The Lockdown Tag

I came across this tag on Happy Panda‘s blog and I had to participate! If you’re reading this, consider yourself nominated.

Rules: 

• Thank the person who nominated you 
• Answer the blogger’s questions 
• Nominate other bloggers 

Questions:

Overall, how are you handling the quarantine?

I’m actually back at work now, and I miss being at home with my babies! It wasn’t easy at first to transition from working with teenagers all day to hanging out with two little ones who are both under the age of four. However, I’m blessed to have a supportive husband who’s a phenomenal father and grandparents nearby to help. I do sort of miss going to the movies, but as an introvert, I’ve really thrived.

Have you violated any of the restrictions? If yes, what rule(s) did you break?

I almost forgot my mask one time, but I went home and got it. I’m pretty anxious about everything, and I have family members who are at risk. I’m not taking any chances.

What viral recipes have you tried during the lockdown?

I used a dinner delivery service (think Blue Apron but cheap) called Dinnerly. We loved the recipes they sent, and it was always super affordable. The recipes were laid out so that even someone who’s not great in the kitchen could fix a home-cooked meal, sides and all, in a reasonable amount of time. I learned a lot from using them and saved money. The only reason I quit using it is because FedEx failed to deliver a couple of the boxes (it was when FedEx was super understaffed), but the customer service repaid us the money.

What activities have you missed the most during quarantine?

The gym, the theater, the theater, church, and the theater. I’ve still been able to workout at home and we’ve watched sermons online, but no theatre.

Do you wear a mask when you leave the house?

If I’m stepping off my property, I mask up. There is no sense in risking the lives of others. Also, it’s polite, and I’m a polite Southern girl!

Are you an essential worker? If yes, what is your job title?

Yes. I’m a teacher. Specifically, I’m a theatre teacher.

How do you exercise during the lockdown?

I started out having a pretty long workout routine, but now that I’m back at work I do three compound exercises three days a week: squats, pushups, and negative pull-ups. It sounds easy, but I’m constantly upping my reps. I’m up to 175 squats right now.

Have you subscribed to any new subscription services since the lockdown started?

I’ve subscribed to 3 apps: Hallow, Pray, and Moshi. The first two are prayer/meditation apps and the third one is a sleep app for children. It tells stories, and my toddler loves it.

What did/does your daily schedule look like before the pandemic started?

Pre-pandemic, I woke up at 6, went to work at 7:30, taught until 3:05, rehearsed until 6:00, and came home in time to put the little ones in bed before falling into bed myself.

Do you think that the pandemic is getting better or worse?

I’m not sure. My fear is that people are getting careless the longer it goes on. I’ve seen less people in masks lately, and my school (which has been virtual since September 1st) is considering having students come back on October 5. I’m very nervous.

What have you learnt/become grateful for during the lockdown? 

I’m grateful for my family. Overall, they’ve taken things seriously and not let politics get in the way of safety. I’m also grateful for the time I’ve gotten to spend with my little ones.

How do you think the world should learn from this pandemic so that things are better in the future? 

I wish my country’s leaders would learn not to play politics when they should be saving lives. I’ve been severely disappointed with the behavior of both our political parties. I know it’s an election year, but this pandemic should have brought people together–united us in the face of a common and invisible enemy. Instead we want to argue for the sake of argument and further the political divide. Also, I’m not airing my own political views here. I honestly think both parties are in the wrong.

Thank you for reading through my answers! Let me know if you can relate with them in the comments below.