Stirred, Not Shaken: “I Feel Like I’m in Groundhog Day”

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As the COVID-19 Saga continues to draw out, families and teachers have committed to staying safe and infection free, much to the detriment of their social and professional lives. Fortunately, Beijing expats are a tough bunch. In this series, we asked folks to share their stories of being stirred, but ultimately not shaken, by current events.
For Samaria Gladney and her family, Beijing is an exciting, new, adventure-filled place only begging to be explored. But with COVID-19 forcing families to opt for safety rather than exploration, Samaria and her family decided to leave for the States until things are back to normal. Even though Gladney and her family might have escaped the eye of the storm, it hasn’t staved off the inconvenience and annoyance that is self-quarantine.

Are you a Beijing Oldie or Newbie?

We are newbies to Beijing, we moved here in August. What a first year!

What do you do in Beijing?

We are here for my husband’s job. He works for a consumer products company.

When you first heard about the outbreak, did you take it seriously or did you take it with a grain of salt?

We heard about it as we were leaving for Vietnam for Chinese New Year (CNY). At first we took it with a grain of salt and decided to come back while taking all of the precautions. At the end of our trip local people in Vietnam were very fearful and discriminatory against Chinese people. Sure. While we were in Vietnam we had a tour guide and driver in Hoi An. They found out we were from China during intros and the tour guide was visibly afraid, put on her mask and kept her distance during the tours. I felt like we were getting half of a tour after that. Also, when we were in the car with the driver without the guide (for instance going to the airport) he was speeding to get us there. He couldn’t get us out of the car fast enough. And then there was this picture. The sign reads “We can’t serve for Chinese! Sorry! “

Would you say that you have cabin fever? If so, how has it manifested?

Yes, cabin fever quickly set in after we got back. With nowhere to go and nothing to do for my four children, it was tough. More though for me because I was managing four online schooling assignments, cleaning, and grocery shopping. I was very stressed, lost sleep, and overall in a very negative mental state. I quickly realized that this would last a while and not sure how I would manage for months. To cope I baked, we had to eat!

How has this outbreak changed your work-life daily routine?

We were completely thrown off schedule. We sleep late and stay in pajamas and do homework, often forgetting to do simple routine things like brushing teeth twice a day. I feel like I am in the movie Groundhog Day – waking up to the same thing every day. Also once the embassy families left we were very isolated in our compound. Extremely, quiet. Also the uncertainty is madding.

What do you most miss about Beijing BC (Before Coronavirus)?

I miss the hustle and bustle of the city, friends, and being able to discover new things. Mostly, I miss seeing life and hope in people. Since we wear masks, you have to focus more on the eyes and whenever I go to the store all I see is fear, like they are asking, “Do you have the virus and are you about to sneeze or cough on me?” Masks, goggles, gloves, more restrictions, and recently horrible air quality are making the situation all the more complicated.

What have you discovered about yourself during this time? Have you discovered any pet peeves, phobias or ticks that you never knew you had?

I am an introvert and I thought I would be able to better manage it, but have learned that the overall mood and tension in a place really affects me. I need to be able to get out and enjoy fresh air and have a choice on what to do. I can stay inside if I choose. There is no freedom now.

Once all this is over, what do you plan on doing? What do you most look forward to going back to?

Seeing friends and exploring more of Beijing. I go on hikes and tours around town and I miss that. Also, we have not seen the major sites of the city as a family yet so I have made that a priority this Spring, but that’s on hold. We will also have to forego traveling to Shanghai for Spring Break.

Has the outbreak changed your resolve to remain in Beijing or are you here to stay until the foreseeable future?

My husband and I decided that with the most recent push back of the start of school and more restrictions that it is better if the kids and I go back to the US for a while until things get better. We just left and I’m writing to you from our hotel room in Atlanta. Our first night has been great! I look forward to seeing my husband and having the kids going back to school and the routine that it brings. The kids and I miss friends and are hopeful that they come back to Beijing. A lot of people left with no plans on coming back, so next August will be interesting.

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Photos: Courtesy of Samaria Gladney