This blog title has two meanings: 1) it's actually been a while since I've done a blog post. 2) It's been a while since I've felt like my life is like really actually normal. And I just realized the cause of it for a few reasons today. But also, I'm glad I did notice it, but I'll come back to that later.
So, as pretty much all of you know, there's this pandemic going around. This outbreak of Corona virus. It made its way to Japan a few weeks ago and things started closing. Japan has its school year end in March with a break, so they encouraged schools to close early to halt the spread of the virus. The weekend that things starting getting interesting, Japan had this strange shortage of toilet paper in stores all over. It was weird. My friends had plans that weekend in Tokyo, but unfortunately we had to cancel them. And that's when it all started. Unfortunately, around this same time my "massage therapist" that I recently found on base went out of town for a few weeks. (Again, I'll come back to that) So starting around March 1st, many of my plans started to be cancelled. And I've really probably only spent maybe like 5 hours socializing post March 1st. Fortunately, I happen to work around the corner from one of my BFFs, so I mostly get to chat during lunch.
But this week I realized that several things are going on.
A) I'm not as much of an introvert as I think and occasionally claim to be.
B) I'm in a much healthier head space/mental health state than I have been in a while. (Depressed/Anxious me would be FEEDING on all this time I have to watch Netflix)
C) I'm a very cranky elf when you take away my socializing, and its cold, and then you add the fact that
D) I got sick during that time too and missed three days of work, which means I'm 5 days behind in school work. (Yes, that's how the math of "teacher work load" works...fellow teachers are you with me?)
E) Add the fact that its also NJHS induction time and now I'm 7 days behind in school work.
F) I'm working on the weekends and several hours after school each day and I'm back down to 6 days behind.
G) Then add the fact that I haven't had a massage in over a month...and you have a REALLY REALLY CRANKY ELF. (I know.....first world problems)
There's hope! This weekend my friends are going on a "staycation" in Tokyo and it will include lunch at one of the most delicious restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of eating at.
But, some of you that are heading into this "social distancing", "self quarantine", virus situation, are about to find out what my life is like in Japan all the time, honestly. You're going to need to make sure that you're checking in with people that you're used to seeing on a regular basis, but it won't be as easy as it used to be. You can go entire days with only talking to the people that live in your house. (It is times such as these that I wouldn't mind having a roommate again. ) I mean, I'm still going to work, which I'm thankful for....I think. I had to cancel my Spring Break travel plans. We are on a 60 day no movement order, that I really hope doesn't get extended.
If I enjoyed talking on the phone, it might make a bit of a difference. But a friend of mine called me a few weeks ago, and I just wasn't mentally prepared to talk on the phone and I didn't answer it. (Sorry, David!) I feel like I either say what I want to say through text or video chatting with my mom/dad on Marco Polo and semi-weekly FaceTime sessions.
Although, the other part of this is that thanks to about three months of counseling, I've become more aware of some co-dependent behaviors that I've tended to exhibit more recently. So, because of that there are many people that I haven't texted, or at least texts that I've not sent because I've realized that they're largely co-dependent in nature. Its helping me feel a bit healthier in some ways. There are still many things that I've got to work on in counseling, but I'm wishing I had gotten myself a counselor years ago.
One way, I've "dealt" with my "cabin fever" is being completely ridiculous in the classroom. I've promised a few classes that I'm going to write an actual rap to perform for them. So if any of you are bored these days, hit me up and help me write the lyrics to a "rap" about distributive property, order of operations, algebra, etc. I've already got one line (Thanks Deonna) "We don't divide by zero/ if you wanna be a hero"
Well, I've said enough in regular social media posts about how I feel the US is handling the current virus. So those of you that are choosing to follow medical advice and stay indoors. Find people to check in together. Watch movies or play games with people virtually. Plan dance parties. Do something to help ease your stress and improve your mood. Check. In. With. Each. Other.
Alright, my evening coffee is wearing off and its late and my back hurts from sitting on the couch. Thanks for reading. Sorry if there are typos. I'll come back and proofread tomorrow. But for now, I have to go prepare for sleep, so that I can go to work tomorrow.
Until next time!
