July Recap

 I can feel Taylor's Swifts 'august' unfrosting and I'm here for it. There's a bittersweetness in my heart in acknowledging another month passing. It's a day to August and I still mix up the years 2024 with 2023. Maybe it's post-quarantine brain (quarantine was nearly 4 years ago). 

I thought I'd make monthly recaps at the end of every month a thing now just for fun. To summarize the month as a whole. July didn't start out too great - I received news that I didn't think I'd get and not the good kind. My heart was so unbelievably sore and bad memories and thoughts haunted me that first week or two of July. I think I'm doing better now, but some days I fall into that downward spiral once more and find it hard to keep my chin up to seek out the better joys I believe I'll find. 

What consoled me that first week of July was a short trip to the East Coast which coupled as a visit to one of my closest friends who's studying there (if you're reading this Safwa I wish you all the best in your exams!!!!!!!). We spent a day together and mostly under the Sun near the beach. It wasn't much and I wished later that we'd hung out some more. But the time we did spend together felt like a hug for my then battered soul. It felt nice to just be around the comfort of a close friend who knows you nearly as much as you know yourself. Those hours we sat in tired silence after an evening at the beach was sweet to me. 

That night we had tomyam that we had to wait for nearly an hour to get served!!!! A quaint stall in front of our hotel. The food wasn't bad, service could've been fixed, but the workers were charming, especially the waiter who ended up sitting at our table like a mafia boss to re-list our order.

Safwa at the beach :)

The next day my family and I had a day to ourselves where we set out to Kerteh, a small town in Terengganu where we used to live for 2-3 years. Memories flooded back when we strolled our old neighbourhood and passed by my siblings' and my old schools. Memories of a neighbour friend and I cycling the deserted streets of the neighbourhood and practically having full reign over the place was bliss. I can't get that kind of road confidence here in KL. Too many cars for my liking. 

Ihsan finally hitting the beach the morning of our last stay.

I visited two beaches this month, too, which is great because I absolutely adore the beach. The first trip was so very healing to me, and I felt a gazillion times better on the way back to KL, and I believe I have that excursion to thank. The second time I went was in Tanjung Tuan, with a group of my close college friends. We'd been talking about taking a trip together for so long that I was elated when the plans FINALLY made it out of the group chat. 

We planned a picnic and extensive hike (that me and another 2 out of 5 of our friend group severely underestimated. I'm still suffering muscle ache and sores). Despite the hellish hike I had the time of my life with my girls that day. It was a day trip to Tanjung Tuan, regarding which I'm still not sure where it is. Melaka? Port Dickson? Their border? 

In a nutshell, July didn't start out great, but it sure is ending on a good note :). I'll miss these trips one day, as I already do. Definitely some good mom-lore for the kids one day hehe.