Porthole

2022 in review

22 is my favorite number so here goes:

2022 was the Year of the Tiger. I'm a dragon so maybe a bit of opposition there?

1. My mother, born in 1922, died in March at age 99. She wanted to outlive the Queen... and almost did. No tears though. She nearly died at age 35, survived a stroke and heart-attack, and traveled until she was 93. Broke her leg at age 97 but lived on her own up till then. She outlived everyone in her family, including her youngest sister who died in February at age 93.

2. My mother's death felt like a great weight lifting from my shoulders. I don't feel a need to share details here. My family isn't the warmest fuzzy out there but I have kept in touch. It's not that they're cold prickly... most are just distant and apathetic towards everyone, including me.

3. I managed to travel in April! I was nervous going to Portugal and was sick (not covid) most of the time I was there. I changed flights to come back early. Met great people like Evelyn, Matthew, Neno... and stayed in two places I'd stayed in before. Worth it but I lost weight and didn't enjoy being weak and sick.

4. I nearly lost my place in summer. Again, no details here, but Bry helped me survive. It did upend any thoughts of leaving in July. Smoke season in Montana is brutal. Hard to breathe and I don't have a/c. I usually leave.

5. I finally traveled to Thailand in November after watching numerous Thai TV shows, studying the culture and language. I had planned on visiting around Isan but ended up staying in Udon Thani... so much for plans! But... I acquired a boyfriend... totally unexpected. That is proving to be a cultural/personal education. I go back soon.

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