2020 - W.T.A.F. ????
I suppose you could say it's been a strange year so far, and already we are half way through. Where do I start? I suppose one of the things on my mind a lot the past few months, is 'did I have Covid-19 back in January?' I felt so ill for so long and nothing could be found, even with extensive tests. One thing for certain about Covid-19 is that there is still a lot we don't know.
So we are in the middle of this global pandemic. I may possibly be more careful than most; NJ and I didn't see anyone for three months, other than me going to the supermarket, but I even managed to get the art of shopping down to bi-weekly - not easy in a country where perishables just don't last as long, a teen that is forever hungry and a regular sized refrigerator. We are still careful. Things are starting to open back up. I have friends who are partying like it's 1999, although many of my friends are behaving in the same way we are, and varying degrees in between. I try not to judge, we all have to deal with this in our own way. I also don't feel I have to explain myself for making the choices I am making but when it comes down to it, if anything happens to me, NJ effectively becomes an orphan. Not strictly true in the physical sense, but for those who know us, you know what I mean. Anyway I just don't want to get it, full stop. Mild version, or something more serious, I don't want to take the risk, I don't want to get sick. And so I am not going to bars and brunches currently, and I'll decide when I feel it's safe to do so, but at the moment I have no desire.
I'm happy not to be travelling. After 13 years 'on the road' for work, it's bliss to be home every evening. I haven't worn heels since the end of February, I often don't brush my hair or put on make up and yoga pants are my new best friend. Work is busier than ever and I'd like to think I'm more productive and effective because I'm less stressed and I have more time for people, both colleagues and clients.
The plan is to work at home until at least September and afterwards, I would like to continue at least a couple of days a week. We moved home last week and I have purposely made the downstairs bedroom into an office, and once it's properly sorted, will be a peaceful, organised space where I can work quietly. The door closes on the cats, the teen and the nanny, so I've already made progress.
I'm in love with the new place, with a view over the marina in The Pearl, if I didn't have study, unpacking boxes and everything else to think about, once I shut off my laptop after work, I'd feel like I was on holiday. It's beautiful and light and so much nicer to be here. I certainly won't be saving any money, but you can't take it with you and it means that NJ has the ability to leave the house and go to shops, cafe's, cinema etc. (when they open back up) without me having to take him anywhere. He has freedom and he's enjoying exploring at the moment.
What will happen with the world this year and Covid-19? I worry about a second wave. I am concerned that the lifting of restrictions have given people the idea that everything is OK. I am not sure that the reported figures are always accurate and I don't think the vaccine is close enough just yet for us to stop being careful.
I don't want to be smug, or downplay the psychological effects that being stuck at home and working at home are having or had on some people. The struggle is real for many and I have friends and colleagues with cabin fever who are really missing social interaction. Obviously I live with my son but I am thriving in a home-working environment. I feel bad for saying it and especially saying it out loud to friends who were slowly going crazy being stuck inside, but I've read many articles that make me feel less weird. I'm by no means an introvert, but I have more time to breathe right now. This from an article in the New York Times '........horrified by what the pandemic has wrought, and are humbled by the sacrifices made by those on the front line. They do not, for a minute, minimize what it is going on. But they have, sometimes to their surprise, found contentment and peace in the situation that has been thrust upon them.' This is me. I'm single parenting a teenager in a foreign country, with a fairly stressful full-time job and doing a MBA Global on the side. All choices I made for various reasons and life is good. But sometimes it's really hard as well. This helps.
I miss our family, although I'm not too worried about them, my parents are being very careful and my brothers and their families very sensible. I hope we can see them soon but for the time being I am not comfortable getting on an airplane.
Take care of yourselves xxx
So we are in the middle of this global pandemic. I may possibly be more careful than most; NJ and I didn't see anyone for three months, other than me going to the supermarket, but I even managed to get the art of shopping down to bi-weekly - not easy in a country where perishables just don't last as long, a teen that is forever hungry and a regular sized refrigerator. We are still careful. Things are starting to open back up. I have friends who are partying like it's 1999, although many of my friends are behaving in the same way we are, and varying degrees in between. I try not to judge, we all have to deal with this in our own way. I also don't feel I have to explain myself for making the choices I am making but when it comes down to it, if anything happens to me, NJ effectively becomes an orphan. Not strictly true in the physical sense, but for those who know us, you know what I mean. Anyway I just don't want to get it, full stop. Mild version, or something more serious, I don't want to take the risk, I don't want to get sick. And so I am not going to bars and brunches currently, and I'll decide when I feel it's safe to do so, but at the moment I have no desire.
I'm happy not to be travelling. After 13 years 'on the road' for work, it's bliss to be home every evening. I haven't worn heels since the end of February, I often don't brush my hair or put on make up and yoga pants are my new best friend. Work is busier than ever and I'd like to think I'm more productive and effective because I'm less stressed and I have more time for people, both colleagues and clients.
The plan is to work at home until at least September and afterwards, I would like to continue at least a couple of days a week. We moved home last week and I have purposely made the downstairs bedroom into an office, and once it's properly sorted, will be a peaceful, organised space where I can work quietly. The door closes on the cats, the teen and the nanny, so I've already made progress.
I'm in love with the new place, with a view over the marina in The Pearl, if I didn't have study, unpacking boxes and everything else to think about, once I shut off my laptop after work, I'd feel like I was on holiday. It's beautiful and light and so much nicer to be here. I certainly won't be saving any money, but you can't take it with you and it means that NJ has the ability to leave the house and go to shops, cafe's, cinema etc. (when they open back up) without me having to take him anywhere. He has freedom and he's enjoying exploring at the moment.
What will happen with the world this year and Covid-19? I worry about a second wave. I am concerned that the lifting of restrictions have given people the idea that everything is OK. I am not sure that the reported figures are always accurate and I don't think the vaccine is close enough just yet for us to stop being careful.
I don't want to be smug, or downplay the psychological effects that being stuck at home and working at home are having or had on some people. The struggle is real for many and I have friends and colleagues with cabin fever who are really missing social interaction. Obviously I live with my son but I am thriving in a home-working environment. I feel bad for saying it and especially saying it out loud to friends who were slowly going crazy being stuck inside, but I've read many articles that make me feel less weird. I'm by no means an introvert, but I have more time to breathe right now. This from an article in the New York Times '........horrified by what the pandemic has wrought, and are humbled by the sacrifices made by those on the front line. They do not, for a minute, minimize what it is going on. But they have, sometimes to their surprise, found contentment and peace in the situation that has been thrust upon them.' This is me. I'm single parenting a teenager in a foreign country, with a fairly stressful full-time job and doing a MBA Global on the side. All choices I made for various reasons and life is good. But sometimes it's really hard as well. This helps.
I miss our family, although I'm not too worried about them, my parents are being very careful and my brothers and their families very sensible. I hope we can see them soon but for the time being I am not comfortable getting on an airplane.
Take care of yourselves xxx
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