Last year, on February 12th, we entered the Year of the Ox. Born in ’85, I am myself an adorable little moo-moo cow.
We departed from Shanghai two days later, on the 14th, and started my year with a two-week quarantine. Leaving Shanghai was really tough, but the quarantine was actually not so bad and I was excited to start discovering Hong Kong.
After struggling with meeting new people for a few months because of COVID measures in the city, I was enthused to finally start building a tiny bit of a network. And then I went and severely sprained my ankle at the beginning of May, which effectively re-quarantined me for a while. I did use my time quite well though, like building this website!
I happily started wobbling around, and was starting to enjoy myself again after a few months. And then our “fancy” flat went to hell and I had to plan an entire re-move within HK at the beginning of September, and got buried in boxes for weeks. It was an unforeseen delay that threw me for a loop. I do really love the new flat and feel at home in my beachy neighbourhood though.
I was starting to settle in and began meeting new friends again. And then I TRIPLE-FRACTURED my feeble ankle at the beginning of December. We had to cancel and postpone some plans and had a very calm holiday period.
I actually really don’t mind a calm holiday period. I had some lovely visitors at home and tried to enjoy my relaxed days.
I also had my very first test-student come over to learn the basics of watercolours, which was a wonderful experience and really inspired me – more to come on that subject!
And today, happy day!, my surgeon gave me the green light to start bearing my full weight on my newly repaired bones! I can start walking again!!!
So, the Year of the Ox was “my year”… but not really! As it is thankfully almost over, I feel my luck is changing. I am not usually superstitious, but I do think I should’ve paid attention and wore the colour red more often to ward off all the bad luck.
I will gladly wobble ferociously on both of my feet into the Year of the Tiger starting February 1st, and next time my year comes around, I am covering myself in red from head to toe every day and getting a red tattoo for good measure!
No more excuses, my art will be coming your way very, very soon! 😃