2014 part 3 the end

It was 2 years from now when I checked off my bucket list with the count down in New York City. I was with Charles and his brother, Richard and the family from London. It was once in a life time things-to-do. We managed to get a hotel close to Times Square which made our life earlier before and after the count down. The NYPD helped the crowd to get into the area in a systematic way. I’m sure this year they will do the same to help the crowd enjoy the count down.

Unfortunately, it has been so many negative news this year relating to our public servants. Two of my cousins are police, taking such a dangerous career. I pray for their safety at work. Being a policeman was one of our childhood dreams. We were impressed by the nature of being a policeman is to protect and serve the public and fight against the evil. Just like superman without the super power. Police reform is unavoidable. I hope with faith the reform will benefit the society and, mostly, justice.

***************************

This 2014, Charles and I made two international trips, both were not really in our plans, but we tried to enjoy every moment. We like to buy postcards as souvenir. We like, especially to send to our family and friends, and ourselves.

Happy New Year!

Postcard from Narita, Japan

Postcard from Hong Kong

2014 part 2

Today marks the 10th day after the Periacetabular Osteotomy Surgery (PAO) at my left hip. It was done on the 17th at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) by Dr. Young-Jo Kim from the Boston Children’s Hospital. I was hospitalized till 21st. Just like the last time I had my right side done, which was 6 years ago, I have allergic reactions again after taking the stronger pain medication. Darn it! That means I have to live with the pain during the healing process. Fortunately, my mom has been making me some soup to soothe the pain.

One of the IVs on my swollen arm

Back in early 2014 when we started to talk about pollen, I seemed to get hit by pollens all season. Every day was running nose and watery eyes.

In March, I was trying to go back to the pool to stay in shape, besides taking yoga class. That was the first time in the year for me to swim. Things seemed going well until I went for shower. The shampoo dispenser and the shower head suddenly were spinning around me. OMG! I was suffering from vertigo! That spinning feeling stuck with me the next 2 to 3 weeks.

With the increasing pain at the hip later in the year, it was extremely difficult to sleep at night. I woke up multiple times because of the pain at the left hip joint. How about dreaming about the left hip pain and woke up and found that the pain was real! That happened not just one time in a night. Thanks to the hip dysplasia, I am having another hip surgery in order to walk better, sleep better and function better! Just that from the time I had the appointment with Dr. Kim concerning about the left hip till the surgery day was a long haul.

Now I am recovering from the hip surgery, looking forward to be a jumpy fox in the new year.

2014 part 1

2014 seems to be a(n) interesting/hectic/strange/confused/_____ year to me.

It was less than a year’s time when I first went to Africa with my husband. It was another happy occasion shortly after our wedding. Everything was so new and so interesting to me. I finally had the chance to meet the people I have heard about, the voices I have talked to, and places I have dreamed of. Cameroon is an interesting place. Bamenda is a new adventure to me. I fell in love with Bamenda, and I have transformed into a Cameroonian woman the moment I landed Cameroon.

A view of the City of Bamenda from the mountain

I was happy to meet the family members at Bamenda. It was my honor to finally meet brother Tim, who was such a generous person. He would share all he had with his friends. He was the one who made my husband who he is right now. He was a cheerful and tough man. If there are things worth to do, he would say, “get the bull by the horns!” Charles and I spent our Christmas, New Year, almost a month’s time in Cameroon. We went to Yaounde, Mbalmayo, Sangmelima and Bafoussam, where schools are sponsored by the Pontifical Mission Societies. We were lucky to be in developed places where we take things for granted. Students in those areas are trying their very best to learn. Without basic needs, their fire is burning much harder than those who are fortunate to have everything in their fingertips.

Students at the Diocese of Bafoussam are thirsty to learn.