March 2020

Dear Love Ceyone,

As I write this, I truly wish time could reverse and we could erase one of the most scariest pandemics in history, covid-19 coronavirus. We were all going about our lives as usual and feeling excited about the surprises that 2020 beheld. In a separate universe, there was another plan hatching. The virus spread from China, first in parts of Asia and then to Europe and America. It became very critical, there was panic buying all around and people were worried about economic recession. We had no idea what was around the bend. You were very alert, followed the news, researched more and more and washed hands carefully and cautiously each time. I was working from home and you had spring break from school, so we got a lot of overlap. I made daily task list for you and went about ticking off the tasks as you completed them. You responded well to discipline and system. You were a very good little boy and I loved you a lot. And by the way, you understood girl boy talk quite well and gave your typical shy expressions when I teased you about crushes and all. 

I was spending more and more time doing bullet journaling and sometimes attempted doodling. Here's my baby panda and a hedgehog. 

There was also the Indian festival of colors, Holi and Nani sent this pic from Bhopal.
Your science teacher Ms. Hima asked you create a poster on coronavirus for your class and you created this. Your version of the virus looked cute somehow. 

There was Maths Day in your school and you had to wear something that represented maths. So we picked out a used T and you drew division sign on it with a thick marker. It was fun to create your own design.
My friend Deepti would often send her signature dried tomato and basil homemade bread for us. It was very delicious and both you and I loved it! 

               

I had to pause writing classes because of all the government instructions on social distancing. So one day Ahaan and you spent time reading books sitting far apart from each other. He devoured Harry Potter and you raided Dogman by Dav Pilkey. 

Sandy had been home cutting your hair ever since you were a baby. She was originally from Malaysia and shuttled every morning to Singapore for work. We enjoyed her work and you were quite comfortable with her. 

I organized eating with chopsticks event earlier that month to teach kids how to eat with chopsticks. We made mac and cheese and assisted all kids to try chopsticks. 

It was good fun to see everyone come together and learn something new. After a few bites when it really become a struggle we gave in to forks. I was pleased with everyone's risk taking abilities though. You had a Pororo design training chopsticks and you tried eating with those. 

                        

Here's a video of the event. 

One of the weeks you got a show and tell assignment from school to share something about states of matter. So I decided to send liquid kulfi for your class that you'd show as liquidy in the morning and then pop it in the class freezer to be solid for lunch. We prepared 25 small containers of the liquid combining milk with condensed milk, saffron and crushed pistachio. It was a lot of fun doing this assignment with you. I think it went quite well as I received an email from your homeroom teacher Ms. Hayward afterwards that they all enjoyed the ice cream! 

Our lovi dovi shi moments! 

At the beginning of the month, I was still going to work a few times in the week. Then one day as I reached office, we received an email that there was mandatory work from home for everyone across the world. So I packed up my things and started back for home. I was almost about to enter the train station but somehow my feet took me back and I snapped this picture of the office building, feeling very nostalgic. I had no idea when I'd see the office again and how long would it take.

That was some healthy breakfast I tried to eat. 

I'd pick you up from school most Fridays and that was our fun me time at the bus stop waiting for bus no. 54 that was generally late. 

We spotted some cute birdies, raw mangoes on the way and you clicked photos using my phone.
That was another one of our meals with pumpkin soup, spicy lemon roast chicken and wholewheat roti. 

Some more handwriting classes before they got paused. 

You started taking swimming lessons with coach Derik and he had an amazing influence over you. Every Tuesday you woke up feeling super excited and pumped up as that would be your swimming class day. The lessons were a mix of theory and intense practice. You put in your best efforts and swam quite a lot. The coach often complimented you on your great attitude and hard work. Goes without saying, Mumma felt super proud. To me it was important that you enjoyed every bit of learning. 

I came to see you swim and was super happy to pick you up from the pool. 

Samar and you enjoyed playing with baby Shiv. He loved chasing you old boys and wanted to copy all your moves. And you both wanted to run away from him.

I went to collect the free sanitizer distributed by Singapore Community Centers and also met my work friend Zhi Rong, who was a volunteer there and ran HR at my office. 

One of the days you craved noodles and Tita loved fulfilling your food requests. 

And that was the time when one poor lizard came out for a few seconds and then 5-6 little boys turned into hunters trying to catch the lizard using all sorts of things ranging from sticks, flash lights to brooms. 

That was your elementary school ISS building at Paterson Road, near Orchard. 

I kicked off spring cleaning at home with some of the surplus time that we saved from the commute. I tasked you to sit and sort your books and you completed it. 

The bunk bed was one of your favorite hangout places. Papa slept on the bottom level and the top part was like your tree house. You hung out there with friends and also used it as your reading corner at times.

I did a video chat with my friends as everyone was undergoing the same coronavirus crises across the world.
Also did a little more of doodling with you and drew commander cupcake from Dogman series. 

Tita kept producing her signature items and I was most grateful for her being with us. 

Some of our moments at home together, me working from home, you spending time with Samar and enjoying reading. 

One of the days you and Samar decided to play pranks with this bedsheet over you and tried to scare me. It was so much fun! Samar's mom said that you guys were silly Billys. 

You also worked on your comic strips and took the story forward. 

We tried to transform our desserts and fruits with Nutella were our favorite. I called them guilt reduction desserts.
I also found these good life pointers that I pinned on my journal. 

It was also a time when they found a couple of virus cases in Aspen Heights and shut down entry temporarily. Sometimes it made me feel anxious and we all were trying to survive through. I think Tita was the most daring person in our household. 

You always preferred Tita to cut your nails and got it done very patiently with her while awake. If I had to cut your nails it was always during your sleep. 

March 2020 seemed to be one of the longest months in forever. I really hoped things would get better soon and our lives could return to normalcy. 

I found these lines and kept them for you Ceyone because I felt that was true.

On the day you were born, 

the angels clapped their hands and

the moon danced with the stars

May you always be in the pink of your health, Ceyone! 

Love,

Mumma X