2021 followed from 2020 with the pandemic showing no signs of dying out; in fact it accelerated and we had to endure with continued restrictions. I know I’m not alone in facing the trials, challenges, headaches, frustration and anger. It was another testing, trying, tiring year but at least we were in it together and while it’s no consolation, I know there were others in much worse situation. Dad showed further signs of slowing down and health deterioration but I suppose for his age and health challenges, he did pretty well. If I can say anything positive about the pandemic, it’s that it taught us to be more patient, resilient and grateful for what we have.
The political situation escalated into cringe-worthy episodes which were so frankly embarrassing and just serve to show how clueless and thoughtless those in charge with leading the country are. Meanwhile, more people tested positive and more Covid deaths took place, including my dad’s younger cousin and some high school seniors and juniors. The common people were given different treatment than those who were connected. It just shows how sick things have got in this country.
Each day brings me further away from Mummy. I still miss her with such intensity that hurts to this day.
Conflicts and war continued in Syria, Yemen,
Palestine, India, Kashmir, Myanmar and other countries. Oppression continued in
China against the Uyghurs and the world continued to stand aside in silence.
There were natural catastrophes too and the worst of the floods hit a few states with the politicians proving themselves further unprepared to face the disaster. A few cases of stupidity resulted which was shown abroad too like stopping an ambulance to let some VVIP cars pass through and cleaning of already cleaned drains of bird and lizard dropping. Seriously WTF.
After the inter-district and then interstate travel
restrictions were lifted, I managed to make a few trips as follows:
September: took the train to Kuala Kubu Bharu
October: took local transportation to Kuala
Selangor and then took the train to Tanjung Malim
November: took the train to Pulau Sebang/Tampin on
one Saturday, the bus to Raub on another Saturday and then spent a weekend in
Port Dickson with the family
December: spent a weekend in Penang and then flew
to Labuan on Christmas Day.
Alhamdulillah.
It continued being a hard year for any Arsenal
supporter and the new season didn’t start off promising at all. Auba was
stripped of the captaincy in mid-December. The young Guns are showing promises
but our record against the big clubs continued to be poor.
I managed to read 154 books in 2021, Alhamdulillah.
I went for an occasional morning walk and had taken
to picking rubbish along the highway at the start of my walks. I had cut down
somewhat on junk food and will continue to try eat healthily.
Happy New Year 2022. May this year be a better and kinder year for us all. May we be strong to face come what may, insyaAllah, and may Allah keep us safe in His care and bless us. Ameen.
|