Bleh in the City: The One Year Covid-Versary

 Happy SPD, All :)

I have a confession to make. I am not happy today. I mean, I am...but I am feeling very discouraged. Not a lot of money right now; we thought some money was coming, but we haven't received it yet. No job prospects. Yes, I am looking every few days. I am missing my family. I am just...bleh. Anker isn't doing very well, either. His liver has been acting up. His PBC is back, so he is back on meds. It has been nice outside, so that is good. I am trying to walk every other day (or more). I am actually scared that I won't find anything soon. I know I shouldn't worry, but I do. It's hard not to. I am even thinking of looking for work out of town. I am also thinking of starting a small business, but even that seems like too much work. I miss people. I miss church. I miss sitting ANYWHERE inside without a mask. I miss girls' get togethers. I miss family get togethers. I even missing Ladies Bible Study! I miss hugging my people. It's not to say that I haven't done these things for a full year; when things relaxed a bit, we did see my family, we had get togethers outside, and I do go on walks with friends sometimes. I don't know what is going to happen this year. I know no one does, but I hate not even having a bit of a plan. What happens if things get bad again? If I get a job, what happens if I don't like it? What if my coworkers don't like me? What if I can't do said job? What happens if I can't find ANY job soon? Sigh...there are so many unknowns, and I hate unknowns!

                                                          My 3 yr old nephew took this!!

It has been one year since "Covid" and "corona" (and not the beer!) became a house hold words. We started learning words like "quarantine", "social distancing", "(self) isolation", and "flatten the curve". Masks are now a part of our fashion industry. Zoom and Google Meet probably didn't know what hit them this time last year. Virtual events have been at 10000% more than last year. Sourdough bread, Dolgona Coffee, TikTok, virtual field trips, travel, concerts shows, and even those "Master Class" classes are more popular than ever. Curbside pickup (online shopping) has been at an all time high. Services like Skip the Dishes, Door Dash, have been crazy busy. People working from home, kids/adults learning from home. Drive by birthday parties, virtual meals and holidays with family, YouTube tutorials are most likely in the millions of views right now. Meal prep kits have probably been at an all-time high in sales, along with disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and who knows what else. Streaming services I know have probably quadrupled their sales. "Binge-watching" is no longer a seemed a guilty pleasure, but now an acceptable activity. Living in sweats and PJs is ok! Business on top, and PJs on the bottom are seen (or not seen!) as ok! Family (dog, kids, etc) interruptions during meetings are no longer a huge embarrassment. Although I am sure most people are back to work by now, it is certainly a different feeling than it was last year. No Christmas get together, no baking brought to the office. Let's face it; our world has changed. Some of it not all bad, either. But some of it. has been stressful; mental illness, loneliness, domestic violence, and drug (including opioid use) is at an all time high, alcohol consumption is WAY higher than it was this time last year (among other negative effects, I know). Hate crimes (and crimes in general) have gone up. #stopasianhate And hello, Quarantine 15!! I miss concerts, and plays. I miss the summer events that this town had. I miss the vibe that this town had. Even if I didn't go to well, ANY events, it was fun to see, hear and read about them. I am thankful that our city did do their annual spring/summer/fall Farmers' Market, for which I only went to twice :)

I know there have been wonderful and kind stories that have come out from all of this. We have all seen and heard of them. So, it hasn't all been bad :) But, life without human contact has been hard on the best of us. I do have a VERY small bubble of who I hang out with. When I meet with friends, it is usually out in the park or in a coffee shop (why we can do that, and not have friends over at a distance in our home is beyond me!), or on their deck or outside, if the weather allows. I have gone to my parents' a few times, but I mostly stay in their B&B cabin and have minimal meals with them, and I/we haven't been there since January. When things "relaxed" a bit, we did have "Fakesgiving" (one week early) at my parents', with my brother and his wife coming from VI. I pretty much only have been hanging out with my brother and his family (regarding going to people's houses).

I started on this on March 17th, and I did the last 3rd today, March 29th :) I have actually been feeling a bit better, as is Anker, so that is a real plus :) As far as looking for work, well, I am doing it slowly, but I have a few ideas of doing things independently, so I am not rushing right now. I am thankful for everything in my life. It isn't easy, but I know that God is watching over us, and He is taking care of us :) Also, spring has sprung, so who can be mad/sad about that?