COVID-19 Fall Update

 So, we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Life has gone on, but not like normal. We are still trying to carve out times for family time and such. We are able to spend so much more time together and we seem to be getting so much closer than I feel like we have ever been in the past. The most amazing thing to come from COVID is how close all of the kids are becoming to one another. Even Andrew seems to be getting closer with the younger three. 

School Goes Online 

As a graduate school student, it was scary and rough thinking about things going online. I was starting the second year of my MS and worried that I could not focus if classes were held online. This was the case at first, but after going back on my ADHD meds, I have been able to focus and thrive. It has been pretty good overall.

I have found certain things are harder than they were before. From time to time, I find myself daydreaming and end up without being able to communicate with the class. I actually was able to get off of ADHD meds for years, but I am headed back on them. I am struggling with being able to accomplish most things in life. I have been struggling to keep it all together with everything being online. It is so hard for me to be able to focus and think thought things clearly. I really struggle with these things. Overall, I have felt that after returning to my meds, I am able to get something done. 

I have had a few devastating weeks as things in my life are not turning out the way that I expected or wanted them to. I was going to pursue a PhD b/c I have always wanted to. It was a personal goal of mine when I was younger and one that I never thought that I could accomplish. After being in grad school and falling more in love with academia, I have been devastated by the COVID-19 virus and the fact that there is not the opportunity for employment that there once was with a PhD. So, for now I am putting my schooling on hold, but maybe one day I can go back and earn that PhD even if it is in retirement and for nothing more than personal gains. 

I have also been bummed with the fact that my local history project thesis just can't happen. I can't responsibly get the information and sourcing that I need as they are all locked up due to the pandemic. I get the nature of safety, but it has been a hard pill to swallow when changingi everything last minute to a field of study. The good news is that I will only have one night class next semester. I will have a field of study and an independent study but those I can do in the timeframe that I see fit. I am just eager to find out whom I will be working for next semester as that is always something that I am slightly worried about/concerned with. 

All My Kids 

So, my kids are really handling COVID well. I was worried about social interaction and about other things, but it really seems that they are not doing too bad. The best part of COVID has been that the kids have become closer and seem to be better off than they were before in this aspect. The bonds that my children are creating are sibling bonds that I do not see ending anytime soon. In fact, I actually can't believe at times just how close they are. 

I thought that I would share with you a quick update as to the things that the kids are doing and preparing for their futures.

Andrew 

Andrew has started his senior year. He is still furloughed from McDonalds but is being employed to tutor and help with the kids. Each week he spends a few hours in private tutoring with each of his siblings. Then once a week, they do a lesson on something that is fun. This helps me on their half day so that I can get work done and their education is being supplemented. He is doing his first play through the high school this year, is an active officer of Key Club, maintains his activeness in Scouting events and is preparing for his Eagle project, and is an active member of the yearbook. He is taking mostly advanced courses and has appleid to both WIU and U of I. He is hoping to be accepted into the U of I, but has been offered a sizable scholarship to WIU. So, we shall see where scholarships lead us.

Althea 

Althea is still passionate about ballet. She has ranked up to the intermediate level and has some of the parts that she has wanted to dance with The Nutcracker. She is also performing in Dracula this fall. She is doing well with school but misses her friends. She seems to be the one who is taking the time away from friends the hardest. I am trying to plan something with her friends right now. I am thinking a dinner and a movie party with Hamilton in one of the upcoming weekends. 

Huxley 

Huxley is active. He is now pursuing Ninja Warrior Training at a gymnastics studio close to the girls' dance studio. This is nice as he gets to do something active vs playing online gaming with his cousins and friends. He seems to be the one most socially adjusted because of this online time but overall I think that kids need to be physically moving and not just sitting around. 

Adeline 

Adeline has somehow become the busiest of the kids. She decided to audition for the competitive dance team at the studio and she made it. She is performing both a solo and a trio for this year's dance season. She has also been bitten by the acting bug and is crossing her fingers for her big break. She maintains solid work ethics in school and is one of the hardest working kids that I know.

Job Hunting and the Pandemic 

To top it all off, with graduation looming in May, I am on the hunt for the perfect position for me. I am interviewing with a charter school already, but am not sure that they will hire me this early on for next school year. That being said, having a job secured by May is the goal as I need that time to relax and prepare for things over the summer. Fingers crossed that I can actually find a position where I get to teach, whether in a charter/private high school/jr. high or at a community college.