Woah! What a year that was!
The underlying message of this crazy year was to enjoy the little things. And that we definitely did. 9 days into the year we had a blow when Biju was asked to resign from his job. The life as we knew for many years was set for change.
Add to that the spread of the pandemic, the health scare, the lockdown, the uncertainity, the job search, the disappointments and rejections, the school change, the online learning, the final year at school, the college applications...a crazy, topsy-turvy, twirly-whirly year! A month by month highlight of the past 12 months.
Jan - On 9th, Biju was handed over the letter. He had to resign immediately and was offered three months' salary and visa and insurance upto renewal. This was totally unexpected and he had the biggest shock. The only plan I had in mind was to wind up and move back to Kerala once school closed. Aarush was in the final terms of Grade 5 and Aaryav, KG1. But Biju had other plans and wasnt ready for a move so soon.
Feb - Serious job hunt started. But things were not easy as we expected. Salary offered was less than half with no benefits. Corona was spreading fast and wide and before we knew it, the whole world was being affected. Abhis exams had finished and the Grade 12 classes commenced.
March - Many countries went in for a lockdown. Abhis school closed much ahead of schedule and we brought her to UAE. One good decision beacause a couple of days after she reached India went in for a lockdown. Aarush and Aaryav's school closed. We were all asked to stay indoors and step out only for essentials. Kids were locked up at home with no one to play with.
April - Schools reopened. Online classes were introduced. Aarush started his Grade 6 and Aaryav was promoted to KG2. Aarush adapted well to the online classes but it was a daily challenge for Aaryav.
May - We celebrated Aaryav's 5th bday with a home baked cake. Aaryav was pulled out of school as the online classes were only adding to the stress. I decided to home school him. He was super happy about the decision. After almost 2 months within the walls, we started going out. To groceries and for house hunting. We were planning to move to a smaller and more economical space. Finally we decided to renew at the same place and luckily, there ewas a rent reduction due to covid situation.
June - Abhis online school started. Aarush cleared his first terms exams. We decided to pull him out of DPS to reduce the expenses, applied for TC and took admission in Ebener International. I joined a weight loss group with school friends and started walking and dieting.
July - Aarush turned 11. Summer vacations started for Aarush. Since he cleared first terms, he could join Ebener from the second term onwards. Weight loss kept me sane. I lost almost 8 kgs with indoror walking and diet control.
August - Biju joined a small service provider called VolumSat for a small pay, Hours were long, office ws far away, he had to face the traffic. But we were immensely grateful.
September - Biju continued at VolumeSat. Aarush stared classes at Ebenezer. He settled in fast and started doing well. Aaryav was chilling totally!
October - Abhi turned 17. She was happy to spend time here with us than to be struggling in the hostel. She started researching on colleges and even wrote her first SAT exam for which she scored 1400. Biju stopped full time work at VolumeSat.
Nov - By now, we were used to the changes in our life and to the world at large.
Dec - Abhi took another SAT exam and she scored 1450 this time. School closed for winter break and she started working hard on the application o NYUAD. Application done by 29th Dec 2020. We are waiting eagerly for the results. Went to the desert on New Years Eve. And watched the fireworks at Majaz.
