Weekly Notes #12

07 Jun, 2026

May 25 - June 7
Birthday and chilly autumn in the southern hemisphere.

The last week of May I ran 4 times, including a relaxing trail running session at Manly Beach. So wonderful to run along the beach and see the ocean, it is THE reason to live in Sydney! Interesting walk in the swamp
Route near Shelly Beach

Fourth Wing, I am super late to the hype and mostly just curious what makes it the book everyone was talking about? I actually tried reading it before but I quit in the first chapter when everyone saying "but you are so weak" to the main character. Now finally finished, I would say I kinda regret reading it... Nothing surprised me in this book. As an avid reader of Chinese web novels, I would say this kind of plot is really at an elementary level. But it is a page turner nevertheless.
Crown of Olympus by Kate Asher, a debut book but I enjoyed it a lot. Not super original but already interesting enough to separate it from the ones currently dominate the market. I like the main characters they are all very cute, the trails are a bit simple but overall well designed, like those little quests in a Zelda game. The ending though, seems like the author rushes to the finish line by making a huge mess of plot twists. But overall I like it and would recommend to anyone who likes Greek myths, it reminds of the game Hades, too. I kept thinking about the artworks in that game when reading this book, haha.
Continue reading Elantris. Such a long book but I am progressing! Comparing it with the above 2 books, I would say the plot in this one IS quite original, and the main characters, though they are also prince and princess, feel different than the usual ones. I cannot predict what is going to happen next, which is a good sign and it keeps me intrigued.

I finished SABAI top but I don't think the neckline is super comfortable to wear, it looks okay though. I blocked it and now hesitate to unravel and try something else with the yarn.
I cast on Maggie Vest by Petiteknit, definitely one of the most classic patterns, so I am super excited. I am using the luxurious Cardiff Cashmere classics that I bought for my self as birthday presents. The yarn is very soft and super easy to knit with (since I just finished something using the rougher linen yarn).

The Arch, 1968 by director Tang Shu Shuen, Sydney Film Festival. Felt a bit out of place watching a mandarin vintage film at the State Library NSW, but I really liked it. I think it has a great depiction of 17th c China, the people, the environment and the atmosphere. Movies these days that set in ancient China feels really modern and fake, because of the colours, the clean setting, and actors that look like pretty actors in 2026. But this movie has appropriate cast, acting and camera works that are particularly moving and deep. The leading actress was Lisa Lu, and I saw her starring in the Joy Luck Club, but it is super refreshing to see the younger version of her on big screen.
Leya蕾雅的直播 007: First Light