Quarantine

During the pandemic, I never experienced being quarantined as the time that I had COVID, it was during the Omicron phase and almost the whole household had it. Two years after, I managed to catch the dreaded virus but asymptomatic. Nevertheless, I had to isolate myself to ensure that those with comorbidities don't catch it.

It just sucks that I had to test positive, 3 days before Christmas and quarantine is for 5 days. This means that I'll be missing the Christmas festivities--lunch with my dad on Christmas Eve and lunch with my husband's extended family on Christmas Day. Not to mention missing the Misa de Gallo at 430AM--which was my pledge to finish to give thanks for my son's healing.

I tested myself as two of my team members tested positive. The first one tested last Monday but the day after, I didn't feel any symptoms so I didn't test. But on Friday morning, my other team member confirmed that she has it so I had no choice but to check. Lo and behold, two lines. It wasn't the same excitement that I felt when I also saw two lines years ago (e.g. pregnancy tests).

I was in the office then so I was quickly sent home and I ensconced myself in our room. Hubby had no choice but to set up a bed in his home office and the kids can't go near me. 

I'm pretty optimistic about this though. I've been running myself ragged the past few weeks with all the parties, office deliverables and what have you. Hopefully, I can spend the time sleeping or watching my pending KDramas or cleaning our room. I'm also praying that I don't develop any symptoms and remain asymptomatic.

Before my youngest got sick, we planned this to be an unforgettable Christmas as we were supposed to fly for the US last Dec. 18 and spend Christmas with my mom and my siblings. It will still be a Christmas to remember as for the first time, I'll be spending it all by myself (cue Celine Dion's song).

So for all what's worth, Happy Holidays, everyone! And may your celebrations be virus-free!

ECQ Part Deux

ECQ Season 2 was once again declared by the government and started yesterday. The past year has been mentally, physically, emotionally and financially exhausting. It seems that there's no silver lining in this hellhole that everyone had to wallow in for the past 12 months. 

When the lockdown started last year, we thought that it'd only last until the end of the year and everything will be back to normal soon. When my boss said that it'll probably take a couple of years at least, I was in disbelief. In hindsight, he might be right.

It's hard to look at the positive side of this when the bad news seem to outweigh the good news. When we see how other countries are beating the virus down, it's so disheartening to see how we fare. Granted that it's unfair to compare but I can only shake my head when the basics were not even done right. #masstesting #contacttracing

I know I have no right to preach when my family and I are comfortably ensconced in our own bubble. But I can still empathize and sympathize. Though I have long given up on this government, I can still lend my voice when needed. 

I'll be reaching my golden years soon and looking back at the past 40 years, I still have to make sense of my purpose. Yes, I know the basics--being a mom, wife, sister, daughter, cousin, niece, boss, subordinate--all of these things. I know. But there is more to it. I know so. I hope so.