Well, here goes—a new phase of my life begins
About two years ago, I sketched out a plan and pinned it above my desk, outlining how I wanted my life to look in the future. Surprisingly, things are moving much faster than I expected. I reckon I am two years ahead of schedule, largely because I never anticipated losing Grace so soon. Though my committing to my dreams I do appear to be making them happen.
Indonesia for 2 months, here we come – pilgrimage for Grace
I’ve just boarded my first flight to Jeddah with Saudi Airlines, en route to Jakarta. I’ll be spending the next two months traveling across Indonesia, exploring the country and visiting the islands where Grace’s roots originate. There’s much more to come in the weeks ahead.
The flight was delayed a bit, though it hasn’t really impacted my plans—just a shorter connection in Jeddah. Thankfully as well, but as airports go Jeddah is dull to say the least.
Arse in front of me on the plane can’t sit still
Unfortunately, I’ve drawn the short straw, sitting behind someone who can’t sit still. He’s constantly shifting in his seat, reclining, then pulling himself upright. It’s clear that some people still don’t get flight etiquette. And there he goes again.
As they say, you get what you pay for, and this is certainly true with Saudi Airlines. The flight to Jakarta, with flexible return tickets, cost around €660, which isn’t bad. But compared to Emirates or European carriers, it’s lacking. The Wi-Fi doesn’t work, my seat pocket was stuffed with trash, the meal was bland, and the in-flight entertainment selection is limited. And yes—he’s moving again.
Strange to be entering pseudo retirement
It feels strange not to be going back to a regular job. When people retire, they often have time to mentally prepare as they approach a more typical retirement age. My grandfather retired at 55, and I thought it would be great to do the same. But I never imagined I’d stop working at an age even younger than his.
Sadness and Guilt over Grace
There’s a deep sadness and guilt that sometimes creeps in when I think about Grace. I wish she could be here to enjoy this. A fall on a bicycle, then we lose her to FTD—it’s still hard to grasp what happened. My phone keeps bringing up old photos of her, which is bittersweet. Sometimes it hurts, but it’s also healthy to remember the good times. I see a mix of recent photos and those from years ago, and there are some beautiful memories.
Hidding some shoes – teaching someone a lesson 😂
Yesterday, I went for a massage. In a relaxed, semi-conscious state, I was jolted awake by the guy next to me taking a phone call. I politely asked him to stop, but he ignored me. It was the second time this month that someone has done this, so I decided to give him something to think about. As I left, I spotted his shoes—the only pair of men’s shoes in the room—and hid them. I’m sure he was baffled when he came out and thought they’d been taken. A bit cheeky, I know, but it was amusing!
