First Family Outing Post-Covid

Note: Post-Covid is too much to claim, but just let me use it to commemorate the moment.

3 months.

It's been that long since #theKawayiis went out for a proper dinner together. It's been cooking and deliveries ever since we celebrated the wifey's birthday at Mia mid-March.

Come to think of it, we've actually been adjusting to the new situation in pretty well. We'd often struggled to make decisions regarding the next meal, but we've never talked about a burning desire to dine out again.

Last night, after making reservations and ensuring the family could sit together at the same table, we embarked on the exciting adventure to eat out again.

1. Entering Emquartier

It was nice to walk into the mall without little infra-red thermometers shooting at our foreheads. The mall is equipped with thermal imaging cameras to enable a hassle-free experience. Once we passed that, we were given cute stickers which were our passports for the rest of the journey.

The Entrance

Thai Chana check-in QR Code 

Cute thermometer sticker indicating we were all-clear

Note on Thai Chana:
Only 1 of us was required to check-in, and Thai Chana is NOT AN APPLICATION. You do not need to download anything, but it does give away your location and I believe it's tagged to your phone number.



2. Going to the restaurant

Everything was normal except there were signs reminding us to keep a 2-step distance away from the next person on the escalator.

Signs at every escalator

3. Entering the restaurant

Wanting reliable comfort food, our choice of dinner was Roast. As expected, one of us was required to check-in via Thai Chana as well.


4. WE COULD SIT TOGETHER AT THE SAME TABLE!!!

Yes, it's true!

5. Food-ordering and dining

To minimize contact, Roast has decided to put their menu online (sorry, no more take-home newsletter-style menu). The menu has also shrunk a fair bit, though this change also gives them the freedom to make changes to it as-and-when they desire

New Online Menu

"I really miss eating in restaurants," he said.

"The bacon is so crispy!" she said.

6. Leaving

You should know the drill by now. We were required to check out via Thai Chana at both Roast and Emquartier.

Hope this step-by-step description will be of help to you as you ponder whether to bring your family out for dinner in the 'new normal'.

Taking stock at the midway point of 2020

It's a weird time.

How are you guys doing?

Getting used to the "new normal" that's being rolled out after your MCO (Movement Control Order), CB (Circuit Breaker), Lockdown or whatever it's called?

I personally can't believe it's already June.

I mean, what really happened since the turn of the year? I remember clearly going to Perth with my family for Chinese New Year (thank God that happened), but that was in January.

Almost 5 months have transpired since.

Work-wise, I can only say we've been lucky (so far) in Thailand. Official numbers don't look too bad, and companies like mine have not been ordered to shut. Then again, much of our emphasis has been to work in a different way, to change our mentality to expect a possible order to close tomorrow.

If we can close a deal today, we do it.

If we have time to make 1 more phone call to remind a customer to pay what's due, we do it, because we might not have the chance to make that call tomorrow.

At home, my awesome wife and kids have stayed home for the best part of 2 months, with no complaints whatsoever.

School has moved online, and I can see the sheer amount of effort put in by the teachers to have made it happen in such a short time.

I realised it's a draining exercise trying to put meals punctually on the table all day everyday, but if everyone can, I have to find a way to make it work.

I have also seen the unexpected demise of some of my favourite restaurants. Jamie Oliver Kitchen (formerly Jamie's Italian), Karmakamet Diner to name a couple. Amazing destinations lost, but the memories there, never forgotten.

As I type away during lunchtime in the office, I know I will go home after work to my family waiting for me with a big smile on their faces, to children who have (mostly-happily) bonded with each other 24hours-a-day, to a fearless lady who stands beside me in all situations.

I know my parents are trying to stay at home as much as possible back in Kuching, keeping safe and healthy, waiting for the day their children and grand-children can visit again.

I know my wife's family is taking care of her grandmother with all their heart, and that she's trying to get well soon as she looks forward to us walking through the door again.

I also know all my friends are working as hard as me in order to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

So is this, what they call, the "new normal"?

When has "trying our best" become a "new normal"?

Why has spending your best time with your closest ones become a "new normal"?

Is putting the most effort to support each other, a "new normal"?

If it is. I kinda like this new normal.