Just July

As July comes to an end, the past 3 weeks have been crazy stressful at work.  The e-approval processes I have set up suddenly required urgent fixes because the send mail notification and the approval connectors were decommissioned (deprecated in Microsoft lingo).  The approval connector deprecation is especially hard to swallow, as I will need to re-design 6 of my flows - which I'm still figuring out...  At least, the other 43 are already OK...  I tried parallel branching, which brought down the nesting level to 9, just one over the maximum allowable 8.  I also looked at using Child Flows, but after careful consideration, I will end up with more flows to manage if I use this technique. Not forgetting to mention that this technique also requires premium subscription and a crash course on JSON, so...  nope, using child flow is also out.  The last technique I need to explore is variable initialization.  And I somehow must make this work.  Prior to this "breakdown" there were the usual office drama, politicking and reading between the lines which really, really drained me... man...  I really wish I could just jump ship.  

Along Alexandra Road - Galaxy Note 9

Jerky June

The kids returned to school this month.  At first they were alternating each week, but as of yesterday, all of them returned to school for good.  However, it's not all good news as Lincoln has his common test this week.  *crunch time* 

Just Another Sunrise - Galaxy Note 9

June Cycling Diary

I have been cycling once a week with the missus in the past 3 weeks.  So far we've been to Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by The Bay and Henderson Waves.  From Alexandra Canal Park which is right in front of our apartment, we could go all the way to East Coast Park if we'd like to.  It really is amazing how we can get to experience so many places with our bicycles.  

Stopping by Rodalink Commonwealth to Adjust My Bike's Saddle Post - Galaxy Note 9

Muted May

It has been a very quiet May, naturally, since we are in the midst of the Circuit Breaker period. Although the kids started their holiday this month, they have not been able to get out of home. And Youtube is just not wholesome for them... not even Youtube for Kids.  So I took out mine and the missus' 16 year old Nintendo DS and let them have a go at proper gaming.  Seeing how much they enjoyed it, I decided to splurge on a Nintendo Switch Lite.  Real gaming is still the best as compared to the new capitalist mobile games where you have to pay to win.  And just because you have forked out a princely sum, that still does not guarantee that you'll enjoy the game.  I also hate how the new mobile games seem to run like daily chores with no end in sight.  There is no story arc, grinding does not get you to the top, after a while some new characters will be introduced which makes your previous grinding (and sometimes purchase) meaningless - seriously, even other open ended games like The Sims or Sim City are way better.  Old school gaming is still gold.  So it's Nintendo Switch Lite + Final Fantasy + Mario Odyssey + Mario Deluxe.  I'm the only one who still loves RPG, so much that I'm the one playing Final Fantasy III on my DS now while the kids play with the new Switch Lite. 

Good Old Nintendo DS - Galaxy Note 9

Austere April

Today marks the 24th day of Singapore's Circuit Breaker.  We started with exactly 1000 infections on 1st April and have by today reached 16169.  That is a massive 16 fold increase over a period of 30 days.  If any consolation, the local community transmission has somehow reached single digit today numbering to a moderate 6.  The foreign workers in dormitories continue to make up the largest numbers of infections, my heart really goes out to them and I really hope that they can overcome the infection.  As for those who are not infected, I sincerely hope they will remain safe always.  

For the rest of us who are very fortunate to be allowed to work and study from home, life has become a lot simpler as compared to pre-COVID-19 era.  We eat at home a lot more, cook more than usual, enjoy each other's company no matter good or bad, and just finding things we can do at home. 

Well, I had a go in making the viral Dalgona coffee.  I succeeded after 3 tries.  The first 2 were foamy, I didn't get the water ratio right.  The third attempt was the charm indeed.  My incarnation came with crushed Lotus Biscoff for added flavour.

My Take on The Dalgona Coffee - Galaxy Note 9

Alexandra Canal Park

Part of the Circuit Breaker measures implemented this month includes closure of condominium's gyms.  So that means I have to bring my workout outdoors.  Which is not so bad actually.  I had known for a while about Alexandra Canal Park (ACP) opposite my condominium complex but could never really find a good reason to go there until now.  

Sunset in ACP, by Prince Charles Crescent  - Galaxy Note 9