So I just went through the motions of working today. I had two meetings and in between I was at the office, emailing people, editing one story, mining data, and just forcing my brain to work. But all I wanted was to just to go between my sheets and sleep.

I started coughing again and having runny nose. I think it’s going to be a miracle if I’m still negative for Covid since the people during the past 4 days weren’t wearing masks! 🥴

I was the one left at the office to shut down all the power for the weekend. I was the only one with no plans for Friday night since I’m too tired.

I bought myself takeaway dinner. And savored my McDonald’s sundae on the swing at the park near my hotel.

I don’t really know what’s wrong with me. I’m just here on my bed aching all over, sleepy but couldn’t sleep… I wanted to cancel my dinner tomorrow with a friend who just got a job at Deloitte. I’ll see tomorrow how I would feel.

Meanwhile, my contractor has sent me photos of my home:

I’m looking forward to seeing these. However, I must quarantine myself after I land in Manila next week. Test and quarantine. I can’t be bringing germs to my mom.

I took off my pearls so I would look more casual after another day of chasing people. I simply turned liquid and could no longer support myself standing up.

I had been chasing Korean and Japan stories for three days now. 🫠 I got good info; it’s up to my boss now to add her thing so we can publish two stories. Tomorrow I have meetings 🥴

It was still early but I felt myself buckling. I walked towards ION Orchard station so I can go to Plaza Singapura Cold Storage–the nearest supermarket from my hotel—and buy myself my zombie apocalypse provisions because I knew I wouldn’t have any energy left to dine out.

It was a struggle to walk back to my hotel. I was so tired, so sore, and my brain already turned to mush.

But I couldn’t take a nap. My body was just so tired but restless…

My HK-based colleague was messaging me on WeChat and asked if I wanted to join her for dinner. I sent her the pic above and said I’m already a contented hermit. I just could no longer move.

But my body was longing for a massage. 🥹 Home massage is not an option here in Singapore because you will be paying an arm and a leg for such service. So this hermit became conflicted: shall I move or stay cocooned? Then my colleague said she will have crab and a massage…I replied that my lazy ass won over and I elected to just stay in and suffer. I will just have it tomorrow night after some drinks at the office.

I’ll just have a scalding shower to relax my muscles 😞. Women’s shoes are the worst, especially during business conferences. 👠

I had my dark beer.

I was again so tired chasing people, talking to people all day, and I had to write one story while half-listening to the panel discussion at the conference. I’ve been on my feet for more than 8 hours.

My colleagues from HK and I finally decided, enough is enough. Singapore is boring. So we went back to our respective hotels to change from our business clothes to something more casual and met at Chijmes to have drinks.

And have chili crabs. Or pepper crabs. Or whatever, I don’t know the difference because I can’t eat crab. I had kangkong sambal and so sad sweet and sour pork… Because I’m allergic to crustaceans or else I will have anaphylaxis. 🥴 I lead a sad life.

Nah, that’s just drama. It will take more than this to get me drunk. 🤣 Believe me. Three shots of Patron and I was still normal.

Ah another day of hard work tomorrow.

I woke up at 6 am so I can start preparing for my Ms. Universe pageant, as I call my networking events. Had tea and instant cup noodles because I can’t be bothered to go outside for a proper meal. I just needed some carbohydrates to last me the day because in networking events, I barely eat.

All I do is talk and be charming. And get info.

So now I have two stories I need to write down. If I find the time to write them. 🥴

Anyway, just as I was about to leave my room, I noticed that my new dress had split a seam on the shoulder part. So I had to quickly change clothes 🤦‍♀️

A lot of GPs, LPs, fund of funds, family offices, etc. Moreso tomorrow, which is a bigger event than the one we organized in July.

I started talking to people at past 8 am, got back to my hotel for a bit (about four bus stops away) to get more business cards because I realized the stack I brought with me were not enough. 🤦‍♀️

I stopped at 7 pm because my throat could no longer take it. My legs, too. I’m just too tired. I’m supposed to attend the awards dinner but they couldn’t find my name on the list despite being registered by my colleagues. I finally had the perfect excuse to go home back to the hotel and rest. 🫠

Good thing I brought a lot of Strepsils and Bactidol candies for my throat. My capacity for talking even astounds me. 🤣 One company I had been covering had a presence there and I told their rep that ohhhh I know you guys pretty well. You were bidding for this and this and you have some pending xxxx with yyyy. He laughed and said you have a photographic memory and I wish I have that. I said, in my line of work, it’s a requirement because how else can I gather the things I need for my stories? 😬 And I featured one of your companies. “Yup, I read it,” he replied and I said, “You don’t have any complaints?” Nope, he said. Oh good, I said. This is one of my worst fears when I talk to the people I write about, I told him.

So I have five pending interviews/requests for connection and some more introductions for my contacts, because that’s how I am generous with them. That’s how I keep relationships.

I bought dinner from Plaza Singapura because I don’t have the energy to eat in a restaurant. I just want to put my feet up, have a very hot shower, and retire early.

And a lovely tea pack from one of the booths at the conference.