Every cloud has a silver lining

This means means that we can find good things in every bad situation. The last few months have been a strange and difficult time for a lot of people and there are still months of uncertainty ahead. However, for me it hasn't all been bad. Here are a few good things that have come out of it.

New skills
Like many other people, I've learnt how to use Zoom! I've been using it to teach online and keep in touch with friends. My brother and I have even got our parents on it! I've also learnt about PowerPoint, Google sheets and website design!

More exercise
I don't usually feel like exercising when I get home from work but now I'm stuck in the house all day, I'm more motivated to go out for a walk. I've even discovered a small area of woodland near my house that I didn't know was there! I've had a lot more exercise than usual.

More sleep
I love not having to get up at 6.30! I can stay stay in bed until 8 o'clock!

No traffic jams
It's great not having to sit in traffic every morning on my way to work.

More free time
When the coronavirus lockdown started, I spent hours on the computer looking for lesson materials but this got easier and I haven't been working every week. Recently, I've had more time to do some of the things I want to do, which has been great.

Jeans
I don't have to wear smart trousers for work and I can wear jeans if I want! Nobody can see what I'm wearing on Zoom!

Keeping in touch
I've had so many lovely phone calls, video chats, emails and messages from friends. Often we are too busy to keep in touch regularly but this strange time has caused people to make more of an effort, myself included.

TV
I'm slightly embarrassed to confess that I'm a bit addicted to TV. Some TV channels have put shows online that I've been wanting to watch for ages and now I finally can!

Grammar note
I've used the present perfect tense a lot in this list.
Present perfect = have/has + past participle
For example: have been, have learnt

I've used it here because we use it to talk about:
1. recent past events that have a result in the present
e.g. I've learnt how to use PowerPoint. (Present result = now I know)
2. things which started in the past and are still true
e.g. I've had a lot more exercise than usual.
How many more examples of the present perfect can you find?


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