The Isolation Blog

Sunday and the thirty-sixth Covid blog. 🎄

It was inevitable really, I currently work in one of the top three hot spots in the country for positive Covid cases and I teach in a secondary school.

Unfortunately, this is the age range that has been proven to have one of the highest rates of infection.
My school closed two days after my isolation began, this being a decision that was not taken lightly. I defy any teacher to suggest they prefer remote learning.

Having been made aware I was in contact with a positive case due to blanket testing, I am now about to enter my second week of self isolation and online lessons.

There are however positives, I get to see the fairy lights on my Christmas tree all day!

This is something I have always loved and something I usually miss out on, reserved only for evenings and weekends. I also get to work while listening to a radio full of Christmas cheer, but to be honest, the best thing of all?

I can pee without having to wait!

Once again though, Covid has stopped the special seasonal things that make our school sparkle. I have in my classroom, a filing cabinet with a drawer full of chocolate lollipops to give to my classes.

I also have a few small seasonal chocolate prizes to give out along with several certificates to those who have worked hard, making a great effort, and for those that have come out of their shell and bravely put their hands up to ask or answer questions. I will miss them clapping for their fellow class mates at this time and watching the smiles on their faces.

Of course I will hand these out in January but it won’t feel quite the same. The lollipop chocolate snowmen will seem redundant somehow.

We also will now be unable to wear our Christmas jumpers on that last day, something that our kids love and that secretly, we all love too.

Nor will we now get to experience and watch the great excitement, that special buzz when breaking up for the holidays.

I guess will all have our own personal Covid related Christmases and one that will sadly restrict our work and our special family traditions in some way.

I do feel however, that there is a shinning light ahead as we look forward to the hope of a new beginning in the new year.

I am at least revelling in the traditions I can still uphold. This week I began wrapping presents and watching my favourite Christmas films. ‘Love Actually’ was first on my list, my next will be ‘Bridget Jones’ followed by ‘The Holiday’ ‘White Christmas’ ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ and it would not be complete without ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’

I will cry at the same points in all of these films and of course, at this time of year, when I hear a bell ring? Well, I’m sure you already know…

As always my blog changes, I was in fact going to include different images and a different topic but I will save that for a future blog.

I like that events influence my writing. It feels right somehow. I wrote a poem this week too that I will include later. It will be my mantra I think, for this coming year.

A year once again of change but I hope for us all, a change for the positive (no pun intended).

Stay Safe and Merry and Bright,

Joy xxx