When I started writing this blog post I had no idea what I was going to write, I’d had an assessment earlier that day and the last lecture of the semester and was feeling in need of a good nap. I decided that instead of trying to force it I’d go for a walk around the meadows and see if any ideas would miraculously hit me – they didn’t! At least the walk was nice. I’d been in isolation for the past week and a half so leaving the flat in general was nice. Should clarify that last week the Track and Trace app had told me to I had to go into isolation, luckily, I didn’t have nor get Covid symptoms.
To be honest I was quite lucky in this isolation. With the new regulations changing the isolation period from 14 days to 10 days, it meant I could still make the last day of campus and my flight home. Sadly, a couple of days in, my last flat mate went home for Christmas meaning I had the flat to myself. There are certain advantages to this – taking up loads of space in the kitchen, being able to blast my music/tv shows as loudly as possible and being able to use the bathroom whenever I wanted. Plus, you go through a lot less toilet roll and milk when you’re by yourself. However, quarantining by yourself is definitely not as fun.
I am blessed with some amazing friends both here in Edinburgh and back home that helped provide me with food cravings and some very interesting online gaming moments. My family was great as well in helping with the stress that was initially caused.
Quarantining by yourself also does result in some weird ways to spend the time. I think my room got a much-needed organise, some good and some not so good art was created, and the combination of the last week and not being able to go to the shops for little things did definitely result in some weird meals. I had way too much jam for the jam to bread ratio.
Going out today – whilst weird at first – was a very literal breath of fresh air, and seeing some human faces in person was oddly comforting. It is very much on its way to Christmas now, and with the days counting down nothing brings me more joy than seeing Christmas decorations everywhere. At the time of my walk the sun was starting to set and the fairy lights were beginning to be turned on. During winter this is definitely one of my favourite times of the day.
With the semester drawing to a close and the final lectures/assessments being done it does feel weird to already be one whole semester in. I have a feeling the next few years are going to go by very quickly.
