sorry for ghosting you

it's strange, isn't it? how we can find comfort in the things that scare us the most?

May 28, 2024

Hey there,

It's been a whirlwind of changes lately, hasn't it? I keep saying I "just" moved to Australia, but in reality, it's been four whole months. Funny how time can slip through your fingers like that. One minute, you're comfortable in one chapter, only to find yourself entering a new one.

I've found myself diving into an unexpected obsession lately – ghost content - okay rom-com/slice of (after) life ghost content. Now, I've never considered myself much of a horror fan – I much prefer the simplicity and the mundanity of slice-of-life stories but there's something about the eerie blend of spooky and romantic comedy that has me hooked these past few months.

Not Dead Yet: It revolves around Nell Serrano (played by actor and producer Gina Rodriguez, the actress from Jane the Virgin), a journalist who finds herself writing obituaries after returning to her hometown in Los Angeles. However, things take an unexpected turn when she begins to see the subjects of her articles. It's a humorous and heartfelt exploration of life, death, and everything in between. I've found myself thoroughly engrossed in Nell's journey of self-discovery, and I think you would too. I enjoy a good comedy and there is plenty of it here.

Ghosts: Anwie says she likes the British version better. Despite my usual reservations about remakes, I found myself thoroughly entertained by this adaptation. Samantha inherits a grand old mansion and starts seeing its spectral inhabitants after an accident. It’s a funny and heartwarming series that shows life continues, albeit in a different form. Watching the ghosts from various historical periods navigate their afterlife brings a quirky yet profound perspective on how our connections transcend time and existence.

The Dead Romantics: "Your book will find the people it needs to."
This book was such a celebration of life... and death. The protagonist, Florence Day, is a ghostwriter who finds herself grappling with love and loss after a painful breakup. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she returns to her hometown for a funeral and encounters a ghost from her past. It's heavy, and it's hilarious. It's sad, and it's fun. It's feeling lost, and realizing you were never really lost at all. This book was strangely comforting, motivating and everything I wanted to say.

"So, thank you for giving me words when I didn't think there were any left. I hope you never stop giving the world your words."

What We Do in the Shadows: It's a mockumentary-style comedy that offers a fresh and hilarious take on the vampire genre. It’s Fangtastic and there's not a single aspect not to love. Set in Wellington, New Zealand, the film follows the lives of four vampires who share a flat and navigate the complexities of modern life. But beneath the humour, it's also got me thinking about the things that make us all human – whether we're mortal or immortal. From mundane tasks like doing laundry to more supernatural endeavours, the film offers a delightful blend of humour and heart.

“Death is a strange thing. People live their whole lives as if it does not exist, and yet it’s often one of the great motivations for living. Some of us, in time, become so conscious of it that we live harder, more obstinately, with more fury. Some need its constant presence to even be aware of its antithesis. Others become so preoccupied with it that they go into the waiting room long before it has announced its arrival. We fear it, yet most of us fear more than anything that it may take someone other than ourselves. For the greatest fear of death is always that it will pass us by. And leave us there alone.”

Excerpt From A Man Called Ove: A Novel by Fredrik Backman

Funny enough, amidst all the supernatural chaos, I find myself contemplating life, death (1), and everything in between and beyond the grave.

Here’s what I learnt so far, hug your loved ones tighter, swim in lakes, tell them you love them, treat yourself to that cheesy burger, grief is tremendous, but your love is bigger (2), touch grass, swim in lakes, go grocery shopping, go hiking – the list is endless. Amidst all the hustle of work, grades, or money, it's the people we love (3) and the moments we share that define our journey. But these shows, movies and books also serve as a reminder that even when they leave this world, they’re never truly gone (4) – they just move on to another chapter, another adventure (5)(another country)(6).

I know how cheesy all this sounds, but when I am feeling dreary, annoyed, and generally unimpressed by life, I imagine what it would be like to come back to this world for just a day (7). I think about how sentimental I feel about the very things I once found mundane. Little by little, I am learning to love my life and those in it.

And speaking of relationships, I realize I've been neglecting ours lately, and for that, I'm truly sorry. And even though we may be miles apart, I want you to know that our relationship means the world to me. (Yeah, I am talking to two people who are reading this)

Moving to a new country has been a whirlwind, but it's no excuse for disappearing on you. Let's catch up soon, yeah? I'd love to hear about what's been going on in your life.

With lots of love,

Maahi

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