Social (studies) Isolation

Paw Patrol and conveniently not over-lapping meetings is what got us through the morning today. I am looking forward to being able to use grandparents as childcare again next week because this has been trying. It's hard to be a good mom when I'm also trying to be a good teacher and vice versa. I know how lucky I am to have any help at all right now. I can't imagine how difficult it is for the people who don't have family that they can trust to isolate and help with their kids, or those who don't have the opportunity to isolate. Just another one of those pandemic things where it's hard but it could be harder but that also doesn't mean that it's not hard... if that makes sense? Everything feels so complex today. Yesterday Folk Fest was cancelled, also Stampede, but FF is the significant thing in my life. I'm just sad about it. That's all.

Everclear was the choice this morning. I must admit this is streaming from Apple Music and not my vinyl collection though. I don't really want to talk about anything today. I'm tired from a busy day of classes and one-on-one student meetings and marking and emails. But this is a good thing, I like being busy with work (just not overwhelmed). What I do want to mention though is that the UK, Germany, and Australia are all set to start testing a vaccine on human subjects. Fingers, toes, everything is crossed that one is successful. I know we're still more than a year away but the sooner this can get off the ground the better. Brief, but good today. And so so so so grateful for the return of the sun.

We've had to re-quarantine some grandparents due to a (totally normal and not concerning) hospital visit. So just to be safe we have a tiny coworker at home this week. This meant that my only hope of getting some work done this morning was to forego my usual vinyl selections and set her up with some cheerios, milk, 2 different types of water cups, and a movie. Plus all of her toys and books and the cushions off the couch, and also a basket of her shoes. Entertaining a 16 month old is hard enough, trying to do it while also navigating a full time job at home is impossible. The nice thing about today's schedule is that nap time perfectly lined up with my prep so I had the chance to send some longer emails and make some phone calls - the things that are near impossible to do when she's awake. This is where it's been really helpful to have dedicated that time last week to being prepared. I have D2L announcements ready to go, checklists for daily tasks and on-going jobs. ...

After a weekend of Disney singalong and Global Citizen concerts on TV (and paw patrol, always paw patrol), a little Adele was the musical palate cleanser that I needed. If we're being honest I put this record on specifically for Send My Love but I was surprised by how relatable Million Years Ago is right now.   Sometimes I just feel it's only me Who can't stand the reflection that they see I wish I could live a little more Look up to the sky, not just the floor I feel like my life is flashing by And all I can do is watch and cry I miss the air, I miss my friends I miss my mother, I miss it when Life was a party to be thrown But that was a million years ago The warm weather is such a welcome change. It came in this weekend in the most Calgary way possible, winter, -10, and snow one day, blue skies, +10, and sun the next and it seems as though it's here to stay. We spent a lot of time outside, finally taking down the big Christmas bobbles on our t...

Steph is one of my very best friends. I've known her as long as I can remember, she was in my wedding party, we went to every level of school together. She is hands down the smartest person I know and has spent the last 14 years living in Montreal and studying at McGill. She's worked towards a PhD which she recently earned from home due to COVID. Here's what she's been experiencing:  Covid-19 in Quebec Date Quebec Montreal (in addition to everything Quebec) March 11 Announces 14day self isolation for returning travelers March 12 Bans indoor gatherings of more than 250 people. Anyone with flu-like symptoms must self quarantine for 14 days March 13 All School suspended for 2 weeks. Remote learning commenced on March 30 th . Public day care also closed. All public buildings are closed (arenas, libraries, sport facilities, etc.), large public events cancelled (saint Patrick’s day parade, Montreal symphony orchestra) March 14 Visits to h...

Throwing it back to 5 years before I was born with a little Culture Club this morning. My dad gave me a cassette version of this album for my first walkman when I was like 5 and I listened to it so much that the tape stretched out. Though, I realized while listening to the vinyl version this morning that I only listened to side A... over and over and over again. I'm finding that mornings are my favourite part of the day right now. I get to sleep in a little bit, actually make a breakfast AND eat it, drink tea while it's warm and fresh. I get ready for work, hair and a little makeup if I have a video class or meeting, otherwise it's just opening blinds, putting on some music, and organizing my work space for the day. It's slow, there's no stress, I love it. Evenings are different though. They feel lonely and long. I miss family dinners, I miss having my daughter run to me at daycare pickup, I miss feeling like that couple of hours between her bed time and my b...

Mumford and Sons released a collaboration with Baaba Maal a few years ago. Just a short EP, it blends their English alt-Folk style with Baaba Maal's Sengalese rhythms. It is unreal how good these 5 songs are. This album sounds like sunshine. I walked down the aisle to There Will be Time at our wedding. This music is a part of me. So a good choice for starting the day. Today was a grocery day. Prescriptions to be filled, food to be restocked. We've been ordering Chef's Plate, a meal kit delivery service. It's kind of reignited my love of cooking because somebody else does the planning, I just have to execute. It helps that I'm at home and don't have to choose between time with my daughter and time in the kitchen now. Anyways, these kits have really reduced our need to go shopping, we just need to stock up on milk and bananas mostly. Today though, a freezer restocking trip. It was announced yesterday that due to factory closures we will likely see a seve...