Lobo Rebello Christmas Update 2021

As I begin to write this years update, it's Friday evening in mid December and  I have officially begun my month long vacation. Quite excited and apprehensive about our plans for the next few weeks. We will be leaving our home cave, to get on a plane and travel to a far away land, where people who share our last names and DNA await us with baited breath. What used to be a journey we have done effortlessly so often, from locations more far flung and unpredictable, is feeling almost unsurmountable this time around. Multiple changes in our itinerary, cancelled flights rebooked, changing restriction's and entry protocols; all a strong reminder of the new normal. In fact if this year has taught us anything it is that the old normal is unlikely ever to return anytime soon. 

So what was our life like under this new normal? For the most part it seemed tedious, monotonous... days that rolled into one another, each week was pretty much just like last week. But looking back now, I see that may not be really true. One of the good things about this yearly update is that it gives me a chance to look back and reflect, and it always surprises me that it's not the days that blended in that I see, rather the memories of many unscripted moments that gave meaning and sustenance to another year lived. On that note here are the highlights, the memories of 2021 that made the Rebello Lobos smile, laugh, sigh and groan.  

Arhantika finishes with University. Gets a job!

Arhantika does admit, it wasn't the easiest of years but she survived. She completed her Master's thesis, kept Quake growing and applied for dozens of jobs acutely aware that it wasn't the best of job markets. But, hard work and perseverance paid off and 23 job applications later, she got a great offer from the SDG2 Advocacy Hub to work in communications and campaigning. It has now been little over a month since the beginning of this new phase and she seems to be loving it and giving it her best. 

Ryeika finishes high school but almost does not go to University:)

After an amazing streak of good luck which had Ryeika graduating from high school without ever doing an exam (even her final IB exams were cancelled due to COVID), Ryeika was accepted into her first choice of university. However a technical glitch, and a series of unfortunate events had us scrambling and she almost missed the university deadline. But thanks to an efficient admissions advisor, a super pushy mother and a cool, calm and collected Ryeika who never panicked, everything came together and she got to London in time for orientation. She has since embraced university life with vigor and is loving her course (Social Work with a focus on Youth) and life on campus. We miss her immensely, but proud of her and how well she is coping. 

Gerard turns 50!

We started out with big plans and as the pandemic evolved so did the plans, until we realized that none would materialize. So we changed gears, put on our thinking hats and planned what will now go down in our history as one momentous birthday. We had family and friends share their memories of him growing up in a video and he had tears of joy and nostalgia as we watched it together. It was a big milestone, and though we missed celebrating with family and friends, I think we did justice to celebrating our man and his journey thus far.

The Rebello Lobo B&B reopens for business

After a long hiatus thanks to the pandemic, we were thrilled to receive visitors again. We had Manoj visit from LA as well as cousins from across the Italian border. We had missed this and it was great to actually have people in our home after so long.

Road trip to Croatia

As soon as the kids closed school for the summer we took off on a road trip down the coast of Croatia. We got there before the tourists did and it was delightful to explore sans the crowds. Big fans of GOT we were stoked to walk the Jesuit staircase and see Kings landing. 

Father daughters trip to London

Gerard and the girls took a trip to see the sisters in London. They saw all the sights and ate every possible cuisine. Arhanika and Ryeika were thrilled to host them and show them their favorite city.

Well other than these highlights, there were many others, Ryeika turned 18, Neeira 16, Liraya 12 and Talia 4. With two flown the nest, the four of us left behind have found a new dynamic, acutely conscious that the next ones time to fly away is just around the corner. 

Neeira has started her IB, got elected into the student council and has excitedly started researching universities. In spite of a heavy school workload, she does a great job of organizing quiz nights and game evenings for us, making the periods of lockdown so much more bearable.

Liraya started year 8, has joined a weekend drama school and made us very proud a few weeks back with her performance as Neville the magic mirror technician in the Christmas Pantomime. She has become keen on crocheting and made us all handmade gifts for Christmas.

And as for Taliya...she continues to lead the good life. She sits on my lap or when I protest, by my feet most days while I work. There is one new development though that I can report on. She has developed phonophobia- it first started whenever there was a match on and Gerard could be heard screaming. But slowly it spread to other things and now even if a door bangs she gets anxious and jumps into the arms of the person closest to her to be comforted, which we do along with a great big cuddle.

As I wrap this update up we are in India, savoring the warmth, familiarity and love that comes with being with our parents, siblings and close friends. As we all celebrate Christmas together, we will treasure the memories we make and remain ever grateful for all we have. 

In a world that is increasingly designed to depress us, to be happy can almost become a kind of revolutionary act. Happiness isn't very good for the economy right? If we were happy with what we had, why would we need more? So our wish for you this Christmas is this- to be happy with our own non- upgraded existence; to be comfortable with our own messy, human selves, to find contentment even when the song ends or the breeze stills.  

As we look at our Christmas trees this season lets think about the lessons it can teach us: 

Sending all of you are love, hugs and blessings for Christmas and the New Year. We hope the message of the New Born Baby Jesus gives you renewed hope. We hope you sparkle and twinkle, and no matter what 2022 throws at us I hope you stay strong and positive. To paraphrase the words of my new inspiration Amanda Gorman remember that no matter what happens, a new dawn will bloom and...

When day comes we (will) step out of the shade,

aflame and unafraid,

the new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light,

if only we're brave enough to see it.

If only we're brave enough to be it.

We hope travel opens up and we get to see and visit each other real soon. Until then know you are thought of and loved. Thank you for being a part of our story. We see you be the light for us, and for this we are forever grateful.

Hugs,

The Lobo Rebello's