Well, hello there.
This is the longest blog/social media break I’ve ever taken. I honestly wanted to provide updates (see last post if you don’t already know that I flew home on family emergency), but each time I thought about it, the activity of writing seemed like a huge tiresome chore I wasn’t up to tackling. And I deeply apologize for leaving comments unanswered – the first time ever I allowed that to happen! – but I read each one and I cannot express how grateful I am for everyone who prayed and sent positive thoughts our way.
Looks like our prayers have been answered! After three weeks in an induced coma, my sister woke up and I’m happy to report that she is well on her way to recovery! Everyday, we are just amazed at the progress she’s making. She’s now at a rehab center where she’s working on regaining strength. Full recovery will still take a while, but we now see the pot of gold at the end of this scary, treacherous road.
And so, with newly lifted spirits, I, for the first time in weeks, feel the desire to write again. I logged on into WordPress, successfully averted glancing at my stats (which I’m sure are dismal by now), and am finally sitting with my fingers to the keys after weeks. It’s a daunting task to try to explain all the happenings over the past month, so I thought I would make my re-entry into Blogland with A Day in the Life, to give you an idea of what life has been like.
Since my return to SoCal, due to a need to be close to public transportation lines and the fact that my father and I had yet to reconcile, I’ve relied on the generosity of my friends to provide me with temporary homes. Claire’s apartment provided me with a sofa and endless hours of girl-talk, while O & NT’s hillside house was a step-up in the accommodations department with my own room and luxurious air conditioning. I’ve been at WL’s house for the longest, where I get a massage bed in a curtained off area of the living room (don’t ask), but also the company of an adorable corgi and homecooked breakfast every morning by her mom.
With the hot California sun streaming in through the windows, I stir awake on my own. When my eyes flutter open, the first thing I do is reach for my phone. While I’m sleeping, D is halfway around the world exploring Italy, and he usually sends me messages and pictures of what he’s been up to that day. I love waking up to them.
8:05 am: waking up to a picture of the Roman Forums from D
When I’m ready to get out of bed, the first activity is always taking Kobe on a long walk around the neighborhood with WL. (Fun fact: I met WL at my old job, and she too has since quit and now works from home). This is seriously the best way to start a day! The walk takes us through a tranquil nursery.
8:40 am: a long walk with Kobe
When we get back home, we find her mom up and preparing breakfast. At WL’s house, we really start the day off right! Usually, breakfast is a bowl of Chinese porridge with some veggie side dishes. Today, her mom and a family friend are making green onion pancakes – my favorite! – from scratch. I watch and learn. It’s a shame that I know so little about making my favorite Chinese dishes.
10:00 am: making green onion pancakes from scratch
10:20 am: the finished product… yum yum!
After breakfast, I usually settle down to do some work. In the past few weeks, in between daily hospital visits, I have felt like I had no energy leftover for activities requiring heavy brainpower (like blogging). But the repetitive motions of work feel like a reprieve from the darkness we’ve been living in.
In the early afternoon, I go to the bus station. The weeks my sister was in the hospital, my parents and I adopted a shift approach. They visited her in the morning and I went in the early afternoon, relieving them of their shift. Now that she’s in rehab, we alternate days as the center is located quite far. Today is my day to visit.
1:15 pm: on the bus
I take three busses to get to the rehab center. It sounds long and tedious, but I actually enjoy my time on the bus (aside from waiting for them). It’s my time to just relax and sit back and let someone else take the wheel (ok bad pun, I know). Usually, I listen to audiobooks on the long ride. I’ve gone through quite a few book already. Currently, I’m really enjoying “Forget me Knot”… super cheesy title but it’s actually a cute cozy mystery (and weirdly, it really makes me want to take up quilting, as in, I’ve actually googled quilting patterns… yes, I’m like 80).
One of the transfer stations is smack in the middle of Old Town Pasadena, an old frequented hang-out spot. The day is blistering hot (I’m sure anyone from SoCal can attest to that!), so I walk over to 21 Choices, a local favorite, to grab a frozen yogurt, but I balk when I see that the price for a small cup is now $6.50! Ridiculous! I walk straight out, empty handed.
Instead, I go to the cheaper Yogurtland to get my frozen treat.
2:30 pm: treating myself at Yogurtland
I arrive at the rehab center right when my sister gets out from her last therapy session of the day. Hospital life is depressing and lonely, and getting visitors is the only thing that keeps her positive, so I’m happy to make the journey there to keep her company.
3:15 pm: hospital selfie & fun filters
I’m glad I’ve had so much time to re-bond with my sister. When she first woke up, she couldn’t talk due to having had a tracheotomy performed. We spent days communicating by reading lips. Now she can talk again and we spend the hours chatting, painting our nails, reading trashy magazines, and other girliness.
My sister accumulated a lot of gifts during her month+ in the hospital, among which are a couple of coloring books. Often, I sit by her bed and color while we chat. It’s therapeutic. Apparently, I’m like a 6 year old and an 80 year old at the same time.
Later, when I start to get hungry again, I step out to grab some food. I go across the street to… In N Out! I’ve been back in Los Angeles for a month already and I seriously cannot believe that I haven’t visited this greatest hamburger joint in the nation, til this week. Now, I look forward to a burger every time I visit the hospital. Needless to say, I scarf it down!
4:30 pm: In N Out! Double burger patty and double onions!
In the evening, I get on the bus to back to WL’s house. Since it is Los Angeles, sometimes you get some really interesting characters on the bus. Usually, I keep to myself, but today, a guy strikes up a conversation.
“Do you live around here? I’ve never seen you before.”
“Actually I don’t. I’m just visiting for a bit.”
“Where were you coming from on the bus?”
“The Glendale Hospital. I was visiting my sister.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. She’s doing really really well,” I can finally say with a smile.
No worries, I’m here to confirm that you have at least one regular reader still hanging around. I’m sure some others will show up soon, too.
I don’t think I have read about your relationship with your father. I hope that gets sorted out too. Well, at least your sister is on the mend, so that’s very good news to read about. I’ll continue to pray for you and your family. :)
Thank you so much for all your support CL!! And thank you so much for keeping us in your prayers. :) I cannot say how much I appreciate it!
I must admit I was getting rather worried because I hadn’t seen any updates from you for weeks, so I’m really pleased to hear your sister is doing well and you have a smile on your face again :-)
I’m so sorry for worrying you (and a bunch of others), Kiara. I realize it was inconsiderate of me to completely fall off the internet after such a huge announcement. :( Thank you so much for your support!!
So glad to hear she is doing good, I was really worried for you
Thanks so much Katie, and I’m so sorry for worrying you! I’m so grateful that you continue to think about us!
Sp relieved Anna. I was so worried for you all and I’m so pleased to hear your sister is well on her way to recovery – that’s such a lovely photo of the two of you that looking at it, you wouldn’t even know she’s been ill. She sounds like such a fighter!
Thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts Shikha! I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate it. The doctors all say that her overcoming this is a miracle, and we’re all so happy and relieved now. :D
I’m so glad to hear she’s doing better! I’ve been following your blog since just before she went into hospital, and was hoping to hear of some good news… liking the day in the life posts as well! :)
Hi Paige! Thanks so much for coming out to say hi! I always love seeing new faces :) And thank you for sticking by me even when I was absent for so long!
Anna, I can’t tell you how happy I was to see your name pop up on my Bloglovin’ feed, I was thinking of you a lot! What fantastic news about your sister, may she recover quickly. And what better way to do so than with a colouring book; I love them so much!! :D Sending a tonne of love to you and your family xx
Marcella, I’m so moved that you continued to think about us!! I was thinking of you and how you introduced me to the fact that adult coloring books exist. I was so excited to get one and color, lol!! xx
YAY YOU ARE BACK!!! I’m so happy everything has worked out okay! That’s great that you two are getting to spend time together now. I have been checking your blog on the reg for updates. ANNNND I just gave my notice at work on Tuesday… and got so nervous that I definitely had to scan your post about quitting your job for a little inspiration RIGHT before I did it! (Side note, how is In N Out only in 6 states?)
OMG how exciting!!! Did everything go okay with your boss?! I can DEFINITELY relate to the nerves! Ahhhh I can’t wait to hear about it…. I hope you write about it soon! I’m gonna start to catch up on everyone’s blogs soon and yours will be one of the first!
I didn’t know In N Out is already in 6 states… I’m so picky about burgers & fast food, and In N Out is the only burger I’ll eat!
Anna! I’m SO glad your sister’s doing well. I’ve been thinking about you every day (in a non-creepy way :) and hoping for the best.
And green onion pancakes! I love those; literally had them every day when I was in China. I’ve been meaning to try to make them sometime. . .
Kelly, I’m seriously so moved that you kept us in your thoughts, and I’m so sorry if I worried you!! And don’t worry, I totally don’t think it’s creepy!
Green onion pancakes are so surprisingly easy to make!! I can’t wait to make them one of these days. Let me know if you need directions/recipe!
Anna! Just had a bit of time off and was able to catch this post! I’m sorry for everything that you’ve been through and so happy that your sister is doing well :)
PS will be in LA for the job next week :D
Michelle! So great to hear from you! :D Ahh I’m sure you’ll be super busy with your job in LA. I’m also pretty tied up and have the lack of transportation problem, otherwise, it’d be so awesome to finally meet! I hope you have a blast in LA!!!!
Yessssss! I am so happy to hear your sister is doing well!!!!!!!! Yes! I had been wondering! That is such awesome news!!!! :)
Thanks so much for keeping us in your thoughts Erika! I wish I could tell you how much I appreciate it. :)
So happy to hear it and I’m happy you’re doing well too. Take as much time as you need to gather thoughts and do what you need. We’re here. :)
Thanks so much for sticking with me Caroline :). I really appreciate it!
It’s nice to see you back here, and so great to hear your sister is doing well!! That really is great news!
Audiobooks are great for transport, I’m listening to The Humans – which is quite funny and an easy listen – and Stiff, which is a non fiction book about cadavers. It’s actually pretty interesting.
I wish your sister all the best and for a speedy recovery!
Thank you Kerri!! Thanks for all your support!
Where do you get your audiobooks? I just get the ones that are free with the Kindle Unlimited membership, and the selection isn’t that great.
You’re welcome, and if there’s anything I could ever do (I doubt it but still) just let me know!
I get mine from Audible, it’s about 10 euro a month for one credit (there are other deals) and then one audiobook is one credit – which is pretty good as they cane 20 euros or more. They also have daily deals where the book is about 4 euros, sometimes it’s classics, non fictions, even new books (I got The Miniaturist on a daily deal for about 4 euro). I get most of my books from the buy one get one free offers, they sometimes include ones from your wishlist (or inspired by, so I always add things to there every now and then) or they have audible favourites/classics and what not. It’s a pretty good selection on there.
You can also put your subscription on hold (which I have at the moment since I have too many books and don’t want to keep paying for the credits) too, which I like.
Umm, I think that’s everything I can think of :)
Ahhh I wish I could listen to newer books, but I’m too cheap right now to pay for the membership! Especially since I go through them so fast. And the Kindle Unlimited is only $10/mo for unlimited books (though poorer selection). I’ll keep this in mind though!
I was literally just thinking of you the other day and wondering how things were going. I’m SO glad to hear such good news.
Thank you so much for still thinking about us, Courtney! I’m so happy too that I have good news to bring!
Grateful for the good news. Thanks for giving us a very detailed and lovely update w/ pics :) Take good care. Hugs from Cambodia.
Thank you so much Lani! We are so grateful for everything going well too :). And I’m so grateful for everyone’s support from around the world. :D
Aw so amazing to hear she’s well on the way to recovery!x
Thank you so much for sticking with me Camila! :) x
SO glad your sister is okay, Anna. I remember when you initially posted you were heading home my heart caught in my throat. Glad all the prayers and positive thinking helped :) xxx
I think everyone’s prayers helped! We had so many people sending good vibes from all over the world. :) Thank you for all the support Andrea!
So happy to hear that your sister is recovering!!! And that you can spend time together, chat and laugh :) Welcome back and do not worry about the blog, take your time. We’ll be here :)
I’m so grateful for all your support Laia, and for sticking with me! It wasn’t easy to see her in a coma, but once she woke up, we had fun together re-bonding. In a way, I’m glad this experience made us close again. :)
That is wonderful news. How much longer will your sister be in hospital do you think? It is a pity your Dad and you didn’t reconcile, but it will happen when the time is right and not before. I love when you tell us about a day in your life and once again I am sooo happy that sis is betting better.
Thank you so much for your support Jan! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it! She actually just got released from rehab yesterday! I’m going to be staying with her to care for her full-time for a bit. The situation between my dad and I are much better now too. :)
“Don’t be. She’s doing really well”. – Perfect way to end this post! :)
I’m so glad she’s on the road to recovery. I work in the health field (administration, not medicine) but I’m not too familiar with her condition. Was it an underlying thing she had had for a while without knowing, or was it triggered by the fever?
It was some rare autoimmune disorder where her body started attacking her brain (and thus the seizures). The doctors are still clueless about what it is or how it started…. but maybe by a viral infection that her body couldn’t fight off. It’s a mystery! It’s definitely not an underlying thing because she was perfectly healthy and there’s no history of this in the family. It’s hard not knowing what it is, but we’re just happy that she overcame this!
Anna, I’m so sorry to hear that you and your family have been going through such a touch time lately, and I’m so so relieved and glad your sister is better now! I’ve been a bit disconnected from Social Media myself lately due to some personal exigencies… so had no idea you had flown back to the US and all of this! But so glad things are better for you now :)
Thank you so much Upasna! We’re so happy that things are looking bright now too! It’s good to disconnect from social media now and then, isn’t it? I hope you are OK and that your personal issues are nothing too serious!
I am so happy to hear this great news. I’ve been thinking about you and your sister, hoping that everything would turn out okay. I hear that those coloring books are supposed to be good meditation practice and very relaxing. There’s that old travelers saying about experiences mattering more than things. I’ll take it a step further and say that family matters more than experiences. I’m so glad that you’re taking the time to be with your sister and support your family. The world will still be there when you’re able to get back out there.
Thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts Michele! I am so touched! I agree that family is the most important above all, so I do not regret that I had to skip Italy. It just means that we have to return! I’m really thankful for this time I’ve had to re-bond with my family. :)
Anna – I am so glad that your sister is on her way to recovery! I was wondering where you have been as I missed the last post about your emergency flight home. Sending lots of positive thoughts to you and D and your families :)
Thank you so much Jenia!! I hope to be back to somewhat regular blogging soon! I’ve missed it as well!
Ah I completely missed this whole chapter! So glad to hear your sister is doing better, and that your brief stint in LA has proved fruitful. I’m so sorry to have missed you while you were out here in the San Gabriel Valley, with our delightful weather and lack of water. We would have been happy to host you! How much longer are you staying??
I wish we could have met up too! I passed by Pasadena on my way to the rehab center. But honestly, I was pretty busy too. I’m only in LA (in Culver City now) for a couple of more days!!
So glad to see you back on the blog, and to hear that your sister is recovering! I’m sure the past few weeks have been draining and difficult, but that’s so sweet that you have great friends to help you out. Those homemade green onion pancakes look sooooo yummy! And yay for audiobooks on the bus – I just started commuting into NYC for work, and I’ve been enjoying discovering the world of podcasts. Bus rides can be enjoyable!
Oh I was thinking of you Sara! And I felt soooo bad that I forgot to reply to your email!! But I was so touched that you thought to message me! Hmmm I should get into podcasts too. Then maybe I can be more productive and learn something hehe.
Anna, I’m so glad your sister is doing better! That’s such good news. I really enjoyed reading this post. I feel the same way about taking the bus. :) I hope things continue to stay mellow and that you’re able to return to traveling soon. Hugs from Seattle!
Thank you so much Amanda!! The blogosphere’s support means so much to me! Isn’t taking the bus kind of fun?? I really didn’t mind it. Ever since my sister got released from the hospital/rehab, I no longer needed to take the bus and I actually kind of miss having all that time to listen to audiobooks!
So so glad everything with your sister is on the up-and-up! Was worried about your family! That’s great you’ve had friends step up and offer places to stay in LA. And coloring books, quilting, froyo, and giant burgers sound amazingggg! :D
Thank you Meredith!! My sister is doing really well now and so is my family. I’m actually sitting in the airport right now, getting ready to fly back to D!! And yes, I will miss those in-n-out burgers!