Not bored at all

Hello and welcome back to my blog!

The previous week before the last, the online courses started for me. How can I put this? It takes some time getting used to it. The lecturer and we students meet in Microsoft teams for a meeting. While we leave our microphones and cameras turned off, because the internet connection is not good enough for 30 people to talk at the same time, the lecturer talks to us and shares his or her screen with us so we can watch the presentation. Even though everyone tries hard to make it as “normal” and exciting as possible, it doesn’t really work. However, I’m glad that we can finish the semester despite the current circumstances and don’t have to repeat it. The university and its lecturers and professors are trying very hard to achieve this.

Some (even relatively many) of my fellow students have actually stayed in Pécs. Although the national state of emergency has been declared in Hungary, one should not yet notice much of the restrictions in Pécs. However, the current situation in the country worries me. For those who have not yet noticed: Viktor Orbán, the head of government, is now allowed to govern by decree without restrictions. This means that he will hold unlimited power for an indefinite period of time. I think everyone is aware of what that means and that is why I will leave it uncommented.

Because the lectures are still taking place, I have a lot to do and I certainly won’t get bored. Of course, we all feel the restrictions due to the pandemic. I only leave the house for shopping and taking a walk. The rest of the time I either spend studying or take time for the things I have long planned to do but never managed to do. For example, we painted the hallway, I paint and draw pictures and I read again after much too long and we play board games. One of my favorite games right now is the strategy game “Carcassonne”. We now have some extensions to the game, so it is always varied and fun. If you are interested, I will add the link here:

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/822/carcassonne

Surprisingly, I’m hanging in front of the TV much less than expected. Of course I watch a movie or a series in the evening (at the moment “The Blacklist” is running on Netflix and I highly recommend it!), but only in the evening and not for very long. In addition, I do a lot of sports and have discovered yoga for myself. Due to my medical history, stretching during this time does me a lot of good and it is much more exhausting than it looks like. Everybody who has not tried it yet should do it at least once.

This weekend is Easter. Actually I would be at my grandma’s in Tamási, together with my parents, who wanted to visit me at this time… 1. it comes differently and 2. than you think. I have decided to bake nut corners, but for that I have to go shopping later on. I’m also painting postcards to send to special people I can’t see at Easter and who are partly alone at home. Furthermore I wanted to bake a banana cake today or tomorrow, I also have to do some things for the university and 2/3 workouts this week are also on the schedule. As you can see, I am not bored.

Dear readers, let’s try to make the best of the current situation. Don’t be discouraged, China has gotten over the whole thing and they have lifted the curfew. It’ll probably be a while before it’ s over in Europe, but it’ll be fine.

Until then, stay healthy and I wish you and your families a happy Easter!

Yours, Patrizia