I didn’t realise I had pet-adoption blues, in fact that I’d had it before, till after I was out of it. We adopted our older dog Panja, a few months into the pandemic, and our younger one Cookie, just a few weeks ago. With both adoptions we had actually been looking to adopt older dogs,Continue reading “The Pet-Adoption Blues”
Author Archives: msaraf
Saying Goodbye
I’ve said goodbye to this house twice now. The first time was 6 years my parents were moving to Gurgaon, but the house stayed with us and they eventually rebuilt it and moved back. The second time was this morning. Within the next few weeks, if all goes well, the house will pass to aContinue reading “Saying Goodbye”
Netflix’s Maid, and the Slippery Slope of Emotional Abuse
I didn’t expect Netflix’s show Maid, to trigger me the way it did. The show, based on a true story, is the story of a single mom, Alex, trying to build her own life by escaping an emotionally abusive relationship, trying to take care of a mentally ill mother, and having no qualifications, or money. Continue reading “Netflix’s Maid, and the Slippery Slope of Emotional Abuse”
On Bidding Fur Babies Farewell
One of the hardest things about being a pet parent is saying goodbye. For those of us who love animals, our fur babies become part of the family, and an integral part of our lives. I adopted my tortoise shell cat, Penny, from an organisation called Toronto Cat Rescue in 2008. She was 9 monthsContinue reading “On Bidding Fur Babies Farewell”
Musings on a Decade
When I turned 30, my last so-called milestone birthday, I was unemployed, broke, and heartbroken. I was totally and completely lost. I was still at that age, where there was a lot of pressure to “achieve” things by certain points in time. By 30, I had reasoned, I should have my shit together. I shouldContinue reading “Musings on a Decade”
Reflections on a Bizarrely Serendipitous Year
That 2020 has been a strange year is true of every single human. When we started the year, COVID was a foreign problem, something barely on the speck of the horizon. But I’m not writing this to talk about the innumerable ways our lives have changed, for two reasons. Firstly, we have all lived it.Continue reading “Reflections on a Bizarrely Serendipitous Year”
My COVID Hangover
I have always been clumsy, but since Friday, have had a serious case of butter fingers. My limbs felt weak, and still do. I fumbled trying to put on a pair of earrings dropping one in the process. At night I toss and turn trying to find a position that doesn’t make the tightness inContinue reading “My COVID Hangover”
Life with the Corona Virus
After eight months of a paranoia, stringent precautions and multiple skin breakouts thanks to the chafing of masks, it is a rather strange thing to have a COVID positive test report in front of you. It’s like you spend all these months running from something and when it finally catches up with you, there isContinue reading “Life with the Corona Virus”
COVID19 PART 2: THE PLOT TWIST
Good morning! I’m reporting straight from the hot zone. It is day 7 since my exposure to Corona 1 and Corona 2, aka Mom & Dad who tested positive for COVID the day after I arrived after a long and difficult eight month separation. Forgive my humour but there are so few cheerful things aboutContinue reading “COVID19 PART 2: THE PLOT TWIST”
COVID19 & THE BATTLE FOR CIVIC SENSE
The first reaction is always fear. That’s what I felt when I thought about getting tested. In our mind’s eye – even us, the ultra – privileged – we picture the government storming our house and seizing us, and holding us captive in less than sanitary treatment facilities where poor hygiene would kill us beforeContinue reading “COVID19 & THE BATTLE FOR CIVIC SENSE”
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