Life in Lockdown

Six months on

By Thomas Feng

September 27^th, 2020

"I'm waiting more than I'm living right now."

We have been living in lockdown in Melbourne, Australia for the most part for over six months now. The novelty has well and truly worn off, with these past couple of months a test of endurance. Restricted movements within a 5km local bubble has meant being away from most of my friends and family, and I miss them so dearly.

To compensate, I have poured all of my energy into work, but I think that has left me at a point where I am tired again and on the verge of burnout. The past few weeks I have been waiting more than I have been living. My mind has been drawing blank on creativity, unable to push past my own mental barriers to write. It doesn't help that I have been knocked back for a few grant and award applications the past month. Motivation has been hard to come by.

But I have started to turn a corner. Michelle has been reminding me to be grateful for the things we have. My best friend Nathan has sent me creative notifications of falling case numbers. I have been reading and cooking and challenging myself in new ways.

We're all just trying to make the best of a terrible situation. This is how Michelle and I have been getting through this lockdown.

Baked goods

We started creating our own different snacks out of boredom and our love for food. Michelle's starry-pull-apart garlic bread remains head and shoulders the crown jewel in our snack adventures. Our apartment smelt like garlic for a week, it was tremendous.

Luosifen luo'si'fen

Another boon in the food department has been a new instant noodle craze in China: luosifen (螺蛳粉) which the literal translation for is "river snail noodles". The actual dish doesn't actually contain snails, but the broth is supposed to contain their "essence" that brings out a signature pungent aroma (it's also known for being the world's smelliest noodles!).

The instant noodle versions pack a savoury, umami punch which are addictively filling. And each packet contains extra condiments like pickled vegetables, chilli oil, croutons and peanuts, which creates an interesting mixture of textures and flavours to the eating experience.

Michelle and I will add carrot, tomato, tofu and any greens we have lying around to make this. I've been wanting to start a food series on here for a while so I might dedicate a specific post to this dish. We've been slurping this up at least once a week throughout quarantine.

Small adventures

I had a screen-free Sunday last week and it was the most refreshing (and productive) day I'd had in months. Michelle and I ventured into the city to buy moon cakes, as Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up this week. Chinatown was strangely quiet and desolate, and the only shops open were the Asian supermarkets and the bakery selling pineapple buns and chinese cupcakes.

One of our favourite cafes Brother Baba Budan was also open for takeaway and we bought a blend of Guatemalan coffee beans to keep my snobby coffee palette excited.

Treat yourself

Surviving six months of lockdown requires self-compassion and being a good friend to yourself. Sometimes that means doing something a little extra to treat yourself. Michelle and I have done the occasional splurge on a fancy takeaway banquet for two on special moments, just to celebrate the little and big milestones. We may be in lockdown, but time and life goes on.

Today's treat was going to Bar Idda for fancy passata, a vegan choc tart, $5 Aperol Spritzes and quality time soaking in the afternoon golden sun.

Celebrating us

Speaking of special moments, today marks two and a half years together with Michelle. It's crazy to think that we've now celebrated our two year anniversary and the latest milestone in our apartment, but I am so grateful and lucky to be in lockdown together with her.

In lockdown we truly learn about the people and things we love, and we lean on them heavily. Michelle is definitely the person I have leant on the most throughout the pandemic.

Michelle is a home-body who has been able to find positives throughout lockdown, as the changes have actually allowed her to live life how she wants to. It has removed the stigma from working from home, and not seeing friends and family all the time.

She is a fun, thoughtful, intelligent and caring person who never ceases to amaze me with her attention to detail, new ideas and strength. Together we bring out the best in each other. There is always time for a laugh, an intellectual discussion, a dance, a cuddle or a good cry.

Although the past six months have been mostly spent lying around in our shoebox in a global pandemic, our love continues to grow and blossom in new and unexpected ways.