Plumb

Whaddup? I’ve been on hiatus for a while because I’ve committed to focusing on my health this year. Sometimes, I find myself thinking about how it must feel to be a crab—how they molt and shed their exoskeleton to grow a new one. What would it feel like to shed your old body and have a brand new one? To feel young again and escape the fatigue that wears down your body? I dislike being on medications and dealing with their side effects, but they help prolong life. However, you can’t really have it all—be well and not face setbacks from taking them.

Speaking of science, I once watched a documentary about a child with a terminal illness. Her father, a scientist, decided to preserve her head in a cryogenic tank after she passed away, hoping that one day it could be attached to a different body, preserving her memories and brain. I think "crazy" is an understatement because if the human body can reject internal organs like a heart or kidneys, what would happen with a human head, which contains a complex brain and countless nerves? The mere thought of it makes me think of zombies.

Moving on, last month, I visited my doctor and requested a prescription because my hormones make me feel very down and even borderline depressed when I'm exhausted. He gave me a medication that, upon research, turned out to be a form of Prozac. I was a bit scared at first since it’s an antidepressant. Anyway, I tried it for a month, and I was surprised at how emotionally numbing it was. It was supposed to help me sleep, but it didn’t really address my insomnia; however, it had a significant impact on my emotions.

As I mentioned, it was emotionally numbing—you feel happy on the surface but become somewhat cold. If I had to describe it, it’s like losing track of time and becoming mechanical, as if you’re standing in the middle of the road while everything and everyone around you is in time-lapse mode, and you’re the only one who isn’t. It did help me focus, but I started losing touch with people. I could go an entire day without talking to anyone, and it would feel like just a few hours passed. I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing, but I kind of enjoyed being emotionally numb at times. It seemed to elevate my “happy hormones,” and at the same time, the world around me kept moving, with no sense of time or space.

Then I had this realization: science is so powerful that it can already control human emotions. There’s a pill for almost anything, but the benefits they bring can be temporary. That realization can be pretty daunting.

Out of Order

Year of the Wood Snake

**Kung Hei Fat Choy!** The year 2025 won’t feel complete until the Chinese New Year officially begins. The typical New Year celebration feels like just an opening ceremony, while the real festivity starts with the Chinese New Year.  

Yesterday, I went out with my sister to watch a movie and run some errands. Lately, I’ve been enjoying watching movies, especially during the first show of the day—the theater is so empty it feels like it’s all yours.  

Speaking of festivities, the mall was vibrant during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Sweetened rice cakes were everywhere, and red lanterns adorned every corner. I was hoping to see a dragon dance, but there was none. I miss watching them because back when I lived in the south, the building where I used to work—being Chinese-owned—held grand dragon dances every year. It was such a spectacle. The performances were colorful, and the loud drums were said to drive away evil spirits—and maybe even mosquitoes.

Last week, my sister and I watched *The Presence.* We’re both horror movie fanatics, so whenever a new horror film hits the cinemas, we check the schedule and go for the first time slot to avoid crowds. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy *The Presence*—it was boring and not scary enough. Maybe I keep watching horror films because I’m rarely scared by them.  

Yesterday, we watched *The Nuns,* starring Song Hye Kyo, a well-known South Korean actress. I think this was the first time I saw her in a horror movie, which piqued our interest. It wasn’t too scary, but it was incredibly dark since it tackled exorcism—a topic that has always been controversial in Catholicism.  

Before the movie, we had lunch at a restaurant in the mall that wasn’t too crowded. We asked the staff if they served vegetarian dishes, and I noticed they struggled to come up with options. It’s surprising how many people don’t realize that tofu is vegetarian. In the end, we had spicy tofu and fried rice, which was delicious and filling. The restaurant’s ambiance was lovely, and the cool air from the open glass door made the dining experience even cozier. The walls were adorned with paintings by local artists, which added to the charm.  

Back to the Chinese New Year—2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake. This year symbolizes wisdom, transformation, and personal growth, with the Wood element bringing flexibility and renewal.  

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