What Happened in My 2022

 I know it's already a long overdue post and it's already March 2023. The year 2022 has been kind of a rollercoaster ride for me and I still am having a difficult time to process that it's 2023. Mainly because I'll be turning 30 this April. Oh, the three series! I dread the number. 

You know when you were 25 and dreamt that you have everything figured out when you've reach your 30s? Yeah, I still am trying to process my life. Haven't figure out a lot of things but I guess nobody has. Life is so unpredictable that you just have to go with the flow. 

Anyways, let's dive into my 2022.

• My Freelance Contract Ended

I am now currently jobless. Well, not exactly. I'm a housewife now and a full-time mother to my almost 2 year old son. Ah yes, the toddler age. Such fascinating, fun, and tiring as well. I'll get to that in a bit. So yeah, my freelance contract ended in May 2022. I've had the opportunity to work with an agency in Singapore, remotely (an ideal job for me). I enjoyed working with them but being a freelance, there are risks where they might not continue your contract just because the client has ended their contract with the agency so there's really nothing for the agency to give you jobs. That being said, is why my contract ended. Bummer.

I took a long long break from searching any freelance gig. I was feeling a bit burned out from working and taking care of my son. I juggled both and it was hard on me. When the contract ends I really shut my laptop and left in for the dusts to sit on it. Didn't really touch my laptop until recently where I decided it's time to start making money again.

• My Son Turns 1

First of all, alhamdulillah alhamdulillah! He turns one year old.

I couldn't be more grateful for his well-being. He's growing up so well and has gotten a lot active where he'll just run around and I have to catch him. A workout for me! It's also a year of me becoming a mother. Wow, if my younger self could see me now. Honestly, I never pictured myself as a mother. Truthfully, I feel lucky that God has blessed me this experience.

22nd of April, 2022.

Since it was Ramadan at the time, I didn't plan any big birthday bash for him. We also weren't financially stable and I was super busy with my freelance gig too. So it was just a small birthday get together along to break our fast. We did during Maghreb, after the azan, we had our drinks and food. Later, we sang the Happy Birthday song and help him blew the candles. To him it didn't matter whether it's big or small the celebration was, he was happy and kept smiling the entire birthday song and he was even ecstatic when his uncle gave him presents. Though I felt a tiny bit guilty that I should have at least decorated the living room with some balloons. 

Big parties or celebrations are okay with me but I don't want to spoil him much and I certainly don't want him to expect every birthday would be grand. I prefer the simplest things and I hope my children would learn to appreciate it too. But for his next birthday I will make sure he'll have balloons decoration. Just to make it more lively.

• My Husband and I Opened A Cafe But Then Closed It

Opening and managing a cafe were my husband's dreams. He's really into the F&B businesses. I'm just here to help out and support whichever or however I can because I'm a great wife. I should ask for more jewelleries or handbags, lol.

We've been planning this for a year and not gonna lie, it wasn't easy. There were so many bumps and obstacles we had to face. Money were very limited and the tight dateline were really close. We both did everything together. From the renovations to the concepts and designs. It wasn't perfect yet but we had to operate as soon as possible if we want to save the business. So in the beginning we decided to sell just coffees. Soon we slowly gain the momentum and started selling cakes and other types of beverages in just 2 months. When we were ready and done with the R&D of the menus of food, that's when we received the bad news from the owner of the building.

He sold the entire building. He was desperate and needed the money. Who can blame him with the current economy status. Somehow, we understand his decision and accepted that it wasn't our rezeki anymore to open the cafe. My husband and I were sad. We've invested everything, our money and time into the cafe. The new owner is an interior designer and he wants to open his interior design company at that building. So there were no ways for us to stay. We packed up and left.

But we're not quitting yet. We're currently looking for other available shop lot that will be suitable for our cafe. No luck for now but I'm optimist that we'll find it soon. Hence, the reason why I need to start my freelancing gig.

• First Family Vacation to Jakarta

On October 2022, we went to our first vacation as a family of three. It was also Musa's first ever international flight. I was a bit anxious. Planes and babies never go well together considering the uncomfortable pressure changes in the ears. But alhamdulillah, Musa handled it well. He didn't cry or make any fuss. He just watched Disney's animation Pets Movie and kept quiet the whole 4 hours flight. We took Malaysia Airlines because of the screens just to keep Musa occupied. We went to so many places that were in my top must-visit list. I guess the Jakarta trip will need its own post. Will update soon.

I guess that's the whole 2022 story. The were good and bad memories but mostly good. Now that's out of the bag, I can now focus on 2023 and hopefully try my best to keep this blog running.

Toodles, love.