Teleworking Diaries: Week Three

Another week in my apartment down, and an unknown number of weeks left. It was a week that felt more routine. Tuesday was once again not a great day, and there was still a sense of relief when Friday rolled around. I got some good news and despite the unknown, there’s now a more defined path with my research agenda. Gotta take the small victories when I can.

What I learned this week was that I like to have control over aspects of my days and weeks. There are moments in all of this uncertainty that I can define. For me, that’s starting my day with a Sydney workout, drinking Canoe Creek coffee while munching on an English muffin, and easing into my work day. The work day itself is its own can of worms, sometimes full of meetings and other times, an opportunity to dive deeply into projects. But at 5 PM, things are done, and I close my laptop, move my monitor off my table, and go for a walk. Each day I notice something different about my neighborhood and the walk makes me relax and leave work stress behind. Which is key these days since work is in my apartment. Once I’m back home, I can tackle dinner, dabble in my embroidery project, or prepare for a Zoom chat.

I’ve also started some regular hangs, Bachelor night on Mondays, stitching on Saturday afternoons, and early morning Sunday walks. Each time I add an event to my calendar, it helps to make my apartment feel less contained. Connected and optimistic that one day we’ll be hanging out in person.

This weekend I had to cancel my two trips in April. It was tough to admit that I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. A year ago I was traveling every weekend in April. It seemed so tough to be away, but that’s hindsight of course. In some ways, I feel each week represents the emotional spectrum I dealt with in winter 2018 when I spent 20 hours in my car, alone, on I-80. There are moments of clarity, moments thinking this will never end, and always a hope that you’ll get to move your car a little further down the highway. I hope those moments of clarity will continue, and perhaps begin to overshadow the doubt that we’ll never leave

Teleworking Diaries: Week Two

Last week, I blogged about my first week of teleworking over at ACRLog. The goal of that post was to document a moment. I figured I could keep documenting teleworking here on my blog. Plus, with all this time on my hands, blogging regularly gives me a chance to update my website. 

10 days of teleworking complete. My picture of the day continues, and it gives me a reason to try new outfit combinations. Tuesday was the low point of the week, and reminded me of 2 AM that one time I was stuck in my car on I-80. On Wednesday, in an effort to renew my spirits, I put on my favorite jumper and wore tights. For me, putting on my normal outfits keeps me as focused as I can be at this moment. If I wear sweats, I am guaranteed to just pick at my work, like I might do on a weekend when I need to get a few things done. Part of my mindset for this telework is having boundaries and I’ve realized that my work outfits can be a boundary. 

I also ended each day with a walk around my neighborhood. It’s something to look forward to, a time to listen to my favorite tunes, and to create some distance after work. I felt surprisingly busy after work, catching up with friends, going to virtual clarinet choir, and stitching. Tonight I’m doing virtual bingo, which is an experience. I mean, I love bingo, but usually I think of bingo in early June, in a big tent on wooden benches with corn kernels as our markers. Not something I play in my apartment. But these are weird times. 

What was the most calming this week were the moments where things felt normal. For example, the LibParlor gals are already used to being long distance friends over technology. Sure, our Marco Polo videos are a little more frequent, but we know how to communicate. There’s something comforting about that and it helps to keep all the non-normal stuff in perspective. 

Today, as we bantered in Zoom rooms before meetings started, the question of “What are you doing this weekend?” came up. Everyone grinned at that question, “Nothing” was a common answer. This feels like a common response for the next couple of weeks. I’m trying to find ways to add excitement to these days, aka I’m going to build a fort. Stay tuned. 

See you in another Zoom room! 

Being Thankful

For the first time in 24 years, I wasn't in Wisconsin to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was weird and I don't think I quite realized how much it would impact me. I missed the Fargo clan, the homey-ness of my grandparent's home and familiarity with how things go. It's not that I've never missed Fargo celebrations before (I've missed plenty over the past six years) but that I missed one heavily rooted in traditions and memories (like making root beer in the root beer trashcan and playing Euchre even though I'm still hazy on the rules).

Luckily, I didn't have to sit at home alone, missing quaint Mt. Horeb. Instead, I am thankful that my mom's sister and family now live only four hours from me. I'm finally driving distance from a side of my family that I've been so far from most of my life. We had a relaxed Thanksgiving; I spent most of the day in the kitchen, catching up with my aunt, swapping stories, and helping cook. I made my mom's sweet potato recipe and observed the craft of making mashed potatoes (butter, milk, repeat). I'm thankful for their company and their ability to bring me into their fold. 

And I have lots to be thankful for this year. I graduated from grad school, landed an incredible job, moved all the way to Pennsylvania, became closer with my young brother and sister, and had an incredible support system of friends, family, boyfriend, and peers around me. I continue to feel like I'm figuring out how to be an adult and that the life I'm making for myself is one that makes me happy.

I'm thankful for this break too. I woke up today feeling refreshed, not tired and burned out. I forget that we all need a little rest where we read books for fun, watch calligraphy videos on Instagram (and trace the pen strokes in the air), and spend time watching Gilmore Girls and trying out those calligraphy skills. I'm still adjusting to the non-grad school, work all the time, tempo I've been accustomed to. This break recharged me.

Well, conclusions are never my strong suit, so I'm signing off. Time to work on a teaching philosophy and get my bullet journal ready for the next few weeks ;)