So tonight I ended up watching the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). I pretty much surprised myself because I really am not a fan of this happening. But I guess it was too easy to pass on as I caught it streaming on YouTube.
I did ask myself what I was going to take home from it, though, and this is what I came up with: Continue reading
Today, on the occasion of the World Humanitarian Summit, I came across yet another terrifying story of loss and despair. It is the story of Mahmoud and Reem, two refugees who fled Syria for Greece with their four children and who lost one of their children, their six-year-old daughter Rand, when she was struck by a train in the dead of night as they were walking along the tracks, a journey that had already lasted two days, without food and water. And yet, in this darkness, a light shone through, bright and clear – Akis and Sia Armpatzianis, two strangers to Mahmoud and Reem, who lived in a village close to the scene of the tragedy, helped them organize and paid for an Islamic burial for Rand, comforting them in their time of great need. Continue reading
My love affair with Shakespeare has been going strong for as long as I can remember. To be fair, after all, I did grow up with two actors as parents, my upbringing as bohemian as it could be for the 70s and 80s in conservative and isolated Malta. Continue reading
What I am about to write is nothing new. Hundreds, thousands, millions before me have been singing their praises through the centuries. But I cannot but have to add my voice to the chorus.
What would we do without NURSES???
They truly are the guiding light of the medical profession. Continue reading
Going through a major operation such as the one I did, a subtotal colectomy, sure brings along some perspective. D-Day was Monday, April 25 – the day of liberation in Italy as a friend pointed out when wishing me freedom from pain and a means to regain my life. Continue reading
So here it is – the day I part with Cassandra.
That’s what I’ve decided to call my colon – I love the name, it’s so melodious, but of course, the figure from Greek mythology that it represents suffered an awful fate – enabled with the gift of prophecy that no-one would, however, believe. A terrible harbinger of doom. Quite an apt name I think for a part of me that has tried so hard to work but can’t help but fight itself. And it does this in ‘secret’ – in that it’s fight is invisible.
Adieu, Cassandra, fair thee well. Thanks for the good times, pity about the bad times. My body needs to rest now so let’s hope I’ll get on just fine without you.
Yesterday, in preparation for my hospital admission later today, I sat down to conclude the hardest task I’ve ever had to do in my life. I finished writing letters to my three year old son, letters that will be given to him hopefully by me when the right occasion presents itself, but that are there in the case of any eventuality. Continue reading
It’s taken me a while to get down to writing this particular blog post, mostly because I don’t want to come across as a whinging brat, but also because I don’t particularly like dwelling on the negative. I’m more of a make-life-work-with-what-you’ve-got type of gal. Continue reading
Verdict is out – chest infection means that my planned surgery has been postponed for the second time as I’m sent home on antibiotics to recuperate for two full weeks. Then it will be another trip in to hospital to see if we can go ahead. This is really turning into a waiting game. Continue reading
whatever Mia thinks 