IMPACT 0162: TIME SPENT MEANINGFULLY

This letter was written during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as part of Dear Covid-19. Though some of the events and details in this letter may have changed since then, we hope to remember those in our community who stepped up when it mattered most. Continue to keep up with them on their social page @fran.wah.

Dear COVID-19,

I will never forget the mixed feelings I had when I first heard the announcement of a circuit breaker on Apr 3, 2020, and then the extension of the circuit breaker on Apr 21, 2020.

April and May were supposedly eventful months in 2020 – conferences, pre-wedding shoot, mission trip training planned.

For the first time ever, I saw an empty calendar. The first week of circuit breaker was horrible. I spent most of my days not knowing what to do. After a terrible week, I decided to make use of this period to learn new things and make my time count!

First up, I decided that since my sister is no longer in Singapore to help me with my makeup, I’d better pick up some makeup skills. I’ve learnt how to contour my round face and conceal my “cannot-make-it” eyebags. I’ve also learnt other random skills like how to make preserved flowers.

When I saw people posting their cooking adventures online, I decided to give it a try too. My first attempt was a complete failure but I’m thankful that I didn’t burn the house down! It got better along the way, under the guidance of the best in-house chef – my mum.

I’ve also been exercising daily and my partner, Jeremy, joins me to work out via Zoom every other day. We’ve been weighing in weekly and we’ve made great progress! Yay! We’ve also been video calling every night to chat, plan our wedding, do devotions and pray!

Seeing how lower-income families have been badly affected, I started Project Stable Staples with a team of youth! We provide financial assistance (in the form of grocery vouchers) to help large families residing in rental blocks who are having difficulty making ends meet.

Because of you, many of them have lost their part-time jobs or experienced a reduction in their part-time hours. They are struggling to put food on the table. I’m thankful to be able to do this meaningful project with a great team!

We’ve raised close to $90,000 to support approximately 1,400 individuals. But there are many more referrals coming in from social service agencies. We’re hoping to raise another $60,000 to support another 1,000 individuals.

Now that I look back, I’m really glad that I’ve spent my time meaningfully. Thank you for giving me the gift of time to pick up new skills and habits. It has been a good reminder of how uncertain the world is and how transient life is. Nonetheless, I hope that you will go away soon. I look forward to my pre-wedding shoot, catching up with my friends and colleagues physically, and reading to the children of Shining Star Reads.