🌈 1457 – Saturday, 31 October 2026 23:36

What’s the key to happiness?

London

Happy Halloween! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day outside today.

Sitting at the desk in Knightsbridge right now. I just want to write something before I head out again. The streets around Oxford Street were packed when I was heading down here earlier. There were so many people dressed up in all sorts of strange costumes. It used to be ghosts, devils and vampires on Halloween, but these days, I’m not quite sure what has happened to it all. I saw a guy wearing a cowboy hat and a tradie outfit. Not sure what the hat was supposed to represent!

Then there were two girls, both dressed up in nurse outfits with scary make-up. Not sure what that was supposed to be either! The funny part was that they were both fighting. One screamed loudly, and another came over and hit her on the cheek. They were probably both too drunk, or perhaps that was supposed to be part of the performance!

A pretty chilled and relaxed day for me today. Stayed in for most of the day, slept and napped. Woke up around 08:20, just went to the loo and then went straight back to bed. The next time I woke up was around 10:45. Everything seemed peaceful then. The sun was shining brightly, and the kids downstairs were playing in the playground next to me noises…

Had chickpeas and a coffee for breakfast. My brother rang around 11:40 AM. I told him I hadn’t been up for very long, had just had my breakfast and was now sitting down. We spoke about the survey findings that came back yesterday for my new flat. It was supposed to be a comprehensive Level 3 survey. They advertised it as comprehensive, but then there was hardly anything in it! The surveyor just checked things off: yes, there is a wall, no access to the other side of the wall; yes, there is electricity, but the electrical certificate wasn’t checked, and so on. No access to the roof either. It now makes me wonder whether I should go ahead with the purchase or not. I’m quite indecisive at the moment. I shall wait for advice from a few friends I’ve sent the details to. Perhaps I’m leaning towards going ahead with it, unless the mates I’ve consulted suggest otherwise completely.

Anyway, that’s what’s been on my mind and occupying my thoughts today.

No workouts today. Yesterday evening, between 20:00 and 21:30, I had a really good workout. I did a full upper-body shoulder workout. As I haven’t written yesterday’s entry, I’ll make a note of what I did here: 3 sets of 11 reps of shoulder Arnold presses, followed by lateral raises, rear delt flyes, barbell front raises, barbell upright rows, dumbbell shrugs, and a few sets of ab presses on the machine. Today, I was still feeling the effects of the workout and just needed a full day of rest.

Went for a walk in the afternoon, just around the Russell Square area and around home. There were quite a few people around the square, and most of them were already dressed in their Halloween costumes. Returned home around 15:30 after the walk and had spaghetti and beef for lunch. Watched a few episodes of Peep Show in bed and then took another nap around 16:00, sleeping until 17:45.

After that, I spoke with Mother. She said, “None of you have rung home today, neither your sister, brother nor you. Where is everybody?” I told her that I’d just been napping today. I should have given her a ring in the afternoon when I was out on my walk, but I got too carried away looking at everyone else’s Halloween costumes!

Plans for tomorrow: seeing Ms Sandra and Jase for lunch at The Ivy in Covent Garden. The rest of the day will mostly be chilled, and then back to Knightsbridge in the evening.

Nothing major or particularly significant today, just a plain and simple day. But I read a quote earlier today that made me sit down and jot down my thoughts on here before calling it a night. The quote goes something like this:

“What beautiful desire will you choose to bring into existence today?”

That made me stop and think and wonder: what is it that I really want right now that would make me truly happy?

All I want is for both my parents to be healthy. I wish I could bring them to mine, look after them for a few days, feed them, have the independence to take them around, let them experience new things and give them so much love.

Of all the things in life, so many of which I never anticipated, have come true. Faith and desire… perhaps that too shall one day be fulfilled.

3 things I felt grateful for today

Grateful for my ride from Russell Square to Knightsbridge. It was a very pleasant journey on the bike. It was crowded, but I didn’t rush or stress.
Grateful for having so many days when I simply publish the headline and then sit and think. It helps me clear my mind.
Grateful for the love and support from my dearest sister, Deedi, and brother, Bhayya. I love you both a lot.

What would it take for me and for you to wake up 10 times bigger, thicker, more muscular, richer and younger? To wake up early, have a good workout, meet mates for lunch feeling fresh and sharp, have everything be okay with family, friends and everyone around us, and then enjoy a relaxing, relaxing, relaxing yet productive day tomorrow?

Goodnight, good luck!

Ash Khaleem