2022 Story

2022 Story

The year 2022 was certainly interesting! A resolution I'd fulfilled this year was to have a monthly staycation or vacation, just to get away and reset my mental alacrity and balance. The privacy and quietness was most welcome, and I completed stays in 14 hotels, spanning Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand. Have also resolved to revisit or 'properly visit' several cities and places, which I'd previously visited for work, but for leisure instead this time. Am seriously considering to continue monthly staycations / vacations, at least until my own home is ready.

Singapore, The Clan Hotel, Grand Premier Room, Bed

Australia, Great Ocean Road, The 12 Apostles

This year was also when gatherings were permitted to resume, and I took full advantage to catch up with friends, some of whom I'd hadn't seen for the last 3 years. From ex-collegues to ex-schoolmates, it was great seeing everyone again.

The long-anticipated Overwatch 2 finally launched, though it was marred at the onset by server issues and lengthy waiting times. I'm glad the story is finally moving forward, though the overall publicity around this video game was rather muted compared to when the first edition came out.

Overwatch 2, Loading Screen

On 18-Dec-2021, I embarked on an adventure with One Piece episode 1. On 17-Dec-2022, I completed One Piece episode 1,000. As of 31-Dec-2022, I've completed One Piece episode 1,045. This anime has been 25 years in the making, and looks set to continue for at least a few more years. An excellent anime story, spanning entire genres, including comedy, mystery, action, drama, romance, horror, tragedy, adventure, science fiction, thriller, musical, culture, and social commentary. A must watch!

One Piece, Straw Hat Pirates Jolly Rogers

For the life project where I'm eating my way through famous Singaporean hawker and casual dining food, I managed to complete those dishes starting with '0 - 9' and 'A' in 2021, and those starting with 'B', 'C', 'D', and 'E' in 2022. This wasn't exactly comprehensive, but I'm moving foward next year, and plan to circle back to those I'd missed once I've completed the major dishes.

5 Spice Roll / Wu Xiang Xia Bing

Carrot Cake / Chye Tow Kueh

Dessert Fritter, Fritter Banana / Goreng Pisang, Fritter Sweet Potato, Fritter Yam, Fritter Tapioca, Fritter Butterfly Bun, Fritter Ham Chim Peng, Fritter Fried Dough / You Tiao

Dhal

Duck Rice

Economy Rice And Economy Porridge

Egg Bhurji / Egg Poriyal

Egg Masala

Egg Omelette

Curated several comprehensive food trails in global countries and cities this year, including Malaysia (Kajang, Penang), Australia (Melbourne), and New Zealand (Wellington, Auckland). Visited some highly rated stalls, as well as several that I'd stumbled across.

Kajang Food Trail

Penang Food Trail

Melbourne Food Trail

Wellington Food Trail

Auckland Food Trail

Handling a trifecta of roles in my professional capacity, and the nature of work has certainly become a lot more complex, with more responsibility (and a new desk). Most of it is about figuring it out as I go along, drawing on past experience, advice from others, and whatever data points are available.

Managed to catch the Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1 Night Race 2022, a highlight event after 2 years of pandemic restrictions, and a great way to celebrate the return-to-new-normal. Was fantastic to see the races, and artists in concerts including Marshmellow, the Black Eyed Peas, and Westlife!