Dimsumdolly

the different morsels of the life of a foodie

March 6, 2024
by DSD
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Running again

It’s been two months since I started doing morning runs again. Pre-injury, I would run about 2-3 times on weekday mornings to start my day. That habit was put on hold for obvious reasons. But even at the point when my doctor said I could run, I was psychologically unprepared to do so, being afraid that I would break my left foot again.

Towards the end of December, my body felt ready to lift both feet off the ground and pound the pavements and trails. I started off with short distances up to a maximum of 2km, and have increased it bit by bit. My longest so far has been 15.42km over 2h 8min. I’m not scientific at all about how long or how fast I run. I’m the kind who just runs based on how my body feels that day. It took me awhile to decide my running could do with more scientific rigour by downloading the Strava app to track my distance and average pace. Though I’m not the kind who would share my running stats on social media, cos really no one but me cares about it.

I have also taken to running the hiking trails for some variety; it’s the fast way of enjoying the bushland. That said, I’m still a walker at heart as walking gives more time to enjoy the scenery.

I hope to keep the running going and who knows, I may actually be inspired to sign up for a trail running event at some point!

January 15, 2024
by DSD
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Entering 2024

My closing of 2023 and entry into 2024 was a quiet one spent by the banks of Valentine Creek in Kosciusko National Park, also known as the Snowy Mountains. In winter it’s where Aussies go to ski but summer is the season where you’ll find me there.

In summer, it’s the perfect playground for bushwalkers. There are lodges to stay in for day walkers and for those who prefer a more remote experience, you can just about go anywhere and plonk a tent down.

On 30 Dec, A, myself and A’s best mate, also a fellow bushwalker, set off on a three-day two-night walk to explore the area in the northern end of Kosciusko National Park. We were extremely lucky with the weather, having fine and sunny days throughout the time we were out. That rarely happens in this part of the world!

Throughout the three days we were in beautiful, open country filled with the alpine fauna of the region. The water flowing from the creeks we walked past was clean enough to drink and I always had a cup which I could readily take out from the side pouch of my backpack to scoop some water to drink. It’s pure delight drinking crisp, crystal clear water from its source!

Huts for shelter are located around the national park. There are bunks (sans mattresses) for bushwalkers to sleep on if they need to in severe weather but most people prefer to camp in good weather. Our first night, we camped outside Tin Hut, where we got to after walking for ~17km. It was a hut that required ~7km of off-track walking in difficult terrain, and I was rooted by the time I got there.

Though it was tough, the beauty of the spot put me in a good mood again after I regained some strength from putting my pack down and not having to walk anymore for the day!

The next night we made our way to Valentine Hut, named for the little hearts painted on it by the volunteers who maintain the hut. The older huts in the park were originally built for and by cattlemen in the 1920s but some which were built in the 1950s were for the people who worked on the hydro dam project.

Valentine Hut sits on top of a hill overlooking Valentine Creek. That night we camped by the creek’s bank and had a quiet farewell to 2023 – we snuggled into our tents by 9:30pm and snoozed into 2024.

Being out in the wilderness on overnight walks is a lesson in resilience and survival. With no mod cons available, life’s essentials are stripped to the bare minimum. It was a good break from city living, just getting back to basics. The quiet of the bush lends itself to a quiet mind and it’s so beneficial to the soul.

I haven’t set any goals to achieve in 2024 but I need to in order to give myself some direction. 2023 was an intense one where the key focus was on recovery. Now that I’ve recovered, let’s go onwards and upwards in 2024!

December 29, 2023
by DSD
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2023 Round-up

It’s been four months since I’ve written on my blog and I now find myself bidding 2023 goodbye, with 2024 knocking on the door. Whenever this time of the year comes round, I can’t help but wonder where all that time has gone.

January – March

No doubt, the foot injury which I sustained on 26 January is my defining event of 2023. The sliver lining was my first ever helicopter ride with amazing views of the Blue Mountains. The surgery, however, was not so amazing.

Post-surgery, there was a lot of pain and a cocktail of painkillers, plus lots of physiotherapy. The incident has made me much more grateful and appreciative of my mobility. It also made me grateful for having a caring partner who took very good care of me in the months I was unable to do many everyday things for myself.

Me being winched up into the helicopter from the canyon. A group that came up behind us took this shot as they were exiting the canyon while I was being rescued.

April

My mum came over to Sydney for the month of April and it was lovely to be able to spend time with her, albeit with limited movement with my foot still injured. One of my best friends also visited with her family in the same month. It felt wonderful having all of them in Sydney.

May – September

With time, my foot started getting stronger and I was able to walk again slowly but surely. I started indoor climbing again, doing easy climbs that didn’t require me to put too much pressure on my injured foot. In July, I booked flights to head to Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan for the month of October; I felt confident that my foot would be well enough to do the huge amount of walking needed for a trip in these three places.

October

On my Sydney to Singapore leg of the flight, I managed to bid successfully for an upgrade to business class on my Qantas flight! It was a treat to myself and boy, I could definitely get used to flying business class.

Had a great time being back in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, catching up with family and friends. It was the first time in five years that I was back in Hong Kong and it felt both the same yet different. I guess nothing ever stays the same. Still, I loved being back in Asia, yet I also felt it didn’t feel like home anymore.

November

Arrived back in Sydney on 6 November! It felt good to be back after being away for five weeks. For the first time in close to 7 years, Sydney finally felt like home and it was a good feeling. Maybe it’s because I knew I was returning to someone.

This was also my birthday month! We spent that weekend in Canberra as A was taking part in the 15km event in a running festival. Maybe something for me to aspire to next year!

December

Wrapping up the year with some bushwalks in Kosciusko National Park and ushering in the new year while camping out under the stars! Glad to be back on the trails again!

August 29, 2023
by DSD
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Rogaining

Took part in my first rogaining event last Saturday! It was a good chance for me to practise navigating the traditional way with just a map and compass. Yes, that means no GPS. Actually I don’t know how to use a GPS either as I usually rely on memory or follow someone who knows what they are doing.

As I could neither run or walk fast, we only managed to find 11 check points which are known as “controls”. We chose a route that gave us views of Lake Macquarie as opposed to one where we would be in the thick of the sub-tropical rainforest.

As the navigation practice was meant for me rather than A who’s a good navigator, he let me do most of the navigation, which also added to our slow speed as I worked things out. Haha. There’s definitely a sense of satisfaction when one manages to spot the orange lantern that marks the control point in the bushland!

I want to get better at being able to match what I’m seeing in the bush back to the map, and to work out what’s the best way to get to a particular spot. Always better to rely on yourself as opposed to others I say!

August 15, 2023
by DSD
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Uninterested

Despite all the fanfare and hoo-ha of Australia’s women’s football/soccer team making the semifinal in the Women’s World Cup, I find myself uninterested in the game. I should probably add that I actually hate watching any kind of sport. I’m not the type who would sit myself in front of a screen to watch a match for several hours; I’d rather be out actually partaking in a sport instead!

Maybe because Singapore has never been a sporting nation and so rooting for a national team has never been a thing for me. The only sport I watch is of a short YouTube video or two on climbing techniques. That’s about it. Maybe it’s also because I don’t drink and therefore can’t get into the whole “hanging out with mates to watch sport” kind of thing.

I must be getting old as I also find myself uninterested in TikTok, Threads and X/Twitter. I haven’t signed up for any account on those platforms and don’t intend to. I’m getting more and more irritated with people constantly filming themselves and thinking everyone cares about what they have to say. It’s all a bit too much.

I don’t like short-form videos and posts with bad spelling and grammar, most of which barely have anything of substance. These days, I gravitate to reading long-form content that’s more in-depth and thought-provoking.

Yes, I do realise I’m becoming the fossil here.

August 8, 2023
by DSD
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Given the all clear

Just got back from a follow-up appointment with my surgeon – I’m happy to report he is pleased with my recovery and has told me I don’t need to make any follow-up appointments.

He said I have recovered faster than most people who suffer a similar injury. While I still feel pain in my foot after walking a long distance and I’m not walking as fast as I used to, I’m back to doing most of what I did pre-surgery. All I need to do now is wait for the swelling to go down, which will take another few months. And if for some reason the metal plates and screws break due to wear and tear and causes me enough discomfort for me to want to get them removed, it’s only then I will need to see him again.

An activity I can get back into but haven’t tried yet is running. I’m still paranoid I’ll break my foot again doing so!

Anyway all good – just have to take care and do my best to not have a repeat episode!!

July 26, 2023
by DSD
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Six months post-injury

It’s exactly six months today since I injured my left foot on 26 January in a canyon at the Blue Mountains. Thankfully, I’m now walking again and I’ve even started climbing. But I had to buy a new pair of climbing shoes as my still swollen foot cannot fit into my old pair (climbing shoes are meant to be a size down anyways).

It’s become hard to do exercises like a full push-up as my left foot isn’t able to flex as it used to in order to support the length of my body.

I’m walking more slowly and sometimes there’s a slight limp in my gait once my foot gets tired. Going down stairs also involves awkward and tentative placement of the left foot if I lead with it. Overuse of my right leg to compensate for my left side has also resulted in more pain in my right knee as I’m walking down.

However two weeks ago I managed to lead a walk with the bushwalking club I’m a member of, though I did sell it as a relaxed pace one! Pain in my foot comes and goes, and I can feel the plate when I’m using the foot more.

I’m going for my next check-up with my surgeon in two weeks. One thing I haven’t done yet is jog/run; it’s something I’m still scared to do. I haven’t regained the balance and strength in my foot – this requires some more practice standing on one foot.

Anyhow, while I’ve had to make adjustments to some aspects of my exercise routine, the recovery is progressing well.

July 7, 2023
by DSD
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How do I want to be remembered?

This morning I attended the funeral service of the mother of a friend whom I’ve known for 20 years. My friend gave a eulogy and played the song “Wind beneath my wings” on the piano while a slide show of photographs celebrating his mum’s life was shown on screen.

It was obvious she was much loved by her children, grand children, late husband, relatives and community. They spoke of her caring and selfless nature, the delicious congee she made, the amazing cakes she baked and her incredible skill at fishing. Even though I didn’t know her, it was touching to hear people speak so fondly and lovingly of someone.

While listening to the service, it made me ponder on how I would like to be remembered. I don’t have children so no one in the next generation will remember me anyway! But it’s a good question to ponder to serve as some kind of direction in life.

It also reminded me of my own and my parents’ mortality. We only have a finite time here. What else do I want to do? Another friend who attended the funeral service today asked if I had a bucket list; he said he has started one again after covid derailed life a bit. To answer that question, I don’t have one. And I’m thinking I probably should put one together to help provide some steer to this ship that’s sailing along with no particular destinations at the moment.

June 21, 2023
by DSD
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Watching Humpbacks

Watching the migration of humpback whales is always an amazing experience that I don’t think I could ever tire of. Sunday morning’s commercial boat trip was my third time out on a boat to spot whales enroute from Antarctica to Great Barrier Reef saw us following a pod of three whales along their journey. They certainly provided the excited humans on the catamaran with a spectacular show of pectoral fin waves, breaches which saw them hauling their mammoth bodies out of the water for a spin, and swims on their backs which made their white bellies visible.

The boat operator usually stays about 50-100m away but even that was close enough to hear their deep guttural breaths accompanied by sprays of seawater that came out of their blowholes. You can’t help but be filled with awe when you hear that.

Sydney is incredibly lucky to have these magnificent creatures of the sea pass by her door step. These commercial trips leave from Darling Harbour, which is in the city centre. Many whale watchers’ photos have the Sydney skyline as its backdrop!

Apparently there have been more whales this year compared to previous, suggesting a healthy increase in the humpback population. Unfortunately other whale species like the blue whales had been hunted almost to extinction in decades past and the population hasn’t recovered.

Nonetheless, Sunday’s outing is a reminder to keep our oceans clean so that these beautiful whales will always have food to eat and oceans to survive in.

For visitors to Sydney, June to August is the time to catch the humpback whales in action!

June 15, 2023
by DSD
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Back to the office

Thursday last week, I took the train and made my way to my workplace in the Sydney CBD for the first time since I got injured on 26 January. That meant 4.5 months away from the office and though I enjoy working from home, it did feel nice to see my colleagues in person and have a change of environment.

Over the weekend I also managed an easy bushwalk, i.e. one that was all on track and not too technical, which was 10km in distance. Though my walking speed was probably about half my pre-injury speed, it felt good to be back in the bush and walking. Thankfully I could still fit into my hiking boots, albeit the left one is somewhat snug because of my still swollen foot.

I have also started indoor climbing again. I can’t fit into my climbing shoes, so I climb in my pair of joggers. This means I can only attempt the easy climbs with big foot holds. But it’s ok, what’s important is I’m back out doing stuff again even if I can’t do it at the same level and intensity I used to.