🌈 1299 – Saturday, 19 October 2024 20:11
London
Why does Saturday fly by so quickly? Before you know it, it’s Sunday evening, and the weekend has slipped away like a breeze.
Woke up early 07:40, cold, grey, dark and raining outside the window. In bed read Dad’s good morning greetings prayer message on the family WhatsApp group, then affirmations, then sat at the edge of the bed, mediated for 35 more affirmations, then loo.. feeling energetic in the morning, booked a swim slot for 9 am at the Lower Marshall street leisure centre, Picadilly circus.
Hopped on the bike, still raining, and rode for about 4 minutes, arriving right on time. There was a girl ahead of me on the road who turned right, and funny enough, she was heading to the swim too. It was reassuring to see I wasn’t the only one braving the cold, rainy Saturday morning for a swim—nice to know others are just as crazy as me, haha!
Swam for an hour—mostly front strokes, and finished with 10 laps using just my legs while holding a paddle. Took a refreshing shower, then headed home. Grabbed breakfast from Pret a Manger on Whitcomb Street, and ate at my desk once I got back.
Sat at my desk reading, writing, and browsing until around 14:30, when I had to run to the post office for a return. By midday, the weather had completely flipped—what started as a cold, rainy morning had turned into a mild, sunny afternoon. It’s true what they say about English weather—completely unpredictable. Just a few hours earlier, it was all fog and rain, and now it felt like a spring day. Funny to see people in big jackets earlier, and now everyone enjoying the warmth.
I sat for a while under the Angel statue at Piccadilly Circus—the one from Dan Brown’s book and movie. It felt good to take a break and relax outside, but eventually, I headed back home. I had a quick call with my mother, just catching up on things. She’s going to have surgery soon to remove a tumour from her breast, and it’s hard to accept that someone you love has to endure something so difficult. My heart aches for her, and I send my thoughts, blessings, and love to anyone going through medical treatments or facing health challenges on our planet.
I spent the rest of the day at my desk, feeling a bit blue but still determined. I tried to plan, research, and learn—keeping a growth mindset, hoping that somehow, one step will lead to something bigger. Holding on to the idea that even small efforts can eventually build towards something meaningful.
Around 18:30, my dear friend texted, asking if I was up to anything and if he could come over to hang out. I thought, how sweet of him—he always knows how to cheer me up. It’s like he can sense when I’m feeling low, just like I do with my brother; whenever I call, it’s usually at the perfect moment. He said he’d come by a bit later. Then, just a few minutes later, another mate texted, saying he was in town with a friend and wanted to stop by to say hello. I hesitated but told him, “Yeah, mate, you can swing by, but I’m not up for a long night, to be honest.
A tandem of back-and-forth messages, my first friend said he’d be heading over soon. But a few minutes later, he sends me a picture of himself with a pint at a pub. I couldn’t help but think, “You said you were coming over, and now you’re out having a drink alone?” He responded, “I just needed some time for myself.” I get that, but then why ask if we could hang out? I had gotten my hopes up, thinking I wouldn’t be spending my Saturday evening alone, and now here I am, feeling a bit funny already, wondering what changed.
My other friend, who was supposed to swing by with a mate, texted me around 6:45 PM, saying he was walking from Waterloo, which should be just a quick 20-minute walk to my place. But guess what? He didn’t show up until 10:30—almost four hours later!
“I mean, come on! Are they having a mini adventure trying to figure out how to spend their Saturday? Hahaha! It’s just so hilariously human!”
In the end, everyone made it to my place, and we hung out for a while. We caught up on how everyone was doing, shared some laughs, and by then, I was feeling much better. Being with friends and the company of good people really lifts your spirits and brightens your mood for sure!
We decided to head out to a nearby pub just a few minutes away, but the challenge was to wear these big, funny boots with towering heels to test our comfort zone.
I can’t remember who came up with the idea, but somehow, I ended up being the first to wear them. With three of my best male friends by my side for support, we made our way to the Yard on Rupert Street. As we walked, a few people on the street noticed our group and shot us some curious glances, but thankfully, nothing too awkward happened!
The Yard in Soho is such a delightful spot! With its spacious ground floor filled with benches and chairs, plus a lively dance area upstairs, it’s the perfect place to hang out. We kicked back for a while, sharing plenty of laughs, and then the boots made their way to my mate M and then to mate I, the third mate didn’t stay for long, I was sort of comfortable in them.
M looked fantastic in those boots, especially with his green shorts showcasing his impressive Hercules legs and boyish charm. You could see heads turning as people noticed him! Then my mate I when he got to wear them, truly embraced the moment and became the most natural Beyoncé. He wore those boots for the rest of the night, and even on his way home when he managed to break the heels, he still strutted in style and comfort!
Life becomes truly enjoyable when we embrace new experiences and step outside our comfort zones. Each adventure pushes us to new limits, creating cherished memories and endless laughter—moments that we will likely reflect on fondly in our later years. I’m grateful to share these experiences, whether good or bad, with friends who genuinely care about me.
I encourage anyone reading this to try something different. Explore new activities without overthinking them or worrying about labels like “good” or “bad.” Let go of concerns about what others might think, and simply savour the joy of life infused with creativity and fun.
3 things I felt grateful for today –
I felt so grateful as I left home this morning for a swim, especially since it was raining and I had already put on my thick raincoat.
Grateful for having a long conversation with my mother earlier today.
I’m grateful that, despite the day being unplanned, we all found joy in the simple things and made the most of it.
What would it take for me and for you to wake up 10 x times bigger, thicker, more energetic, confident, happy, healthy, wealthy, rich, organised, cultured, wake up early, make it to workout in the morning, everything to be okay with family, friends, and everyone around, then have a relaxing, relaxing, relaxing yet a productive day tomorrow?
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Ash Khaleem
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