How time flies! This time last year, I was in Anuradhapura with a humble and simple Sri Lankan family. They welcomed with open arms, an unknown foreigner who looked melancholically depressed and who often cried abruptly. They didn't just share their accommodation and food with me, they also embraced me with support and love. It still feels like yesterday. I vividly remember my outings with Shani, the energetic 10-year-old girl who tried her best to cheer me up. We used to run on streets together which worked well to distract my mind from the hurtful experience I had earlier in Kalpitiya.
2024 is saying goodbye to us tonight. It’s time to reflect on this year and see ONLY the highlights so we can start 2025 with a full dose of optimism. Personally, starting sharing posts on Pro Bono blog comes on the top of my list. Nine posts up to now and counting.
This year, I learned a lot about my hearing loss. I am speaking out about it and what I need from people to hear them better. I got a new pair of hearing aids and delved into DIY to set them up. I met with Hasmig for the first time after almost two years of virtual friendship. I get to know new people online and in real life. Many of them have had a great impression on my mind and soul. They were there listening to me when I needed to vent. I’m grateful for all the positive vibes and confidence they instilled in me.
Last year, I fell behind on reading books. This year, I’ve been back on track. I’m a traditional reader. I prefer having a book in my hand, flipping through the pages, dog-earing these when I come across a quote I like and reading on bed until I fall asleep while holding the book between my arms. I could barely tolerate reading long essays and articles online, so reading a 400-page PDF book is out of the question.
As I'm a fan of hardcover books, this costs me quite a lot. Books written in other languages are likely pricier, but one day last May when I was in Cairo, I found a charity bookstore that sold used English books for very cheap prices. I started reading English books for the first time in my life. I also got an English book as a birthday gift this year from my dear Sabine.
As well as that, I’m back watching movies, and I watch them with subtitles. Last year, I watched some English movies with my ex but he detested subtitles and I didn’t know I needed them because of my hearing loss so I didn’t speak out. I thought I needed captions because English isn’t my native language and thought that watching movies without captions would help me improve my English understanding. I was wrong. My English wasn’t that bad and I can understand people talking English in daily life as long as the checklist for better hearing is followed. My hearing loss was the main reason for needing captions. Knowing that even English speakers with hearing loss use subtitles while watching TV, nowadays I’m more confident to turn on captions for Arabic, English and Spanish videos and audios. Indeed, knowledge is power.
I've also resumed learning how to play chess thanks to Mark, the English gentleman I met in Safaga and patiently repeated the rules whenever I forgot or mixed them in every game.
Last October, my wish to witness the solar alignment in Abu Simbel temple came true thanks to Danielle, who was a stranger but now a close friend.
One of my goals for 2025 is to let go and forgive. No more resentful feelings or holding back.
Now it’s your turn, dear Reader. What was the best of 2024 for you? What are you grateful for? And what are you looking forward to in 2025? Share your thoughts and hopes in the comments, please!
Reflecting on 2024
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