Wow! Times sure does fly by! Even in lockdown. I thought I was still recovering from an overload of Easter eats & realized it’s been days since my last post! So, what’s been happening?
Aside from eating too much chocolate, I got back to some coloring for adults. It really is therapeutic, relaxing and reminds me I have a creative muscle that needs to be flexed now & then.
One month ago, I was preparing for two exams. I’m studying part time while working full time. Today, the results were published and I passed both exams with over 80% each! I’m feeling very proud of myself, especially since these exams were written just as everyone started panicking about Coronavirus. We were roughly 12-15 students taking exams in one room, over two days. One cough and everyone shifts in their seat. Not the most ideal conditions, nerve-wrecking aside from normal jitters. A week later I had flu😧 luckily for me, it was a different strain, still scary as shit! The following week… national lockdown. That’s why I’m feeling so proud & relieved! I kept my cool, was prepared well enough and my results today proved just that.
A small personal victory, positive news amongst all the darkness surrounding us.
South Africa’s lockdown period has just been extended by 14days to the end of April – as announced by our president in his address to the country tonight. Congratulations Mr President, thank you for being a leader to us. I support your decision and will continue doing my small part in Supply Chain to help our economy.
I cannot imagine how difficult this decision must have been, the amount of stakeholders engaged and consulted to reach this decision. Many people, many businesses are suffering and will not be happy with this announcement, but I must believe this is short term pain for long term gain.
I have to applaud the relief efforts implemented by our government to help our citizens and small businesses, as well as those adhering to the lockdown regulations. I empathize with those struggling financially, but am optimistic they will bounce back. Already, many communities are supporting local, small businesses – especially those offering a delivery service.
As a nation, we have overcome much worse. We are literally stronger together, proven time and time again.
Well Monday was horribly blue!It started with technical challenges, unable to use Teams for a meeting. That kinda set the mood for the day.. boo!Then Monday night, I lay awake through to Tuesday morning. Tired as hell, I just couldn’t fall asleep. Last I checked the time, it was well after 4am.
So obviously Tuesday was terrible. Because of the lack of sleep, still needing to work from home, I was extremely sluggish and just couldn’t get going. Everytime I moved my head, felt like my eyeballs were playing catch up. I was in bed before 9pm and man… I slept like a vampire!
And here we are mid week, Wednesday.
Today, we ventured out into the world. We had to stock up on some staples. I was surprised & disappointed. The shopping center’s parking area was full! Even worse? We both stood in separate queues for two different grocery stores. That’s how many people were out shopping. It took us nearly 2 hours to get basics at the shops, during lockdown! I was, we were flabbergasted! We felt a smidgen guilty for needing to go out, that feeling was soon replaced with disbelief & disgust – especially standing in a queue at safe distance from two people standing together chatting away. 🤦♀️
Only to return home to two neighbors picnicking on the common area lawns. After settling back in, the cherry on the cake was the news that today’s death & infections increased substantially. Certainly far from huge numbers seen elsewhere around the world, but considering lockdown is at day13, it’s still steep.
Everyone is on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear what our president will announce by next week this time. Personally, we suspect covid-19 will eventually become the new “flu” Everyone will start returning to work, because economies need to recover, people need to earn a living… At this point, who knows 🤷♀️
To me, autumn in Cape Town means spectacular sunsets, foggy mornings, nature’s colors changing, lots of bird noises and crisp, cool air.
This morning, I sat at my window with my favorite cup of coffee, while most of my neighborhood was still sleeping. Sliding windows wide open, overlooking a valley covered in fog. A cold front seemed to be creeping in. I enjoyed the peaceful quiet of early morning, the sounds of the Egyptian geese in the distance, probably in the park I’d normally be walking through on a morning like this. But also hearing sounds of other birds chirping. So pleasant, calming and… new. I’ve noticed birds before, but with our new normal quiet, seems there’s loads more out there having conversations.
A glorious autumn morning Images taken by myselfAnother picture from my window #stayathome
As the area woke up, their beautiful melodies started giving way to rubber meeting tar, wheels swooshing by. Feathered voices were replaced with distant human chatter. I still enjoyed the view, so thankful I don’t have a brick wall next to my window. I can still see some of my world from where I sit. But this also means I can see how disgusting some neighbors are. Always got to take the good with the bad I guess.
In the afternoon, we decided to bake! For the first time since a mandatory bake in high school, I made cookies! Peanut Butter cookies! Such a treat!! Mary Berry would be so proud (she’s my spirit Gran) I certainly felt proud of my accomplishment, even after I forgot to cream the butter and sugar! I threw away the mistake batch of dry ingredients, laughed it off & started over. We are nothing if we cannot learn from our mistakes and I’m way too hard on myself most of the time, so I thought… fuck it, try again. And super glad I did… yum! My partner was inspired, he made carrot muffins, and what a treat they were! Light and fluffy and we really should stop getting busy in the kitchen before we need to roll out after lockdown is lifted 😂 (then I also have opinions about whether that will happen or not…for another time😏)
My first attempt at Peanut Butter cookies (top) and his delicious carrot muffins (bottom)
That cold front did eventually arrive, bringing some much needed moisture from the sky. More like a heavy mist or fine drizzle than rain. All of the above welcomed, in case you didn’t know by now, this is my favorite season 😉
Aside from banana bread recipes and pics to prove baking attempts, I’ve seen a lot of people posting pics from their homes, complaining about cabin fever already, fussing about space and lack thereof… I foresee a booming real estate market #postlockdown I imagine these same people will be looking for bigger apartments, homes with outdoor space, homes in different neighborhoods. I foresee a general need for different.
Yesterday, in an attempt to stay social & connected while continuing with physical distancing, we had a group call and someone commented how sorry they felt for us being “cooped up” in our apartment 🤔 after complaining how bored they were in the house with outside space🤔🤔
We’re really the furthest thing from “cooped up” Aside from working from home keeping us busy, we really enjoy being with each other & doing things together. I just don’t think unhappy people get that! As if they just simply cannot understand how we’re not irritated by each other. It’s simple really… we don’t only love each other, we like each other and we are happy together… SNAP🙌
Today he baked a gorgeous batch of dinner rolls(YUM), while I made a batch of home fries, meatballs and pickled red onion. We had an awesome late lunch together.
Proud to say, we still haven’t been out to the shops or anywhere else.
Our 2nd Friday in #lockdown and TGIF! Been a busy work-from-home week. I work in manufacturing & import goods from Europe, so you can only imagine all the hiccups, from flight delays / cancellations, newly imposed import restrictions to customs stops… everything is upside down, yet we need to carry on. Our economy depends on it.
Unprecedented times indeed.
This morning was garbage collection & we were so relieved that ours was collected as usual. Some neighborhoods were waiting days for trucks to come around because of skeleton staff and a couple trucks broke down. On my way back in to the complex, I had to take a pic of this notice in our foyer.
Notice in our complex foyer Image taken by myself
So, after waiting all day to see what would happen at 8pm, the time finally arrived. There we are, my partner & I, peeking out our windows overlooking the street. It was so expected, it was hilarious. If there were 4 people cheering, that was a lot. I did hear some bagpipes in the distance🤷♀️ And someone was playing the Gloria Gaynor song “I will survive” The air is beautifully crisp and clear, it’s so quiet that it’s loud. I hear things in the distance more. Like those bagpipes 😂
But on a more serious note, I have the utmost respect & gratitude for all those serving us on the frontlines. My sister is a medical receptionist / physician assistant, she had to take some time off while treating symptoms. Luckily, like me, it was the other strain of flu and not covid-19!!! I also have a very good friend nursing in Ireland, currently finishing her quarantine period after traveling back from Cape Town last minute, before Ireland closed their borders. I didn’t get to see her while she was here, but we keep in touch and I’m so glad she’s ok. But I still have concern, knowing she’ll be stepping into the frontlines in Monday, while my sister returns tomorrow. They’ll happily put on their masks & still keep smiling behind it as they serve.
Across the road, in the garden of a neighboring complex, I saw an older gent sitting under a tree, on a garden chair, topless, wearing a sun hat and reading a book. It was a beautiful 32°C day, blue skies. The kind of day I’d drive to the beach after work. Go for a walk to shake off the week.
Those are two things on my #postlockdownlist of things to do. A long, mountain drive to nowhere in particular and a long walk on the beach, maybe even a dip in a tidal pool if it isn’t freezing by then yet.
Lots to look forward to. Keep positive and stay safe. If you can, stay home!
Strangely irritated today. Not because of lockdown, but irritated by people. People complaining. People bored at home. People asking what to binge watch. People running out of snacks.
I’m irritated by these people… because I’m still working full days, remotely! I think it’s just a bit of the jellies! While they’re complaining, I’m getting stuck with shit from a manager who thinks he needs to find crap for us to do. Here… do another unnecessary spreadsheet or hey guys I need a list from all of you individually…😣 Oh fuck, give me strength! I’d take “what to binge on Netflix” over this shit any day!
Look, I get not every single person can work remotely. While some are having a partially or fully paid 21day vacation, I still have the same shit-different day vibes going. And I guess, I’d love some of those kinda problems.
That’s us humans hey, always something to complain about. But my rant got you reading this far ha-ha… Gotcha! 😏
Stay safe everyone and wash those dirty, grubby paws!
And remember… you’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home.
The new norm? No April Fools jokes today! Days are becoming blurred. This morning’s coffee conversation went something like this: Him – hun, are you still having your early morning meeting tomorrow? Me – no, that’s usually on WednesdaysHim – so, tomorrow is Wednesday Me – no hun, today is WednesdayHim – no man, are you sure?Hahaha… yup! 6days in 😅
Autumn is my favorite time of year🍁 Watching nature change. Trees turning beautiful colors. Cool, crispy mornings. Warm, sunny days. Then the nighttime chill creeps in. If I’m lucky, a misty morning – especially on a week end when I can go for an early morning walk. Usually these fellas keep me entertained on nature/park walks this time of year as I go stomping through drying leaves🍂 Now, I hear them making a noise in the skies and miss them up close. It’s a beautiful, louder noise when the air is so much quieter.
Egyptian goose in the Company Gardens, Cape Town Image taken by myself
Day2 working from home and another good, productive one.
We had such a lovely day; breakfast together, making faces at each other while on Teams calls, taking turns making coffee, him being my techie support, having a quick lunch and again, the day flew by. Before we knew it, I was fixing a yummy dinner and after dinner we had a stupid, stupid fight! And so the day went to shit 😞 all because I put unnecessary pressure on myself, which leads to frustration, which leads to me lashing out and him storming off. He even took the dirt out 😜
But then, I happened across a Facebook memory. One that reminded me 10years ago today, I drove myself to a hospital for an operation. My first, under anesthetic, real, there-could-be-complications operation. I went in alone, signed myself in alone, went into theatre alone – frightened, yet hiding it all behind a nervous smile. Was put into recovery after and stayed there alone until I was well enough to walk (and some other things), check myself out and drive myself home. Thought I was such a badass at the time.
I’ll always remember how alone I felt.
Suddenly that stupid fight was really put into perspective. 10 years ago today, I had no one who cared about me as much as he does. He’d never let me go through anything tough alone. So why’d I have to be a bitch when he was just trying to help me & my ego came out my mouth! Urgh!
It’s not the isolation. It’s not the lockdown. It’s just a bad end to a good day.
Some time from now, we will be asked “where were you on that first day of national lockdown?” I’ll proudly say I was one of those privileged and obedient people who stayed indoors all day! I don’t fuck around with my health (anymore), so as a diabetic this is real and serious and scary!
My partner worked from home for the first time ever today, I’ll be doing the same on Monday, since we both work in industries considered as essential services. So this is no 21 day vacation for us. We are just thankful to have the capability, resources and decent enough bosses allowing us to help #flattenthecurve.
I’ve been home from work this week. Medically booked off, basically the flu with extra precautions because of this dreaded virus & being diabetic putting me at higher risk of developing complications should I contract the virus. I felt like shit, not going to lie. Sore throat, fever, then came the cough and my partner started worrying, which made me wonder… where would I have picked it up from? At the time, there weren’t many person-to-person transmissions. Then I remembered seeing a neighbor wearing a mask. He’d returned from Germany & was self isolating. When the fever didn’t break, I started monitoring myself closer. Temperature & blood glucose. Apparently, this virus loves sweet blood 🤷♀️ I was on some heavy viral meds & antibiotics & once the sore throat went away I started feeling better. Still have that fluctuating temp, but not feeling shitty anymore. And my GP gave me the all clear.
So how was my #day1
I cleaned windows 😂 I made a yummy lunch. I watched the world from my hilltop apartment and judged every person walking outside, a group of 5 with a baby, cars driving past with two or more in the vehicle, those alone in their vehicle texting or talking on the cellphones while driving… urgh, you can’t fix stupid. Ignorance, disobedience, ego and looking for loopholes will be the downfall of an entire nation. People were arrested in the early hours of this morning, for partying and drinking in pubs, taverns & nightclubs. Reports of the odd jogger around… for God’s sake, a man ran a marathon on his balcony! If you must, run at home…on one spot if you don’t have space. C’mon people! Sacrifices now, for the reward of gaining back our freedom later… aside from hopefully stopping the spread of the virus. YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE! THERE IS NO CURE. IT’S NOT JUST THE FLU! Apologies for the caps, but my tolerance & patience for stupid, is at an all time low. I know, yesterday I was patting myself on the back for gaining more patience & tolerance, but humans make me mad🤦♀️ A woman died today in my beautiful hometown, Cape Town. A 38year old woman. Not aged. Gone! Deceased! Because of “just a flu”
Sensibility. Logic. Obedience. Respect for LAW! Fear of authority even. We need this immediately.
I’m hoping tomorrow will have fewer reports of upstream swimmers. I’m hoping our numbers start stabilizing, not growing over the next few days, weeks. Right now, I live in hope. And gratitude. I’m so grateful my “just a flu” was just that! I’m grateful to have a safe home, with food, internet, TVs, a beautiful view of mountains and greenery and skies and streets. Creature comforts & my surroundings, things I may ordinarily take for granted.
That, was my #day1 in Cape Town, South Africa. How are you doing, wherever you are in the world? Stay safe. Let’s #flattenthecurve together💪
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow…” An image taken by myself, from my hilltop apartment.
lots happening up there 