission, not to people or things.
you use your voice for…
Protecting the planet, the clock is ticking but its not too late…..focus on old growth forest, mangroves and rain forest!
what's an off-the-beaten-path product or content that you're loving right now?
Loving this sustainable, all natural hydrating rose oil