Stranded in Penang- Part 16

There's probably little that's less inspiring than a quarantine. Although, thinking about it more, I suppose Oscar Wilde wrote his Ballad of Reading Gaol whilst in exile. I've been talking to Gideon and Emily about Anne Frank's story too, how she tried to survive the persecution towards her Jewish race during world war 2, by staying in an attic for 761 days! 14 days in a pokey 15th floor flat is really nothing in comparison! We're nearly through now though, midnight on Wednesday we should be free! Mike is planning on a midnight run to celebrate! My technical illustration accurately depicts some of the emotional states quarantine has brought.

Some of the positive aspects of the quarantine have been:

1. Rediscovering my (low level) cooking ability and therefore eating home-cooked food for the first time since January. Mike has been cooking us some amazing fry ups too! So glad we don't own scales!

2. Having meals together, (a rarity in normal life as Mike finishes work so late).

3. The irony that lock down has meant a greater and more consistent effort to connect with extended family and long distance and local friends, (through technology).

4. Discovering new muscles through 20 minute you tube work outs. I never normally bother with a burpee and I'd forgotten about froggers. Shish kebab now I ache.

5. Quality family time. We've been reading the kids: 'George's Marvellous Medicine', (Roald Dahl). We've played a lot of board games. Gideon beats me at monopoly. Emily's learnt the rules of Uno, (the Frozen version). Check out below a few of their Pictionary drawings from earlier today. You have 1 minute to guess what they are...answers revealed in next blog.

6. Creativity and reflection. We made rainbow toast, with food colouring and bread. We've been making a giant collage of the National Park in Penang, and reminiscing fondly over some of our experiences there.

7. Cocktails. Mike bought an infographics guide to cocktail making on our last day in Penang. He's now an adept Woodstock, Mohito, Jim Collins and Elpresidente concocter!

8. Opportunity to pray and grow closer to God. Bible verses that have helped me over the past few weeks: Psalm 91, especially verse 4: ' He will cover you with his feathers and under His wings you will find refuge'.

Psalm 57.1: 'Have mercy on me my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.' Psalm 31. 1:'Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of His love when I was in a city under siege'. Thank you for reminding me of these verses, you know who you are.

9. Breakfast in bed. Gideon has taken delight in bringing us cups of tea and coffee (not mixed together) and some breakfast. He's steadily improving; the first one he ripped open the tea bags to put the tea leaves in the mug, the second one he forgot the the bag, the third one he left out the milk, and forth was close to perfect. Not sure how long it will last but one can hope.

10. Not being too sleepy in the evenings to watch a series. 'Suits' it has been and will continue to be for the undefined future.