Chai And A Chat #88 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 12

15 Jun 2020 44 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: , , , , , ,

Hello, my dear Peeps!

Twelve whole weeks, we’ve adapted and adjusted. TWELVE!

Go, grab a drink, I’m here, waiting, with mine.

  • The week started with school, for me. We had a training session booked, by a company called Team Teach. This had been booked pre COVID-19 and after a lot of umming and aahing, our management decided to ask who would be willing to do a socially distanced version of the training. Team Teach basically gives us the knowledge and understanding about restraining a child, if the need ever arose, and you’d be surprised the amount of times we need to know how to do this safely, gently, and correctly, with primary school childen. The training has to be done every three years to keep us up to date with all the changes that happen in the world, and this training came at a particularly sensitive time, what with the George Floyd case in hand. Now, as a training about suitable restraints and techniques, usually it is a very physical session, but as we couldn’t touch anyone, the trainer brought his wife along to demonstrate holds, and refresh our memories. It was good, though, because we had a lot of talking time, so we could discuss things like de-escalation, and diversion, and techniques that would avoid the need for physical restraint, if possible. But I tell you what, I ended up with a bad back after… sitting on one of those chairs for a whole day, in the hall, which was cold, was no fun!
  • I had another day in with the children, a grand total of nine keyworker kids, which was fun, even though it rained the whole day! We did plenty of arts and crafts, then we spent time doing some of their online learning in the computer suite. One more morning was spent in school, tweaking and setting up the classroom, ready for the 15th, when my much reduced class is due to start back up.
  • Home-wise, it’s been quiet. I haven’t really done much writing, but I read lots. Cooked, cleaned, did a lot of laundry and made two trips to the supermarket. I have been used to going on a Tuesday, during the lockdown, but as of tomorrow, I am back fulltime, so I did my normaal shop on the Tuesday, then went on Sunday for this week’s shop. We’ve been lucky, with no queues the last few weeks, but when I got there the second time, on a Sunday the queue was huge! Still, it moved quickly and I got all we needed.
  • I have been carrying on with my brush lettering, and the final project was to make bookmarks. What do you think?
  • Saturday marked the Queen’s official birthday, and usually the day is marked with much pomp and circumstance. This year the event waasa televised, and the Queen watched her guards from a little marquee in the grounds of Windsor Palace. See, we all have had to adapt… even the Queen.
  • We decided to try a special make at home pizza kit this week, from a local business, Saucy Dough. They provide dough, tomato sauce and the cheese ready for you to roll the base out and make up your pizza yourself, before baking it. The kids really enjoyed it, and I liked adding my own toppings to it, too!
  • I must tell you a funny story. Last week, I decided to run a FaceBook ad, which I have done once or twice before. I realised last time, that I needed to (unfortunately) leave out countries lile India and Pakistan, because of the unsolicited messages that would come from random men. But I forgot to take India off the country list this time… The ad below, is something like what I would have posted, with the same wording. This time, however, I have ended up with over a HUNDRED, if not more, messages from random, desperate Indian men, either sending hello, hi and good morning messages, or what can you do for me, style questions. And a marriage proposal from a 50-year-old, and a photo from a man, with him posing with his mother… (so I can see what a lovely mum he has?) but the worst? Proclaimations of love on my posts, and then… pornographic images! NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE INDIA OFF THE NEXT AD!!!!
  • Aside from that, the world is still going mad, with the Black Lives Matter movement, and the demand to remove historic statues from places around Britain… I’m doing what I can, but I am upset with how some people are dealing with things…

This week, I am back to school fulltime, with my much reduced class, so I anticipate a lot of tiredness, and high emotions over the week. Time will tell how things go… wish me luck!

Oh, and while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

What have you been up to?

Stay safe, my dear friends!

44 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. robbiesinspiration
    Jun 20, 2020 @ 17:55:49

    Your work week is now over, Ritu. I will read on Monday how it went. It sounds as if the Brits, on the whole, are out and about again. Here our infection rate and death count are increasing every day, so we are staying in.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Jennie
    Jun 19, 2020 @ 02:28:18

    Team Tech sounds interesting. We’re still not yet open with children. Love the pizza, and the FB ad reply from Indian men is really funny! Best to you, Ritu.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. niasunset
    Jun 18, 2020 @ 12:52:38

    Every field has been effected by these pandemic days… But teachers and children more… We have two important examinations this weekend, and parents are worried about coronavirus… but there are several measures, even restricted lockdown for other people ( who don’t have any relation with these exams) in the cities (where the exams will be)… I am glad to hear things are going to be arranged and done dear Ritu, Good luck for you all. I love your bookmarks… Thank you, be carefull, stay in safe, Love, nia

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Erika
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 19:01:21

    Have a good start back at your regular work schedule, sis 💖

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. OIKOS™-Publishing
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 18:55:03

    I am sorry. Meant “Prince”. Lol

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. OIKOS™-Publishing
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 18:53:59

    Wow! You always takethe full basket, Sis! Lol Your brush lettering is wonderful, and i watched the Queen’s birthday party too. Never thought Price Philip could be in such great shape, without a driving license, behind. 😉 Now you got the experiences what would have happend with nine own kids. The idea with a company teaching teachers is fantastic. I wish our politicans here would think about this too. Now they will buy IPads for the teachers, but not for the pupils. Five years ago they had forbidden WiFI, because it would harm the brains. Now they force the realising of 5G. You can see, its all as usual in Bavaria. Lol
    Have a beautiful evening, Sis! Enjoy the silence. Michael

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. John W. Howell
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 18:01:41

    Your lettering is beautiful. Too bad about the ad but at least you didn’t put your home address and phone number in it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. johnrieber
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 16:31:21

    How sad that you had to bombarded with inappropriate messages and worse…the “downside” of the internet to be sure!

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Rae Longest
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 15:06:53

    I can’t believe that I am visiting with you in the morning with my cup of coffee (not my favorite brand, though, not as much “kick,” ) instead of apologizing for catching this post in the evening or the next day! This does NOT mean I’m caught up with things, just that I’ve changed my “schedule” a bit today. LOL
    I spent a day of resting and reading yesterday, and I feel like a new person!
    Did I tell you I finally reviewed Marriage Unarranged on my blog? It was a while back, so go to the search box and type in the title. http://powerfulwomenreaders.wordpress.com

    Happy reading AND writing–we are waiting for the sequel to Marriage!

    Liked by 2 people

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  10. Dhrumil Soni
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 09:50:37

    haha. The point about India is fairly true. Not just with men, but with everyone. I think we are yet to be evolved.

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. potatosandwich
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 08:05:16

    That dough from the pizza place is nice. Last week we made our own bases…..turned out OK.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Leanne
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 07:17:31

    I’ve been away from WP for what feels like weeks, so I likely missed what will be implemented for teachers, aides, and students when everyone returned to school (except fewer children in the classroom). I can see how easily children like to play with each other – laugh, run, etc. – and that likely increase the chances of spreading illnesses. What does going to school full-time look like in the UK?
    Hmm…doing restraining training for primary school teachers. Has the training changed post-George Floyd?
    It was interesting to read about your Facebook ad. I didn’t realize Indian men will try every avenue…however, if more Indians placed higher values on girls and women, maybe they wouldn’t have a giant gender gap.
    There have been suggestions for removing symbols of slavery in the U.S. as well, such as statues and confederate flag.
    Well, now I’m all caught up with your week 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Jun 15, 2020 @ 07:34:33

      Leanne, we are opening our primary schools to 3 year groups only. With reduced class sizes, in ‘bubbles’ so they dont mix with other children.
      It will be interesting to see what happens.
      In secondary, they are going to open some provision for year 10 and 12, who are the groups facing major exams next year.
      The restraint training didn’t change, no, but the mindful nature of it was extended.
      Oh, that ad. It just shows the thinking of a large proportion of Indian males, doesn’t it?
      Not all, but some. Shame.
      Let’s see what will happen, eh!
      Take care, Leanne!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. Tessa
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 05:29:48

    That was funny about the men from India. I am always being pursued by (what might be a man or a woman) supposed men and I know it is all a scam. I signed up for instagram and don’t use it since I get the same thing on there as I get on Facebook. It is ruining social media for me completely.

    Liked by 1 person

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