Japan effect

I had heard that due to the unprecedented surge in tourists that the Japanese politeness had slowly diminished. Happy to report that this is not the case, perhaps there's a slightly less patience. But the friendliness, politeness and conscientious mannerisms were still there. It's interesting to observe that even on the return trip back to Hong Kong, people on the flight appeared to be more considerate. Speaking quietly, giving way. It's a nice effect.

Four days in Tokyo. Not too much activity, the days were mostly eating. It's true what they say though, the popular places are busy. Expect to line up, and queues. The food and hospitality still amazing. I forget where I heard this but it goes along the lines of "Japan ruins everything. The minute they start to perfect a craft, it makes all other variations, products feel inferior", or something to that effect. Referring to the fact that everything in Japan is so beautifully crafted from the peanut butter sandwiches, to the egg sandwiches to the cup of coffee, an even the humble pancake. 

Don't think we had a bad meal. Kept saying, why has it taken us so long to visit Japan. Not a huge amount of day time activity as fatigue has settled in rendering our days to. Eat. Sleep. Eat. Rest. Sleep. Or something permutation of those activities. Went for a nice run around Tokyo Harbour and managed to even pop into the office.

12 weeks

The period between a positive pregnancy test and the end of the first trimester is an interesting phase. There's the initial excitement. It's an excitement that is a little subdued, given the circumstances there's a strange countdown, that happens every day, drawing closer to the end of the first trimester. Each pang, bleed, discomfort experienced by the mother is heightened emotion. As the first trimester draws to an end there's a slight bump, but still the gray area between "has she put on weight?" or "is she pregnant?" but this is also where the probability of a viable child and when people start to announce.

It's happening. Pea-sized, strawberry sized, lime-sized. No turning back now.

Is it the tooth, or the gum?

I've had an achy tooth ever since Singapore F1. Well, not entirely sure if it's the tooth or my gum, most likely some combination of both. But aches usually means bacteria or something structurally off. Not sure there's much worse than having a sore tooth. I feel like I'm a miserable person, with the constant dull ache in the right upper hand side of my mouth. Was there an Aesop's fables about a sore tooth?

Why is it so hard to get a dentist appointment in Hong Kong? I wonder if it's because, most dentist operate as a single dentist in a clinic, so there's no load balancing? I'm not sure. In any case, the initial x-ray proved to be inconclusive. "It could be a cracked tooth, but I don't see a crack". Ah, the classic hypothesis testing. The dentist, thankfully went for the more conservative approach and recommended a deep clean, periodontal treatment (remember when I had that over Covid, also some trauma around that procedure). Gum specialist performed a deep clean and another x-ray, this time there was a dark outline around the root of the tooth. Most likely need to have Root Canal Treatment (RCT). That is, open up the tooth, gut out the pulp and nerves and refill it with some goop. Ok, not goop, something more sustainable I hope. After the RCT, the gum specialist grafts some of my gum, there's literally a hole in my gum now. What in the world is happening?

The pressing question then becomes, how did it become infected? I think back to Singapore, I think back to lifestyle. I have many hypotheses, not too sure which one to go with. Is my dental hygiene incorrect? Has it to do with mouth breathing? Is it from all those running gels feeding the bacteria in my mouth? Is it from those ridiculous hard baguettes I've been eating? These and many other thoughts run through my head.

The idea of a RCT doesn't sit well with me, I think it's more a reflection on mortality and the idea of replacing something that should have theoretically served me until my grave. But alas, the perils of being over the age of 40 and the stark realisation that my body is slowly breaking down. One tooth, one bone, one organ at a time. 

This is my second RCT. I had one a while ago, when I was a teenager, which was a result of grinding my teeth, probably a side effect of stress? What was I stressed about as a teenager? I wonder if this is related? What am I stressed out about as an adult?

Sydney

Back for niece's forth birthday. It's funny, kids at that age just want to show, or tell you something. "Can I show you something?". "Can I tell you something?". I wonder where they get this from? I can't believe it's already been four years. Four years since Covid, too.

Flight was delayed by 90 minutes, which in the grand scheme of things isn't the end of the world. However, when you're scheduled to be back for less than 48 hours every minute counts. I think I have a new rule, no more weekend trips to Sydney that are less than 48 hours. I think it's more that the flight is starting to take its toll, there's a fair amount of discomfort from sitting so long. So new rule, minimum 2 nights. Let's see.

I arrived into Sydney at 10:40. It was a cool, gray morning. I picked up a huge helium balloon from the arrivals hall. The balloon was a giant unicorn head. She called her Aurora, the unicorn. Aurora comically took up all the space in the car. 

Fun weekend. Yumcha in Kogarah. Birthday cake from Coles. 80th surprise birthday in Leichhardt for Auntie. Charlie is a bundle of energy, and Mac is as her mother puts it "a dragon baby". Sunday long run with the boys around the Bay Run. Into lunch in Earlwood and then back out to Hong Kong with a bag full of kiwis and oranges.

Da Nang

Much needed non-Hong Kong or non-Singapore weekend away. The year has felt both long and short at the same time. It's already deep into October and there's that feeling that the year will be over within the blink of an eye. First time traveling to Da Nang as a couple and we ended up at Premier Village, a nice resort, although we ended up with a four bedroom villa (they closed off the three other rooms). Unfortunately, it rained most of the weekend, although we were lucky to benefit from some patches of no rain. The trip was a classic Vietnam trip, grabs to restaurants, walks to massages, grabs back to the hotel, naps and just a whole lot of eating and relaxing. Despite being to Da Nang so many times, I've never tried the local dish of Mi Quang. Aside from that we fell back to the favourites, Bun Bo Hue, Bun Cha, Banh Xeo and even 4Ps pizza.

Forty Three

Gosh, I really feel old. It really feels like an eternity when I turned 40. Middle of covid, feeling like I had officially reached middle age status. Now, three years later, I feel middle aged both mentally, and physically. October growing up was always a fun month. There were always so many birthday celebrations. Aunties, uncles, cousins, mine included.

This year it's been a bit of an odd birthday. Minimal fanfare, no issues with that. Received some nice birthday messages, which I love. Although the idea of having "Happy Birthday" blasted in a group chat still feels awkward. This year, our corporate Bloomberg Square Mile, happened to fall on the 9th. We fielded a strong team which finished a competitive 11th. Annoyingly, I fell short of the sub-6 minute mark, again. 6:04, slowly getting there. 

Although, admittedly my mind was elsewhere. I have had a sore toorth a couple of days since returning from Singapore and today decided to see the dentist for further investigation. The consult resulted in me getting a temporary crown while we wait for further news. Nothing screams old age like the gentle deterioration of the body. Things, parts, bits that have been part of me for almost my whole life are now slowly starting to break down and require attention. It's an indirect way of age showing, time really is passing us by. 

Happy Birthday!

Singapore

October is upon us, which means, a slew of upcoming birthdays. Growing up October was a fun month, there were so many birthdays. It also means quite a few public holidays for us in Hong Kong. Feels a bit strange not being back in Sydney this year round, but managed to extend the long weekend and spend it in Singapore for the F1. This time of the year is always a lot of fun in Singapore, the energy of the city is second to none. This year, there's a bit of a quorum, the confluence of a crypto event with the F1 means that a lot of people are in town. Good catch ups and another year of not actually watching the F1 live.