Quarantine Diaries: Day 140

Quarantine Week 20
1st of August, Saturday

As of this writing, the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country is barely a step away from reaching 100,000. I’m getting a bit tired of saying this, but I can’t believe how time seems to sitting on the fast-forward button and I am STILL TOTALLY surprised how it’s been 40 days since my last quarantine diary entry on the blog. We’re on Day 140, Week 20 and the local transmission of the virus seems to be speeding up.

Today was a full day attending online business meetings and hosting our online community event and so I’m attaching my milestone from yesterday to add to this entry. 

Quarantine Diaries: Day 100

22nd of June 2020, Monday

The 100th time for anything is usually celebrated in much jubilation. Our University centennial. A milestone for 100 days in school. The 100th episode of a TV series. The birthday of a centenarian. This milestone is different: it’s sad, uncertain, and scary.

I’ve kept myself busy since my last Quarantine Diary entry, and boy! Does time fly fast. Has it really been 55 days since?! Okay. Let me take stock of my life thus far.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 45

28th of April 2020, Tuesday

Has it been 45 days already?! It’s unbelievable how the days seem to be slipping by.

• The latest report released yesterday by the Department of Health counts 7,777 positive cases todate. What’s up with the number 7?
• I am grateful that my loved ones are safe and healthy. Thank goodness for video calls. Seeing my parents’ smiles and hearing their laughter send a rush of relief and happiness, momentarily appeasing all the anxiety and uncertainty.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 30

13th of April 2020, Monday

Full Moon

It’s a rainy Monday today. Come to think of it, it’s been an unusually rainy and gloomy week for summer. I checked the calendar today and I was surprised to find that 30 days have already passed since the community quarantine has been enforced. It seems that the days are just melting into the next. I’m not sure if it’s sleeping in that’s making me feel that time is more fluid nowadays.

Game of Chores

As #DomesticGoddessMNL of House Chua-rgaryen, The Sunburnt, Cleaner of the Realm, and Mother of Dragons — my little warriors are no strangers to household chores. It’s always a good opportunity to instill in them the sense of responsibility and contribution as a member of the family. I can’t help but reminisce ‘fond’ memories of our journey.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 21

4th of April 2020, Saturday

They say that it only takes 21 days to form a habit.

The last 21 days have been about 100% home-cooked meals, bringing out the garbage 3x a week, laundry Tuesday & Saturday, and virtual communication. It’s been a big help to have the kiddos participate in household chores so I can take a break and rest in between cooking meals. On days when I tend to my personal projects like catching up on household accounting and garden landscaping, I’m lucky to have a husband that gladly takes on the cooking role.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 7

21st of March 2020, Saturday

Unlucky 7, Lucky 13

My calendar beeped early today to remind me of my daughter’s Grade School Graduation. Prior to the outbreak, the culminating program of her grade school class was scheduled for today. The graduation rites have been optimistically deferred to June, as we fervently hope that this outbreak is quelled and under control by then.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 3

17th of March 2020, Tuesday

#BorderLife

In just 2 days of starting the community quarantine, events escalated pretty quickly towards more stringent measures. The metro is now under Enhanced Community Quarantine and I was surprised to wake up to a SWAT-guarded city border. Perks of living in the gilid. I’m happy to see that swift action is being taken to mitigate the spread of the virus. But I’m worried what this means for the working class that subsists on day-to-day wages. 

Last night, Contagion was our family movie of choice. It was a frightful scenario. The panic and anarchy that ensued after the spread of the deadly disease was unnerving. I pray that this will never happen in our Earth’s lifetime.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 2

16th of March 2020, Monday

State of Kandaugaga-ness

It’s the 2nd day of community quarantine. We live along a busy street that is now uncharacteristically quiet and empty for a Monday morning. Which is great news from a dust and pollution perspective. But my FB newsfeed is ablaze with running commentaries and criticisms, coupled with photos of commuters filling the streets early today. Everybody has their 2-cents worth on their FB statuses, erstwhile I contemplate on what goals I should accomplish to achieve the elusive state of ‘kandaugaga-ness’ while I’m mopping our bedroom floor and scrubbing our bathroom shower.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 1

15th of March 2020, Sunday

Lockdown is our default.

I just realized that quarantine-mode is our family’s default. If not for school, important business meetings and family gatherings, we can stay at home for days on end. Going out feels like a chore for us – the need to change out of pajamas, bathe, and get dressed – and not to mention having to scrub up before bed for fear of being ‘dirty’ from being outside. 

Life in the Time of COVID-19

T -1 Day to Community Quarantine

Today, 14th of March 2020, would’ve been the first day of summer break from school for the kiddos. But as new cases of COVID-19 here in Metro Manila started unfolding in the last few days, the school year came to an abrupt end, with our younger kids taking pleasure in the cancellation of their quarterly exams and culminating programs. Our eldest was looking forward to attending her grade school graduation rites next weekend, and was left a bit confused if she was to rejoice that the 2-week rehearsals have been cancelled, or be disappointed that there’s a possibility that there was no proper closure for this important milestone. But for today, we celebrate and take comfort that our loved ones are safe and healthy in this confusing time of COVID-19.