April & Easter in quarantine (Month #1)

Aloha! It's nearly the end of April, and we're officially a month into our state's shelter-in-place order. I can't say our lives have dramatically changed thus far (which makes us extremely fortunate), so we are doing our best to allocate our resources to help others as much as we can. However, life has certainly changed a lot:

• Because Rich and I are both still working full time, Ryan has really had to step up and become the captain of his own ship, with respect to his daily routines and school/distance learning. After an initial rocky two weeks- I'm relieved to report that week #3 went well, and he appears to have (finally) found his groove. He's getting all of his assignments/chores done, usually by 2pm, giving him plenty of fun time after to spend with friends online/on the phone. Nailing down his new schedule has probably been our family's biggest adjustment- transitioning an 11-year old from unhealthy Asian-mom-enabled co-dependence to total independence, almost overnight, has had it's challenges (I can't say more...because CPS could be watching).  
• Like everyone else, we find ourselves appreciating the time out from the near-constant rat race/hamster wheel we've been on our entire lives. I miss seeing a movie, wasting money at Target and laughing/running with friends, but hunkering down for two months is hardly a sacrifice in my opinion. I'm flabbergasted by those who think we did too much. We may have, sure...but what was the alternative? Doing too little and then every last grandma dies? C'mon, folks. Don't get sucked into crazy conspiracy theories that 'they' did this. Don't blame the other (political side). Just accept that we faced a pandemic in our lifetime, and are really friggen lucky it meant hoarding TP at Costco and watching more TV vs. bodies piled up in the streets.
• Overall, we are very fortunate to be doing well. We go to work, we get take out once or twice a week to try and help local businesses, hit up KTA for groceries once a week, and socialize like everyone else- we all Zoom for school/work/friends, Ry plays Fortnite with friends and strangers, and my family is 1/4 mile away (we consider ourselves part of the family compound and do see each other after an initial distancing period of 3 weeks). So are lucky to be part of a cohesive family and community, and in solid shape. We are mindful of this gracious privilege, and are doing our best to pledge a % of income each month toward helping others.

Truthfully, were it not for the stunning financial devastation this pandemic has wreaked on our community/world and our son living in a bubble, I would say that we found an immense and abiding appreciation escaping from the chaos of 'real life.' But I cannot quite bring myself to say that out loud- as I'm ever mindful of how this has annihilated the lives of far too many, and it does not feel right to revel in any newfound peace. Whatever we gained in clarity was not worth the cost, and I'm unsure how long the lessons learned will last anyway (humans have amnesia). Like anyone else, I want the world to return to what it once was- simply because it better for most...even if it wasn't better for all.

A few pics below of our brighter moments this last month during our stay at home orders...

I took another 'work shift' out at the beach cottage for a week, and Ry's cousins joined us for a spell. Here you can see how they have avowed technology, so that they can fully take in the beauty of nature just after sunset. Look at them- just breathing deeply, giving bountiful thanks, living in the present. So inspiring.

We have had more than a few family occasions cancelled because of the plague, but not this newly minted 3-year old's birthday (which we wisely combined with an Easter egg hunt). That's Riki, Ry and Keni hiding underneath those overgrown mops, and my two nieces in their Easter best. Three out of four families live on the same compound/property, and we live 1/4 mile away, so I consider us a satellite campus NOT in violation of the gathering order.

...and we got to see a mermaid hula show that same day. If you did not get to celebrate a BirthdayEasterHulaShow event during your quarantine, I highly recommend it.

First Easter in 11 years decorating eggs solo. ;-)

Another quarantine tip? If you cannot cut your child's hair, be related to a sister in law that can. Thank you, Aunty Mika!

I had an evening work Zoom meeting. Decided to let them see what I look like after dark. (Sorry, not available, guys.)