2020 recap

As 2020 draws to a close, it’s time for a traditional recap post where I reflect on the things that happened to me during the year.

There isn't much left to be said that hasn't already been said. We all know that this is one of the worst years in the recent history of mankind.

I can say for sure that we are all ready to throw this year into the trash and put an end to this misery. But it didn't start that way. At least not for me. Back in January, I went on a long-awaited vacation to the beautiful island of Zanzibar with my girlfriend.

At the time I didn't know that Covid-19 already started spreading and taking lives in China. I don't follow media or watch the news, and I was swamped with making final arrangements for the trip so I was completely unaware of it.

Spending 14 days in a tropical paradise was an amazing experience. Seeing a completely different culture and enjoying exotic food, amazing sights, beautiful beaches, and wild animals was well worth the over 6000 km trip in one way.

As soon as I arrived home, my father asked me if Zanzibar is anywhere near China. He mentioned something about a virus, but I was thinking that he read some stupid story in some tabloid newspaper and I didn't give it too much thought. It was just another swine or bird flu -- a scary story and nothing more. Truth to be told I was more concerned about his lack of geographical knowledge.

As the days went by, I started to hear more and more about the virus. I was a little worried but not too much. I even started planning a trip to Prague. And then, I remember like it was yesterday, the shit got real for me when one day in March my girlfriend told me that more than 300 hundred people died that day in Italy. I was like what are you talking about, that can't be true for sure.

I was sure that she got that wrong. But after checking a few websites, I realized that this is real. The trip to Prague was definitely off. Covid-19 is not another swine or bird flu, and things are going to get a lot worse. And they did.

Fast forward to now, and Covid-19 is still here, and it seems like it will stay with us for a while. I didn't suffer directly from Covid-19. My loved ones and I are safe. I still have a job, nothing has changed for me. Except that I couldn't travel anywhere outside of my country and that I had to spend a lot more time at my home than I wanted.

Not being able to go anywhere was a good thing for one baby cat that we rescued while taking a long walk. We had to climb over a wall to get inside an abandoned factory and chase the cat in a thick bush for over an hour, but in the end, we caught it. We couldn't find the mother cat so we decided to take the baby cat home. At least something good happened this year.

Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog who lost the battle with chronic kidney failure. His name was Lex and he was the most gentle dog ever. Lex, you were the best dog, we'll never forget you.

And that's pretty much it. No other trips, no Drupal conferences, nothing. All I can say at the end of this article is 2020 go and never ever come back.