Well, 2022 was another challenging year. Restrictions started being lifted but the Covid threat still lingered. We took the third dose in January and my dad and I had a switch – after two doses of Pfizer, he received AZ for his third dose while I received Pfizer after two AZ doses.
Russia attacked Ukraine and the rest of the world sat back and didn’t do much. Refugees from Ukraine got better treatment though than Syrians, Palestinians and the Rohingyas fleeing their homeland, and definitely more coverage than the Uyghurs.
Dad’s health started deteriorating in end-March after a trip to the clinic to change his catheter. He became unresponsive and forgetful and was content to just lie down. He refused to eat. My sister and I thought he was at death’s door and finally after I shared his update with my Pinoy friend, I searched for doctor on call and was surprised to find such a service existed here. He received treatment and started getting slightly better but we cannot leave him alone any more on his own and so we had to find a caregiver. I was tasked to contact, ‘interview’ and appoint one. A brief trial was conducted followed by an agreement which we renewed every quarter. Alhamdulillah, dad’s caregiver is quite reasonable and he is willing to stay in (at additional cost) every time I was away or went back to micasa.
For weeks after dad fell ill, I was unable to sleep soundly. He would call out to me during the night – to go to the bathroom, to ask me to make him coffee (we don’t drink coffee, I don’t have coffee at home), etc. It got so bad that I went to the clinic and ask for sleeping pills because I didn’t know how much longer I could function with so little sleep and rest. I also have to do so much more at home from bathing dad when the caregiver is not around, clothing him and putting on diaper, helping him perform ablutions, helping him go to the bathroom and all the shit work it entails. And of course I have to wash up twice the amount what I used to do before. My workload at home has increased by 50% and I still have to look after two houses.
Then dad had a fall in end-July and fractured his left arm. Like I told him, be thankful that it was his left arm and not right arm, be thankful that he fractured his arm and not his hips, and be thankful that he didn’t hit his head when he fell or suffer a stroke. The old me would be surprised at the current me. The current me tries to look at the bright side and count my blessings.
Arsenal missed the Champions League spot by two points. In summer, we signed Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos. The new season kicked off and suddenly we were flying – oh we did stumble at Old Toilet to ManUre – but we picked ourselves up and shook it off. We were Christmas Number 1 and New Year Number 1. Alhamdulillah! Still, as many other Gunners, I’ve been disappointed far too many times and I’m not going to let this get to my head yet. We’ll take it one game at a time, thank you.
Another year came between me and Mummy and before I knew it, it had been a dozen years since she left.
There was the general election and this time, the lies and slander were worse than ever. So-called influencers resorting to TikTok to spread libel on certain parties. Pathetic scums!
I had two horrible gastritis attacks in early November and early December. As selfish as it may sound to some people, I’m definitely putting myself first from now on. I must take care of myself, my mental health, my spiritual health first. Of course it’s easier said than done when it comes to dealing with dad. But who will take care of me when I’m ill? And how can I take care of him if I’m ill?
2022 had many ups and downs (more downs than ups) but I choose to be thankful and grateful. I am grateful and thankful to be alive, for the good people in my life and angels sent my way, the lessons learnt from painful situations, for my awareness, for empathy received, for good and close friends and conversations shared, for making it this far and surviving, for my resilience, for laughter, for the ability to transform and change, for the beauty of nature, for new experiences, for quiet moments, for understanding, for rezeki, for good health and wealth, for the ability to still travel no matter how limited.
Yes, I was still able to travel and explore and although I’m still grounded from travelling abroad. My 2022 trips and explorations are as follows:
January: planned to go to a border town but got stuck in a traffic standstill along Karak Highway. It was already when I got there and I immediately took another bus to Genting from where I returned to KL
February: flew out to Langkawi after a delay of almost two years
March: visited the National Museum and National Textiles Museum with niece. Had to cancel a trip when dad became unwell.
April: flew to Kuala Terengganu. Visited Terengganu State Museum while I was there
May: train trips to Klang and Seremban
June: spent a weekend in Bintulu
July: explored my city, Kuala Lumpur. Visited Muzium Telekom
August: short weekend in Kuching and visited the newly opened Borneo Cultures Museum. Went on a day trip to Muar the following Caturday
September: took a train trip to Rasa then went on a trip to PLR with my nieces and nephew
October: department team building in Kuching
November: short trip to Alor Star where I visited the State Museum among others. On the last weekend, I flew to the East Coast for a brief weekend with my sister and family to attend my niece’s graduation ceremony
December: flew to Penang on MYAirline for an overnight visit right at the end of the year
I fell short of my annual reading target and only managed 147 books instead of 150. I guess my 2021 reading made up for it.
I had to cut down my morning walk but I walk further now – as I decided to take the train to work because the traffic jams were just too bad. So I guess that made up for it (hopefully). I have cut down somewhat on junk food.
Happy New Year 2023. There are people who are only properly awake after they’ve had their first cup of coffee for the day. I’m like that with New Years, it takes me a few days before I can properly acknowledge a new year and the whole stretch of days waiting ahead. Ugh.
May this year be a better kinder manageable year for us all. May we be strong to face come what may and may we choose to be positive and optimistic instead of negative and pessimistic. May Allah keep us safe in His care and bless us and keep us healthy and strong. May we be kind to everyone and every being. May we have a blessed year ahead. Ameen.
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