A marathon

My friend just shared to me her plan to join a marathon competition. The marathon will be held in August 2023 in Bali. And she has been practicing for the last three months. She runs at least 10 k every second day. In between she practices strengtening exercise to strengten her feet. She said it is very essential for a runner to have strong feet. She joins a group for this exercise.

I never thought about it. I never thought that to run, you need to learn. I thought everybody can do it without knowing any theory. I am just too naive.

She looks more athletic now. I could see that she is in shape now. We were having 10k steps (not meters 😜) in a botanical garden recently.

I am really proud of those who have such a determination to join a marathon. It takes persistence.

I enjoyed her sharing very much and it have led me to start practising the exercise. To strengten my feet. Don’t get me wrong. I am not going to join any marathon competition. I am far from getting ready to join one.

But she has made me realize that this exercise is very important for everybody. Not only for a runner or an athleete. And I start practicing it now. I think I need this balance – taking care my body and my soul. I have been into taking care of my soul more. 😊

Thank you for inspiring, Anthonia Tapilatu!

Joy Of Missing Out

December this year looks different from December last year in 2021 and definitely different from one in 2020. At least what I see in my office. Some colleagues have started to prepare their family vacation during Christmas holiday and New Year. Some even had their early year end vacation last week. I think it is a good idea, because hotels are fully booked for new year and prices have gone very high.

December last year I went to Bali for a short escape with a friend. Though we were still shadowed by the Omicron variant but we decided to go to Bali. We went early December last years anticipating the crowd during Christmas and new year. Bali just started opening for tourist last year. Many hotels were not ready for receiving guests. I remembered we booked a very nice hotel, 4 star one in Ubud with a very good price, later we knew that not all the rooms were open for guests. Not fully booked last year. Today, no need to ask. I think most of the hotels are fully booked including ones in the city. Since staycation has become a choice nowadays for those who don’t want to travel.

December in 2020 was a completely different story. Noone was talking about having a holiday. Most of the hotels were closed. Many restrictions were applied everywhere. My colleagues and bosses got covid after a kick-off meeting. Some even needed hospitalization. Sadly a colleague left us forever only a few days after the new year. Covid was very scary in those days. It was still unknown.

Seeing the scenes, what people around me are trying to enjoy the holiday and also feeling the vibes make me feel so good inside. The moment is back!

Today was the last working day before Christmas in my office. Some colleagues even have taken their leaves starting today. In my room, there were only 3 of us, holiday vibe was felt. A colleague told me that she is going to take her kids to Komodo island. They plan to stay there for a week. Just listening to her, I was feeling excited.

I myself will not go anywhere. I am very far from ‘fomo’, while everybody is away, I would prefer to spend time with myself at home. I can do it for days and I enjoy it. Being in solitude is also a luxury. In fact I am more ‘jomo’, joy of missing out.

A Daylight Walking

When this pandemic just started, I was exposed to the information of how to keep our immune system strong. One of the tips and tricks is to get exposure to direct sunlight. I remember during the “stay at home” period many people made time for having direct sunlight exposure. You might be one of them.

I have been developing a new habit for the last few months and I am happy with this that I can do it consistently. I take a daylight walking around the office buildings during the lunch break. It is very simple, easy and healthy. I get the direct sunlight and at the same time I have a physical exercise. I enjoy it very much. It might be useful for busy people who do not have time for exercise.

Walking is an easy and simple exercise.

During this pandemic all the fitness centers are closed. My colleague really loves having physical exercise for her stamina. It is very interesting to see how she adapts herself to this pandemic. She made a shift. She takes a walk from home to office and from office to home everyday. I think it is really a brilliant idea. It takes her one hour for each way.

How about you?