I stumbled upon my 2020 diary, a 2019 Christmas present from sister number 1. I was pleasantly surprised to find my touch-and-feel interactive diary, in amongst my other notebooks. Yes, notebooks that I used to write in and catalogue holidays.
It feels strange even saying it. These days, I might scribble a reminder, a grocery list or a to-do list on notepads but I don’t really write anything long or significant or my stories, on paper or in notebooks. I write them as I’m doing now. On my laptop. And, on my mobile phone. Digitally.
The hard-copy diary was a compilation of hand-written responses. To 365 thought provoking questions for each day of the year. I was a tad bit impressed that I had made the effort to answer all, bar 7 questions. I liked the idea/concept of the diary enough that I had posted about it – ‘A Question A Day 2020 – A Planner of Self-Discovery.’ Back in February, 2020, after I had answered about 28 questions. At that point I was not sure whether I would persevere with the friendly and encouraging interrogation until the end of that year. I’m glad I did for many reasons.
It’s only been 2.5 years but most of what I had written completely escaped my memory. To be fair, a lot has happened since. Particularly Covid at the start, middle and end of 2020. The many Movement Control Orders or lockdowns. Phases of inertia and aimlessness. The sense of eerie quietness. Closure of borders. The alarming numbers of death.
The virus still hasn’t left the building but because life has to go on, it has and is. All economic sectors are operating, albeit with resources and supply-chain issues. Social activities are back on track with masks still mandatory for indoor events. Tourists are back at KLCC. Politics. Well, it’s about politicians. Not policies or people. Generally, things seem to be back to normal. Or at least almost back to what they used to be, pre-pandemic. On a very personal sphere, my mum became unwell in late 2021. Caring for her has and continues to be my focus. At times, consuming but mostly rewarding.
Yes, lots of happenings – near and far, inside and outside. Which was why the diary was a fortuitous re-discovery. It took me back to 2020. On a day-to-day basis. It wasn’t only my responses to questions posed but my jottings that allowed me to revisit, remember, laugh, cry and ponder over things that happened in my life. And, not just in 2020.
For instance. Question: What’s your happiest childhood memory? Answer: Waving goodbye to my mum every day when I left for school. I waved until I couldn’t see her anymore. My mind’s eye pictured her younger and sturdier with a pretty face. In a sari, always wet in the front from working in the kitchen, rinsing her mouth and washing her hands. It also reminded me of the houses we lived in – Seberang Perak to Police Quarters to Taman Golf in Alor Setar- from my primary school days to university. My jottings read: Our 23rd anniversary. Beautiful day and nice weather. Went for a walk. Met two people who were taking photos of a jumping spider and stripey snake. One of them was named Kurt, who was a travel agent from Orient Holiday. He does customised tours. We had ‘roti canai’ and sweet and spicy rice for lunch.
Memories of my husband and me in Fraser’s Hill came flooding back. The day, the walk, the people we met, our go-to restaurant up on the hill and images of us sitting out in the sun on a spring-like day. Yes, I got teary thinking about my mum but it also allowed me to happily revisit our special day.
I also liked these questions:
Q: If your life was a book, what would its title be?
A: “The not quite right, and just not quite there yet.”
Q: What movie quotes do you use on a regular basis?
A: Christopher Robin – What day is it? It’s today? My favourite day.
Q: If you could rename an animal or plant. What would it be?
A: Hippopotamus – Hippy do.
Other brain-teasing questions that I enjoyed responding to were:
· Who in your life brings you the most joy?
· What are some small things that make your day better?
· What was the best compliment you have received?
· What questions would you like to ask a time traveller from 200 years in the future?
· If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
· What’s the scariest experience you’ve ever had?
My answers mostly reflected the situation, emotions, likes/loves and plans/hopes. My jottings mainly described what I did and the types of day I had – happy, sad/bad or nondescript. All in all, the hand-written account was an interesting recollection of my 2020.
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