Day 14 QT- reflection
By: Rosalina Menton
Tags: Quarantine, China

Well, we’ve made it. I say “we” because these daily posts have added a welcomed ‘nother dimension to my days that I didn’t plan for. Cheers for keeping me company!

Today, I packed my 3 suitcases (then unpacked them in a mission to find moisturiser) and enjoyed my final day from the grey armchair on the balcony starting out to the vista that has comforted me for the past 14 days.

Technically, because my flight landed at 6:30pm on the 15th November 2020, I am released from quarantine at 6:30pm on the 29th November 2020. However, due to the complexities of trying to catch a flight tonight, I’ll be leaving mid-morning tomorrow. So yes, I’m volunteering to remain in this hotel room for an extra night. Even though I have finished my quarantine, I’m not allowed to roam the streets or feel the sand on my feet at the beach, which is understandable.

When I exit this room, for good, I’ll be thankful for the break isolation has afforded me. It will be back to the daily grind. I’ll be busy with a regular 7:30–4:30 day at school & the gift of marking mid-term exams is already awaiting me.

If there are any lessons I can share about being alone for two weeks where the only physical touch you have is a nurse in a hazmat suit, then here are a few. Note- this applies to those who are quarantining alone. Obviously, if you have kids, you won’t have any time for my list.

1. Quarantine is a great transition from one country to another in this new pandemic ridden world. Take your time to adjust to the language, food, and friends in the new country.

2. Make the space work for you. If you need to move furniture around, put up pics and letters to make you feel loved and remembered, do it. Create a home for yourself early in the piece so you can settle in and enjoy.

3. Make the most of the time you have. I’ve taken up cross-stitch (much to my mother's delight) because Nikki picked it and it gets me away from endlessly scrolling screens. I’ve also written these posts daily which is probably my biggest triumph. Live it up because when are you ever going to have 2 weeks of mindful nothingness again?

4. Don’t panic, don’t overthink it. Undoubtedly, the world beyond quarantine will be filled with busyness and catch ups with loved ones that have been aching to see you for so many months. After being alone for so long, I’ll be seeing my friends and surely discussing how we each had the worst 2020, at my leisure.

5. Use video chat often. It’s amazing how you can actually go days without physically using your voice. As a teacher, that ain’t a trait I can afford to lose right now.

6. Eat all your favourites and screw the guilt

7. Exercise and take care of your body. It’s important to keep moving and even more important not to be sick or get the sniffles. Get those vitamins into you and find a sunny spot when you can.

8. Keep a routine and allow for rest and… lots of Netflix.

9. Dress down but get dressed. As tempting as it is to laze in your pj's from the night before, I found this just made me want to sleep all day. Getting dressed did wonders for me in helping to separate the day and night hours in a confined space. It also forced me to get creative, putting together outfits with the limited options I had.

10. TBA …I can’t think of a 10th one right now because my dinner is here. I’ve ordered my fave seafood dish (for the third time in 2 weeks) and I’m going to bloody enjoy it!

… do I really need to leave?