Hello friends!

It’s been a little while. June went by so quickly. I had been dreading June for months – there were some challenging work commitments that I had, along with prepping my four pieces and readings for my MFA residency, which started on the 29th. There was lots and lots of work. I was very busy, and the stress was high.

The good:
-I more or less got through my work commitments, either solo or delegating (which is hard for me to do).
-I finished my readings and four pieces for my MFA program.
-I got my official ADHD diagnosis last week!!! IT IS THE YEAR OF KNOWING THINGS! (Side note, is getting screened for ADHD while you are insanely busy the most ADHD thing you can do? The answer is yes).
-I made it to Dublin for my two week residency!

The bad:
-If you couldn’t tell from the title – COVID, WOMP WOMP WOMP

I have been trying to outrun the FLiRT variant (Does it need a cutesy name? Could we just call it COVID VIII or COVID Cinco or something?). I tried ignoring the uptick in cases, masking up on my flights and hoping for the best. Just a couple of days ago, I heard a woman tell her friend in a charmingly Irish lilt that “EVERYONE IS GETTING COVID.” I quickly walked far away from her, as if getting away from her meant that I could physically distance myself from the virus. Alas. It does not work that way.

Statistically, my luck was due to run out at some point, and it finally did. I last got COVID in August 2022. I’ve done a lot of travel in the past 3 years and successfully made it to seven countries without getting sick or having to deal with anyone in my group getting it. But I couldn’t outrun it any longer; I tested positive this morning. I first felt a tickle in my throat while at a restaurant Sunday night, but it happened while getting exposed to two people smoking right behind me. I initially thought it was just the smoke irritation. When the irritation lingered the next day, I was little alarmed, but I wasn’t congested and all my Google searches indicated that an irritated throat is a common response to second-hand smoke. When we found out yesterday evening that someone in my group tested positive, I thought, well, fuck, here we go. My throat feeling off had been my first symptom the last time around, too. My room doesn’t have AC but I felt chills as I went to bed last night.

The good:
-Husband was supposed to fly over here on the 3rd, and I tested positive before he boarded the pets and the plane. We were able to cancel the hotels that we booked for ourselves and the pets and he doesn’t have to risk exposure to the virus.

The bad:
-…Husband was supposed to fly over here on the 3rd, so he could be with me to celebrate my 40th birthday on Friday. I will still be in isolation Friday. Happy birthday to me!

WOMP WOMP WOMP.

Such is life. I desperately miss Husband and my sweet pets, but I’m in good spirits. One woman in my group picked up meals for me today. Tomorrow my suitemate will pick up a breakfast for me. I’m not alone, and I’m so grateful for that. It sucks, but it will make for a good story. I’ll have a belated birthday celebration to ring in 40 once I’m feeling a little better, and definitely when I return home to the States and Husband.

Ok, COVID is boring – let’s talk about Dublin for a bit.

We’re staying in the student accomodations at Trinity College, which is a lovely campus. I have a little dorm room, which is bringing back memories! Gotta say, I don’t love the concept of spending COVID on this mattress, which is definitely the “who gives a shit about your back because you’re eighteen” kind of twin. It definitely isn’t the most comfortable mattress in the world, but. But! Hopefully I will feel less crummy in a couple days. In the meantime, I plan on using my isolation to catch up on a little work (boo), keeping ahead of the classes and readings, and working on my crafts (thank goodness I brought craft supplies with me).

SORRY, I SAID I WOULD STOP TALKING ABOUT COVID.

This is my second time here in Dublin, and it’s such a charming city. What shocked me is how cold it’s been here. I don’t think the temperatures have been higher than 65 degrees the entire time I’ve been here, and it’s been mainly gray and rainy. Texas has been consistently hot and sunny for the past two months now, so it is a little jarring to wear a sweater and jacket. I was so looking forward to introducing Husband to the coziness of the city, but we’ll have to wait, I’m afraid. I think my favorite parts of the trip have been seeing the Old Library at Trinity (magnificent!) and Howth, a lovely seaside town.

Ok, I’m a little tired, so I’m going to sign off. Stay safe out there!