Lockdown Thoughts…

I wanted to share some thoughts from my journal from when I was in Lockdown. I thought I had a Day 60 post but I have – Day 50/54/57/58/63/69 – I wrote some thoughts down when I thought about it. I really wanted to mark this time and not forget this one of a kind experience I went through in Shanghai. Below are my thoughts from April 30th – my 50th Day of lockdown and next you will find my thoughts form today! My 60th day of being home in Dallas. Read and Enjoy….

Long Post from Day 50 of lockdown and Day 60 of being home!

________________________________________________________________________________________________Day 50

April 30, 2022

Today is day 50 of being at home. In the last 50 days I have had 19 Covid tests. I’m not sure what this achieved since we are not allowed to go anywhere or leave home.  

Wait…. I have left home 

On Day 48 my apartment complex received passes to go outside. Yes passes. To control how many people are out AM/PM. I went for a bike ride. Alone. Everything is alone these days. Biked about 5 kilometers then returned home. 

By that evening, these passes were invalid and we were told not to go outside anymore. I have not heard of one case in my building or in my immediate community but we are not allowed outside. We just keep taking tests. I have had a test everyday since April 17 and sometimes more than one in the same day. 

This is all so very exhausting and we have no idea 🤷🏾‍♀️ when things will look up. 

So today. On day 50. I of course took another at home self test. My results are still negative. And I am at home with my streaming apps and my books. 

#survivingcovid #shanghai2020again #shanghaiscovid2022 #survivingchinaslockdown #lockeddown #shanghaisquarantine2022 #survivingshanghaicovid #blackinchina 

Wow! Scrolled in my phone to find any images from this day. I had this. I probably shared this update on social media.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 60 – Monday, July 18, 2022

Wow! Today makes day 60 of me returning back to the states. I am doing so well in Dallas. Living in Shanghai was amazing. Like a dream- but after five years my time came to an end. 

I’m ecstatic being back home. I am back with my family, friends, church community, and all the foods and snacks that I love so much. 

Bluebell Y’all/ Bluebell!!! 

They turned one of my favorite treats into ice cream….

I’m ready for Fall Yall! 

What’s the toughest part? This heat! This Texas heat is no joke and we have had a couple weeks of consistent triple digit heat. If you’re a person who enjoys walking or running you need to do it EARLY morning or late evening when the sun sets because it’s extra warm by 7:59 AM. 8AM on the dot you’re working up a sweat. To combat the heat?!? Stay inside with AC! Ice water! Slurpees from 7-11 – Sno-Cones – Ice cream – Swim days (if you can even make it the very HOT outside) and naps when you’re tired. 

Being home has been great. Last month I went zip lining with my friends, a vacation with my sisters and niece, and that was all well and great and now I’m settling into my work & daily life here. 

I’ve started a new job & even decided on where I’ll live (since I’m currently living with family). It was a HUGE LEAP OF FAITH making the decision to move and live and do life in Shanghai. It was a BIG LEAP OF FAITH moving home. Both leaps great and needed for my life. I made some moves with my time in Shanghai and they helped to change my life. I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish while abroad and I did them all and more. I am beyond proud of myself. 

+Pay of debts ✅ 

+Save for my future ✅ 

+Make great life long friends ✅ 

+Travel the world ✅ 

-Covid hit and I didn’t get to see all of the new countries that I planned on visiting, but I did see a lot of China- and how cool is that? 

+Grow and develop in my position and career as a teacher and educator ✅ 

+Try new foods ✅ 

+Smile A Lot ✅ 

….and then some (things that happened but I didn’t plan on them happening)

+I received my Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University 

+I was given a raise and promotion from my school- Shanghai HD Bilingual School

+I visited closed to half the provinces in China

+I made it to the top of Yellow Mountain ⛰ (preciously shared one my blog) – a hike that took about six hours with a lot of stops but I finished it! 

+I received an award for a writing contest where so shared my experience “Home Away From Home”

+I received the “Game Changer” award from my “home away from home” – my Black community in Shanghai 

+I received top medical care for some health issues I was dealing with

So much happened that I never expected or imagined to happen. I’m so thankful to God for His protection and hand over my life! I’m thankful for my time in Shanghai and I am so happy and thankful to be home. 

Lots of stories and sharing to come. 

Wow! I have been home sixty days.

I’ve accomplished so much in these two months and there is nothing but Greatness to come. 

-thanks for following my stories! 

#karlagirljoy #havehope #enduringthroughtitall #thankful #happytobehome #FromTexasToShanghaiAndBackToDallas   #theresnoplacelikehome #smiling #lookingforwardtowhatistocome #focused 

Cheers to this new chapter in my life. Each chapter is interesting and quite the adventure. I’m looking forward to whats to come …..

#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #BlackInChina #BlackAmericanInChina #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  

– Hellen Keller

Oh and since I’ve been home I have of course been to a PJ Morton concert! Here’s a song off of his latest album ‘Watch the Sun’ – the song is title “My Peace” Enjoy