lockdown Wan Zainal
AN EVEN BIGGER LOCKDOWN! Oh dear. This is not exactly how any of us hoped we would be spending the final quarter of the year. It was unfortunate enough already that we all had to postpone that much needed vacation a year ago – firstly, to a cool, random destination around the planet, then secondly, as the virus scenario worsened, to an approved destination with which we share a travel bubble (Editor proceeds to cry in Singlish). However, with a green lane that specifies travel to Singapore being for the purpose of an essential government or business-related purpose, we are all going to have to make do right here. Come on people brighten up! Human beings are the epitome of creativity. With all our various pursuits in tandem with the technology we have available to us, it does not take too much effort at all to keep ourselves entertained. Sketch or paint, traditionally or digitally. Engage in arts and crafts with your kids. Put together that model, whether it’s Lego or a Gundam. Grab that cookbook and whip up a new dish. Write a story or keep a journal to look back on in the future. Catch up on the latest shows and films, play a new video game, or flip through the books on your dusty pile. Grab your camera and walk around the garden during golden hour. Weave and sew a unique facemask of your own. Get into shape by tailor making a home workout just for you, or join an online fitness class with awesome instructors. Go for a jog but do it solo, choose your location carefully and consider all factors for your safety and that of others. As for the BiG Team, these are our personal thoughts on this 2nd lockdown, and what we have been doing to pass the time. 6
Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
For one whole year, I was gloating to my Malaysian and Singaporean friends; Covid? What Covid? Brunei was free for a full year until it struck again! And of course, it was not going to be as breezy as it was in 2020. My whole daily routine suddenly changed and I had to quickly adapt to retain some level of normalcy in my daily life. I maintained my morning exercises by designing my own home workouts with whatever apparatus that I had bought during the first lockdown, coupled with online classes conducted by my gym, after breakfast every day. Post exercise, I make it a point to shower and dress up like I’m going to the office so I’d be ready to catch up with my team first thing in the morning and attend online meetings as and when required throughout the day (and I’m not sure if I’m alone in this department, but I feel like I’m attending more meetings than before!). Come 5pm I’d be thinking what’s for dinner? The best thing that has come out of this pandemic must be the sharpening of my cooking skills - I’ve been poring over numerous recipes from my humongous collection of recipe books and finally trying them out! I’m thoroughly convinced that me coming out of this post-pandemic world will be a fitter person, a better cook, and a more resilient individual in every department.
Rozman I would be lying if I said I did not feel a touch of superiority regarding how well Brunei fared during its lockdown a year ago, when compared to the rest of the world. With 3 siblings living in Australia, England, and Japan; I had a faux first-hand exposure to reality on the ground outside the Sultanate courtesy of regular Skype sessions with family abroad. However, once the 2nd wave came for all of us here – well, let us just say it has been quite the reality check. At the time of this publishing, we in Brunei will be well into our 3rd month of a lockdown. I thank our Ministry of Health for once more proving a tremendous level of foresight and willingness to take the difficult steps necessary to combat this pesky virus. We did not want them to. They themselves did not want to. But they did, because this is how we will beat Covid and win. The question that remains is how to stay sane and safe during this new normal? The steps that I have literally been taking is my form of therapeutic release. With an isolated jogging route within my neighbourhood, I have registered for so many virtual runs that I spend between 40 to 70 minutes beating the pavement with my ASICS five times a week. As I strengthen my body, I too sharpen my mind by devouring the many books on my toread pile. If ever there was a time to better oneself, now is that moment. I hope you all will make the best of it too.
