The Early Days
I've been waiting for this moment for over a year now. Life wasn't going that great the year before Covid-19, but then when it hit, it was a kick in the teeth. I was already juggling two jobs (preschool substitute and line cooking). In the early days, I lost my teaching job because of the high risk to the children, then the Governor of Colorado at that time closed restaurants and bars on March 16th. I was also teaching EFL online through a Chinese business, but because of the severe outbreak in China, no one had money to spend on English lessons. I went from just making it by when I was flat broke that fall before to wondering how long I can scrape by?
Time went on, sometimes the restaurant would be open for a week, and I could work. At the time, I already applied for unemployment; however, the system was so backed up, I didn't receive my benefits until seven months later. That time was undoubtedly the hardest part of the pandemic. The uncertainty of knowing if things would ever go back to a 'normal.'
The middle of it all
I got my first stimulus check around April of last year, I got my tax return, and my lease was ending so I could get out of the situation I was in with my roommates. I decided to take what I had and get out as soon as I could. I had two months left, and I packed my things and took a greyhound out to my oldest brother's house in Washington. Best choice I've made in years.
I tried finding a job teaching here. I was applying weeks before my greyhound came out here. Nothing stuck; there was no vaccine released yet, cases were still at insane numbers, and coming out to a new state, I had different hoops to jump through anyways. Eventually started working at a bistro for a couple months, but that sucked more than normal cooking. When it is an open kitchen during this pandemic, it was a kick in the teeth to see all these customers come in maskless while I was working the grill and saute with a thick mask on in a 100-degree kitchen.
Eventually, I dropped the kitchen job and became a mover with my brother. I timed that well because Washington closed restaurants two weeks later, and my unemployment check finally came! Things were looking up, except that there was still no vaccine on the way, and I was not gonna have any chance of working abroad anytime soon as I applied in vain, trying to get to a different country again.
The Light
Alright, Biden won the election, and suddenly America has vaccines. Personally didn't like either candidate and it makes me suspicious how America had vaccines ready so suddenly after the inauguration, but whatever, I guess. Finally, some progress and the news don't have headlines straight from The Onion, making America look like a reality TV show.
It took months to get accepted for a job in Korea since they were (and still are) pretty locked down. The irony is now when I get back to normal life in America, I am going to a country that fumbled on vaccine distribution, so I will have to quarantine, wear a mask, and distance myself still even when I am vaccinated.
Made some good money while being a mover and have been living in a cheap room to offset the cost. Not the best setup, but it works for what it is. Glad that the end is finally near, though.
The First Shot
Got the first shot a month ago at the time of writing. I was looking for a vaccine distributor for weeks, but I wasn't a part of the essential groups?? Alright, so I am essential enough to do jobs at a hospital delivering furniture and moving items, essential enough to go into strangers' homes where they aren't required to wear a mask close to me. Still, I'm not essential enough to get hazard pay or get vaccinated before anyone else? That's cool; at least I didn't get it by being careful.
I found the distribution center online, and they were doing walk-ins since it was announced that anyone could now get a vaccine. Jumped on the opportunity, rode my bike down, and got my shot. The next day, symptoms that I felt were just a sore arm and a little flu-like but not much went with right the first shot. Nothing serious, though.
The Second Shot
Got it 4 hours ago, and I'm just feeling the same thing as the first. I have a sore arm, went with the left to keep it even. I will probably feel flu-like symptoms tomorrow with a said sore arm. I've heard that the second Moderna shot hits harder, so hopefully, I don't have anything crazy heavy to lift... I asked the nurse how long until I go naked into Fred Meyer, and he recommended to wait two weeks ha.
All and all considered, I am surprised I never caught the virus in the first place. My whole family worked and had contact with others. Even had a couple scares where I was in contact with people that had it. Those days are over though, now I can just focus on the future 2021 has in store for me.
Until then,
Ride On!