Ohh this and that of 2021

 Too many things has happened within a short span of three months since July. Way too many that I felt like an hour flew by in a minute. And because of that, I put off writing it here.. even though too many times I would replay it in my mind and let the words flow as though I'm writing. There are days I wanted so much to write but I was just not physically up to it. Regardless, I am still thankful for so many things. I am thankful I am healthy, though with some hiccup of body wear and tear, I am still able to eat well, sleep well, spend well, and life is as normal as it can be but it comes with some chaotic situations. 

MCO has really taken a toll on me at some point, when I basically dread the day, the day of the same routine everyday with restricted movement to anywhere, with fear of the virus lurking around the corner ever so ready to land on anyone who are not careful enough. It is one scary thought, I am physically and mentally tired just by thinking about. Looking at the numbers everyday scared me. The quarantine centers swarmed with people, the ICU was spilled over with the very sick ones, too overloaded that they had to choose who they would choose to live. That bad. It was a war zone everywhere. The invisible war that the only weapon we had is that to get ourselves protected on our own. Thankfully up to now, none of us, or those near us has been infected. I can't thank Allah enough for protecting us. And thankfully so, we have been safely vaccinated, all of us except one who is underaged, but getting there. Alhamdulillah. I pray hard we are always protected and make sure we are always on our guard. Though some people though you can never be careful enough because you never know where it slipped through. But I believe, it's all in God's hands.

Alhamdulillah, things are getting better. Though cautious measures are being implemented and imposed, people just can't wait to get their normal lives back. But it will never normal again. The new normal has replaced the normal of our lives. The world we live in is no longer the world we used to know. The advanced plan people had in their lives may have changed to another advanced plan to include the new normal. The whole wide world has been changed and turned to something else one way or the other.

Just as THIS is not enough, somehow my household has changed too. Somehow, suddenly there are way too many cats allowed in the house to my liking. I protested in the beginning but I lost the battle. Who am I to fight this alone! And THIS has nothing to do with the new normal out there... but it has become a new normal in this household. I fought a lot even with tears on this... to no avail. Oh well perhaps someday! I am too old to fight these days. I just pray that someday, perhaps in heaven, I shall get what I really want..... providing that I go to heaven

Another new normal, one person has been replaced by another. God has worked His wonders again and again. Eussuv has flown to Istanbul for his studies. Another miracle Allah has granted us. And two days before his departure, my SIL's husband passed away leaving her all alone in this world as they have no children. And that, being the only 'able' son in the family, my dear hubs has to take her in with us.. at least until she is over her bereavement period. I am ok will all that since I lost Eussuv to Turkey, we have an empty room for her fill. It must be lonely, I feel her. 

There are just too many changes I just couldn't pen it down. In no particular order, things just happened. And I am in no power to stop it no let something I need happens just because I want/ need it. I leave it all to God.

It is still here!

 It has been six months into the year and the virus is still raging. It looks like there's no end to it. We all pray so hard that it'll go away soon. Nope. It hasn't. It killed too many innocent lives already and still is. It is us who have to fight back. It needs our strength. Oh Allah.. please give us the strength.

We are in the third movement control order (MCO 3.) and the cases are the worst ever. We pray that it will not get any worse by curbing it with the MCO. But some people wont just listen! They simply ignore the rules thinking that it will not happen to them! How selfish!

I pray that my next entry will be of something cheerful.. I hope there'll be no more talk of the virus. It's like a zombie world out there.. full of zombies trying to infect people. The world really has come to the end perhaps..

Oh come 2021!

 Happy 2021 to me and me and me...

It was a whirlwind of a new year. I refuse to say it was a wrong start altogether but it was an experience to remember. We had a sunny last day of the year, and it was supposed to be a nice way of welcoming the new year. Except that nature did not so called agree with us. Of all time of the year, due to some "technical issues" as always, we decided to go to an island. Something that I had wanted to do at a different time of the year, with different group of people. But what the heck, just go with the flow though I had warned (to deaf ears!) them of the usual wet year end weather, particularly the monsoon. 

So off we went, happily as the sun looked bright and blue enough. The boat ride, it was horrifying.. the small private boat of 20 people practically 'flew off' the water once in a while.. it was not a smooth ride at all. At one point I thot we were  all gonna be thrown off the boat. Towards the end of the half hour rise, I noticed Eussuv, who was sitting across me, was sweating profusely and his eyelids dropping. We somehow reached the jetty. As everyone got off the boat, Eussuv slumped in his bench, drenched in sweat. I thought he has passed out. I asked him to get up, he was awake but he said he couldn't move his legs. He couldn't move his body too, he couldn't get up. Somehow I did not panic. I did not think of anything at all. I was so calm. I thought it was just seasick. At this point, the boatman had to carry him up to the jetty. He really couldn't move. He said he couldn't feel anything neck down. They put him down on the platform of the jetty and I splashed water on his face, massaged his face and neck, and give him water to drink. One of the boatmen massaged his feet. He looked better. After 10 mins or so, he managed to get back on his feet and they carried him on a motorbike carrier. Alhamdulillah. One hurdle passed without any major calamity just some panicky moment. I really didn't know what it was but I was so glad he was OK. 

We checked in and was pleasantly surprised to see that we had an upgraded chalet. Alhamdulillah. Again. The island was indeed beautiful. A splendid nature Allah has created for us, and granted us the access. It was so so beautiful.. we stayed at the beach until sunset. The kids enjoyed it the most. Alhamdulillah. 

Little that we know what was in store for us. Rain started after dinner. And it rained the whole night! I knew something was not right. It was kind of scary when you know the type of rain, the sound and the smell of it. Having lived in the area where it flooded almost every year, I recognised this type of rain, not the kind that won't go away soon. It will be for at least 3 days. And we were supposed to be in the island only for the next 2 days. 

As the island is one of the biggest item in my bucket list, I refuse to let the rain dampen my mood. I have set in my mind that regardless the rain, I'm going to enjoy my time there. Indeed I did. When it rained, we stayed indoor. When the rain stopped, we went out to explore the island. It was great. The sea was raging, the wind was strong, the rain came on and off. The sun peeked shyly once in a while. We savoured every moment. Even the naps was heavenly as the temperature was of a temperature of a highland, not at all of an island. It was heavenly. What could be more heavenly than to be in a tropical island but with a highland temperature, it just didn't make sense, but it really did. I love the fierce sea, I love the strong winds, I love the rain. I had no complaint! We even went up to the jetty under the rain and the strong wind to experience the sensation. It was scary, but amazing. 

When our two nights was up, in the morning I looked at the sea and instantly I knew, there was no way we were getting out of the island. The sea was too rough, the tide was high, the rain has yet to stop, the wind was strong. And true enough, the resort owner came to us herself to inform us that no boat could come in at this moment. We might have to stay another night or more, depending on the weather. Alhamdulillah. Allah granted me a stay in an island, and even better, he prolonged my stay! It was a gift to remember. There's not much we can do under the weather condition, but hey, I will not pass this great opportunity. I see it as an opportunity. I refuse to think of what's next, I just wanted to enjoy the moment. 

As much as I didn't mind staying longer, there were matters that worries me like the limited medical supplies that we brought and our poor kitties at home. But the more pressing matter was the journey home, where we understood there was flood everywhere which may hinder us from getting home even if we managed to get off the island.

Alhamdulillah they managed to get a green light from the relevant authority to get us, and the rest of the resort patrons (about 60 of us in total, yeah we were not the only ones crazy enough to go to an island during monsoon season!) out from the island. Alhamdulillah. Though it was still raining, the sea was a lot calmer than the days before. But the weather, seen from the boat, looked like a Jurassic Park scene. Misty, gloomy and scary. Only God knows our feelings were when boarding the boat. But since there were assurance from the authority and the local sea people, we were less worried.

We safely 'landed' on the mainland after somewhat a smooth ride. Much much better than the ride to the island. It was actually very pleasant. I really felt like I was in some kind of a mystery boat ride, like a twilight zone! What an experience it was. It was great, magical! But most, most importantly, we were so so grateful we made it to the mainland. It was drizzling the whole time. All our luggage were wet, and we were wet. Alhamdulillah everything was intact though. 

This was the experience of a lifetime. Do I want to go again? You bet. Am already planning another trip to an island during hot season, like middle of the year. I can never get enough of it. Though it happened late in my life, it will not stop me since I have started. I shall add more to my bucket list. The pandemic will be the only hindrance for another trip, but hey, it will be over someday. And if God wills, if I am still breathing, I shall take that trip. 

And that, is just the beginning of 2021. It was just beautiful. Put aside all the anger or disappointment, if any. I just want to remember the good feelings. And I shall bring this good feelings all throughout 2021. May 2021 be a good year for health, wealth, peace and joy. In shaa Allah.