marriage and tomatoes

So, the existence of this blog was forgotten for almost a year. In the midst of trying to balance work and my sanity (which btw, is not going well) I forgot to spend my hours frivolously on this web page updating nobody about my life. 

I'm married now. That's an update, I guess. 

My husband doesn't know about this blog. Nobody does. 

How could anyone? 

For a moment, I, too, forgot it existed. 

I am now turning 31. The year is 2026. We are in the early days of Chinese New Year in late February as I write this. It is now the year of the horse, and I am just recovering from what feels like the worst year in my life so far. 

Looking back at my previous posts, I can come to the conclusion that I did not in fact. live my 30th year as intentionally as I hope I would've. I don't think I properly gave my days, both pre and post- April much thought, in fact. It feels as if 2025 went by in a flash, and the days were all a blur. I suppose this is to be expected when you're hustling building yourself a "career" in your 20's, if I can even call it that. I don't know what the years I've spent in this job will amount to at this juncture, but I'm hoping whatever time and effort I've put into the past 6 years will actually lead me somewhere. I'll come back with another update, some time in the future, perhaps. 

Another update, on a more frivolous note, is that I've begun to like tomatoes. 

I never knew how lovely tomatoes in Malaysia could be, that is of course, if you buy the right ones. 

I had the privilege of joining in my friends' Italian summer themed 30th birthday dinner, which involved purchasing tomatoes on the vine from Jaya Grocer's as decorations (and subsequently repurposed as door gifts for the attendees) and they were actually quite delicious. Someone remind me that I should try having an heirloom tomato with pink salt and black pepper. 

I believe the last time I had proper tasty tomatoes was during my time as a student in the UK. My GC (gospel community) hosts made us a big breakfast with a side of cherry tomatoes roasted (broiled?) in balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. I can just picture myself at their dining table with those tomatoes, it was absolutely divine. Having good free food to eat at least once a week, while having close to 0 worries, was such a good time in life. I want to kick myself for not appreciating my days at university more. 

In hindsight, I don't think that as a student, I understood what I was doing either, much like my present- day self. Only through hindsight can I see how far I've come. To be honest, I don't think my student self from 10 years ago would've believed I've lasted 6 years in practise. 6 years which have passed in a blink of an eye, but have felt long at the same time. I don't know where I'll be 6 years from now, but I hope I can look back at this present period with fondness.

Here's hoping lah. 

I'm off to perhaps eat more tomatoes.