Things to do while in isolation.

Well for the most part, it's been uneventful being in isolation. But that's good! I prefer no drama!  Thankfully with modern  technology we can still communicate with friends and family through Facebook, Facetime, Zoom, Skype, email, texts and calls.

Just for the record, for those on the frontline, it's a real fricken' nightmare. (My heart goes out to those who face this every day.)  For those of us inside...there's a different kind of nightmare...avoid slipping into madness. (Luckily I've been living on my own for years.)   Also, I was raised to be independent and learned to be content with one's own company. Still...other than my lovely cat to keep me company,  it's up to me to find ways to keep me busy. 

So, here's what I've been doing... 

1. Dye my hair

2. Make cupcakes (I made cookies too but ate them so no pictures!)

3. Paint chairs...(only did 2 so far) White=before Black=after paint

4. Knit

5. Make face masks for friends and family

6. Make baby gift

7. Go for walks

8. Listen to music...thank you Alexa!🥰

9. Make scrub caps and masks

10. Cook stuff...

11. Drink (but not excessively because alcohol is a depressant so be careful.)

12. Take funny pictures of my bff /cat. 

13. Burn incense to kill neighbors tobacco smells

14. Sit in car while waiting for laundry to wash @ laundromat.  (No one uses social distancing so I wear the mask.)

Projects I've started during COVID-19 Isolation...and on to more!

So, I've done lots of projects since the isolation began (for me, March 21, 2020) but making face masks for friends and family has to be the one thing that keeps me getting up in the morning. The idea of anyone getting sick keeps me making these with the hopes that it will help someone, somewhere. 

Day 28 of COVID-19 Quarantine Lockdown, April 2020

I have to apologize, its been ages since my last post. So much has happened since then. 

But first of all, to all my dear readers, friends and family, I hope you and all your loved ones are well and safe! My heart goes out to all the healthcare workers, paramedics, fire fighters, police officers, grocery and pharmacy workers and everyone who is working on the front lines. I commend all of you! 

I trust we are all practising safety measures with "social distancing" (yes, a new phrase) which they now say should be MORE than just 2 metres (6 feet) from others. But also wearing face masks in public, which will reduce the spread to others.

At this point, we must use all precautions as we really don't know exactly how contagious it really is, who has it, who is a carrier (with mild or no symptoms) but all of us can become infected if we don't practise safe measures! (This includes hand washing with soap for more than 20 seconds etc., including before and after putting on/taking off face masks and other PPE.) Personally, I hope no one has to find out how damaging this virus can be.  

This is a mask I made (yes that's my scary quarantine hairdo)...it has three layers, one of which is a pocket. I found paper towel folded and placed inside the pocket works pretty well. I can still breathe fairly well. Fabric is woven cotton and I used elastic. Many people working long shifts prefer the ties, as the elastic over the ears can become painful. 


**Just for the record, these are NOT for healthcare workers on the front lines (since they require certain standards that have to be met). I'm only making these for friends and family at the moment. I will make PPE (personal protection equipment) for healthcare workers, if requested, but lack all the necessary supplies at the moment. 

So, here we are! For, myself it's day 28 of the COVID-19 lockdown...and I have to say, unbelievable! Over four weeks ago today, my boss sent us home for a two week self isolation. At first...it felt like a long overdue vacation, one which I haven't had in years. But then, when checking with family and friends...along with the media, it soon sank in, how serious this really has become, and two weeks....that is history now! 

Of course, we have to take a lot of things with a grain of salt, especially what the media is feeding us. (I don't dispute the case numbers and number of deaths. I believe that is a reality, and one we must take seriously.) I don't think governments would make this part up. The fact that other leaders or public figures like Prince Charles, Boris Johnson and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau have been infecfed, shows no one is immune!

Now, I find myself limiting my time viewing news and other social media because some of it is either overwhelming or just too depressing. For everyone's mental wellbeing, we have to distance ourselves from it from time to time. Otherwise all this information is just too much to digest.  I find it can trigger fears that we thought were in check. So, we must try to remain calm in the face of so much uncertainty. The one thing we're all coping with, is the state of our mental health and possibly physical health too. After several weeks in isolation, we may start to feel disconnected, unhinged, socially neglected or panicked etc. And that's when we have to distract ourselves with daily tasks, projects or hobbies. Especially if you have children who look to you for guidance. 

Even now, when I pick up groceries, I start to feel slightly panicky. But now, I have a routine...I start doing safety checks. Are my hands clean, do I have wipes or hand sanitizer, disposable gloves and clean face masks? Then...I have to do another check to see what has been cleaned between my apartment and my car. Then I have to check all the door handles. Once inside my car, I hand sanitize, again!  (Sheesh! What a fricken nightmare!) And I'm not even a germaphobe! Plus, all the while, making sure I don't touch my face. Oh yeah... make sure my glasses are on too, before leaving the house. (As I need them for driving.) 

My cousin, who is on her own, has a compromised health issue. So, I try to do the express grocery pick ups while she does the ordering online for both of us. I also make other stops such as the pharmacy etc. My idea is to have as little interaction with others, as possible. (Not by choice,  but necessity.) The one thing I've noticed locally is....there's many who aren't wearing face masks, disposable gloves or other PPE.  (Plus they're not social distancing either.)  Living in a smaller community is lovely. The downside is... I think people feel more confident that our exposure is less, so they take more risks. Though it may be true about less exposure, the reality is, no one is immune! Anyway, that's my post for today. More again soon. Stay safe, everyone!

Missing the East

The sights and smells were always interesting...with lots of activity and colour. I loved finding little temples tucked away in some of the most obscure places. When I first arrived in Taiwan and started my teaching job, I would use the weekends to tour the area I lived in. I bought a Giant Mountain bike and rode around exploring different areas. This is one amazing entrance to a small temple on the west coast of Taiwan.

And sunsets in the sleepy village that I lived in. 

Living in a Small Town...

After moving back to Canada to my home town (city, actually), I decided that I prefer living in a smaller town, like I did in Taichung County...in Taiwan.

Not only is it a completely different pace, but also the people are different too. I tried living in my "home town" for eight years but found it had changed, such, that I needed to get "the hell out of Dodge".

One thing I learned from all my years of travelling is, it's okay to keep moving. Literally. I'm actually the 'Queen of Packing' now. But since I'm classified as a "mature person", it would be nice to finally settle down.  The problem with constantly living out of a suitcase is that there's no time to put down roots. So, now I've finally decided to settle.

Adjusting to a town, after living in large cities, has been a bit of a challenge. Not only are there less shopping choices-now replaced with online shopping- but also a different mindset.  People are a lot more friendly and laid back, for the most part. I have to say, it's the first time I've ever applied for jobs where I haven't had to provide a criminal check or references.  And if you need local information, everyone knows everyone else so you get lots of advice, whether you need it or not.

The thing I admire is how everyone will go out of their way to help you. Kindness goes a long way in this world and a rare thing indeed.

Home again, home again, jiggity, jig!

After six years of living in Asia, I finally returned to my homeland. Of course, a lot of things have changed in that time. Many of my friends have married, had babies or moved away. So its like moving to a new foreign country all over again. Starting from scratch, so to speak. And now the reverse culture shock sets in. I find myself constantly comparing Eastern and Western culture. Of course, both have their good and bad qualities such as weather, government, pollution and social services. Its been a struggle. I've been back for about 3 months now and I feel just as isolated and lonely as before, although I am now much closer to my family.

I guess after being away for so long (and that was being TRULY alone) its been difficult adjusting to not only having lots of people around but with whom I can communicate with in my native tongue. The strange thing is....they may as well be speaking another language, for all that I seem to be understanding. The culture here is different. Its not about following ancient traditions or family values like in Asia but more about social expectations, what's politically correct or what is considered acceptable by the media's standards. People are more arrogant, intolerant or just plain rude. Whatever happened to respect for the elderly, teachers and parents? I see that my own culture has declined considerably, while away. People won't take any responsibility, refuse to be accountable for their own actions and blame others for their own misgivings. However, that being said, there are exceptions....such as how the Canadian Olympian athletes kept their composure and grace even if they didn't win the gold. Unlike some of the other competing countries when they lost their first place position. Some of them soured and pouted and made NO effort to be polite or gracious as they accepted their silver or bronze medal. And yet, when the Canadians are in that position, they still manage a smile. We understand that these athletes have been training for over 4 years so to lose first place is a big disappointment. But everyone needs to learn good sportsmanship when getting involved with sports. Be the bigger person and show some appreciation for even making it to the winner's podium. But this is just one tiny aspect of our culture. Canadians have always been more polite and considerate...generally. After working overseas....I discovered that although my fellow countrymen are polite and considerate, they aren't necessarily friendly. Canadians are more like the Japanese....polite and kind but also very conservative. And for all the criticism I have observed about Americans, in the end, they are still the friendliest foreigners I've met abroad.

Roommate...the feline type.

Handsome boy...


Well, after living alone in Taiwan for over five years, I decided to get a roommate. (Feline, of course.) I adopted a black and white male street cat. He's been attacked by dogs, abandoned and given up for adoption. So now I hope he will be with me for a long time. He's very funny, intelligent, silly and loving. He likes to cuddle and follow me around the house. A real "people" cat. I had him fixed before he moved in with me so that's why you see the Elizabethan collar. (So he can't remove the stitches.) He's very affectionate and comical. The first night he was so angry because of the surgery and collar. All he did was growl at me. Then in less than an hour he was...on the counter, sofa, TV, in the bathroom sink, tub, on top of the toilet etc. No place was sacred. Anyway, he's very sweet and a lot of fun.

For all you lonely people out there....animals not only bring unconditional love, they actually help you live longer and healthier. Think about it. Right now Ling Ling is watching me type this blog. He's very interested in computers, it seems.

Ta ta for now...

B