What Worried Me in 2007: A Year of Stress and Changes

2007 was a year filled with uncertainty and stress, marked by both personal and professional challenges. Looking back, there are several worries and concerns that loomed large, from everyday expenses like water and electricity bills to the more dramatic events that unfolded in Ciudad Juarez later that year.

High School and New Challenges

As I entered my junior year of high school in August 2007, a multitude of worries weighed heavily on my mind. Transitioning into my first Advanced Placement (AP) class, finding a date for homecoming, purchasing a car, and balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities were just a few of the items on my to-do list. These concerns were common for many high school students, but they represented a new level of pressure for me.

Water and Electricity Woes

Another significant concern for me in August 2007 was the hefty water and electricity bills. At my home in Ciudad Juarez, we had a lush backyard that required an enormous amount of water to maintain. In the absence of an irrigation system, we manually watered our 200 square meters of garden, roughly 2200 square feet, for several months to ensure it flourished. This intensive watering was necessary to cultivate our fruit tree orchard, which produced peaches, apricots, and plums. However, this intensive care came at a significant cost, as the water bill soared, especially as the month progressed.

The summer of 2007 was particularly hot, and the electricity consumption soared due to the continuous use of the air conditioning system from May 10th through mid-September. The heat and dry conditions were relentless, and I often wished for the summer to end. However, it was crucial to note that these were routine worries for many households in the region, even though they were commonplace.

A Family Tragedy and a New Home

In the midst of all these worries, my family faced a profound and unexpected loss in May 2007, when my mother passed away suddenly. The period following her funeral in Switzerland was marked by the stress of managing her inheritance, navigating the complex bureaucracy of Swiss society and government. Following this, we had high hopes for the new academic year and were looking forward to sending our two older daughters to senior high school, where they would need to pass the entry exam.

Major Life Changes and Personal Struggles

Although not specific to August, the events of 2007 were intertwined with a series of significant life changes and personal struggles. In the early part of the year, I had two broken arms, adding to the list of concerns. Additionally, I made an offer on a house in February, started a major renovation in May, and worked full-time 12-hour shifts, living in just two rooms upstairs. The stress of these commitments culminated in August when my fiancé suffered a burn on her hand, which I had to treat at home. Then, I faced a disciplinary hearing at work for an issue involving a freelance worker.

The culmination of these stressors took a toll on my health, leading to cardiac arrhythmia due to stress. I was placed on beta blockers, and my boss did not believe the doctor's note, forcing me to undergo a company doctor's examination within two days. In the UK, you can self-certify for less than seven days, but in my case, the company doctor refused to let me return to work for three months. This period of intense stress and health challenges made 2007 a year that I never want to repeat.