An annus horribilis, but...

It has been a true annus horribilis, so good riddance to 2014 and welcome 2015.

It was the year I lost half my soul and the pain and grief are all too raw and constant. I have tried as best I can to heal the body and mind, both of which have taken a great knock.

Still, human nature has a way of going on. However bad the past 16 months have been, there are still so many things to be thankful for and which give me hope.

Going into 2015, I am thankful for:

-- A wonderful family. Despite us being far, my siblings have been there for me at every step of the way.

-- For the wonderful news my niece announced on Christmas Day that a new member will be added to the family in June. I will be a great-aunt and we all look forward to welcoming a baby boy or girl.

-- My friends who have been invaluable in picking me up and pushing me forward, asking about me every day and just being there.

-- Good health, especially as I have crossed a significant milestone. I still feel like a teenager and have yet to grow up.

-- Having a job that I love, in beautiful surroundings and with great colleagues.

-- The music of Pink Floyd, which rounds up my day. Their genius is something I never tire of.

-- The sun and the sea for as bad things are, to wake up to the sun and look forward to going to the beach are the best tonic.

-- For the gift of reading and writing. Reading has been one of my greatest comforts and escapes these past months.

-- To Dubai, for giving me a home where I feel safe.

Mich Café has been the biggest casualty of this 16-month difficult period.  Although I write in my head, I haven’t managed to produce much on the blog and I miss that the most as it is, my readers will know, one of my passions.

I thank all those who have stuck with me and have come back to read on a daily basis. Hopefully, as the healing process continues, the inspiration and motivation to write will come back.

Happy New Year to you all and may 2015 bring health, wealth and happiness.

2013: Bring it on!

Not one to look backwards, it is with great anticipation that I go into this auspicious-numbered New Year.

Number 13 can be a lucky number for some or synonymous with bad luck for others. It’s like the case of the glass being half full or half empty... So I say, come on in 2013 and show us what you have in store.

Looking ahead to the New Year, here are a few hopes and wishes for the 12 months ahead:

I hope, first and foremost, for family and friends to be in good health. They are what make my world go round and round.

I hope to remain employed. Work is good. I have been fortunate to always have a job I love.

I hope to read about less fatalities and sufferings in our turbulent region -- for those countries struggling against tyranny to witness a new dawn.

I hope rape and sexual violence will fade away -- that the rapist or assaulter is punished, not the victim.

I hope there will be less road victims, especially at the start of the year. Please don’t drink and drive, don’t use your mobile phones while driving. Stay safe.

I hope to be able to keep writing. Maybe, one day, Mich Café will go viral!

I hope to keep smiling and to remain positive… the rest is not important.

I wish my readers a Happy New Year. This blog is my passion and you make it all worthwhile.

May your hopes and wishes come true as well.