Expect the Unexpected

 Over time I've learned to expect the unexpected but never quite to the speed and degree with which the unexpected keeps happening this year.

Just over a week ago Covid cases in my area were rising so I decided to do a grocery run just to be on the safe side. Whilst I was out my whatsapp messages started going crazy. Rumours of my sub-district being locked down were flying around but there was no concrete information (welcome to Malaysia!) Before I went to bed that night it was official we were being locked down, and school was going online, for the next two weeks. 

Not too bad really except for the fact that our ridiculously late half term was scheduled right in the middle of those two weeks and I really, really, really wanted to see people who were not in my sub-district. After pushing through for so many weeks (I have never experienced a half term this late) with all the craziness that came with this year, it was just so disappointing to think of spending that week basically locked up again.

So, in the course of 24 hours a plan was hatched to spend the two weeks with my lovely friend Nikki who moved from Hong Kong the same time I did. When the coincidence of our move first happened it was so good. But with the challenges that have come with this year it's proven to be more of a life saver than I could ever have expected; to have a friend who you've known for years around. Anyways, Thursday was manic. One day to prepare students and myself for 2 weeks of online learning and then rush home and pack what I needed for a 2 week "vacation" on the other side of the island. 

That's not where the unexpected ended though. Two days into my "vacation" it was suddenly announced that our entire state (along with most of the rest of peninsular Malaysia) was being shut down again for a month and that we wouldn't be able to cross districts. Now I live in a different district to Nikki so basically this meant that I wouldn't be able to go home easily for a month. All this with about 36 hours notice. And so a two week "vacation" suddenly turned into a month with both of us teaching from home.

So here I am stuck the other side of the Island and my month looks ever so different than what I expected it to look like. On the positive side though it's sooooo much better being in lockdown with a roommate. Cooking is more fun, I'm exercising a lot more as there is a decent space to run on in the vicinity, and there aren't vast hours and hours of time when I am completely alone. Last time around I didn't eat a meal with another human being for almost 3 months and I am beyond grateful that that is not being repeated.

This time around 'lockdown' is about re-learning what it is to be in community. Re-learning what it is to accept support and help and not just fend for myself because I can. Re-learning what it is to be vulnerable amongst people and exploring what that looks like in this new country. Very different from my learning curve in the last lockdown, entirely unexpected, and entirely necessary.