I first heard of Corona Virus from my mother after my return from China in mid january. I didnt take it seriously, never heard of it while I was in fact in China
As heard and began to know more about it, with the death toll slowly starting to climb in Wuhan, I started paying attention
Coincidentally I too got extremely sick towards end of jan, with sudden high fever, fatigue and feeling very weak. I called my hospital/primary care and after hearing
my symptoms they suggested i am not a candidate for Covid-19. It took me 2 weeks almost to recover my stength
Feeling bored one day I arranged for a date with someone I met online at Chocolati Cafe (Feb 4 or 6). I felt like we had so much in common. I was more impressed with her travels,
and the hikes she did around (far more than me). We went to a bar and had a good meal/drinks. I love drinking with people I like, even though I dont usually drink or like drinking any alchohol
I belive it just adds to the experience sharing it with someone and reveling in their love for alchohol. I promised her that day whenever we met I would get her unlimited shots/drinks
as much as she can handle. While saying goodbye, I was not sure what to expect but she gave me a sweet good bye kiss under the rain. The memory is still so fresh and it is one of the most romantic things I experienced
Somehow after returning from China, for various reasons including losing a lot of money I got into severe depression. My worksouts started feeling like chores I just want to get over with, getting addicted to junk food, sugar and Pizzas. Feeling fatigue and lethargic all the time, I just wanted to sleep on my couch all day long. I started gaining weight, my waist started ballooning, I started feeling like shit. Unfortunately for me depression really affects me two fold, it makes me lose interest in things I love to do or things that cheer me up or inspire me. It is like a double whammy and I have to put extra effort to get back from it. So far in my life, have been fortunate enough to have enough control over myself to get back from it.
Coming back to S, for our second date, took her to Din-tai-Fung. The more I talk to her, the more I started falling over for her head over heals. It a scary yet exciting
Here is blone blueeyed badass who works with power tools.. how can anyone top that? I asked her to come over sometime for dinner the following Sunday. I love to cook. I think I made chicken Biryani for her. And later watched some shows, listened to her favorite songs and showed he Ek Pal Ka Jeena video song. Had a great time and said goodbye/good night after kissing.
I received a text from her soon if I wanted to join her and her friend on a hiking trion Tour Mont Blanc in Switzerland in August. I couldnt believe it. I had to say yes. We did discuss about loving travel, but she went ahead and invited me. I was beyond elated. We even exchanged our favorite trips on bucket list and seem like NZ is on top of the list for both of us besides HI or Costa Rica.
Reason why I talk a lot about her is not only beacuse how thankful I am for her to be in my life, but the start of our relationship coincided with my depression. Time with her, thinking about her has become a beacon of light, her thoughts inspired me to become a better man. Coincidentally I even fought of my depression slowly and eventually
Our regular dates on Sundays also conincided with shelter-in-place orders. We both have a great time, just being in each others company. Isnt that beautiful? I really love seeing her dog Forrest and feel like it too has become part of my household. This coming from someone who never owned pets.
As gyms have been closed, I slowly started getting back in to running. It has been so many years since I stopped running that I literally had to learn how to run/jog at a set pace. I struggled withs ever pain/cramps in my left leg, that I had to force myself to run slower than I walk. But after 5 weeks or so, I have worked out a decent pace for a 2 mile run. I sometimes balance it out with a 4 mile cycling or a HIIT workout at home. I have also been doing squats/deadlifts/pushups/plans/situps whenever I felt like. I am beginning to feel better
Courtesy of S, I also started making improvements in diet taking in more protein and veggies. Out Costco grocery shopping date is also very memorable. I was feeling so proud to have a gf like S and we doing groceries together. She takes good care of herself especially her diet and there is a lot I can learn from her. I am still very far from doing a 5 mile run though
Looking back, I feel like S entering my life is the best thing that happened to me in recent memory. While it is hard to imagine what the future holds, I feel content and happy.
I stll have a way to go to completely recover from the low in my life and depression I dealt with in early 2019.. things are definitely improving.
Who knows may be this COVID-19/shelter-in-place may be the best thing that happened to me and I am sure I will look back at findly this time… I am hoping so