Since I've been reminiscing about my two trips to Korea lately, here's another one that I, apparently, hadn't written about, though I'm certain I have and I just couldn't find it.

I was in a bus en route to Nami Island, where we had booked a day tour. I wasn't feeling as well as I should be. The signs were there the night before; probably the cold threatening to trigger an asthma attack, or at least, a persistent wheeze. I was trying to get some rest. I mean, I don't want to annoy people by being cranky, which I now know I tend to do when I'm sick.

Suddenly, our tour guide - I think her name is Vicky, I think - turned to me and offered me something.

"Is that okay?"

"Yes, yes," she answered. She opened her coat and pulled out a small bottle from one of the inside pockets. It was a bottle of Vita-C, with Suzy's face on the label.

"You can have it."

"Thank you. Kamsahamnida."

And that is why I swear by Vita-C up until now, ten years later. I swear, I felt better almost instantly - and I don't think the looming asthma attack ever came through. That one small bottle kept me going for the rest of the trip, which really was just a few days more, although that eventually involved walking aimlessly through Gangnam and carrying several bags' worth of gifts through the Seoul transit system.

It wasn't always easy to find, though. I could only really find it in Korean groceries then, of course, and even when I moved to the city I still wasn't near one. (And of course, the whole pandemic thing.) Only lately have I properly rediscovered Vita-C, first as a thing I drank daily when I was in Jeju, and then, on days when I absolutely needed it, meaning the busiest days of my calendar year. They're selling Vita-C at 7-Eleven now! And the labels are in English! Probably makes a difference in the effectivity, or something, but at least one difference is I can truly read what it is about now without having to use a translation app.

Now I know that this thing apparently has caffeine, too.

So that explains why I felt better back then.

But also, that lends more credence to my belief now that caffeine no longer works on me. Gone are the days when two errant glasses of cola led to a completely sleepless night (which distressed me legitimately). Now, I suppose with a few exemptions, I could still fall asleep at a reasonable time even if I have coffee later than my previously self-imposed deadline of two in the afternoon. Now wonder I didn't feel as energized during the conference a couple of months ago.

But then, maybe it's me getting older. I can no longer deny that I don't have as much energy as I used to have. I even fall asleep in the morning, a quick shut-eye turning to a ten-minute nap while I'm still seated on my desk. If I can't keep up now, how can I keep up in the future?

Wishful thinking, perhaps?

I was moderating at an event a few days ago and decided to not go straight home. I kinda had the sense that I would probably get drowsy at the wheel while stuck in traffic, so, counterintuitively, I decided to cross the road to Glorietta - a mall I have never been to in... years - to check out the renovations, and maybe get coffee that's not from a hotel.

"Saan kaya best mag-kape sa Glorietta?" I texted Steph.

"'Di ko masyado kabisado mga coffee shop diyan," she answered. "All I can think of is One Ayala."

"Bale, malapit na rin 'yun."

"Try Cooper's."

I've been meaning to, as it popped up in several conversations already. I send her a photo of the stall, which, to my surprise, has been very easy to find.

"Get the BBL if that's your thing."

It looks like it's their specialty drink, so I try it.

"Ayan, I got the butt lift."

"I haven't heard na may butt lift?"

"BBL!"

As in brown butter latte.

I've been trying ages to crack a joke like this at Steph, and I'm pleased to report that it landed, at least. Thank you, Ayoade Bamgboye, and thank you, Saturday Night Live UK.

That high lasted long enough. I got to check out the newly-opened Animate store, which was predictably disappointing, perhaps because my merchandise interests are more... niche? The caffeine carried me through to the hotel parking lot, and to my flat, eventually. It was half past two in the afternoon, and after giving Bonkey a very late snack, I fell asleep for a nap that, once again, was longer than it should be. Way longer.