Lockdown over - First weekend

I'm so glad the full lockdown in France is over. We no longer need to complete forms to get food, etc. We can go out within 100km from our residences (you need a good reason to go beyond). We don't need to.

We didn't go too crazy this weekend. On Friday nights we still had our usual stay-in movie with the kids. At the moment we are into Star Wars, we are watching them in chronological order (The next one is episode V). The difference is this time we had MacDo for dinner. The waiting line was not bad, although I was there at 6.20pm. Dining in is still not permitted but the drive thru is now open, for the first time in like 9 weeks. The kids sat in the back - Ayden once commented: Wow I don't even recall how it felt like to sit in the car. Poor kid.

Then on Saturday, I went to La Poste to send boxes to Germany and Australia. La Poste made sure social distancing was respected and so they arranged to have queue ropes outside for a line to form. I saw that a maximum of 5 people were allowed in at a time. I did not wait at all, they let me in first because my request was not too complicated, compared to others, who were applying for bank cards, etc.

I took the chance to get some fresh strawberries from the Ferney open market. I wanted to cash in a cheque at the bank. But then saw that drat! It was an obligation to wear a mask inside. I stupidly left mine at home, near the door. I then went round the market (it's now a one-way street, to prevent overcrowding) and went to the pharmacy. What luck! Not only did they have masks in stock this time, they also had some for kids. So I went for it! Then banking done.

In the arvo, we all went to the garden centre and bought flowers. OMG we are so into gardening now. Getting rid of weed is so relaxing, the results calm the mind. Soothing for the eyes.. Trying also now to slowly repair the lawn.. from years of neglect..

Lessons learned from this crisis: enjoy the small things.. take the time to disconnect from work on the weekends.. take many naps.. cherish the garden, heal the soul..make the most of what you have... don't splurge on unnecessary materialistic things.. spend time with loved ones... take the time to talk to family and friends..

Futher reflections..

Fasting month has started. First time fasting while working 100% from home. The first few days didn't seem so bad cos well, working and taking care of kids at the same time makes one forget about hunger and thirst. It only starts getting noticeable after work - so between 6pm and 8.40ish pm, fatigue and hunger kicks in. Red bull usually helps around this time but as fasting takes over, this is not possible. Definitely a testing time for me and the family. It's even more challenging when it's been raining all week and so the kids and adults are locked indoors. In addition, I can only do the REAL work when everyone is asleep. There are too many distractions during the day with all the virtual meetings, calls, conferences and emails. It is not even possible to focus on one task for 20 minutes straight.

Next week may even be more challenging. The two-week 'vacation' would be over for the kids. This means that homework is back. So homework + house work + cooking + cleaning + full time job with the usual non-stop teleconferences + fasting = ultimate definition of a nightmare. I know, it should be a blessing to be able to fast because well it means I am healthy, but I really can't help but complain of all the challenges muslim parents under full lockdown are forced to face.

Dear God, please give me strength for the next few weeks..