RUGRAT RAMBLINGS

Rugrat Ramblings Diary of a quarantine baby The youngest member of our team shares some rhymes during these trying times

I wasn’t too thrilled - two weeks was too long, mum promised it’d go really fast. Fourteen days inside would be quite a rough ride, I just did not know if I’d last.

Day one it began, unlike other days, as mum, it seemed, had a new interest. She’d crafted new things made of cartons and strings and would comment “I found it on Pinterest”.

Day two rolled around, quite quickly indeed, thanks to all of my new homemade games. “This thing is a breeze, twelve days more if you please” - then we went and did more of the same.

Day three once again, we woke up and got dressed, but the normal rules did not apply. “Let’s put on our best, today’s not like the rest” mum said as she clipped my bow tie.

Day four, change of pace as the struggle began, we missed the sunshine and fresh air. Face pushed up to the glass, I stared out at the grass and imagined myself sitting there.

Day five had arrived, like many before, except this day it was not the same. Television was on with the same Sesame Street song - mum too tired to invent a new game.

Day six of quarantine and we found a groove, a routine that made the day fly. We’d wake then we’d play, then have lunch at midday, dance around till the day passed us by.

Day seven – Hello! Are you already here? It seemed we were now half way there. Though I missed the outdoors, I’d grown fond of our floors, I truly enjoyed it – I swear!

Thoughts and perceptions from the mind of an expat baby

Day eight, it emerged, was a whole different vibe, as we headed towards final freedom. Day eight, it was rough, it was lonely, just tough, turns out, friends, we really do need ‘em.

Day nine, there’s a knock, “Who’s there! Who are you?” we yelled out to our mystery friend. ‘Twas the best buzz we’d had, it was great, it was rad, a package left at our door, in the end.

Day ten, double digits, a milestone it’s true, we were finally on the last leg. I dreamed of the day we could stroll by the bay, mum, however, just wanted a keg.

Day eleven, thank heavens, you’ve kindly arrived, I’d dreamed of this day since day one.

In less than one week, I could be at the Peak, just thrilled to be out in the sun.

Day twelve was a doozy, like nothing before, ordered pizza and pasta and ribs. We were all feeling lazy, our minds going crazy, I hoped mum had washed all my bibs.

Day thirteen it rained, and it rained and it rained, we watched it fall down from indoors. I point blank kid you not, at no point did it stop, I guess my day had panned out like yours.

Day fourteen – you’re here! So glad you’ve arrived, when the clock strikes midnight tonight, I’ll be out on the street, yelling “OH what a treat! Our future now truly is bright!”

So, freedom did come, after two long-ish weeks, although missing events was a pity. But we did our time, stayed completely confined, for the overall health of our city.

So say, if you’re stuck in your home quarantine, and starting to feel that just maybe, your head is a mess and your family’s distressed, don’t forget ‘bout this quarantine baby.