2020: The Year We Learned to Wear Faces… And Things
When we’ve said “2020. Has. Been. A. Crazy. Year.” so many times that our faces look bleached like a disposable mask, it hardly changes a thing. But let’s hit the reset button and give it a new, heartfelt spin.
Phase 1 – “Circuit Breaker” — The One‑Month, Three‑Week, Four‑Day Lock‑down
- We were boxed in for a full month, the equivalent of a three‑week vacation that never returned.
- “Jio,” or the rush to reconnect, was the exact opposite of what we were allowed.
- Volume blues? Check. Social life? Off‑scale. Quality of life? A downward spiral.
Phase 2 – The Slightly Chilled Relaxation
Singapore opened its doors a tad wider, but the market still felt “off‑track.” Many of us were left with group chats asking, “Are we even allowed to Jio yet?” Kinda like asking for a coffee with strangers during a lockdown.
Phase 3 – The Same but a Step Forward
Three days ago this status was lifted. The differences from Phase 2 are subtle, almost like swapping a dull pen for a colored one. Nonetheless, it feels like the city took a step forward, even if it’s a tentative one.
Slowly Reclaiming 2021
As the people we’ve missed start reappearing in halls, parks, and cafés, hope sprouts like seedlings in July. The new year is arriving like a massive “Hello!” from a long‑dead friend.
Midnight Wishes: Out With the Old, In With the New
Traditionally, resolutions boil down to “I want to lose weight” or “I wish my mother‑in‑law stops calling.” This year, feel free to be a little more creative. Dream big: maybe you want to learn how to fold an origami paper crane or finally finish that novel you started twisting for hours.
What will you wish for when the clock strikes midnight? Time’s ticking, but the possibilities are endless. Let’s make it a year where each new day is a fresh page.
1. “I wish we can visit Johor Bahru.”
Long‑hailed Foodie Escapades are Finally on the Horizon
It feels like I’ve been living in a time warp—tucked into my apartment, the daily grind of catching a jam‑packed bus, and the dreaded hour‑long queue at customs all vanished forever. The best part? I was always chasing that priceless 75 % discount on treats compared to Singapore.
The Great MCO Hang‑On
Since Malaysia rolled out the Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18 March 2020, the beloved once‑a‑month trip across the Johor River has gone on a 9‑month hiatus (and still ongoing). No more spontaneous pit‑stop shopping sprees in City Square Mall, no more deep‑frozen durians and roly‑poly delights tested in the shimmering Singapore skies.
News Flash: Borders Perhaps About to Flip Back?
On 10 December, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan posted a quick recap on Facebook: “Just had a chat with Johor CM Hasni Mohammad about opening the borders.” And nothing else was really said—so I’m curling up in a blanket, hoping for a green light that will let us finally roll into that congested J-B trip again.
What to Expect (If We’re Lucky)
- ⏰ Shorter wait times at customs – because we’re finally allowed to cross.
- Shopping sprees at City Square Mall – the mall spots that stopped glowing for the longest time.
- 75 % bang‑for‑the‑buck food deals – just like the old days.
Until the official go‑ahead, the plan stays on hold. But hey, excitement often comes dressed in wait‑list envelopes. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for that green‑lit announcement, so we can finally trade in our mornings for a Guangzhou‑ish morning shine.
2. “I wish to watch live music.”
Live Music: The Ultimate Hype Trip
Picture this: your trusty craft brew, a $20 burger, the music blaring, and the whole vibe pulsing through the air—nothing can beat that live experience.
Why Livestreams Aren’t The Same
- Feel the beat: A live band at the Esplanade turns the music into a full‑body workout. No streaming can replicate that.
- Memes and moments: Every Ed Sheeran encore becomes a shared story. Missing it? It’s a lost cultural treasure.
- Community buzz: The “right crowd” jam helps you connect—your own local crowd or the overseas scene that’s still foggy for a while.
Singapore’s Golden Ticket Back into the Groove
The Esplanade is re‑opening the doors to local talent, all while keeping a safe‑distance vibe that’s rock‑steady and friendly.
Spotlight the Next York
Still haven’t dented deep into Singapore’s music jungle? Start here. Spotify Spotlight pulls the best tracks and vibes out of the mix—quick, easy, and 100 % fresh.
What’s Next for International Tunes?
Big names are still on the fringe. International tours might need a hard reset, but the window’s opening. Keep your eye on the horizon.
Bottom line: live music is back—cheers, snacks, and good vibes included. Get out there, feel the rhythm, and let the scene remind us all why we love it in the first place.
3. “I wish to eat a buffet the proper way.”
When Korean BBQ Buffets Turned Into Plate‑by‑Plate Adventures
Picture this: I walk into a buzzing Korean BBQ joint, plates stacked to the brim with every kind of meat you can imagine. I wanted fifty plates—a dream buffet for a hungry crew—only to pause and watch the staff exchange that faint, slightly eccentric look. It felt like they were eye‑rolling at a prankster in a 15‑th‑century tavern.
Why the Change?
- Minimizing Cross‑Contamination – With the pandemic still honking at us, the restaurant re‑invented its buffet as an a‑la‑carte station.
- Order From the Crew or On‑Paper – Instead of grabbing everything you want, you actually go up to a staff member or jot down your selections.
- Safety Over Freedom – Every byte of grilled delight now has a paper trail, keeping both diners and staff safer.
But listen, while this tweak helps keep germs in check, it does swerve that classic “grab‑and‑go” joy. Imagine being a medieval hunter, hunting a fresh kill, then lugging it back to your own camp to throw it on the table. The thrill is slightly muted, but the flavor? Still blazing hot.
What I’m Grateful For
Even with the new plates‑stack protocol, I still get to embrace the buffet vibe now and then—thanks to thoughtful modifications and careful control of chemo‑tactics. It’s a sweet compromise: you can’t order 50 plates on a single tray, but you can still enjoy that smoky, sizzling spread that makes your stomach roar.
4. “I wish to have large family gatherings.”
Singapore’s Family Paradox in Phase 3
Singapore’s “big‑family” culture runs deep, but now the Ministry’s Phase 3 reopening limits each gathering to only eight outside guests. That rule has turned the usually cozy, multi‑generational get‑together into a two‑tier affair.
How Families are Adapting
- Some households split the celebration: they keep the core family in one room and push the rest to a separate area.
- Others rely on Zoom or Skype to keep everyone in the loop.
- For the New Year and Chinese New Year, the anxiety spikes—everyone fears missing the full extended clan.
When Aunt‑4 Goes Missing
Imagine the scene: you’re standing in the dining room, a ladle in hand, and suddenly you hear the familiar creak of the door. The door opens—only …nothing! Aunt‑4 is gone.
She’d normally pop in waving a packet of flavourful sticky rice and ask, “When are you getting married?” or, “Why don’t you have a boyfriend yet?”
But perhaps, in this new reality, the “gap” might feel a bit lighter, as we learn to carry our family stories and laughter in our own heads.
That Might Not Be All Bad
In the end, the pandemic has nudged us to find new ways to stay connected, even if it’s just a quick selfie on a phone. Who knows? Maybe the next time we’re say‑goodbye can be far more… intimate, even if the fifth aunt is still on a Zoom call.
5. “I wish to travel.”
Why Travelers Are Crunching the Numbers
Picture this: every single one of us has that lever in our brains that says, “I want to wander!” and it’s all jam‑packed, because we haven’t set foot on any foreign soil in the last year.
The Pain of the Long‑Weekend Flight Dream
For the seasoned globe‑trotters, the idea of missing out on a spontaneous hop on a plane to Bangkok over a long weekend isn’t just a regret – it’s a downright ache. If you love the thrill of jet‑setting, the thought of staying grounded feels like a cruel twist.
Affordable Adventure – The Modern Wish
Want a getaway without breaking the bank? That’s the dream people keep squinting at while scrolling travel deals. Unfortunately, 2021’s “triple‑P” – Polluted, Poor, and Pushed – might not deliver that budget‑friendly vacation. Still, the urge to explore stays fresh in everyone’s minds.
Saving for the “One‑Day” When It’s Back
- Start jettisoning a tiny slice of your paycheck weekly.
- Bookmark those dream destinations – keep the vision alive.
- When the vaccines hit the mark and life reverts to its previous rhythm, that big trip will finally feel feasible.
And who’s to say it won’t be 2077? Just kidding! The point is: arm yourself with savings, plan ahead, and keep that wanderlust swagger alive while you wait.
6. “I wish to stay healthy.”
New Year, New Priorities
Okay, let’s admit it—switching the buffet buffet to a healthy lifestyle got a whole lot of priority vibes this year.
Why Health Is the Real MVP in 2021
- Personal Wellness: Your own body is the ultimate pet—treat it with respect.
- Community Care: A healthy you means a safer, happier neighbourhood.
- Future‑Proof: Good habits now pave the way for long‑term vitality.
Remember the Past, Grab the Future
We’re still dreaming about trips and epic get‑togethers, but let’s tilt our gaze backwards too—cheer for the resilience that’s carried us to this point and keep pushing ourselves to stand safe and strong.
My New Year’s Eve Wish for 2020… (and 2021, too)
Keep your health in check, load up on optimism, and let’s hit the buffet tables when the time is right!
— This piece opened on Wonderwall.sg and celebrates New Year’s Day in Singapore.
