Month: June 2021

Let’s face it, face masks are uncomfortable. But I’d rather wear a face mask now than an oxygen mask later.

In response to the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, our state government took a swift action to make face masks mandatory again in all indoor areas.

Last Wednesday when I was in a local supermarket, I spotted a group of 3 young people not wearing face masks upon entering the store. Politely but firmly, I turned around and told them to comply with the rule. They did immediately. To be honest, afterwards I felt a bit bad about having to tell them off. In all seriousness, it was none of my business. I didn’t work there, I was just another shopper like everyone else. Why should I care? But No more Mr Nice. I did not regret telling them to do the right thing.

Just when I thought it was a happy ending, as I proceeded to the other aisles, unfortunately I saw a few more shoppers wandering around not having face masks on. I soon realised, I can’t help everyone and not everyone wants to be helped. At the end of the day, it’s their responsibility.

When I finished shopping and was about to leave the premises, I took a peek at the surroundings, to my horror, I noticed another person not wearing a face mask inside the store. He was a GP (a doctor) I used to see many years ago. I was a bit speechless.

For some silly reason, I could hear my own voice trying to justify their behaviour – not wearing a face mask. Perhaps they have already got a vaccination and so on. Then I stopped and thought No, a rule is a rule. If people don’t like it or think it’s unfair, they can go to court to challenge it and have it removed. But in the meantime, let’s all do our part to keep our community safe. To put things into perspective, think about a range of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) those frontline health workers are wearing day in and day out: surgical masks, face shields, gloves, long-sleeved gowns etc. For the rest of us, wearing a face mask when going out and about is not a big ask at all.

Should I wear a face mask? For me, it’s not even a question. I wear a face mask to protect myself and others and I am proud of it…

It’s true what they say about the power of art.

In the past 3 years or so, I have bought more than 100 books related to painting and drawing. To explain my crazy purchases, I guess somewhere in my conscious mind I was planning on becoming an artist and perhaps using art as a form of therapy when one day my dog is gone.

But when my dog’s illness got worse and he passed away unexpectedly last year, I was hit hard by it. My grief at the loss ran so deep that I didn’t want to look at any books let alone sit down and paint.

Life has changed. I accept it. And the way I accept it is by reinventing myself.

Just last month, I told my friends and family I’m not returning to the corporate world, I’m retiring. Part of me knew I was going to find my calling and start something new. And that something new is painting.

It was time to dust off those art books on the shelves, take out the painting, drawing tools and accessories, and start painting. They’d been part of the furniture for too long.

When everything was set, what came next? The first few minutes, it felt like I’d just woken up from years of hibernation. I was sitting in front of a piece of watercolour paper, looking a bit lost, like a writer facing a blank page, I didn’t know what to start. But I said to myself, just paint whatever.

As soon as I picked up a pencil to draw a line, I was hungry for more. Once brushwork was set in motion, a few good minutes turned into a few good hours. Wow! I realised I’d experienced a flow state.

As a newbie, an aspiring artist, it’s important to start from scratch, learn the basics and study the techniques, then develop my own unique style. I must say, with practice, I’ve seen some pleasing results, beyond my expectations.

One thing I’ve benefited from the painting process is that, I’ve transformed myself into a calmer and more observant person. I am able to appreciate some fine details in small things and often find myself in awe of their magic and hidden beauty. Simple objects like fruits and flowers, when I look at them closely, I can see there’s a tiny universe in their make-up.

It’s going to be a lifelong hobby. Looking back, that little kid who loved writing, doing calligraphy, drawing manga, then stopped for 4 decades, he finally woke up, got out of the rat race, and put himself on the path to becoming an artist.

And the last word? Long time no see Ted.