October 5th Week, 2026

十月三十日，星期五，晴

昨晚一直到十點半還在電腦前，以為晚上會好睡，結果半夜一點就醒了，沒有什麼小便，吃了Xanax 0.25mg，一覺睡到上午六點多，八點起床。

在廚櫃裡打包一些盤子，今晚開趴用。還帶帶了三個椅墊，一件睡衣，一隻拖鞋，在自己的十樓小閣樓穿睡衣，最輕鬆自在。

上午九點半出門，搭綠13，在公館轉253，在杭州南路下車時，宗仁在等我一起上十樓。十一點多離開，在金山南路騎Orange YouBike到大安運動中心，運動一小時，洗頭，搭909回新店，吃了大碗老楊麵線，新台幣七十元，回家已快三點了，收拾一下，看了韓語短片，四點前出門。

晚上五點半見到二哥三嫂，一起到龍門客棧晚餐，排隊等了半個多鐘頭，吃完晚餐，回十樓吃水果聊天到八點半，回到新店已九點多了。雖然有點渴，但不敢喝水，不希望半夜起床上厠所。打開電腦，不想學韓語，聽了專家對睡眠的研究短片，好像也都是千篇一律！

十月廿九日，星期四，晴

昨晚十點前就關電腦手機了，心情還算平靜，半夜二點半起床小便，吃了Xanax 0.25mg，一覺睡到上午七點半起床，心情大振！

上午八點半出門，搭綠13到公館，隨即搭上253，到了杭州南路，開始讀韓語，宗仁到了，就一起到樓下搬板子，真是一件大工程，光是一塊五合目4x8板子從一樓搬上十樓就花了至少半個小時，我們合力搬了二塊板子，看到宗仁全力以赴的樣子，我也很感動。

中午回新店吃了滷肉油麵，很對味，再加一大碗的Yogurt，走路到麥田上課，分享點穴安眠，回應很好。在新店郵局搭公車到景新圖書館填寫韓語班講師資料，接著搭公車到大安運動中心，運動一小時。晚上跟宗仁一起吃飯，談得很開心。晚上看電腦學韓語到十點半。

十月廿八日，星期三，晴

昨晚我想嘗試看看不吃藥，結果還是不行。洗澡後上床就開始緊張，夜裡在床上翻來覆去，結果快四點了，我還是起來小便，吃了Xanax 0.25mg。一大早搭綠13到公館，轉606到榮總，在思源樓看到了弟弟，他很開心，一起在美食區聊天。十一點小如從台中趕來，帶來了水果及土耳其無花果及軟糖，姊妹倆人一起吃了韓式午餐，談了一些弟弟的近況，讓我覺得不孤獨。

中午搭捷運趕到新店聖三堂，還不到一點，先與早到的二位新學員在聖三堂的花園裡復習韓語四十音，接著到教堂邊的一間溫馨的小教室，八人一起上韓語發音課，感受聖母的祝福。下午3:30 Linda 開車先到弟弟家，再到我家，幫我搬些傢俱到杭州南路，一路上也談到近日斷捨離及失眠的種種，接受Linda的建議，週六韓語班分簡易及初級。

在仁愛路騎YouBike到台大，搭643回新店，晚餐吃Linda送的焢肉，好吃。飯後，老公幫我打了木瓜牛奶，喝到九點。明天上午跟老公一起搭公車到杭州南路搬木板上十樓。

最近的生活每天都精彩，為何會焦慮，胃腸不適，不時想放屁大號，我也不明白？弟弟說冰箱有一大堆stilnox，等Xanax吃完後，下回拿來試試後，再看精神科醫生吧！晚上上網看到有關失眠的韓語短片，竟然很多。快十點了，該關上電腦及手機了。

October 27th, Tuesday, Sunny

My sister-in-law came back to Taiwan from San Francisco. We were invited for lunch with the Huang’s family, including big and second brother-in-law, my husband and me, and the son of the big brother-in-law, a total of six people. It was another extraordinary day yesterday. Before 10:30, I turned off electronic devices, watched a video about gratitude meditation. After a hot shower, I went to bed at 10:50. I fell asleep fast but unevenly, got up to use the toilette at around 2:05, took Xanax 0.25mg, woke up at 5:15, got up at 7:30.

When on BeiXin Road, Bus 650 driver didn’t wait for me, I took Bus 819 to QiZhang MRT Station, rode an orange YouBike to XinDian Sports Center. The morning exercise routine from 8:45 to 9:58 was good, with stretching, running, and muscle training. I rode an orange YouBike to JingXin Library, I paid NT$ 15 dollars to cross city boundary. After returning the several borrowed books and DVDs, I discussed with the librarian about the using of the small classroom on the 6th floor, the answer was no.

I went to Brother Jimmy’s place at around 10:50, to carry a movable table and 8 chairs to the first floor, took the left-over frozen pizza, half of a cheese cake, and a bag of garbage home at 11:30. We had sticky rice dumplings for lunch. After Azen took a nap, we went to a construction material shop on BeiXin Road together, I helped him bring 4 tubes of silicon back home. It’s like to build a new love nest together! At 2:20, I threw away a bag of used paper and a bag of glass bottles to the civil garbage trunk.

After buying myself a new pair of reading glasses in JingMei, I visited JinYe at 4:30. She talked about her urinary disorder, and gave me 36 Eurodin 2mg, and 4 stilnox, and a wax apple. I started moving some big items downstairs to move to the penthouse before and after dinner, the first step of decluttering finally. I took a doze of herbal medicine at 8:30.

I saw the facebook memory in Kyoto October 27th, 2025.

October 26th, Monday, Cloudy

It was a busy day yesterday, leaned Round Dance “Midnight Man” Jive 4 at MRT XiaoBiTan Station in the afternoon, felt at ease in the evening. At 10:30, I turned off electronic devices, practiced a bit stretching. After a hot shower, I went to bed at 10:50 with my socks on. The clock was covered. I fell asleep fast but light, got up to use the toilette at 2:50, took Xanax 0.25mg, woke up at 7:20, got up at 7:50.

After the morning exercise routine from 9:00 to 10:00, I was happy to help an old lady at age 96 walk to the shower room, and help her get up on her feet. I rode a yellow YouBike home, got changed, took Bus Green 13 with my husband to TaiDai Arena, rode yellow YouBikes to the Taiwanese restaurant on YongKang Street till 1:30. The lunch was paid by sister-in-law NT$3,343 dollars. After lunch, I invited my sister-in-law to walk to the penthouse, then we went to ShanDao Temple, took metro to her hotel in XiMenDing. We chatted for an hour and half, then I took the metro back to XinDian.

I made dumplings for dinner. My husband and I shared a puple yam. I had a glass of papaya milk at 8 o’clock, and a doze of herbal medicine at 8:40. At 9 o’clock, the English reading circle began, and ended at 10:05. I shot down electronics before 10:20, calm myself down by practice gratitude medication to close the day!

October 4th Week, 2026

October 25th, Sunday, Cloudy

I had a pretty smooth day yesterday, didn’t feel as relaxing as the evening before. At 10:30, I turned off both the computer and the handphone, practiced a bit stretching and gratitude meditation. I took a slow hot shower, massaged my eyes with a hot handkerchief, went to bed at 10:50 with my socks on. The clock was covered. I practiced 4-6-7, fell asleep light, got up to use the toilette at 4:30, took Xanax 0.25mg, woke up at 6:50, got up at 7:30.

I arrived at the civil sports center before 8:30, did stretching for 25 minutes with 4-6-7, running for 25 minutes, weight training for 20 minutes, rode an orange YouBike to the traditional market. On my way, I got off bicycle to walk through the green crowd  election campaign at the Arts Park. Then I bought one pound of ground pork for NT$90 dollars, miscellaneous fruits for NT$110 dollars.

At 12 noon, I arrived at Brother Jimmy’s place to have pizza birthday party. After Brother Jimmy left, I stayed behind to clean the kitchen till 1:05, rode an orange YouBike to XinDian Senior High School. At 1:30 I arrived at the meeting point for round dance, Jive 4. It was fun to learn with a group of 9 people till 4:50. Then we had dinner at IKEA till 8:30. I had a doze of herbal medicine at 9 o’clock.

October 24th, Saturday, Cloudy & Rainy

It’s another typhoon day off. I got up at 7:30 feeling refreshed! It’s been ten days since I last had a sound sleep. I felt less anxious yesterday evening, as I watched a Taiwanese doctor’s podcast about the sleeping pills,『能省則省，當用則用』，and ate yogurt and kiwi suggested by Dr. Michael Breus. 

After taking a shower, I went to bed at 10:50 with my socks on. The clock was still covered. I fell asleep soon, experienced a deep sleep, got up at 1:30, without much hesitation, I took Xanax 0.25mg, woke up at 6:30, got up at 7:30.

As the sports center was closed, my husband was curious where I’d exercise in the morning. I took Bus 644, got off at QinTan XinWu. To my disappointment, the riverside trail was closed. I stopped by NanQing Temple to use the toilette, joined a small tea party of three younger men, knew about the temple’s annual calendar, prayed, casted half moon, felt peaceful after reading the message of lot 39.

Before I reached BiTan Bridge, I joined another group of two older men (born in 1945, 1949), listened to their stories. I walked along the XinDian Old Street, bought some sweets, took Bus 849 back to DaPingLin, bought noodles at a shop near home.

After lunch, I tried to stay awake by watching the videoclips about another form of retirement plan for about one hour, left home at 3:30, walked around the neighborhood to shop around to stay awake. At 5:30, I had a bowl of yogurt with a whole kiwi and strawberry jam, watched a 2023 Korean film “Golden Summer”. After dinner, I felt palpitation. I shall try gratitude meditation tonight.

October 23rd, Friday, Cloudy & Rainy

I didn’t know it was a typhoon off day. After I left home, I noticed only a few people on the street. I took Bus Green 8 to XinDian Sports Center. It was closed. I took Bus 643 to GongGuan, Bus 253 to a bus stop near the penthouse, to get a bottle of water for NT$20 dollars at the Family Mart.

After taking a shower last night, I went to bed at 10:50 with my socks on. My husband covered the clock with a piece of cloth. I got up in the middle of the night, at 1:30, to take Xanax 0.25mg to help me get some sleep. I listened to the rain falling, tried 4-6-7 breathing method, couldn’t fall asleep, woke up to use the toilette at 4:00, tried to sleep a little, got up at 7:30.

While at the penthouse, I prepared Sejeong 2 lesson 6 for tomorrow’s Korean class, choreographed a Korean song “Highway in the Gale”, did some stretching. I took Bus 643 back to DaPingLin, as the sole passenger, all the way. It reminded me of the Covid 19 period. I was quite often the only passenger on the bus.

I bought 2 Fried chicken (breast and thigh) on DaFeng Road for NT$ 120 dollars, made chicken sandwich for lunch, with shredded cabbage. After lunch, I watched Dr. Michael Breus podcast about biphasic sleep. Then I took a short nap for less than 10 minutes after my husband left for the riverside cycling routine. I watched a Taiwanese podcast talking about using Xanax, and I found it useful and reliable.   

I went out for a walk in the rain, in order to keep me awake. The KingStone Book Store inside Carrefour was closed, I couldn’t read books. I bought a pack of 5 kiwis for NT$ 83 dollars. Then I walked to PX Mart, to get Greek Yogurt 900 gram for NT$183 dollars. Both Kiwi and Yogurt were recommended by Dr. Michael Breus.

I made fried dumplings for dinner at 7 o’clock. At 8:30, I had Greek Yogurt with a whole kiwi. My husband helped me remove the hairs on the skin. At 9:00 I had a dose of herbal medicine. I felt much more at east and spirit free in the evening.

October 22nd, Thursday, Cloudy & Rainy

It was another new learning day yesterday! I saw a Chinese docotor yesterday morning, took the herbal medicine after lunch and dinner, I felt better physically and mentally. I went to bed at 10:50, had a dream, slept lightly, woke up at 4:30, stayed in bed, slept slightly and lightly. I didn’t take Xanax, got up at 7:15, read the line messages, answered Rai’s request by sending her Nancy’s “Grace” chapter 3-7 via email.

I participated in the Japanese study group from 8 till 9 o’clock, the reading was fun, the dialogue was a noise and a little boring. As it was an on-line class, I took time to get prepared for the morning exercise routine. I left home as soon as the class was over, got on Bus 642, as the sole passenger, arrived at the fitness center before 9:30, did stretching for 15 minutes and running for 15 minutes. It felt good to sweat after running on the treadmill, yet I still felt stressful just thinking of my poor sleep at night.

After lunch, I tried to take a nap, but couldn’t fall asleep, maybe I did, for just a couple of seconds, I dreamt of something, I forgot what it was. From 1:30 to 3:30 I led the senior citizens sing and dance, I noticed the deterioration of cognitive ability among seniors. I felt contented working out with the seniors.

I took bus to the library to return 3 DVDs and one book. While in the library, I read the books on Insomnia I borrowed the other day, didn’t return them, and brought them back. I got home after 5 o’clock, turned on the computer, played the soft music to calm myself down. It was the first time I tried to ease my excited nerves by listening to the soft music. 

I watched a 2022 American film “Don't Worry Darling” for less than ten minutes, changed to a 2025 Korean film “A Long Visit”. At 6:45, I threw away two bags of paper garbage when the garbage truck arrived. 

I prepared fried rice for dinner and turned on TV to watch the recent news. It has been more than a week since I last watched news during dinner. I didn’t want my husband to worry about my panic problem, didn’t tell him about my diarrhea and palpitation. I took the herbal medicine after dinner and watched the second half of “A Long Visit” till the end. It was good for me to clear my head for a while.

After finishing the sad Korean film at 9:15, I started reading “The Insomnia Answer” by Paul Glovinsky, Arthur Spielman for a while. Then I watched a few sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus podcasts. Podcasts are more up-to-date than books.

October 21st, Wednesday, Sunny & Rainy

I took a doze of Jiawei Siaoyao San Concentrated Preparation yesterday evening, I felt a little better at night physically and psychologically. I still had light sleep, took Xanax 0.25mg⑦on the bedside table at 3 o’clock. As I only drank a little water with the medicine, I found xanax taste bitter, got up to have more water without turning on the light. I woke up at 6:20, stayed in bed till 7:20.

Before I walked in the fitness center, I used the ladies’ room. A housekeeping lady complimented my figure, and suggested I increase 3 kgs by eating two boiled eggs every morning. After the morning exercize routine, I rode an orange YouBike to a Chinese Medical Clinic near XinDian Senior High School. I met two Mormon missionaries, and chatted with them for a while about religions and life in general. 

I walked into the clinic at around 11:00, saw the doctor for 20 minutes, I was the only patient, he took my pulse, and prescribed herbal medicine for one week. I felt relaxed after seeing the doctor. Hopefully I could had a little bit better sleep. During lunch, I told the story at the clinic to my husband, he was happy for me! 

After lunch, I studied Korean for a while. After my husband left home to ride his bicycle, I took a light nap for maybe less than 20 minutes, then I took Bus 849 to Wulai. As soon as I got off the bus, it started raining, I saw people enjoy soaking the feet in the free hotsping in front of the tourist center, I joined them and chatted with a few tourists for 15 minutes, walked to the end of  the old street, bought a boar sausage for NT$45 dollars.

In the evening, I watched a film "Whiplash" about a drummer at the musical school in New York. Life was competitive and challenging.  

October 20th, Tuesday, Sunny

I enjoyed the long lunch hour with 3 of my college classmates, Julia, Cindy, and Sakura, we chatted for more than four hours at the 2nd Floor on RenAi Road yesterday afternoon. 

In the evening, I went to bed at 10:50, didn’t know how long it took me to fall asleep, woke up at 12:30, took Xanax 0.25mg⑥at one o’clock, woke up at around 5:20, stayed in bed till 7:50. My husband seemed to have disturbed sleep, too, he got up late at 7:40.

I left home with a bag of used clothes, threw them away in a used clothes collection station. I carried a bottle of hot soybean milk, a quarter of a small avocado, a piece of dorayaki, ate them all on my way to XinDian Sports Center. I walked in the fitness center before 9 o’clock. I was happy to know that I gained weight back to 51.5 Kgs. 

I started stretching for 30 minutes, weight training for 15 minutes, and running for 15 minutes. After sending a few line messages at the Family Mart, I rode an orange YouBike home, on my way, I bought 2 sweet melons for NT$20 dollars at the street fruit and vegatable vendor near home.

I watched one Korean podcast before lunch, made fried dumpling for lunch. During lunch, I mentioned what I plan to move to the penthouse, my husband wanted to keep some items he would need when old, when he couldn’t ride a bicycle along the river anymore.

I arrived at the JingXin Library before 1:30, borrowed 3 books on Insomnia. The Korean pronunciation class started from 2 till 4, with 5 participants, including Linda who proposed to have a class. The volunteer at the WenShan Center was not as friendly as those on Wednesday mornings. We decided to meet next Wednesday from 1:30 till 3:30 to finish the basic forty vowels and consonants. 

On my way home on Bus 650, I realized that I must learn to accept the imperfect self, a person who sleeps light at night! In fact, I also realized it was not a good habit to sleep long in the late afternoon, in order to be wide awake in the evening. Eventually I ended up with a bad sleeping pattern. A streeful situation in Busan triggered my insomia.

After dinner, I watched a few DVDs. I couldn’t concentrate and enjoy, as I still felt anxious about my insomnia. I felt nervous I used the toilette at least four times today. At 9 o’clock, I took Jiawei Siaoyao San Concentrated Preparation. I watched “Sleep Well Tonight - Dr. Chris Carruthers on YouTube at from 9:15, I learned some useful tips to keep the dark environment, and three steps to keep the mind calm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdgfX7OWJLU

Medline Plus sleep disorders, https://medlineplus.gov/sleepdisorders.html

National Institutes of Health

Books: Dr. Seuss Sleep Book

October 19th, Monday, Sunny

I tried to keep myself awake by all means yesterday, felt less stressful living with my insomnia. After taking a shower at 10:40, (my husband asked me if I would need another shower, as I already had one at the sports center, I said yes, it would be easier for me to fall asleep). I went to bed at 10:50, woke up before 12 midnight, fell asleep again, woke up again before 2, took Xanax 0.25mg⑤, woke up at 5:30, couldn’t fall asleep, got up at 7:10 this morning. I know I need to get used to my new biological clock, acknowledge my insomnia!

I watched a simple sentence drilling Korean podcast, I could practice during my morning exercise routine. At a quarter to 9, I walked into the fitness center, I weighed 51 Kilograms. I need to increase my body weight. At 10 o’clock, I left the fitness center, rode an orange YouBike home, bought one pound of dumpling skins, put on make-up, took Bus 642 to Restaurant 2nd Floor on Ren-Ai Road before 11:30, left the restaurant at 4:30, it was a very soothing and pleasant chitchat. I took Bus 642, and Bus 644 back to XinDian with Sakura.

In the evening, I joined an English book reading circle from 9:00 till 10:15.

October 3rd Week, 2026

October 18th, Sunday, Sunny

I was tired yesterday evening, dozzed off many times while watching the YouTube videoclips. After taking a shower, I went to bed at 10:50, I didn’t fall asleep immediately, woke up at 12:30, took Xanax 0.25mg ④ at 1:00, woke up again at 5:30, fell asleep, got up at 7:30 this morning.

I arrived at XinDian Sports Center before 8:50, there were not as many seniors as usual, some of them went mountain climbing because today is Double Ninth Festival, also known as Senior Citizens' Day. I shampooed my hair after the morning exercise routine in the big rest room reserved for disabled. I read and sent a few line messages, felt happy when I received the homework from students at the Korean class. I rode an orange YouBike to the traditional market to return the money to the pork shop owner. 

After arriving home, I made a dough, made fried pork and cabbage pocket for lunch. I carried a big bag stuffed with a pillow and a branket, got on Bus Green 13 at 2:30 to GongGuan, got on Bus 253 right away, arrived at the penthouse, to clean the floor for 30 minutes, met the next door neighbor Mr. Huang.‏ I rode an orange YouBike to Taida Arena, got on Bus Green 13 back to XinDian before 5 o’clock.

In the evening, I watched a few Japanese podcasts. It is much more relaxing to watch the Japanese programs than Korean ones. 

October 17th, Saturday, Sunny

I went to bed before 11 o’clock, fell asleep soon, woke up at 1:45, took Xanax 0.25mg, woke up again at 3:40, fell asleep, got up at 7:30 this morning.

I arrived at XinDian Sports Center before 8:30, left the fitness center at 9:20, arrived at JingXin Library at 9:40, borrowed 4 books and 3 DVDs. The Korean class started from 10:00, ended at 11:50. I rode a yellow YouBike to Brother Jimmy’s place for lunch.

In the afternoon, I went to DaAn Sports Center, to run for 25 minutes and weight training for 25 minutes. I took Bus 906 back to XinDian, rode an orange YouBike to Brother Jimmy’s place to collect the garbage. At 6:55, the garbage truck took away Brother Jimmy’s trash in front of my apartment. It was the first time I waited for the truck before its arrival.

In the evening, I took it easy watching a couple of Japanese podcast, recorded the shadowing of Sejong II lesson 5 and uploaded on Line.

At 10, I turned off the desktop, read a book, “Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness” by Vex King at the dining room till the shower time.

October 16th, Friday, Sunny

After I took a shower at 10:40 last night, I fell asleep soon. I woke up at 3:55. I hesitated a while, got up, took another half of Xanax 0.5mg, woke up at 8:30 this morning.

I did facial and body massage, bed stretching, got up, had a cup of hot water, took a multi vitamine, a cup of soybean milk, ate half of a dragon fruit. My husband already left home to help me with the ceiling and floor work of the penthouse.

I went to the dental clinic, had another four sets of invisalign 8/22~11/22, set another appointment on November 26th, Thursday morning, at 10:15. While waiting for my turn, I stroke a conversation with a patient sitting next to me. He told me he started the teeth alignment three months ago, had his wisdom teeth removed to give space for lower teeth alignment. He asked me why I decided to have teeth alignment at my age.

I rode my bicyble to the pork shop on JianGuo Road to buy a pound of ground pork, but I couldn’t find my zipper money bag. My apartment front door key was in my zipper money bag, I pressed the 2nd floor bell, to get in my house. I had been absent minded lately. Reading the book “Une Mort Tres Douce” by Simone de Beauvoir about her mother old days at age 78 gave me some comfort facing the aging anxiety, but I didn’t finish reading it.

At 12 noon, I received a line message from Brother Jimmy’s friend. I called Jimmy, and he was on his way home, so I went to Brother Jimmy’s place to cheer him up till 1:40, Brother Jimmy had trouble with his coming surgery in November. I had lunch at a newly opened Taiwanese shop even though I was not hungry. I knew that I needed to eat to stay strong. I ordered a bowl of Braised Pork Rice for NT$40 dollars and a plate of boiled pork belly for NT$60 dollars.

I got home just in time to throw some garbage away.  I carried Edith’s Yoga Mattress to the penthouse in the afternoon, went to DaAn Sports Center to exercise for one hour, took Bus 909 home before 6:30.

I bought some noodles on my way home, and knew from the noodles shop owner that his younger sister found a job in Australia. I felt happy for her. We had DaLu noodles for dinner. My husband told me that I slept too long this morning during dinner hour. Then I watched a few Korean podcasts and short reels on facebook to keep me awake. I hope I can have a sound sleep tonight.

I googled the indications of Xanax, it is off label treatment for isomnia. I decided not to take it anymore to avoid dependency and rebound effect. It is important I change my life style. I should give myself a break not to study Korean too much.

October 15th, Thursday, Sunny

After I took a shower at 10:30 last night, I fell asleep as soon as I hit the sack. I woke up at 2:55. Without hesitation, I took half of Xanax 0.5mg, and woke up at 7:30. 

I felt reborn, did facial and body massage, bed stretching, got up, had a cup of hot water, took Alinamin WX, a cup of soybean milk, carried an entire dragon fruit in a lunch box, and left home for morning exercise routine. 

I left the fitness center before 10, answered a few line messages at the Family Mart, left XinDian Sports Center before 10:30, got on Free New Taipei City Shuttle Bus to GuiShan, got off at Life House, walked to the Vietnamese Restaurant, enjoyed a pleasant set lunch of  pork feet in the mountain breeze for NT$100 dollars. After having the dragon Fruit, brushed my teeth, I took a riverside route to the bus stop. I missed Bus 849, walked all the way to QuCi to get on the next Bus 849.

I arrived at Wheat Land Center for seniors before 1:30. For the first 30 minutes, I shared what happened with me in the past week, and how pissed off I felt about the news media reporting the city mayor election. During the intermission, the seniors sang happy birthday song to me, and many complimented my newly permed hair on my birthday.

I took a risk to take a nap for 15 minutes, from 4:45 till 5:00. I watched 2018 French film, Une Intime Conviction, based on a real event of the disappearance of Suzanne Viguier and the trial of her husband. 

At 7 o'clock, while having dinner, my husband told me that he noticed that I had a habit of rubbing my hands above the dishes. Is it a subconscious body movemnt due to the anxiety? I continued watching the movie after dinner. I recommended it to my husband. He is not interested. Then I watched a couple of Korean podcasts and took a shower at 10:30.

October 14th, Wednesday, Sunny

It was a hard long night, I wonder if I fell asleep at all? I watched the clock several times, wide awake, feeling excited the whole night. Even I didn’t take any nap yesterday afternoon, I didn’t feel sleepy in the evening. I did fall asleep right after I hit the sack, but not for long. I also fell asleep the early morning, but not for long, either. It reminded me of the hard insomnia first semester of my graduate study at LSU Medical Center in New Orleans.

I got up at a quarter to 8, started my morning exercise routine just as usual, took Bus 918 to the sports center. At a quarter to 9, I walked into the fitness center, at 9:59, I left the center. While working out, my brain took a break, thinking of nothing. Exercise is as healing as a sound sleep!

After lunch, I saw a family doctor at TzuChi Hospital at 2:30 to request for some sleeping pills, Alprazolam (Xanax), 0.5mg/tab, manufactured by Taiwan Biotech Co. Ltd. I think it is practical to keep sleeping pills as household medicine, just in case.

I managed to stay awake, keep a distance between me and the bed. While watching DVDs, I felt absent minded, it was like watching films on a long distant flight. At 5 o’clock, I took a walk at DaFeng Elementary school, and watched people play pickleball for a while. After dinner, I stayed awake till 10:30 by watching the reels on facebook.

October 13th, Tuesday, Sunny

I woke up a few times last night, had a couple of dreams right before I got up this morning. While packing for morning exercise routine, I put an  unfinished notebook in the backpack, I wanted to finish using up all half used notebooks, and throw them away! It is my mission to dispose as much of my belongings as possible.

While waiting at the traffic light, I saw Bus Green 13 and Bus 909 came one after another. I got on Bus Green 13, arrived at XinDian Sports Center before 9 o’clock. I started with weight training for 5 minutes, stretching for 20 minutes, running for 25 minutes, weight training for 5 minutes depending on the availability of the equipment. 

At 10 o’clock, I checked the line messages at Family Mart, and was informed that the garbage at the penthouse had been taken away this morning. After answering a few line messages till 10:45, I rode an orange YouBike home. On my way, I bought a head of broccoli for NT$30 dollars, a head of cabbage for NT$65 dollars at the traditional market on JianGuo Road, paid the credit card bill at YuShan Bank on MinQuan Road.    

At noon, we had fried dumplings for lunch. I didn’t feel sleepy after lunch. I had an apple and a cup of ice latte at 1:45, continued to watch a few Japanese podcasts till 3:00, laid in bed for 30 minutes without falling asleep. I left home at 3:30, took Bus Brown 2 to JingXin Library, fetched four books by Simone de Beauvoid, 6 DVDs, including Toy Story 3. I took Bus Green 13 home. I stopped by the PX Mart to buy one pound of beef steak for dinner.

In the evening, I watched a Korean program, Sejong Korean Conversation 2, lesson 1, and a DVD. 

October 12th, Monday, Sunny

I got up at a quarter to 8, arrived at XinDian Sports Center at 8:40, started running for 25 minutes, stretching for 25 minutes. I took Bus 648 at 9:30, changed to Bus 253 at GongGuan, arrived at the penthouse at 10:15. I waited for the garbage removal company impatiently till 12:30, left NT$15,000 to the concierge to help me pay for the expenditure of removal of ceiling and floor garbage. I had a dish of fired pork liver and a bowl of beef soup noodles at the famous beef noodles shop around the corner where I used to eat often.

I arrived at the October birthday party gathering at 1:45, changed dress and went to the party lounge downstairs! The happy birthday party for Virginia and me ended at 5:15. It was a pleasant gathering of six golden ladies. It was soothing to know the recent situations of golden ladies at Lydia’s lounge. My isomnia issue of interrupted sleep at night has been bothering me for a while. After knowing most golden ladies had similar problems, I felt at ease. Aging is inevitable and irreversible, we all have to face all kinds of physical and mental challenges eventually on our life journey.

I arrived home before 7 o’clock. We had DaLu noodles for dinner. 

October 2nd Week 2026

October 11th, Sunday, Sunny

I slept better last night, didn’t wake up in the middle of the night for long, the new birthday resolution worked. A short nap after lunch worked better than a random siesta in the late afternooon. The open evening for short videos kept me awake till bed time!

It was 9:05 when I walked into the fitness center of XinDian Sports Center. I started stretching for 25 minutes, followed by weight training for 5 minutes, and running for 25 minutes. I studied Korean for 30 minutes at Family Mart, rode an orange YouBike home. On my way back, I stopped by the traditional market on JianGuo Road, bought two white radishes for NT$ 20 dollars, a bunch of coriander for NT$20 dollars. 

It was 11:30 when I arrived home. I walked into the kitchen, made white radish pickle with coriander as a side dish for lunch with fried noodles with beef steak and sausage. The morning hours were full of physical movements!

After a short nap from 1:00 till 1:30, I made myself a glass of ice latte, and had the left over cheese cake from the lunch gathering with XinDian Women’s Choir last Wednesday. I continued watching a Korean podcast on superstition. The afternoon hours provided me with the time for self dialogue and brain workout!

I left home at 3:30, took Bus 650 to JingXin Library to return several Korean textbooks and borrowed two Korean textbooks. I read a couple of fashion magazines, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar till almost the close time at 5 o’clcok. On my way back home, I bought a bottle of high glow long lasting foundation for NT$583 dollars at CosMed store near the bus stop.

In the evening, we had dinner at 7 o’clock, pancakes, fried peanuts, pork stew, pickled raddish. I had apple for dessert.

October 10th, Saturday, Sunny

On 2026 double tenth national holiday, I am 71 years plus one day old. I am committed to a new daily routine, morning exercise, lunch, nap, afternoon meet-up, dinner, evening delight.

It was almost 9 o’clock when I walked into XinDian Sports Center. After stretching for 25 minutes, running for 25 minutes, weight training for 10 minutes, I studied Korean for 30 minutes at the Family Mart before I rode an organge YouBike home. On my way, I bought two packages of enoki mushrooms for NT$22 dollars at PX Mart and NT$20 dollars noodles at the next door noodles shop. I used the left over DaLu from yesterday evening birthday party to make DaLuMian for lunch.

After taking a nap from 1:00 till 1:30, I started my afternoon meet-up by watching an easy Korean podcast, to train my listening comprehension. At 3:30, I took Bus 648 to Kingstone Book Store in GongGuan, browsed one popular gender issue book about the extra marital affairs, and read lesson 1 of Soeul University Korean Textbook 3-A. I took Bus Green 13 back home before 6 o’clcok. It was blissful to enjoy the autumn breeze and beautiful sunset.

In the evening, I watched a couple of Korean podcasts and many video clips to keep me awake. It was a pleasant evening.

October 9th, Friday, Sunny

On my birthday, I met Amy Li at the bus stop. We got on Bus 909 together. Amy is 87, in a good health condition. She told me that she has been seeing a young Chinese medicine practicianer regularly.

After morning exercise routine at XinDian Sports Center, I took Bus 918 to visit Brother Jimmy at WuGu Rehabiliation Center. We took Bus 982 to have lunch. After lunch, I came back to XinDian to have my hair permed.

In the evening, my husband and I went to Brother Jimmy’s place for dinner. We sang Happy Birthday song together and have cheese cake.

October 8th, Thursday, Cloudy

I didn’t go to XinDian Sports Center this morning, my husband and I went to the penthouse together to solve the suspended renovation issues. We took Bus Green 13 to GongGuan MRT Station, rode two YouBikes to the penthouse on RenAi Road, me an orange one, my husband a yellow one.

We were lucky to run into the interior designer of my next door neighbor 10F-2*. We were shocked to know that it would cost NT$70,000 to apply for permission of installing a new ceiling with the Taipei City Construction Management Office.

In the afternoon, I went to Wheat Land Centor for Seniors from 1:30 till 3:30. I shared my trip to Busan with the seniors and we sang the main theme songs of “The Butterfly Lovers”, a Chinese legend tragic romance between Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.

Finally, I received the notice that the garbage will be removed from the penthouse next Monday. What a relief! 

*There are three households on the 10th floor, 10F (me), 10F-1, and 10F-2. 

October 7th, Wednesday, Cloudy

I woke up before 6 o’clock this morning, lay in bed contemplating the purpose of life for a while. I didn’t know why I had been anxious and restless these days. I kept procrastinating things-to-do, such as disposing the ceiling and floor garbage of the penthouse. And I came across the bottleneck of Korean language acquisition. I admit that I have difficulties memorizing new vocabulary. As a teacher and a cheerleader, I couldn’t show my frustration in front of my students.

I took Bus Green 7 to XinDian Sports Center this mornring. The morning exercise ritual is ideal to set the tone for the day. I rode an orange YouBike home, got dressed for the birthday party organized by XinDian Women’s Choir.

At 12 o’clock, I arrived at Tasty Steak House near GuTing MRT Station. Seventeen members showed up, four of us had birthdays in October. Each of us was offered a piece of cheese cake and a copy of a group photo as a souvenir.

After lunch, I went to the penthouse, and made a decision to have the garbage removed at the cost of NT$15,000 dollars. I thought about disposing the garbage by myself, but it would be a huge task for me to handle the massive garbage on my own. At the moment, I could only let the nature take its course.

In the evening, I read a 2019 TOPIK I preparation textbook written for Chinese readers.

October 6th, Tuesday, Cloudy

I made it to XinDian Fitness Center before 9 o’clock. After 20 minutes stretching, 25 minutes running, 15 minutes weight training, I had a chance to take a hot shower at the huge bathroom reserved for the disabled. I felt refreshed after shampooing my hair, finished reading a Korean textbook at the Family Mart across the corridor.

While running on the treadmill this morning, I overheard the conversation between two seniors for more than 20 minutes about their pastime, and various perspectives. They spoke loudly enough that I knew them well. People have a tendency to talk with strangers about everything in public area. Me, on the contrary, I didn’t talk with anybody at the fitness center.

I rode an orange YouBike Home, bought a package of 8 Dorayaki (red bean paste pancake) at the PX Mart, had one with ice latte for dessert after lunch.

At three o’clock, I left home to have some fresh air. I took Bus 650 to JingXin Library to return several DVDs, borrowed a few Korean textbooks I requested last week. After spending one hour reading the magazines, I took the bus back home. On my way, I ran into Brother Jimmy on the street, we chatted for 20 minutes about his recent health issues. What a serendipity!

October 5th, Monday, Rainy

What a memorable week in Busan in the past week. The 5 days and 4 nights trip was fruitful and enjoyable. In March, 2026, I took MSC Bellissima to Busan for the first time. In six months, I became more fluent in Korean, I even spoke Korean with a veteran taxi driver this time.

Last Monday morning (9/28), I took Bus 1968 at 4:30 at DaPingLin, arrived at the TaoYuan Airport at 5:30. It has been a long while since I last took China Airline, I felt at ease enjoying the in-flight meal. Friday evening (10/2), I arrived at the TaoYuan Airport at 10:05. It took more than 40 minutes to claim the luggage. I took Bus 1968 back to XinDian. It was 1:30 Saturday morning (10/3) when I arrived home.

This morning, when I saw Bus 909 coming, I hopped on it immediately. It was 8:50 when I walked into the fitness center, started stretching for 20 minutes, running for 20 minutes, weight training for 10 minutes, running again for 15 minutes. I took Bus 909 back home because I didn’t want to ride the YouBike in the rain.

In the afternoon, I watched a few episodes of a Korean podcast, a young Korean educated in Japanese college comparing various social phenomena between Japan and Korea, including politics, economy, current trends. It’s stimulating and motivational to learn the Korean language targeted to Japanese audience.

In the evening, I joined the English reading circle on time, from 9:00 till 10:00. We read the story during the Japanese colonization period. Life was hard!

Trip to Busan 9/28--10/1