Half Marathon in 5 days?
Four things from this week
This week — what I learnt from half marathon(in 5 days), jolly postbox, chicken sweetcorn soup pasta for kiddos, World Illustration Awards
1. Half Marathon(in 5 days :P)
Last month, I was chatting with my friend Nicole, who told me she joined the Mt. Fuji International Marathon. This marathon isn't a typical one; it's more of a running challenge. Participants have to run a total distance within their chosen category over 10 days. What motivated me to join? The finisher medal and the towel. As a super fan of Japan, these prizes are more tempting to me than cash. I don't like running, but I've tried to start many times because I know it benefits my mental health. I always feel better mentally after running, but I struggle with motivation.
And... I made it (in 5 days) and I am very proud! I feel so lucky to have dragged my husband into this challenge with me. His determination to complete the challenge, even on rainy days and during busy work schedules, kept me from quitting. I realised that the 1st km is the hardest, both physically and mentally. Once I push through that initial warm-up phase, the rest is absolutely fine.
It's similar to drawing — you have to push through the warm-up phase (a.k.a. the bad drawings period). You'll find yourself loosening up and drawing more freely after warming up. The most challenging part is not giving up during the "warm-up drawings" phase. Keep those drawings to yourself. You don’t have to show anybody else. They are just part of the process, not the final result. (But trust me, you'll find it joyful to look back at those warm-up drawings.)
2. Jolly Postbox
I spotted these little cuties this week. Many of the postboxes in my town have been decorated with crochet. No one knows who makes them, but new designs appear every two weeks. It brightens my day every time I pass by a decorated postbox.
3. Chicken Corn Soup Pasta
We usually babysit my niece and nephew on Wednesday nights. This week, I made them pasta in a creamy fresh corn chicken soup. I found the recipe online but mostly winged it (as I usually do). Pasta in soup might sound strange, but for us Hongkongers, it's a staple. It's the taste of home. You can easily find it in local café (a.k.a. Cha Chaan Teng 茶餐廳) in Hong Kong because this fusion of East and West is a key part of Hong Kong's unique culture. Hong Kong milk tea, egg tarts, Swiss chicken wings (which, by the way, aren't from Switzerland), Hong Kong French toast — I could ramble about them for hours! Have you ever tried any of them? Let me know in the comments if you want me to make some posts about them. I'm also thinking of making a zine on the topic. Exciting!
4. World Illustration Awards!
I am thrilled to announced that my projects — Next Station, Hong Kong and The Blue Tomato have been longlisted for the World Illustration Awards.
I am so, sooooo grateful. Words cannot express how thrilled I am that these projects have been long-listed. These two projects are incredibly close to my heart, as they are based on my own personal experiences and stories. Seeing them gain recognition feels like a dream come true. They represent not only my creative efforts but also the essence of my journey and the passion I have poured into them. This acknowledgment means the world to me, and I am excited to see how far they will go.
Please do check out all the other amazing artists' longlisted projects, as they are all incredible. I spent more than an hour looking at them!
