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• Our Hands Tell a Story

  over 4 years ago

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  Note: This This video was submitted on behalf of Hillsdale Terraces long-term care home, who created the video.

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  Note: This This video was submitted on behalf of Hillsdale Terraces long-term care home, who created the video.

• Quarantined - March 2020

  by Monica Fox, over 4 years ago

  Remember when the pandemic was officially declared? I do. My family and I were in Cancun, Mexico for March Break and when we returned safely, we quarantined for the first time. We had no idea what we were doing and it was hard. So I started to blog about each day, to help ease the pains. Here is one of them for your reading pleasure.

  Day 1 Quarantine Log

  Started off strong with lists, two pots of coffee and ambitions to do many things.

  First parent meltdown shortly after youngest child woke up.

  Made masks.

  Had waffles and played online... Continue reading

  Remember when the pandemic was officially declared? I do. My family and I were in Cancun, Mexico for March Break and when we returned safely, we quarantined for the first time. We had no idea what we were doing and it was hard. So I started to blog about each day, to help ease the pains. Here is one of them for your reading pleasure.

  Day 1 Quarantine Log

  Started off strong with lists, two pots of coffee and ambitions to do many things.

  First parent meltdown shortly after youngest child woke up.

  Made masks.

  Had waffles and played online reading and math app.

  Felt like successful parents for playing reading and math app.

  Did third load of laundry.

  Played in backyard, felt like outdoor time allowed in prison.

  Made the most of the outdoor time in yard.

  Child meltdown, yard time over.

  Parent meltdown followed.

  Found P90X dvds.

  Exercised to such dvd. Only lasted 20 mins but had kids jumping along.

  Nutella sandwiches.

  Writing letters, guessing words, cat still angry we left her.

  Finally a reasonable time to make dinner.

  Ate.

  Lost tv time because bathroom floor had more water than bathtub.

  Kids finally getting along when they are grounded to their rooms.

  Parents give in because kids are getting along.

  Kids out for the count.

  Parents spend their remaining energy writing this log.

• Learning to put myself first

  by Taz, over 4 years ago
  This pandemic has taken a toll on a lot of us. I feel like this pandemic break was good for me , I was only off for 3 months and luckily was able to go back to work full time. I was able to work out more and spend more time for myself and taking breaks when I needed too.

  this pandemic gave me the opportunity to spend the extra time with my grandmother before she passed so I’m trying to take the pandemic as a blessing in disguise to spend the extra time with her. When she had to... Continue reading

  This pandemic has taken a toll on a lot of us. I feel like this pandemic break was good for me , I was only off for 3 months and luckily was able to go back to work full time. I was able to work out more and spend more time for myself and taking breaks when I needed too.

  this pandemic gave me the opportunity to spend the extra time with my grandmother before she passed so I’m trying to take the pandemic as a blessing in disguise to spend the extra time with her. When she had to go to the hospital she wasn’t allowed visitors due to the pandemic and I know this hurt me deep because she hated the hospital and I wasn’t able to make sure she was okay.
  this pandemic let me try out new recipes and find my love for cooking again.
  this pandemic also made it possible for me to get my very first dog and brought the biggest light into my life and my families life.
  The pandemic also helped my boyfriends business in landscaping as people were more interested in putting money into their backyard oasis rather then going to a beach oasis.
  there were lots of times when the pandemic was a negative time not being able to see my friends and family as much and having many controversial conversations about it, however at the end of the day I think this pandemic has taught me not to sweat the small stuff and who was really there for me when I needed them.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• A new beginning...at the Region!

  by LamaLama, over 4 years ago

  The pandemic landed suddenly in my life.

  As a small business owner I was accustomed to working very long hours, and absolutely savored in the time I was able to spend with my family. We were on holiday during the March break, and were scheduled to have a long awaited week of fun. Upon our arrival at our destination we settled in, had a relaxing first night, and just before bed received an email that the resort we were attending was closing, effective immediately.

  In a panic I began to think how this would affect my business, how would we... Continue reading

  The pandemic landed suddenly in my life.

  As a small business owner I was accustomed to working very long hours, and absolutely savored in the time I was able to spend with my family. We were on holiday during the March break, and were scheduled to have a long awaited week of fun. Upon our arrival at our destination we settled in, had a relaxing first night, and just before bed received an email that the resort we were attending was closing, effective immediately.

  In a panic I began to think how this would affect my business, how would we survive during a total shut down? What was about to happen? Resolved to make hay while the sun was shining we returned home promptly the next morning, and I worked day and night over the next couple of weeks while the new reality slowly sank in. Business slowed at first, and then ground to a halt. For a month we survived on savings primarily, but then the unexpected happened. The business began to recover, and into June of 2020 we had surpassed any previous month on record. Still on lock down, with nowhere to go, my life was consumed by work, and quiet family time at home. I began to see something more clearly than I had ever seen before; that my family was literally everything I could ever need, or want. Our nights were taken up playing cards on the upstairs landing, taking our chances doing crafts, making the best Lego creations, epic fort building, and quiet conversation amongst ourselves. My friends and I saw each other (virtually) more than we ever had, and carried on in the usual manners in the safety of our own home. I missed very little that first year, but yet work and the stress of keeping up with a booming business weighed ever stronger on my new, simpler lifestyle.

  In the spring of 2021, utterly exhausted from the hours I was now putting in, an opportunity to come to the Region was brought to my attention. I remember thinking that I would have to change everything about how my life works, and wondering "Could giving all of this up in the pursuit of a simpler life be the right choice?" It was the most difficult decision I have ever made, giving up everything I built, in favour of a new career with so many unknowns.

  Six months into this, I can say that I have never been happier. Looking back, the transition from being a young man to someone who spends every waking minute working doesn't happen over night, in fact for me it took two decades. I lost track of who I was, and what was important in life along the way. The pandemic, and in particular prolonged lock downs, helped me remember both of those things. I am one of the lucky ones that have used this opportunity to take a step in the right direction, and I know that I will never look back.

  Time is the most precious commodity. Use it wisely, as this very moment is the only one you have.

• Learning to work from home

  by Anonymous, over 4 years ago

  My office had never worked from home before the start of the pandemic. And then all of a sudden, we had to learn how to. In the beginning, it was exciting to have the flexibility to sleep in a little longer in the morning and wear jeans and slippers to virtual meetings. But as the pandemic extended, working from home became something I had to learn how to do properly. For me, some days it is hard.

  When you're in the office, you can count on your colleagues to get you up from your desk and grab a coffee. At... Continue reading

  My office had never worked from home before the start of the pandemic. And then all of a sudden, we had to learn how to. In the beginning, it was exciting to have the flexibility to sleep in a little longer in the morning and wear jeans and slippers to virtual meetings. But as the pandemic extended, working from home became something I had to learn how to do properly. For me, some days it is hard.

  When you're in the office, you can count on your colleagues to get you up from your desk and grab a coffee. At home, that isn't the case - some days, my watch will tell me that I haven't stood up in hours.

  There is also no need to rush home at the end of the day to meet my kids off the bus. Since I am here already, my day often extends an hour or two longer than it used to.

  These are boundaries that I need to learn to set for myself. I'm getting there.

  Virtual platforms have allowed us to stay connected with colleagues, family, and friends, no matter where we are. I know the benefits are many but I am still looking forward to the morning cup of coffee with my colleagues when we can.

• Challenge: COVID birthday street party??

  by Ilona, over 4 years ago
  At the beginning of the pandemic, we had no COVID vaccine. We tried to use our masks and social distance. One Spring day, we drove home. Our little street was full of cars. This was unusual. Coming to our home, we found our driveway blocked with a large truck. People were on the street. It's was a birthday party with more than 30 people on our little street. We walked quickly into our home, for safety.

  At the beginning of the pandemic, we had no COVID vaccine. We tried to use our masks and social distance. One Spring day, we drove home. Our little street was full of cars. This was unusual. Coming to our home, we found our driveway blocked with a large truck. People were on the street. It's was a birthday party with more than 30 people on our little street. We walked quickly into our home, for safety.

• Decision to Retire

  by AmandaH, over 4 years ago
  When the lockdown began in March of 2020 I was deemed non-essential and sent home to work. With the exception of dropping into the office to do the odd inspection or file paperwork, all other work was successfully completed from home. In fact, the workload was completed quicker with less distractions. For 6 months this was my new normal. My husband is retired so the two of us spent more than the usual amount of time together...and we are still happily married! After about 3 months, the previous thought of retirement jumped into my head again. Spending more time outside... Continue reading

  When the lockdown began in March of 2020 I was deemed non-essential and sent home to work. With the exception of dropping into the office to do the odd inspection or file paperwork, all other work was successfully completed from home. In fact, the workload was completed quicker with less distractions. For 6 months this was my new normal. My husband is retired so the two of us spent more than the usual amount of time together...and we are still happily married! After about 3 months, the previous thought of retirement jumped into my head again. Spending more time outside for breaks and becoming more active with my bicycle, made me decide that now is the time. Yes, the pandemic has been a very big inconvenience but I will look back on it as one of the key reasons for retiring and enjoying life more.

• Eight Thankful Pandemic Gifts

  by NEBS99, over 4 years ago

  Eight Thankful Pandemic Gifts

  Looking back at the pandemic, I am thankful for many things. The pandemic brought out the worst in people and society, including separation in families, friendships. Racial, political and social injustices were magnified within the world and communities.

  While I missed meeting friends, going out for lunches or dinners, what I especially missed was the sense of freedom of just going out whenever you wanted to, walking in the malls and browsing for that unique item, which you could gift to someone or use.

  Rather than focusing on the negative, let me share eight things that... Continue reading

  Eight Thankful Pandemic Gifts

  Looking back at the pandemic, I am thankful for many things. The pandemic brought out the worst in people and society, including separation in families, friendships. Racial, political and social injustices were magnified within the world and communities.

  While I missed meeting friends, going out for lunches or dinners, what I especially missed was the sense of freedom of just going out whenever you wanted to, walking in the malls and browsing for that unique item, which you could gift to someone or use.

  Rather than focusing on the negative, let me share eight things that the pandemic made me thankful for:

  • Front Line Workers: Our front line workers deserve a medal for putting their lives on the line to serve us, whether it was our nurses, personal support workers, cashiers, sanitary engineers, agricultural workers, postal workers, delivery personnel and so many others. They kept society going, not the movie or sports heroes. Some of them paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.
  • Maintaining Relationships: All the relationships safely maintained, with distancing and masks with my sister, her family, in-laws, etc. where we had driveway, backyard and even side by side parking lot car visits, during lock downs.
  • Online shopping: I remember shaking while doing grocery shopping and avoided some grocery stores with narrow aisles. It was great when I was advised that I could do online grocery shopping. In the beginning, we had to stay up until midnight to get a time slot., and as stores pivoted, it became easier to find slots. I was appreciative of my online shoppers.
  • Being Outside in Nature: Walking in nature provided me with the ability to see the wild flowers, all the birds and to remember that there is still beauty in the world.
  • Plans are just Plans: My sister, I and our daughters planned to surprise my sister, living in the America, travelling from Canada to celebrate a milestone birthday. With the borders closed, we realized that this would not happen the way we planned so we needed to pivot with a Zoom meeting. A friend at work once set, “there is always a solution to every problem, and we just need to find it”.
  • Trying New Recipes: Trying new recipes took our minds off the lockdowns, provided a method of sharing our culinary expertise with others. Some recipes were hits and others were misses. My daughter perfected her baking skills and decided not to attempt making macarons. I tried making some Jamaican dishes like fried dumplings. Carole, my family agrees, you still make the best fried dumplings.
  • Space: I was grateful to have the space, where my family of introverts, including myself could have our own hide-a-way spot. While we enjoyed meals together, we all needed our space to decompress.
  • Medicine: The government restricted pharmacies from providing the normal three or six month medication to a one month supply. For individuals who need to take medicines to keep hypertension or other illnesses at bay, we were grateful for their availability, even in limited supplies.

• School and Sports

  over 4 years ago

  Note: This story was submitted on behalf of the original storyteller, with their permission.

  Note: This story was submitted on behalf of the original storyteller, with their permission.

• A Spike in Anxiety

  over 4 years ago