Quarantine Day #8- COVID_19

March 23rd, 2020
Monday

Major updates:  This world is under the massive throes of COVID_19 which is: 

COVID-19, 'CO' stands for 'corona,' 'VI' for 'virus,' and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”. There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and even death. The period within which the symptoms would appear is 2-14 days.

So basically this has been wrecking havoc on the work from ~December 2019 first recognized in China and fastly infected the world. The US has been taking some precautions all over from grounding flights, mandatory testing of some groups, and closing off borders.

Basically my institution had to react fast from December when we had to move students from our various study away sights to safer locations, but as they moved so did the virus to Italy, Florence, and then came to the mainland US. First known case was Westchester in the Jewish Community on the east coast (it came to Washington State in a Senior home and took a lot of vulnerable folks out). Anywho, when things were looking like there was mandatory social distancing / about to be a quarantine in place and massive disruptions to regular life as one knows it shit started getting real. Like in the really everyone was panic buying toilet paper (like really toilet paper-- one of the symptoms is not excessive shitting but oh well) and then runs on food and all cleaning supplies and purell is hot on the black market.
So being the person I am, considering I get paid monthly, I tend to buy in bulk as needed cause that is how my paycheck allows. So I am swayZ on Toilet Paper!!! Come holla at your girl!
No, in all seriousness, I did have to check the bro as he prepared with 2 hero sandwiches and a soda (like this was some Weekend at Bernies or something!)

ANYWHO, my job allowed us to work from home starting  March 10 I was going in intermittently (as I am not a regular fan of Friday work OR MTA travel). The proverbial shit hit the fan on 3/11 and shut services down including my Game of Life...after NYU edition that I worked so hard on. Like prepared and was going to be a flagship event at my institution.
Like had 150 registered students.
Had a new way of providing information and great prizes.  Had food ordered.
Had 40+ volunteers.
Had good snacks!
Had laminated some posters! Like used a lamination machine and everything.
Eh, I guess will be prepared for next year.
But yeah, as of that 3/11 date, have not been allowed back in the offices. Luckily, I have a work computer that I can remote in from home and our IT people are excellent. So this is the dream, right?

Working from home is my ultimate dream (so to speak). In the sense of being of great use and functional and efficient without getting on the MTA and the NYC elements is #winning.
Yes, there are certain aspects of my day-to-day when educating folkx needs some face-to-face time however, keeping up with the times allowed me to already have video coaching and phone coaching available (again #winning). ALL THIS AND NO BRA= JACKPOT!!!
I mean, that all sounds good, but I do like a structure now and again, I do like some parts of the outside world,  and my bras are cute so I like to wear them too. Working from home is definitely something I can rock with, but there are a few things I have learned about myself:

1. I need a new office chair as the cushion on my ass + the cushion on the seat are in constant battle and my flat ass ain't winning. Plus this office chair is 18 years old and for someone who was not this current wright. 
2. Speaking of weight, I am NOT trying to come out of this quarantine situation ANY pounds heavier (they closed the gyms) so I need to social distance from the fridge and every other quarantine snack that I bought. 
3. My office space (desk) is not as functional as I would like- and truthfully this is why I need a dedicated office to begin with. 
4. The real problems this is showing me is the inequalities of the world are exacerbated with the haves and the have nots and the essential workers (nurses, doctors, cashiers and some folks that don;t even get minimum wage). 
5. The way higher education + lower education is treating teachers and moving to virtual learning/ online learning shows who has viable access to internet, computers, and are competent with this learning style. Never mind the food insecurities and housing securities that are heightened this time.
6. Thinking about the abusers who have more access to their victims as folks are told to shelter in place. 

All of this is a lot. 

And my anxiety is acting up

And my asthma and Allergies (all A things) are making me think "OH God, is this The Rona???" every time I sneeze.

Just a lil update on life over here in the big city.

that's all...

Conversations... on Men aint shit

Back story:

Reading a q & A from an author we both follow and admire. 
Basically a woman writes in saying she is a fiance of a 7 yr relationship + is currently pregnant and taking care of him as he has cancer. Finds out he has a million dollar insurance policy and she is not listed (as they are not married- his mom and brother are). Add to this he is living in her place and she is stressed financially, emotionally and physically and he asked and she listed him on her insurance policy as she wanted the best for him. She is UPSET and wondering if she has the right (i mean she is baby momma + fiance and he is not looking out for spawns future and because she does not have the title of wife tho is doing wifey things he feels justified and she thinks he should be a decent human being considering she thought they were building a future together.)
SO me & my girls convo is OFF THE CHAIN cause as Aretha says (R.I.P.) Ain't no way...
I mean what say you?

Some days

Some days

It is harder than others

to accept the reality

that

This is actually happening.

This is actually real.

And as heartbreaking this is-

the amount of faith I have in your journey you have no idea.

I pray daily and nightly for your recovery.

I pray for the other brothers safety and peace of mind.

I pray for the children in the world and the state of the world.

And I pray for me-

for my sanity.

For a piece of peace.

For comfort.

For reasons why

For the way

I just continue to pray

And believe there is a reason for this.

This trial

This struggle

This outcome

What is the reason- why is this happening ? What more can I do?

Just why

I would be

I would be

Remiss if I didn't mention

The things that have happened this January

Lost keys in elevator shaft that ultimately tested my patience and strength. It also forced me to focus on my vision board and make that a reality.

The following week lost my parking cars and had to get a new one wit borrowed money from bro #3 as that was a severely unexpected expense. Did end up going to the gym.

Ended up in jury duty and then end the emergency room with horrific muscle spasms. 

Incredible. Bad. Pain killers needed.

Working thru some things that make me challenged. 

And then ... 

Challenges that make me me.

Such was January.

coffee thought...

I have been trying to figure out why
Why is it that we need an A-ha moment to get it?
Why is it that we need a multitude of bricks crashed upon us to determine that oh, maybe I should catch the signs and pay attention.
Why is it that some people cannot get the hint and others cannot stop seeing the signs?
These are the dilemmas that are wracking my brain. For example:
Bro #2 just had surgery to remove one of his toes- due to complications from diabetes.
How is it you have a significant other and you have not made it to the hospital and she has been in the home with you smelling your putrid foot?
And [for the record] I do not blame her- because we all have a certain amount of personal responsibility here, and there is but so much another person can do when you won't do...
But what gets me is that how you don't want better for yourself or better yet how claim you want better for yourself but don't do better?
And how she- your choice- your love- don't do/say something to make you want to be around for a very long time with her? I DON'T GET IT
And on another note- how about if I am gonna have a surgical procedure my significant other better be there by my side otherwise you are not that significant and I can do without you. And I will find another other.

I am just perplexed because

1. He names me health care proxy because I am the responsible one. Do you know what responsibility that is? Here I am asking the hard questions (do you have a DNR in place? What about extraordinary measures- do you want any? What if they need to remove more than what they expect what's your choice?) and having asked these questions of my mother when it was that time I am like wtf? Again?
2. When I ask her what her thoughts were, she had none. could not answer. OK lady- that is the only time I am soliciting input cause clearly you are not the one to go to in this emergency situation. 
3. Why?
4. Like I previously mentioned- any lover of mine better be there for support of me or else there is no reason to be in my life... 
5. Is this the state of relationships today? Is my idea of support and love soo different and antiquated that it is OK to miss surgery?
6. I feel soo scared, alone, angry, hurt and helpless at the same time. Good thing there is God Present everywhere...
7. I need a hug
8. This is changing everything as he has must do better or else more things will get chopped off.

Sometimes my mind hurts with all the unanswered questions and the thoughts that I think are right, and common sensical yet are apparently extraordinary and like too much?
Sometimes it is all too much, I mean we aren't supposed to be getting more than we can handle, right?

And it is also amazing to see who steps up (Bro#1 girlfriend) which is amazing. I mean who knew?

anywho...pray.

coffee thought...Horoscope: Gemini: April 2nd, 2014

Your health may be like a rollercoaster ride over the next couple of days if you take on too many tasks. Postpone additional projects until you've got existing ones finished.You can reserve alot energy like this.

Apparently, my health is putting me out for the count today (woman issues) and while "I am woman hear me roar" and all that jazz sometimes cramps are just a pain in the uterus and a monthly reminder that I have a womb without use.

Sigh...
that's all...

also ps... i can also reserve alot of energy by no moving from my couch for 4 hour stretches.
check!

Mean bean

 

Apparently I can be a

'Mean Bean'

LOLOL

And No I do not drink this stuff

Happy New Year--kinda late...

Happy New year!
I mean I am 7 days into 2014 and 2 days back to work so that is a plus.
A plus because work was closed due to the ridiculous amounts of snow experienced in the NYC area...
(sigh)
I need to move to Bermuda stat...
anywho
What has happened in the previous days of my non blogging self?
Well, mostly just figuring out some things about myself for myself AND watching a bunch of movies (crash, a wonderful life, Mandela, horror stuff) had a great time at a NYE party at TD house (#nobehaviorcrew) and then a good chill session.
Today.
It seems like chef has had a relapse and has checked himself into 'the place'. What is troubling  (not only about 'the place') is that we (his other sibling + me + his other aka girlfriend) had a real conversation session on Sunday about their relationship and the parameters in which they show love.

Side note:

why is it folks come to me with their relationship issues?

me the currently non relationship having one?

me, also the one who is looking for love but coming up empty.

me, the one who also know what is not acceptable/

what is a deal breaker

and what is not tolerable.

eh.

I guess it's me.

It wasn't working (the conversation and space between them) and proceeded to make everyone involved some tea (hey, I'm part British and it soothes the soul) I chatted with them some more and tried to determine their intentions--- hell, everyones intentions for that matter---and clarify those intentions and actions toward each other that they do to get to their love.
Also wanted them to communicate better and make things work (that's just me, but that aint my business)...but at that time , could tell bro had checked out of this part of reality and was entering his world.
What does this mean?
Well, being back in the hospital means he has access to folks he can talk to to probably help better get situated to the things that are going on.
It also means he recognizes when he is in need and that is better than being forceably placed.
He also said that they appreciated the chat with me and I know what I am doing.
I guess...
I hope.

Update 1/21/14: bro is out and doing fine. a little reset button never hurt no one.

Sick Day- Monday 3/18/13

Sick days suck when-

1) The day-time TV choices are slim to none and the slim part you already saw before so it is really none.
2) You want some hot tea but it is all the way over there and your couch is too comfy to move from.
2a) You also have no motivation for coffee.
3) It is 34 degrees outside and 26 degrees in here.
4) You have no more chicken soup in the house and no motivation to go outside.
5) The crackhead is running laps up and down the steps like it is the NYC marathon, slamming doors so sleep is elusive.
6) You are actually sick and are home not playing 'sick' and lying on a beach somewhere.

that's all...