I apologize for going MIA for a couple of weeks. I spent a week away participating at a Habitat for Humanity build in Florida, and returned to work in an uproar that has only calmed down for me because I am working from home until mid-April. I would love to write about anything other than COVID-19, but so much has been thrown into chaos due to this damned virus that it’s impossible not to.

My Capstone Project research trip to the UK and France has been postponed, and I have been encouraged to choose another way of completing the research that doesn’t involve travel. The local colleges, including mine, have been emptied of most students and staff leaving questions about whether or not they will invite the students back in time for graduation or if graduation will be delayed. My taller half and I will now be working from home together, which actually isn’t a concern since we thankfully have adequate space to not bother each other during working hours, so there’s that. I am grinding my teeth at night to the point that I had to have my jaw popped back into place this week and wearing a mouth guard makes me gag so…not good. And, like everyone, I am worried about my parents and out of reach family and friends.

I have yet to begin hoarding toilet paper but I always think of that Supernatural episode (5.04) where Dean is sent to the future where the world has been devastated by the Croatoan virus. Chuck tells him that if he returns to his own time to begin hoarding toilet paper “like it’s made of gold because it is.” While I understand the panic something like this can do to people, I think it would be nice to hear more stories about how we are helping others to deal with this rather than the stories about empty shelves in stores that mean one family eats well while another goes hungry.

The upcoming days, weeks, months will be interesting, in that way no one really wants to experience. I hope my current tooth/jaw aches go away so I can be productive somehow. Maybe I’ll take up tai chi to find my calm before bed. Meditation that involves sitting still has never worked well for me…I come up with to-do or grocery lists… Read that Zadie Smith book I started before classes began but had to put aside. Study Welsh more often. Go for walks (while I can?). Finally catch up on One Piece (I think I’m in the low 800’s and the show is currently at 924). Write something non-school related… 

Take care, stay healthy, and hopefully I am back to posting regularly again, with actual topics that are cheerful, non-virus related, and on-time.