A year of Covid-19

A year ago today the WHO declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, we had just returned from Belgium and planned to go to Florida the following week for Mark's nephew's wedding but our travel plans were cancelled (obviously). At the time it was exciting but abstract, the actual threat didn't seem real, and I suppose we thought it would be like our SARs experience in Singapore and that life would largely go on as usual, and it would all blow over in a few months. 

Now, a year later I'm wondering if we'll every fully return to normal. We've been extremely fortunate throughout this, but it's still been hard. I'm so ready to get back into the world, but know it's likely to feel strange, and scary. I've had my first vaccination (Astra Zeneca) and have the 2nd scheduled for early April. Mark hasn't had his yet (hopefully he'll get a call this month), and we will feel much better 14 days post his first vaccination. I hope we'll be able to travel this summer! It's nice here, but it feels like a tease having the rest of Europe on our doorstep but not being able to go there. 

We've taken lock-down very seriously and haven't gone anywhere in months (including grocery stores - deliveries and click and collect almost exclusively). I miss restaurants/pubs, but, I've definitely become a better cook this year. I was an okay cook pre-pandemic, but as we haven't even had take away in months I've become more adventurous and tried more laborious recipes that I would have previously not felt I had time for. Can't use that excuse now :^)! This month we're having a 'meat-free' March, if only to do something different. It's going well, and I don't think either of us have missed meat as much as we thought we would (but still 20 days to go). Vegan would be hard though, don't think we're ready to give up eggs or milk anytime soon. 

In other news, I finish my current job in two weeks and start a new job in April. The new role is better paying and a permanent position, and hopefully a role I'll enjoy. It's taken 4 years to get back to a position and wage that feels more commiserate with my work experience - the real downside of having to start over again (at least partly) every time we move.