Blog

My Current Situation – Part X (Goodbye 2021!)

 

I’m sure this comes as no surprise to anyone that on this Friday, December 31st,  I am happy to see 2021 Simply. Go. Away. (smile)

 

I am cautiously optimistic though that even when the 2022 pandemic brings its own variants, we will all learn to effectively work around them so that we can resume a somewhat “normal” life.

 

I have already noticed the following habits in my own life as I head into 2022:

  • I still wear a face mask practically everywhere I go

  • I’m still working 50% hybrid (one day from my home office; the next day from my work office and so on…)

  • I am still washing my hands multiple times a day even when they’re not dirty

  • I am still waddling around in yoga pants, fluffy slippers and baseball caps on the days I work from home

  • I still have not travelled outside of the U.S. and/or drove more than 300 miles  away from home for personal travel

I’m also still counting my blessings every day that this dreadful disease does not directly impact any one of my family members and friends.

 

 

 

 

 

.

My Current Situation Part IX

It’s the season of what we like to call “Fall” in New England.  The days are short, the air is brisk and the leaves are “falling” from the trees.   I happen to like this season because the temperatures in Connecticut tend not to be too extreme plus it’s a great time to enjoy backyard bonfires.

 

 

It’s also cold and flu season so I scheduled my flu shot this coming week at my place of employment.  I was advised by my Primary Care Physician to get the Shingles shot this year which by the way comes in two separate doses.  I’m well over 50 but for some reason was advised to take care of it this year.  Our local pharmacy (Walgreens) made it real simple for me.

 

 

The drawn-out Covid pandemic (which could easily turn into a “Twindemic” with the upcoming Flu season upon us) is still causing me to pause as to what activities I should or should not participate in.  For instance, I went to see Erykah Badu a few weeks ago at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, CT because the people in charge were asking all attendees to be fully vaccinated and wear their masks.  However, I skipped going to an outdoor festival in Hamden, CT because there would be children there under the age of 12 who, at this time, cannot be vaccinated.   Decisions, decisions…

 

 

And as far as work goes I am currently in month 15 of working hybrid for the News 8 local sales department and I’m not mad about it (smile).  You see I enjoy working from home every other day because it keeps me in the practice of dressing up to go into work in the first place (smile).  I am forced to put on a nice dress or blouse and skirt every other day.  Otherwise I would just live in yoga pants and baseball caps (double smile).

 

 

I also get to touch base with my fav co-workers and experience a change of scenery from the home decor.  But working from home also has its perks:  those aforementioned yoga pants and baseball caps, no commute, noontime walks and healthy lunches.  Truth be told I actually work harder when I’m working from home as I still get up at the same time every day but on those days can begin at least an hour earlier, multi-task at lunchtime and end whenever I feel like it (after quitting time) since I’m already home.

 

 

Being a true fan of  Social Media, I am noticing more and more posts of people in general spending quality time with their families and their friends.  In my opinion the notion of Family is back in a Big Way and it is very apparent.  If nothing else comes from this pandemic, it will have shown us that Family and Relationships are truly what we all have been missing.

 

 

TVFL readers, have a Great Week.

 

 

My Current Situation Part VIII

There was a small window in time at some point in July of 2021 where life was beginning to feel a little normal, albeit, the “new normal,” as masks were flung off, dressy outfits were put back on and baseball caps were sent back to the ball field.

 

 

Then along came Delta, it sounds like a movie but instead it’s the name of the new variant that is quickly turning our everyday lives into a mini nightmare.  The medical doctor on the last news segment I watched explained that even if you are fully vaccinated, you can still catch and/or transmit the COVID virus –  Yikes!  It’s no wonder that it’s spreading like wildfire.

 

 

And now the Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends that all state residents go back to wearing masks inside public buildings.

 

 

Yes.  Again…Wait, Really?!?

 

 

So as of today, me and my fellow News 8 Account Executives continue to work (masked up outside our cubicles) in the same hybrid fashion we started about 14 months ago.  Call me crazy but I happen to like working 50 percent from home and 50 percent from the office.  I have even created a cozy home office in one corner of my dining room that easily fits my desk, office supplies, desktop computer, office chair, printer and work files.  I can’t lie: I’m not looking forward to going back to work in the office 100 percent of the time.  Especially since I’ll have to face those crazy, unhinged drivers every day as opposed to just half the week.

 

 

Being the Optimist that I am though, I take a deep breath and remember what I am truly grateful for: I am truly grateful that me, my family and my loved ones are all healthy, fully vaccinated and presently living Covid- free lives.

 

 

And I certainly hope the same for all of my TVFL readers.

 

 

 

My Current Situation Part VII

I am writing this blog post on a semi-wet and blustery Sunday afternoon in the month of May.  We are having a true Spring this year and it’s not easy getting used to.  Also it’s been 14 months since the pandemic officially started in Connecticut and although some things have changed, others have not…

 

 

This is the 7th installment of a (hopefully) limited series of blog posts related to my Covid 19 experience – but 7 is my lucky number so I’m going to go with that (smile).

 

 

But first things first, I am still working hybrid — one day operating from home, the next day from my News 8 local sales office — which I absolutely love doing but I fear the end is near…

 

 

…the state of Connecticut is fully opening back up on May 19th which is a pretty good sign that things are moving towards what is being deemed, the “new normal.”

 

 

I can’t lie, I want the “old normal” back and I promise not to complain about anything anymore (double smile).

 

 

I’m also still attending my church home, Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, via Facebook live.  There’s something to be said about hearing “The Word” virtually and from the safety and comfort of your own home…

 

 

And I still work out 5 days a week at I Love Kickboxing in North Haven, CT.  What has recently changed at ILKB is this:  there are no more mask optional classes (just mask-mandatory) nor are there any more limits to class sizes.  So with the arrival of earlier sunrises in Connecticut, these early bird class sizes will sometimes swell to capacity.

 

 

I’m also super excited to announce that I am now fully vaccinated so a simple mask is my new entry point to getting some of my life back, Yay!

 

 

I’m not going crazy though.  I am slowly easing myself back into my new life.  Pre-Pandemic I was Go-Go-Go, trying to cram everything in all at one time without once stopping to take a break.

 

 

Nowadays I’m learning to appreciate the simple things in life.  Things that bring me love, peace and joy.  I’m also planning for my retirement over the next 4 or 5 years where I will look forward to enjoying a much slower and leisurely pace.

 

 

 

My Current Situation – Part VI

Life as I knew it has certainly changed.  What has not changed is that I am still operating in a hybrid fashion at work (one day working from the office; the next day working from home) and I can’t say I’m mad about it (smile).

 

 

I’m also still going to I Love Kickboxing at the crack of dawn 5 days a week which not only keeps me in shape, but also keeps me sane (smile).

 

 

I’m 59 years old so I was in the second wave of folks eligible for the vaccine in Connecticut – and was truly happy to get it.  They shot my arm with Moderna which means in another 4 weeks I will be ready for shot number 2…and close to getting back to some sort of (mask wearing) normalcy…

 

 

I haven’t quite resumed my social life – again, I am waiting for that second vaccine shot and then waiting another 2 weeks after that just to be safe…

 

 

It’s hard to belive that its been 13 months since Covid 19 appeared and thankfully I have not caught it yet so I must be doing something right.

 

 

And I’m noticing something:  people seem to be enjoying the simple things in life – taking a long walk outside; hugging their grandchildren tight; face-timing with family and friends, going hiking, playing board games, etc.

 

 

For  myself, I’ve become more introspective which is not surprising considering the fact that I am spending less time with others and more by myself.  And I don’t mean this in a bad way.  I’m just looking to take this quality time we’ve all been given to work on becoming a better version of myself (smile).

 

 

Which includes attending virtual church at CTBC on a regular basis, working as a volunteer Writer for Shop Black CT and being of service to others where and when I am able.

 

 

I’m not gonna lie, If I could wave a magic wand and get everything back to “normal,” trust me I would.  But since that is not possible, I will settle for a nice long relaxing vacay in a sunny but secluded (mask optional) environment (double smile)…