Out & About #1140 | Year End Stress

As the final hours of 2025 inevitably draw closer, I am reminded of the noticeable deviation between my planned and actual progress. Circulating social media are reminders that mere survival is worth commending, and that even the small wins are worth celebrating. However much I may preach the same message to those experiencing feelings of unfulfillment, I am a hypocrite. Those same sentiments do not hold validity for me.

Whether it be described as unwavering determination or naïve, unrealistic ambition, I couldn't care less about the classification. What matters is that goals were made, but not all were achieved within the designated time frame.

Substantial setbacks were suffered when I departed the downtown core in favour of a work location closer to home. My commute improved drastically, effectively slashing the total travel time by one third, yet my physical, mental, and emotional states were subject to a harsh blow. Having breathed easy for the past two years, the change mimicked the torturous, traumatic days of private sector work. Many months would pass before I could stand on two feet again.

Just when I believed that brighter days were ahead, my world drowned with darkness. Loss of a loved one is never easy, but experiencing grief firsthand was yet another grueling challenge for the mind and body. And while I have come to terms with the new reality, it still feels surreal at times, knowing that what was once constant is no more. The event was a cold reminder that humans are mere mortals vulnerable to the brunt of time.

​Returning home, it dawned on me that Operation Clean The House would need to be rebooted, else it'd never take place. New horrors await in the new year, after all. An ominous feeling rooted deep within my heart also urged me to inherit and acquire (via skill) family recipes that could potentially be lost with further changes.

​Honey Date Tea / 杏仁蜜棗茶 has been my saviour for all throat-related concerns from youth. Albeit straightforward in its ingredient list, the procedure was supposedly time-consuming. Being presented with this tea time and time again without a recipe for repeatability, I deemed it appropriate to devise a written method for reference.

​While the tea sat atop the stovetop, simmering away for hours on the lowest heat setting possible, I went to work reorganizing my bakeware collection. Since the pandemic days, the assortment of pans, tools, and accessories have multiplied exponentially. Gradually, the chaos and inconvenience became too much to endure.

Shelves were procured from IKEA under the assumption that assembly would be straightforward. After three hours of scratched shelves and a shaky frame, I surrendered and sought help from TaskRabbit instead. In partnership with IKEA, the portal allowed users to find "neighbours" offering handyman services and request a time slot suitable for both parties.
For those with natural aptitudes at building or constructing, this service may not be relevant. However, in a society with an aging population, such personnel become extremely helpful to those without the inability to DIY.

​A small amount of cleaning was conducted, as was inspecting all areas for expired food.

The last few days of the year proceeded under anxiety. With the other member of the household still out of commission, the responsibility of survival operations fell upon my shoulders. Groceries and errands were completed in a hurry, followed by cooking. Within the span of an hour, four stops were completed; my browsing partner assisted with the remaining two, enabling commencement of sustenance preparation shortly after 11 AM.

​Blanched gai lan, a thick Tamagoyaki comprising of 11 eggs, and a Steamed Fish with Soy Sauce emerged from my efforts. A clear broth with dried scallops and red dates was also attempted, though ultimately found bland and not worthy of the extra dishes.

It was with tremendous defeat that this meal was depleted in just 24 hours, and further cooking was made mandatory shortly after.
I took the freezer that evening for supplementary sustenance, finally cracking the code on the Swanson Pot Pies. Contrary to baking at the recommended 400 F for 32-34 mins, reheating at 325 F for 32 mins then 350 F for 6 mins yielded a golden surface and warm interior. The underside was noticeably soggy due to the lower baking temperature though. Of the Chicken, Beef, and Turkey Pot Pies, the Turkey was found most similar to proper food with diced bits of meat akin to the texture of cubed ham.

​As the end of the year inched closer, my thoughts couldn't help but fall in line with the annual review that others had similarly done - unconsciously, might I add. The year had posed staggering challenges, none of which have been settled in their entirety. Ringing in the new year in solitude from the comfort of my room, foam roller on one side and fireworks in the far distance, I grudgingly accepted that the lingering burden of the past year's issues would continue to weigh on my shoulders for future resolution.