Ironically when we have nothing but time, it has taken till now to finally publish a blog updating everyone on how we have been filling the time and trying to keep ourselves sane. As stressful as these days continue to be, we have tried to remember some of the good things that are coming out of this. I led an exercise with the kids' Scout Pack for each child to recall something positive because of this pandemic and Adi said there is less pollution on the earth while Rea said we get to spend more time as a family. As wonderful as that is, it has certainly pushed everyone's limits as we all have adapted to daddy becoming Rea's full time teacher to help her learn English letters, words and the numbers. Of course mixed in with arts and crafts, exercise, meals and playtime, all within the confines of our home. Luckily Adi's school went virtual right away but the first several weeks were very rough trying to learn the platforms, getting on-line with the video teaching sessions and trying to keep him from 'cheating' with a side game of Roblox between every lesson.
Unfortunately, the inability to travel and to conduct interviews or lead trainings has cancelled all my work contracts (thus affording me all the time to help the kids out with school and keep the house running). On the flipside, Pranvera's work has ramped up as she still leads her project and 15 person team from our home office being on video calls from 9am-7pm most days. At least now the kids can interupt her at will and zoom bomb her meetings, much to the delight of her clients and staff.
Kosovo was early on with the lockdown and the government has done a great job in keeping the numbers down with less than 500 infections and 25 deaths to date. However, this has meant only leaving the house for a 90 minute window each day to get food or medicine during your ID number time slot. No other outdoor activities or gatherings. Luckily, sine we live up in the hills, we have been able to get out on some isolated back country trails to get fresh air and enjoy the incredibly soothing sounds of nature and smell the unbelievably clean air. As much as we do appreciate this, Spring, being in full bloom, means my allergies are almost unbearable. For more than a month I have had the runny noise, itchy eyes and trouble breathing enough that I am on a nebulizer with steroids almost daily just so I can make it through the nights (photo below). This has been particularly stressful since we think it throws me into the high risk category for being extremely at risk for Covid since my lungs are already on overtime. Will have to see what 'getting back to normal' looks like as we supposedly emerge from quarantine next week.
We feel fortunate to ironically be in Kosovo during this time as we see everything unravel in the US. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all friends and family just trying to get through this and we are really trying to remain optimistic that we will all come out on the other side stronger and better. I feel that my chosen line of consulting work might not be able to return to what it was so will really start exploring more of what my next professional chapter may look like both in Kosovo and elsewhere so Pranvera can finally take a break after a 5 year marathon of leading judicial reforms for Kosovo.
All and all, amazing that this time has passed from Pranvera's birthday (2 nights before lockdown) to Rea's birthday to Easter. Our days have passed with a very nonseasonal snowstorm, random afternoon naps, all our Cub Scout meetings on zoom, Rea's ballet classes via video, date nights in the living room with kids movie night and slumber party upstairs, celebrating Rea's bday without the ability to purchase any presents or play with friends, workouts inside lifting pieces of furniture and sprinting up the 2 flights of stairs and all of this interupted by general goofiness in the yard. Not to mention setting up Skype's with old friends and having virtual happy hours with old time college buddies all at once (sad it took a pandemic to get these things to happen). The smartest thing we have done with all this 'time' was to kick off our quarantine by converting the playroom to Adi's bedroom on the second floor and to make their old bedroom Rea's princess room. They now have their own space and have been able to take a break when needed.
It has been nice to actually feel connected to many of you better now than during our previous life. Who knows what and for how long we will be adapting to 'opening up' but we hope that everyone continues to be safe and smart about staying healthy. And for those who have lost loved ones, our thoughts are with you and we hope our collective love and strength can help us all make it through this, together.
