Ramblings from Quarantine

This post comes to you straight from the same room I’ve been in almost exclusively for the past ~4 days. I’m also writing more out of boredom rather than having something to write about, so apologies. Basically, I came down with a cold almost immediately after I got back to the sanctuary. I’ve been pretty isolated since last Saturday and they had me change rooms on Monday to be further away from the other volunteers. They don’t want anything spreading to the chimps, which is super understandable. There’s also an extra layer of anxiety because of all the Coronavirus panic that’s everywhere right now. While I’m more than happy to do whatever is deemed necessary to protect the chimps, it has been pretty hard to be trapped inside on my own for close to a week now. When I was having trouble with my ankle, I was definitely feeling worse physically, but I still got to be around people in the volunteer house. So, boredom has really started to kick in the past couple days. My stir-crazy brain is all over the place, I guess trying to keep myself entertained. On that note, I’ve decided to try and get calling Sierra Leone “Slone” to catch on. I’m almost certain it will not become a thing and this is my version of Gretchen Weiners trying to make “fetch” happen, but thinking of it kept me busy for a little bit and made me laugh. So if I text you or write about “Slone”, just go with it. Yes, I am talking about Sierra Leone and no, it is 100% not something people other than me actually say.

Joking aside, I am pretty frustrated that I came back and immediately had another obstacle thrown at me. I’m glad it’s just a cold, don’t get me wrong, but it feels like adding insult to injury, almost literally. And if this was the first bump in the road it probably wouldn’t be as frustrating, but I had to delay this trip THREE times and already came out once and wasn’t really able to be here because of my ankle and nerve pain. This project has been like swimming upstream for over a year now and I almost wish I was a little less stubborn and had chosen something a little less logistically difficult. Almost, but not quite. There has also been a hint of sadness because usually one of the only good things about being sick is extra snuggles and lazy days with my JoJo and she’s obviously not here. That’s probably been one of the hardest parts of this whole fiasco. No matter what, I know I’d be missing her like crazy because it’s not very often that we’re apart and I’m slightly obsessed with her, but since I don’t really have many distractions right now she’s been on my mind a little extra.

That being said, I’ve been in pretty good spirits this whole time. I let myself have some moments of just feeling frustrated and like things just keep going wrong, but I’ve been able to get that out of my system and then switch back to focusing on the fact that I’m almost completely better and will be set free soon. Each day feels better than the last and I’m so, so grateful it didn’t turn into bronchitis like my colds usually do. That probably has something to do with the Z-pack I took prophylactically, but either way I’m thanking my lucky stars because that really would have been brutal. It’s also not lost on my that I’m here for 9 weeks, so I still have a really good chunk of time to explore this amazing place and also get my work done. I’m also still here, with a once in a lifetime opportunity to do a project I wouldn’t even have dared to dream up. I’m usually pretty good at being patient, so in the grand scheme of things, sitting tight for another few days is 100% manageable. I still have a few things I can work on for my project, so I’m focusing on getting those done while I’m sitting around anyway so that once I’m better I can really jump right in.

Written yesterday in a moment of really missing my girl

The Girl with the Patchwork Face

She is kisses and light 
And lazy Sunday mornings
She wears her heart on her tail
And never holds back her joy

She is gentle and forgiving, but also cautious
Because she came with a history
Full of pain and fear
Although sometimes you'd never know

Her posture is horrible and unique
Her paws always in white tube socks
Her golden eyes bright and curious
(Unless she's fight off a nap)

She is my rock, my whole heart, my constant
Her love is everything
My home and my happy place
Begin and end with her

With her, I drown
In awe and gratitude
For a love like nothing
I have ever known

I don't know where I'd be with out her
My highest high
And best friend
My girl with the patchwork face