I try to write one story per week for my blog. It’s my 7-day achievement marker. When I’m done writing my post, I’m happier. I feel almost settled for the week. I’ve met my own target of doing something I enjoy, for myself. It’s a nice and comforting feeling.

I’ve been successful, thus far, in meeting my weekly goal. Successful in gaining subscribers and social shares. Or attracting visits to my site. Or amassing page views per visit. Or increasing the length of time spent reading what I’ve written? I have no idea. I do have a few followers. My husband, three members of the family, and maybe, one friend. I don’t invite comments or allow pingbacks. I didn’t know this. A pingback is a notification that someone has put a link to my blog to their blog or website. Like a reference or a like. I think that’s what it is.

Not that long ago my husband asked me how I find inspiration or topics to write about in the current environment in Malaysia. Particularly, as the present is almost all about Covid-19. The future is uncertain. The past, well it’s the past.

Honestly, I am trying my best not to write anything about or related to the pandemic. It’s a challenge because this virus and its fellow variants have literally taken over our lives. In addition to the numbers of positive cases, hospitalisations and deaths, which are very scary and sad, the variants are running roughshod with their virulence and pervasiveness. It’s like living in a sci-fi movie about an invisible, deadly enemy that’s on a rampage. Only its real. And, I’m right and centre of it.

Like I said, I don’t want to write about it. So, what do I write about? The future? Well, why not? There is a future. I’m just not sure how distant that might be. My husband and I, like everyone else on this planet, hope to return to living a normal life as soon as safely possible. In my heart, I hope normalcy will resemble the pre-pandemic freedom, which I nonchalantly took for granted. In reality, scientists have warned that the virus, and whatever mutations that follow, is here to stay with us. Vaccines and booster vaccines will be our saviour. People, you and I, need to learn to live with it as if it was a flu endemic. What to do? Adhere to masking, distancing and hand washing for as long as needed. No real escape. No real closure.

Not too dissimilar to living with dengue, I suppose. Apparently, Malaysia experienced cases of dengue since 1902. The disease became a public health risk in the 1970’s, with its first major outbreak in 1973[1]. It is caused by four types of viruses that belong to the Flaviviridae family. Dengue is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus female mosquitoes that feed both indoors and outdoors during the daytime (from dawn to dusk)[2]. What to do? Adhere to dengue prevention measures. Use mosquito repellents, wear neutral-coloured clothing, if possible, long sleeves, and get rid of water containers in and around the house. No escape. No closure.  

Not too dissimilar to living with my ever-present arthritis, tendonitis, haemorrhoids, tinnitus and bronchiectasis. What to do? Eat healthy, exercise regularly, take supplements, and sleep well. All these might help grease the aches, pains and discomfort. No real escape. No real closure.  

Despite the shaky present, I’m determined to believe that the future – lives and livelihood (economy) plus the political situation (big sigh) – will be somehow ok for everyone. So, I’ve drawn a personal wish list for the future that I desperately hope is just around the corner.   

• To give my mum great big hugs and kisses without a care in the world.
• To treat her to dine-in vegetarian lunches. And, grocery shopping where she can price monitor items at supermarkets.
• To be mask-less. I will social distance as I am inherently unsociable. Washing hands is a no-brainer.
• To have dinner with my husband at ventilated restaurants. And, not worry about virus, and servers and patrons not adhering to SOPs.
• To walk out in the evening without avoiding and dodging people.
• To go on drives and/or holidays outside Kuala Lumpur. Selangor sounds inviting. Further afield like the East Coast would be delightful
• To see the sea. I miss the sea. I miss walking on the beach especially along the Pantai Cherating stretch.
• To visit family overseas, and to have family visit us like in the good old days.
• To not fret about being at the airport terminal breathing in bad mutant viruses from all over the globe.
• To enjoy the flight/journey and chill before arriving at the destination.

To be healthy and safe. To not worry. To be happy.