Walk, Breathe, Exercise, and Study

10th April 2024

-Anonymous

My routine changed a bit when I started going back to studying. You guys know me as someone who loves traveling on holidays and days off. But instead of traveling or going somewhere to enjoy, my holidays are now spent studying lessons. Since I'm outdoorsy, I dislike spending all day in bed or alone in four corners of my room. It's relaxing to imagine, but being stagnant isn't my forte. I find it boring.

There's something I learned recently from studying. It's about moving physically when studying which helps boost the mind easily. That is actually different from what we have been told in school to sit down and study. But when our body is active, our mind is active too. So during my holidays, I usually walk in the park to exercise while reading my online lessons which can easily be accessed through my phone. That's a perk in today's technology. There are online study materials to use wherever we go.

This walking while studying reminded me of my college days. I used to read my notes while walking to the bus terminal and while traveling on the bus back home after class. It took more or less an hour (depending on the traffic) to travel from the city where my school is to our town, so I usually used the traveling time to study, especially when quizzes or examinations were approaching. Another reason is that I have little siblings at home who are quite noisy, so I tend to get distracted when studying at home. It's pretty weird though, as long as the person next to me doesn't bother me, I actually preferred studying while traveling or in a car to studying at home back then.

The nearest garden to my place here in Hong Kong has several quiet spots where I could study better. Its relaxing ambiance and natural features are mind boosters to me. It is peaceful with minimal distractions and several outdoor seating areas and pavilions. I could either lay a mat under tree canopies on the spacious lawn area, or simply find a solo seat at any pavilion.

The last time I went to this garden last year, some parts were inaccessible due to some renovations. I was surprised to see those parts without barriers, so I finally was able to visit this hidden part of the park, as well as able to take the lake view of the garden (photo above) from the top of the pavilion which was also closed last year.

This part of the garden was new to me, and I discovered more secluded pavilions, an artificial rockery, and falls while walking around. I've been to this garden several times, but I haven't explored all the spots yet, contrary to what I thought. It was a perfect exercise while seeing relaxing views around.

This garden is usually busy, especially on special holidays, but it wasn't during my walk. Some Chinese families were having quality time with their families and set up their own tent. The garden has spacious lawns to set up tents, and ideal places for kids to play and run around. Seeing such a view made me miss my family, but kind of relaxing to watch them happy.

I finally found this fitness corner where I could have some body-pulling exercises. I spent some time pulling my body up, but my arms seemed weak for this kind of exercise. I guess I need more practice to be able to execute it properly. It's a perfect spot to create some biceps and arm muscles if used properly.

My walk continued to find a perfect spot where I could settle down because I needed to write down notes. I had discovered the ideal location where I wouldn't be bothered. It's a small square table with four seats. It appears to be designed primarily for board game players. Chinese people like playing chess and other board games. Luckily, I discovered it before some elderly people did.

The table was enough to put my notebook and food. I can't just study without food. As though it was waiting for me to occupy it. It's where I stayed, relaxed, and studied until I called it a day. I had my dinner first before going back home that night.

And that's how my #WednesdayWalk ended. I hope you are doing well on your side of the world. Happy Humpday!

Thanks for your time.