May it be said that this month has started off precariously. Firstly, we have been made aware of killer hornets present in North America. This is a new development that has our society wondering who moved what artifact to curse 2020? As well, we are currently seeing the restrictions being lifted in regards to quarantine conditions for COVID-19. Restaurants are opening at 25% capacity, retailers are being allowed to open under specific guidelines, and more “non-essential” businesses are being allowed to reopen (again, under specific guidelines). Most seem eager for a return to normalcy, but others are concerned that the return to normalcy is too soon and will lead to a second spike in COVID-19 cases.
I’ve enjoyed my time in quarantine as much as one can. I’ve mostly been in sweatpants, with no makeup, and snuggling with my cats and Aaron when I’m not at work. I’m very lucky to say this, I know, and I’m aware that most people are struggling under lockdown conditions. With that in mind, there have been parts of life that I have sorely missed while being in lockdown. As such, I have put together a “bucket list” of sorts of the things I want to do when things are truly over and the world has returned to homeostasis.
Here’s a look at what my schedule holds, loosely, when we are officially all done with “quarantime”:
*note: this list does not include stargazing, because that’s already implied with my new years resolution!
1. Play tennis. Tennis is one of few sports I enjoy and do well playing. I used to play somewhat regularly with friends and Aaron a year ago, and I miss it! I found local courts near my neighborhood and I’m hoping that I can get access again for a few games before it gets too hot.
2. Go to Disney. Travelling will appear a fair amount on this list (and for good reason), but come on, fam! How could this not be at the top of the list? I haven’t been able to enjoy Disney in months, missing an entire EPCOT festival with it. I’ve missed the parks so much. Aaron and I have plans to visit at least my favorite Disney restaurant (with an excellent view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks) for my birthday, but I want to do a weekend day trip like the good ol’ pre-COVID days.
3. Play minigolf. I love minigolf. It is so much fun. I went minigolfing earlier this year (coincidentally at Disney) and I had so much fun. It’s just delightful! I want to either go to the Disney minigolf course or go to the one at CityWalk (or the dozens of others in this theme park/family vacation hub of a city)!
4. Visit Boston. I miss my girls (girls referring to Allison and Kelsey, or as we call ourselves, “The Snapdragons”), and I love being in Boston with them. I foresee us going to the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, the dim sum place we love, and Boston Commons, where we can sit in the shade and I can climb a tree. I can’t wait to see them.
5. Visit Camden. Another Snapdragons trip! We were supposed to go to Greece this year, but I don’t see that in our future anymore with these current travel conditions. That said, there is a summer home in a quaint lakefront town in Maine. It is so Americana and quiet and beautiful, with walking trails, boating, and a delicious waterfront restaurant called Peter Otts. We all agreed that taking a week off from work seems a bit of a stretch this year, but a Friday and a Monday off to go to the family lake house? Doable. Oh so doable.
6. Visit New York. I refuse to say anything about my July trip for my grandfather’s birthday. And my best friend’s birthday. And my Hamilton tickets with said best friend. I’m going. No one can stop me. It’s happening. SssSsSssSSsSsssSsHhhhhHHH.
7. Go to *a* waterpark. I love a waterpark. I love waterslides, I love wave pools, I love feeling something akin to zen on a lazy river. I am thinking I want to go to Volcano Bay, since I could get in for free one day as a perk of my job. That said, I’ve never been to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon! I have options!
8. Enjoy a good spa day. I’ve added facials into my monthly self-care routine, but I want more on this day. I want the facial, the massage, a float, and maybe even an eyebrow wax. I also might want to put on eyelashes. Who knows? I will plan something perfect.
9. Go to Gideon’s Bakehouse. This place is the stuff of legends, and by legends, I mean Instagram. Gideon’s Bakehouse is on the far side of Orlando for me, which is why I haven’t gone YET. This bakery has the most droolworthy cookies you could imagine. They have a partner BBQ restaurant in Disney that occasionally sells their cookies, but I haven’t gotten one any of the times I’ve been to that restaurant. The line is almost always out the door for these cookies. I want to make the drive, brave the line, and just… enjoy. I officially proclaim that I will have no cookies until I go to Gideon’s. They are open right now under COVID-19 restrictions (pre order online, contact – less pickup), but I’m not going until this has ended. Where’s the drama in that?
10. Go to Dave & Busters. I am a girl of simple pleasures (minigolf and cookies, clearly). My ideal date? Eighty dollars worth of tokens. Skee-ball. Air hockey. That one arcade game. That other arcade game. Pizza. Maybe laser tag as a pregame. Aaron and I have yet to do a Dave & Busters date. After quarantine ends, that will change.
I want public safety, and I want to be able to do these things without picking up or passing on the germs that cause COVID-19. I’d hate to accidentally infect someone, especially someone I love, and I’d be doing all these activities with someone I love (except the spa day. That’s ME TIME). Until then, I will keep my visits to the “outside world” sequestered to grocery trips, my Couch25K runs, and the occasional trip to a local restaurant for pickup. Aaron has already requested bagels for breakfast on Friday. I am powerless before a bagel.