Quarantine Day 15

2 full weeks of Quarantine. If I had had the virus, this would be my freedom day. They recommend that 14 day quarantine if you have exposure. But, alas, that is not the case here. I am still in quarantine until May 1st, at least. 

Originally, today would have been the last day before going back to school tomorrow. Our original dates were just until March 31st. Now, we have extended that time until May 1st. There are many districts around the country that have gone ahead and canceled school for the remainder of the year. We will see what happens here. At this point, not much will surprise me. 

Some things I have learned during my 15 days at home: 

1. My apartment has never been so clean. 

2. Love all the extra loving from Bandit and Minerva.

3. My patio has become my favorite place to enjoy my cup of coffee and read my personal development book each morning. 

4. I have officially started talking to Bandit and Minerva as if they are my roommates. They really should start pulling their own weight. 

5. Speaking of weight, I really hope I don't start gaining any because all I seem to do is eat EVERYTHING. 

6. The one thing I am thankful for is the routines I created back in June. I have been able to stick with it, even being stuck at home because my workouts are available online. 

7. On a serious note, it's definitely been lonely being cooped up all the time by myself. 

8. I've been able to read A LOT, which is great. I'm reading books that have been on my list for years. 

9. I'm not a huge fan of e learning, and it's taking some getting used to. We are struggling to find what works best for everyone.

10. I TOUCH MY FACE WAY TOO OFTEN. 

This has been a learning curve and I am trying to adjust to this new normal, like everyone else. Some days are easier than others. I don't mind being alone in my clean apartment most of the times. I really like my apartment. 

I don't think I would have handled things as easily if this had happened, lets say, a year ago. My mindset was in a completely different place. I wasn't necessarily unhappy, but I wasn't in the best head space. Over the past 9 months, I have done a lot of work, both physically and mentally to be where I am today. I am grateful for the ladies I have met and connected with and those who have helped me work on myself. I am in such a better place and no longer live solely inside my head. 

Learning to talk about and share with others my struggles and my journey has opened my eyes to see that so many others have similar struggles and journeys, and knowing that you're not alone is always a comfort. It's taken a while to learn to share, but if I can help just one person, then it will have all been worth it. 

Love from the girl who is forever cleaning her clean apartment. 

Quarantine Day 2

First official work from home day. A little strange. I slept in a little bit later than I would if I were driving to school, which was nice. I made breakfast for myself, fed the cat and dog, took bandit for a walk, read my personal development book: Mastering Your Mean Girl, drank my coffee, just like every other morning. The strangest part was when I was done with all of this, all I had to do was walk 5 steps from putting my dishes in the dishwasher to my kitchen table. This is where I have decided to set up my "classroom."

I was really impressed with how many students had already completed Day 1's assignment on my google classroom. I had the first 5 days launch, yesterday at 6 PM. A sense of normalcy for them, I think. While checking in and giving feedback to those that had submitted assignments already, I had a pesky helper. Minerva kept walking across the keyboard, sticking her head in my coffee mug, and then sitting and staring at me. Did I mention I need to really figure out a way to train her to stay off the table? 

After I was all done checking in with those students who had already submitted their assignments, I got up and threw a load of laundry in, finished cleaning up from breakfast and made another cup of coffee. It was about 10:30 by this time and because it was technically my "plan time" I decided I needed to move my body (my kitchen chairs aren't the comfiest for as long as I was sitting). Love that I just walk a couple steps into the living room and it doubles as my gym. 

Shortly after working out and taking the dog for yet another walk (third one, I think at this point), I realized that I didn't have much in the way of lunch food. I braved Lowe's Food and grabbed a couple things. Reminder: I was already hungry at this point. $70 later and now I am home with a "few" groceries to last me through the weekend. Still no toilet paper or paper towels in sight. I do believe I can make it for a while with all that I have and just bought. 

Watch out for me on the next addition of Chopped: Quarantine style. What can you make from all the random food in your apartment? Stay tuned for new recipes to come. 

Things I have learned after Day 2: 

1. I don't totally hate it

2. To go off of #1, I think I will hate it eventually, but for right now I like it. 

3. I am able to get the things on my forever long to-do list for my apartment done while also working. 

4. Bandit may be put up for adoption if she keeps wanting ALL the attention.

5. Better add Minerva to that adoption list, she keeps getting into everything. 

6. The day actually goes fairly quickly. 

7. I don't have to dress up, or for that matter, put a bra on. 

Here are a few of the pictures that I took today of the new normal.

Love from the teacher trying to get through this crazy time, just like the rest of you. 

Quarantine Day 1

I've decided that while I am stuck at home for a minimum of two weeks, I'd start a journal of daily life during this quarantine. I used to read all of those Dear America books. The ones that would follow a girl or guy, through periods of history, usually a war or something tragic that happened in American history. They were mostly fictional, but there was a lot of truth to what they went through. 

So, here I am, officially Day One. I just got home from school making lesson plans for the next 10 days for my students. We've moved to elearning, which is something new to all of us, so it will definitely take some getting used to for all involved. But, I have faith in my students and know that they will pull through. They're pretty resilient. This working from home thing is going to be something that will take some getting used to. Minerva has already been on the kitchen table, where I am currently writing this, 3 times. She's knocked over some papers, a book and has taken to chewing on the corner of my notebook. Maybe is a good a time as any to train her not to get on the table. Adding to list now. 

I don't even know where to begin when it comes to processing my thoughts and emotions through all of this. With it being so new to everyone, it's hard to not have the answers. Anyone that knows me, I struggle with the unknowns, I have worked the past 9 months to be okay with not always knowing the outcome. But, this is a completely out of my control unknown, and I'm working hard to process this for myself. When I left school today, I felt like I was going on a trip, I looked around the room, seeing if I forgot anything because I wouldn't be coming back until this was all over. I really hope I remembered everything. 

Most of the morning, all through planning, the only thing I could think about was my students. It's only been two days and I already miss them (Don't tell them I said that!). Not knowing when I'll see them next is a little nerve racking. I just read something that I need to keep as my mantra for the remainder of this quarantine and that is, "Today I will not stress over things I can't control." 

Love from the teacher who is currently making a chart for each day of things that need done to help hold herself accountable.