If you've been following my blog, you might have noticed a pattern – periods of silence followed by bursts of activity. It's true; I don't post as frequently as I used to, sometimes going a month or two without an update, only to suddenly flood your feed with posts. But fear not, dear readers, for I haven't abandoned ship just yet. Allow me to share a little insight into what I've been up to lately.
Lately, I've found myself experiencing occasional bouts of boredom with writing. Don't get me wrong, I still love to write, but sometimes the inspiration just isn't there. However, instead of wallowing in writer's block, I decided to channel my creative energy into something new - a second blog!
Originally, I intended to cover everything under one virtual roof, but I soon realized that my interests in travel/life and food were like two ships passing in the night. Thus, my new blog was born, focusing solely on culinary delights. And let me tell you, diving into the world of food videos has been an unexpected joyride.
Delving into the world of food videos has been an exciting journey. Unlike travel videos, which often require me to be on the move, I can create culinary delights from the comfort of my own kitchen (actually living room, as Taiwanese kitchens are way too small). Initially, it was my husband's idea, but I've grown to love it. Editing videos, adding voiceovers, and even experimenting with storytelling has become second nature to me. Admittedly, I still struggle with showing my face on camera - I'm much more comfortable behind the scenes. However, I've come to appreciate the power of voiceovers in conveying my stories.
And guess what? Today, our channel - well, my channel, since my husband's involvement is minimal – reached a milestone of 777 subscribers! Who would have thought? It's a far cry from my cake page's impressive following (5600+), but hey, every subscriber counts, right?
When I first started, I never imagined reaching such a number, but here we are. While I hope to see it grow even further, I'm content with celebrating this moment.
However, not all news is sunshine and rainbows. Since moving to the north, my cake business has taken a hit. Economic woes, compounded by the ongoing pandemic and global unrest, have forced many to tighten their purse strings. It's disheartening to see one of my sources of joy slowly fading away.
Living in Miaoli has left me feeling quite exhausted lately. It's surprising how different it is from the south, not just in terms of geography but also in terms of people's mentality. I've found it challenging to connect with others here; it seems like everyone is engrossed in their own world, glued to their phones or standing apart from each other in social settings. Even when I pick up my son from school, I notice that while the children play and chat happily, the parents rarely interact with each other.
Adding to my concerns, my son has a new teacher this year, and despite the language barrier, communication with her has been practically non-existent. She never asks for my input or requests my husband's presence for important discussions. It's frustrating to feel so disconnected.
As my son prepares to enter elementary school, I'm filled with apprehension about the demanding schedule and academic expectations. While elementary school typically ends by noon and after-school classes aren't mandatory, I've heard that many children either stay for additional classes or attend cram schools to stay ahead. It's a tough decision to make, especially considering my husband works from home, and I juggle various responsibilities including baking, blogging, YouTube, and household chores, so it would be overwhelming having him home by noon, but also I don't want him to stay there 7AM - 5PM...
Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful that my son will adapt well to the new routine and thrive academically. However, his current struggle to focus for more than a few minutes is a cause for concern. I'm determined to support him in any way I can, even if it means navigating through unfamiliar territory and overcoming obstacles along the way. Here's to hoping for brighter days ahead and a smoother transition into this new chapter of our lives.
So, has my blog been abandoned? Not quite. It's just evolving, much like life itself. And while there may be bumps along the way, I'm excited to see where this journey takes us next. Thank you for being a part of it.