Do not pray for an easy life,

pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.

-- Bruce Lee

2022 has arrived quietly amid tensions around the globe, rampant inflation in

the US, and omicron.

Dec 31, half a dozen college classmates popped up wishing everyone a Happy New 

Year, a record-low turnout in our 18-member WeChat group. I was not surprised,

however. Over time and the Internet, the strength of our good wishes seemed to

fritter away. Novel auspicious emojis led to thumb-ups and then silence and

although we could reach each other instantly we felt out of touch. Nothing could

mask the fact that we had drifted so far apart and for so long.

The pandemic has not helped. Since 2020, most have lived in prolonged isolation,

some more desperate than others. Everyone has been fighting a battle others know 

nothing about. I myself have been orphaned and it has been the toughest two years. 

I do have a wish and it comes from the reverse direction. I will stop praying or,

indeed, begging with bated breath, for things to get better, e.g.,

- Covid to retreat,

- My marriage to revive, 

- The Chinese state and the world to reconcile, etc.

I wish to do my bit in all these but, in advance, I wish to say FU to whatever

ill 2022 might wreak.

Bring it on, bitch!