What have you done to pass time during quarantine?

[Yvonne]

we had to return to my partner's home country for now as we were in a humanitarian setting and something happened there so I've been working from home for more than a month and a half now and getting used to a new place. so mostly working and having heaps of zoom meetings every day. COVID just added more work with different scenarios of how our work will proceed in recovery stages. and added a lot of anxiety too so I started learning a new language and reading fantasy books to take my mind off of everything when I don't work. my partner is cooking and baking non-stop so I will soon need to increase my exercise routine to a few hours a day.

[PruNordstrom]

Making face masks with ties. Have no elastic and none available locally. It's a good use of leftover fabric most of which is a tight weave and can take a washing with bleach. They are an eclectic collection of masks.

[anastasia beaverhausen]

I'm learning to cook.

I'm on Kurzarbeit (short term employment) now and really have much more free time.

My boyfriend and I really enjoy cooking together and trying out new recipes.

Me too Kristallinchen!  

I use a service that sends me the ingredients for 6 meals a week, but I do all the prep and cooking.

Making face masks with ties. Have no elastic and none available locally. It's a good use of leftover fabric most of which is a tight weave and can take a washing with bleach. They are an eclectic collection of masks.

I tried Pru, but I was .... less than skilled at it.

[Principessa]

Currently I am still working full time, mainly at the office. With a few days at home, not because of Corona, but because of other private appointments. Including a visit to the GP for a non Corona issue. Everyone, including me, was surprised that I could simply visit my GP and have it checked She mentioned that several GPs, but also specialists in the hospital (who couldn't help, support with the Corona virus) were missing general work. But I was put through to a specialist, unfortunately they are closed / not working until April 28 at the earliest (besides the urgent cases).

At the end of April / beginning of May or work is closing for about 1,5-2 weeks (depending on the situation). They requested us to use or holiday for this period. The closing is among others intended to spare our reserves for better days to come. In this period we already had 2 days off, as it are 'national holidays' and/or already collective days off (decided every year for the coming year).

As mentioned earlier I was wondering what to do in this period. Especially as many fun things aren't really possible due to Corona restrictions. I am thinking about working on my appartment (very necessary, as it got run down). We have to see how to arrange it with help. I have some offers, but still can we do it digital, or do we need to meet (keeping the current restrictions in mind....)

But yeah, as said it is a luxery problem. As even the numbers of Corona death and issues are dropping in several countries, they are still hapening, leaving mourning family, friends and others behind

[Miss Marple]

I update :-) I hate to say that but I am quite enjoying the time - usually I am stressed out with work, raising three kids, ... So I am:

- try and homeschool the 120 students I am normally teaching - which has been a treat for the past week - the unmotivated one are in
   hiding by now, backed up by their parents "difficult situation for the kid" so you are actually only working with the motivated children :-).

- homeschooling my own kids.

- spending time with my husband (who usually works crazy shifts in a busy pub and has been out of work for three weeks now) which will
  be a problem in future moneywise, but not quite now.

- knitting
- crocheting
- playing board games I haven't played in ages
- cook
- go for long walks
- Geocaching
- take photos

- I arrived at season six of Downton Abbey and I love it

- we have "adopted" three old couples and do the shopping and the errands for them. That is great because they live nearby and we only
  got to know them now

[PeDe]

I always envied people having the disciplin and being able to work from home....I never could do that. Well....maybe I could, but when at home everybody and the kitchen sink needed somehting urgently...disrupting me often...and making me grumpy.

Now that our organisation is practicing safe distancing, and shut down offices since mid-March, I'm working from home...and getting grumpier as time goes by. We have daily multiple teleconferences with different departments and our pilot representatives.

We have webex's and zoom's to keep ourselves conntected and safe...and a couple days ago, I had an important after hour teleconference with my friend/colleague and our favourite desinfectant a Radler & a Capt. Morgan and rum. Needless to say, the discussion results were amazing.

Ordered two K-Drama's that I enjoy to watch, so cute. Netflix a lot and for my German dishers, I binge watch ARD und ZDF mediathek.

My dog gives me the much needed breaks, and we walk all alone in warm, sunny weather. If it wouldn't be so disconcerting, it would be quite nice.

Other than that, I'm doing really shit. nothing. nada. Just try to be really good to myself and take care of myself.

You guys are really good at keeping you active  amazing what you are all up to 


Just looking out the window, the streets are emptly, police is patroling, and I see very few cars driving in the streets - Is that how the Zombie Apoclypse starts 

[Yvonne]

I always envied people having the disciplin and being able to work from home....I never could do that. Well....maybe I could, but when at home everybody and the kitchen sink needed somehting urgently...disrupting me often...and making me grumpy.

Now that our organisation is practicing safe distancing, and shut down offices since mid-March, I'm working from home...and getting grumpier as time goes by. We have daily multiple teleconferences with different departments and our pilot representatives.

We have webex's and zoom's to keep ourselves conntected and safe...and a couple days ago, I had an important after hour teleconference with my friend/colleague and our favourite desinfectant a Radler & a Capt. Morgan and rum. Needless to say, the discussion results were amazing.

Ordered two K-Drama's that I enjoy to watch, so cute. Netflix a lot and for my German dishers, I binge watch ARD und ZDF mediathek.

My dog gives me the much needed breaks, and we walk all alone in warm, sunny weather. If it wouldn't be so disconcerting, it would be quite nice.

Other than that, I'm doing really shit. nothing. nada. Just try to be really good to myself and take care of myself.

You guys are really good at keeping you active   amazing what you are all up to  


Just looking out the window, the streets are emptly, police is patroling, and I see very few cars driving in the streets - Is that how the Zombie Apoclypse starts  

I envy everyone who has pets now

It's normal to not be able to do anything in this situation, it's a lot of stress already. It's also difficult to start and get used to working from home and actually be productive.

These are two articles that some posters may find interesting and helpful. I can relate to this experience of the author and it really takes time to adjust to the new stressful normal.

https://utsc.utoronto.ca/...ging-pandemic-based-years
https://www.chronicle.com...366/#.XoCr98LWgpk.twitter

and here's her initial twitter thread:

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
Academic peeps: I've lived through many disasters. Here is my advice on "productivity". First, play the long game. Your peers who are trying to work as normal right now are going to burn out fast. They're doomed. Make a plan with a longer vision. /1

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Second, your top priority is to stabilize and control your immediate home environment. Ensure your pantry has sensible supplies. Clean your house. Make a coordinated family plan. Feeling secure about your own emergency preparedness will free up mental space. /2


Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Third, any work that can be simplified, minimized, and flushed: FLUSH IT. Don't design a fancy new online course. It will suck & you will burn out. Choose the simplest solution for you & your students, with min admin. Focus on getting students feeling empowered & engaged. /3

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Fourth, give yourself a proper mental adjustment window. The first few days in a disaster zone are always a write-off. But if you give yourself that essential window, your body and mind WILL adjust to the new normal. Without that mental shift, you'll fall on your face. /4

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
·
Fifth, AFTER you experience the mental shift, build a schedule. Make a routine. Put it on a weekly calendar with time blocks. Wake up early. Put the most important parts first: food, family, fitness. Priority 1 is a stable home. Then add windows for achievable work goals. /5

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
Sixth, cooperate with your brain. For me, I need to ease into heavy-duty academic writing. So I do admin in the morning, and then dip my toe into papers and book projects around noon. Tick off accomplishments, no matter how small. Trust and support your mental shift. /6

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

It's unreasonable to demand your body & brain do the same things under higher stress conditions. Some people can write in a war zone. I cannot. I wait until I get back. But I can do other really useful things under high stress conditions. Support your continuing mental shift. /7

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
·
For my PoliSci colleagues: this phenomenon should change how we understand the world. So let this distract you from your work. Because the world is supposed to be our work. May this crisis dismantle all our faulty assumptions and force us into new terrain. /8

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

And finally, we can check on our neighbours, reach out to isolated people, and volunteer or donate as we can. Because at the end of the day, our papers can wait.

(I am sorry if it's been posted already)

[Principessa]

I always envied people having the disciplin and being able to work from home....I never could do that. Well....maybe I could, but when at home everybody and the kitchen sink needed somehting urgently...disrupting me often...and making me grumpy.

Now that our organisation is practicing safe distancing, and shut down offices since mid-March, I'm working from home...and getting grumpier as time goes by. We have daily multiple teleconferences with different departments and our pilot representatives.

We have webex's and zoom's to keep ourselves conntected and safe...and a couple days ago, I had an important after hour teleconference with my friend/colleague and our favourite desinfectant a Radler & a Capt. Morgan and rum. Needless to say, the discussion results were amazing.

Ordered two K-Drama's that I enjoy to watch, so cute. Netflix a lot and for my German dishers, I binge watch ARD und ZDF mediathek.

My dog gives me the much needed breaks, and we walk all alone in warm, sunny weather. If it wouldn't be so disconcerting, it would be quite nice.

Other than that, I'm doing really shit. nothing. nada. Just try to be really good to myself and take care of myself.

You guys are really good at keeping you active  amazing what you are all up to 


Just looking out the window, the streets are emptly, police is patroling, and I see very few cars driving in the streets - Is that how the Zombie Apoclypse starts 

Very recognizable

[Principessa]

I always envied people having the disciplin and being able to work from home....I never could do that. Well....maybe I could, but when at home everybody and the kitchen sink needed somehting urgently...disrupting me often...and making me grumpy.

Now that our organisation is practicing safe distancing, and shut down offices since mid-March, I'm working from home...and getting grumpier as time goes by. We have daily multiple teleconferences with different departments and our pilot representatives.

We have webex's and zoom's to keep ourselves conntected and safe...and a couple days ago, I had an important after hour teleconference with my friend/colleague and our favourite desinfectant a Radler & a Capt. Morgan and rum. Needless to say, the discussion results were amazing.

Ordered two K-Drama's that I enjoy to watch, so cute. Netflix a lot and for my German dishers, I binge watch ARD und ZDF mediathek.

My dog gives me the much needed breaks, and we walk all alone in warm, sunny weather. If it wouldn't be so disconcerting, it would be quite nice.

Other than that, I'm doing really shit. nothing. nada. Just try to be really good to myself and take care of myself.

You guys are really good at keeping you active   amazing what you are all up to  


Just looking out the window, the streets are emptly, police is patroling, and I see very few cars driving in the streets - Is that how the Zombie Apoclypse starts  

I envy everyone who has pets now

It's normal to not be able to do anything in this situation, it's a lot of stress already. It's also difficult to start and get used to working from home and actually be productive.

These are two articles that some posters may find interesting and helpful. I can relate to this experience of the author and it really takes time to adjust to the new stressful normal.

https://utsc.utoronto.ca/...ging-pandemic-based-years
https://www.chronicle.com...366/#.XoCr98LWgpk.twitter

and here's her initial twitter thread:

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
Academic peeps: I've lived through many disasters. Here is my advice on "productivity". First, play the long game. Your peers who are trying to work as normal right now are going to burn out fast. They're doomed. Make a plan with a longer vision. /1

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Second, your top priority is to stabilize and control your immediate home environment. Ensure your pantry has sensible supplies. Clean your house. Make a coordinated family plan. Feeling secure about your own emergency preparedness will free up mental space. /2


Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Third, any work that can be simplified, minimized, and flushed: FLUSH IT. Don't design a fancy new online course. It will suck & you will burn out. Choose the simplest solution for you & your students, with min admin. Focus on getting students feeling empowered & engaged. /3

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Fourth, give yourself a proper mental adjustment window. The first few days in a disaster zone are always a write-off. But if you give yourself that essential window, your body and mind WILL adjust to the new normal. Without that mental shift, you'll fall on your face. /4

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
·
Fifth, AFTER you experience the mental shift, build a schedule. Make a routine. Put it on a weekly calendar with time blocks. Wake up early. Put the most important parts first: food, family, fitness. Priority 1 is a stable home. Then add windows for achievable work goals. /5

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
Sixth, cooperate with your brain. For me, I need to ease into heavy-duty academic writing. So I do admin in the morning, and then dip my toe into papers and book projects around noon. Tick off accomplishments, no matter how small. Trust and support your mental shift. /6

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

It's unreasonable to demand your body & brain do the same things under higher stress conditions. Some people can write in a war zone. I cannot. I wait until I get back. But I can do other really useful things under high stress conditions. Support your continuing mental shift. /7

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
·
For my PoliSci colleagues: this phenomenon should change how we understand the world. So let this distract you from your work. Because the world is supposed to be our work. May this crisis dismantle all our faulty assumptions and force us into new terrain. /8

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

And finally, we can check on our neighbours, reach out to isolated people, and volunteer or donate as we can. Because at the end of the day, our papers can wait.

(I am sorry if it's been posted already)

Apparently in NL there is currently an increase in people getting a dog or cat from the shelter or breeder.... Wondering if many of the new applicants are aware that these animals also need care, attention and time after the Corona crisis? 

[PeDe]

I always envied people having the disciplin and being able to work from home....I never could do that. Well....maybe I could, but when at home everybody and the kitchen sink needed somehting urgently...disrupting me often...and making me grumpy.

Now that our organisation is practicing safe distancing, and shut down offices since mid-March, I'm working from home...and getting grumpier as time goes by. We have daily multiple teleconferences with different departments and our pilot representatives.

We have webex's and zoom's to keep ourselves conntected and safe...and a couple days ago, I had an important after hour teleconference with my friend/colleague and our favourite desinfectant a Radler & a Capt. Morgan and rum. Needless to say, the discussion results were amazing.

Ordered two K-Drama's that I enjoy to watch, so cute. Netflix a lot and for my German dishers, I binge watch ARD und ZDF mediathek.

My dog gives me the much needed breaks, and we walk all alone in warm, sunny weather. If it wouldn't be so disconcerting, it would be quite nice.

Other than that, I'm doing really shit. nothing. nada. Just try to be really good to myself and take care of myself.

You guys are really good at keeping you active  amazing what you are all up to 


Just looking out the window, the streets are emptly, police is patroling, and I see very few cars driving in the streets - Is that how the Zombie Apoclypse starts 

I envy everyone who has pets now

It's normal to not be able to do anything in this situation, it's a lot of stress already. It's also difficult to start and get used to working from home and actually be productive.

These are two articles that some posters may find interesting and helpful. I can relate to this experience of the author and it really takes time to adjust to the new stressful normal.

https://utsc.utoronto.ca/...ging-pandemic-based-years
https://www.chronicle.com...366/#.XoCr98LWgpk.twitter

and here's her initial twitter thread:

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
Academic peeps: I've lived through many disasters. Here is my advice on "productivity". First, play the long game. Your peers who are trying to work as normal right now are going to burn out fast. They're doomed. Make a plan with a longer vision. /1

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Second, your top priority is to stabilize and control your immediate home environment. Ensure your pantry has sensible supplies. Clean your house. Make a coordinated family plan. Feeling secure about your own emergency preparedness will free up mental space. /2


Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Third, any work that can be simplified, minimized, and flushed: FLUSH IT. Don't design a fancy new online course. It will suck & you will burn out. Choose the simplest solution for you & your students, with min admin. Focus on getting students feeling empowered & engaged. /3

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

Fourth, give yourself a proper mental adjustment window. The first few days in a disaster zone are always a write-off. But if you give yourself that essential window, your body and mind WILL adjust to the new normal. Without that mental shift, you'll fall on your face. /4

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
·
Fifth, AFTER you experience the mental shift, build a schedule. Make a routine. Put it on a weekly calendar with time blocks. Wake up early. Put the most important parts first: food, family, fitness. Priority 1 is a stable home. Then add windows for achievable work goals. /5

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
Sixth, cooperate with your brain. For me, I need to ease into heavy-duty academic writing. So I do admin in the morning, and then dip my toe into papers and book projects around noon. Tick off accomplishments, no matter how small. Trust and support your mental shift. /6

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

It's unreasonable to demand your body & brain do the same things under higher stress conditions. Some people can write in a war zone. I cannot. I wait until I get back. But I can do other really useful things under high stress conditions. Support your continuing mental shift. /7

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad
·
For my PoliSci colleagues: this phenomenon should change how we understand the world. So let this distract you from your work. Because the world is supposed to be our work. May this crisis dismantle all our faulty assumptions and force us into new terrain. /8

Dr Aisha Ahmad
@ProfAishaAhmad

And finally, we can check on our neighbours, reach out to isolated people, and volunteer or donate as we can. Because at the end of the day, our papers can wait.

(I am sorry if it's been posted already)

Apparently in NL there is currently an increase in people getting a dog or cat from the shelter or breeder.... Wondering if many of the new applicants are aware that these animals also need care, attention and time after the Corona crisis? 

Principessa, I totally agree with you, here in the US - at least in my state VA - they are pushing fostering of shelter animals. It gets the out of the shelters in a family setting, and a lot of them decided to adopt the foster pup/kittie.

Like you I just hope, people take this responsibility seriously, and just maybe a lot of animals will get a permanent home this way.

[Yvonne]

^ that's great that people are adopting more pets. I agree with you and hope they are taking the responsibility seriously. Our life is so unsettled so we can't get a pet yet, unfortunately.

[Principessa]

^ that's great that people are adopting more pets. I agree with you and hope they are taking the responsibility seriously. Our life is so unsettled so we can't get a pet yet, unfortunately.

I am an animal person, heck I wanted to become a vet since I was small (unfortunately I didn't manage to get into the education). But in my  past and current life I have no sufficient time, place and all for a pet. Also according to most of the rental contracts of my current and past houses pets aren't allowed. I even couldn't find the time and opportunity to volunteer in a shelter or care farm (I tried the last one, but they didn't needed people at the time).

With regard to cats and dogs, I am more a dog person. Some colleagues sometimes have their dog at the office. One of them always tries to visit our part of the office, as he knows he will be patted by me and my direct colleagues. 

Another item with regard to animals. When looking through my books I discovered a Dutch  copy of the following 2012 book:



Stumbled upon and bought this book about 5 à 6 years ago. Based on my own interests and former studies. I have read some, but due to circumstances it was on my TBR pile since then. Now it became akwardly actual....and it shifted quickly on the pile. This morning I started in the book.

[Kristallinchen]

Taking care of a pet is a nice thing to do, but somehow I fear that many of them will end up (back) in animal home's once this crisis is over and people are allowed to travel again.

You know can't take my beloved dog to Tahiti.

[Principessa]

Taking care of a pet is a nice thing to do, but somehow I fear that many of them will end up (back) in animal home's once this crisis is over and people are allowed to travel again.

You know can't take my beloved dog to Tahiti.

Same worries over here....

[TLLK]

Having reorganized all of the cupboards and cabinets, I moved on to reworking and refreshing my overgrown and sketchy looking succulent pots. Reviewed many videos on succulent care on YouTube. Then harvested many cuttings and replanted them into new arrangements. Only had to purchase about ten new plants which largely came from the Lowe's 50% off racks!

Next..going to do a few craft projects with my daughter for her fall apartment when she can take a break from her online studies. We've already refinished the old  coffee table that I found on the curb. Removed the old varnish with the hand sander, cleaned it and then used Danish Wood Oil and finishing wax.