Run Through Twenty Twenty-Two

Yesterday I happened across a meme stating that January 6 is the last day to say ‘Happy New Year’, and I took it as a sign that my 2022 wrap-up could work around that timeline too.

Last year felt oddly uneventful and I found myself thinking about where the year went and what I did.

I’ve been working on this list for a few weeks and now that it is done, the feeling is quite opposite. The year gone past seems like a good one – quiet and comforting – with more than enough moments of joy to hold on to. The ordinary years are the special ones.

So here goes, mostly in chronological order, where applicable:

– Started the year off at home in Calcutta. Plans for a wedding reception were foiled by the Omicron variant and I hardly met any friends on the trip, but grateful to spend a lot of quality time with Ma, Baba and Tham as well as G’s family in Delhi

– Ate momos at Dilli Haat but could not score any chole kulche. Alas.

– Bought my first car. She’s called Nimbus and is my pride and joy!

– Ordered myself a giant purple cake for my 35th. Best!

– Watched my first baseball game at the Rogers Centre. Even the box seats didn’t do much for me.

– Drove my first U-Haul truck! So proud of myself

– Badminton games followed by filter coffee and dosas at a newly discovered south Indian restaurant became routines

– Both sets of parents visited us. This was a big one for me and I’m so grateful to have them enjoy the suburbs and spend the summer with us

– Spent a lot of time in the garden over spring/summer. Spotting a hibiscus bud or a new jalapeno flower brought immense joy. Going to acquire a planter box and grow more vegetables this year!

– Spent nine scary hours at an ER and realised that ‘free healthcare’ in this country comes with a lot of strings attached

– Got my full Canadian driver’s license. Finally.

– Discovered poke bowls. So good!

– Took the 1000 Island cruise at Kingston and fell asleep on board. Totally onside that Ontario is the most boring province in all of Canada.

– G seriously leveled up in the kitchen. His bhindi masala, rajma and mutton curry are *chef’s kiss*

– Did not read a single book this year. I simply cannot concentrate. I have plans in place to attempt a change in this situation

– Several friends planning to move to Canada or ones who had just moved, stayed with us. I’d like more of these in 2023, please, especially since I have so much trouble making new friends

– Attended my first wedding in Canada. Everything was so beautiful. Brought out some bittersweet emotions that I did not share with anyone

– Ascertained that I may be lactose intolerant now. Wtf.

– Started playing ping pong and after several disastrous attempts, successfully set up a full-size table in the basement. G says I’m getting better!

– Bought a BBQ and many experiments ensued. Bizarrely, the baingan bharta and aampanna were most rewarding

– Got really into board/card games and game nights became a regular occurrence that I now look forward to. I’d like to believe that I’m getting pretty good at Exploding Kittens

– Boarded a whopping total of one flight in 2022. Not chuffed about this

– Signed up to study something new and intimidating. Excited but mostly anxious…

– Pujo was the best this year. Ma and Baba were around. Went to so many pandals, ate bhog and also found a really good place for Bengali/Bangladeshi food. #win

– Completed our LEGO Hogwarts set and displayed it in my office. Obsessed about all the little details

– Hosted our first Diwali evening in the house (and in Canada). I always complain the most around festivals about it not feeling like home, but this year, with people over, food, games and sparklers, it made a real difference

– Watched so much football. Was super disappointed by Spain and Germany’s performances, but not so upset by the final results. How can one not root for Leo Messi. Already looking forward to 2026 in North America and Mexico. Vamos!

– Spotify tells me I listened to ‘Tu Jhoom’ by Abida Parveen 48 times in 2022. Closely followed by Mitraz’ entire album. Inspiring music was scant through the year

– Bought a brûlée torch. I have a lot of fun with it!

– Experienced seasons in the province thoroughly thanks to Nimbus. Several new trails discovered during spring, lavender farms in the summer, hikes and apple picking in autumn and winter road trips

– Watched the Cursed Child production in Toronto. The theatre was beautiful and since I hadn’t read the book, the story had me interested. Weird to see Professor Snape sing, though

– Experimented with the Canadian winter pastime – skiing. Personal note: Do not trust YouTubers that try to convince you that you can learn to ski in one day. Psh.

– Visited Quebec City around the holidays and it felt like walking through an old European city. Stone cobbled streets, church bells chiming every hour, Christmas markets with mulled wine and so many cute little cafes. Totally charming and full of history!

– Was invited to a neighbour’s Christmas eve dinner and had my mind blown by the meal. Resolution 2023 is to try and re-create that charred corn salad and roast turkey

– Continued to be consistent with Spanish. Past tense isn’t seeming so daunting anymore. Bebí tres margaritas anoche!

– Brought in the new year at G’s sister’s with desi chinese food, scary movies and new cocktails. Also spent some quality time with their puppy and cat – pets warm my heart but how do people deal with all the shedding?

Unlike other years, I have specific aspirations and plans for 2023. I hope the Year of the Rabbit, which is mine, will be kind to me.