County Clare 2020:
A Day in My Life
Creative Writing Competition for children and teenagers
Shortlisted 13 to 15 category
County Clare 2020: A Day in My Life
by Emily Moloney
Dear Future Emily,
I presume that since you are reading this it means that the lockdown is over and if it’s not it hopefully will be soon. We have been in lockdown for about 5 weeks now. I don’t mind it too much but I know some of my friends and family do. I am very lucky with my situation though. Since I live in the country I can still go on walks and cycles, unlike people in busier places like cities. Doolin has never been so quiet. Since only 2 or 3 cars pass by everyday my dad and sister play football in the middle of the road every night after dinner. My dad said it brings back memories of when he was a kid. Every Sunday at 6 o’clock we have a Zoom call with my dad's family. My parents have been enjoying the lockdown. Of course, they are worried about their business because they work in the tourism industry but they said they’ve never had so much time to get things done before.
I am missing my friends and going more than 2km away from my house but the lockdown hasn’t been too bad. I am enjoying doing school at home as I can choose what order to do my work in and when to get it done. I also feel like I am getting more done now because I can work at my own pace and don’t have to change subjects and move to a different classroom every 40 minutes. It also means I have the time to take neater and better notes as I can pause the videos or stay on a slide for longer if I need to. My friends have been missing going outside and seeing people but we stay in touch by text or a video call.
While we’ve been on lockdown I have gotten stuff done that I’ve wanted to do for ages. I’ve finally gotten to finish a book series I’ve been wanting to read for ages and I’ve started crocheting a full-size blanket. I’ve only made baby ones before so I’m excited to see how it turns out. While we’ve been in lockdown I’ve had a lot more time to make things. My sister and I have been making rooms for her dolls out of cardboard boxes. So far, we’ve made a bedroom each, she’s made a shop and I am working on a room that’s inspired by the Hogwarts common rooms from Harry Potter. My mam also found out about a Harry Potter website where you can do these little classes and there are quizzes and small essays you can do after each one. My sister thinks I’m crazy for wanting to do more school work but I find it fun.
Lockdown has been a bit strange but I haven’t noticed a huge change in my life. The main thing that makes me remember we’re on lockdown is doing school online. The biggest change in my life at the moment is that my nanny is now living with us. She lives alone in an apartment block in Wicklow but she doesn’t drive so mam invited her to live with us during the lockdown. My favourite part about the lockdown is how much more time I have and how much more time I get to spend with my family.
I think what I will remember the most about this is how surreal it is. The whole world is shut down and it’s insane. I think all our lives will be very different for a long time especially if social distancing is being kept up as it will make a big difference in how schools will have to be run. I think one new thing I will be keeping up even after this is over is watching the news. My family has started watching it every night and I’ve started to enjoy it. It’s good to know what's happening in the world as it can be very helpful, especially at a time like this.
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