Wow if you told me three weeks ago that this would be reality I would have said “no freaking way, that shit is for the movies.” Unfortunately it feels like we are in a movie except no one knows the ending. We are all stuck at home getting what feels like minutely updates on the latest coronavirus news but there is nothing that can definitively say what the ending will be. And for me I like spoilers I want to know what happens, I hate surprises, so all the possibilities that people are presenting scare me. It ranges from, it will be over by the end of May to this thing may not end for another 18 months.
Anyways, I am off topic, back to the question, “how are you doing?” I honestly do not even know how to answer this anymore. There are so many things that I never would have done without this quarantine but at the same time I am so beyond ready for this fever dream to be over.
There are moments that I question how sane I am but I have realized that over the past few weeks I have been able to do so many things I never used to do. Throughout this time I have been able to spend some quality time with my dog Chutney. It probably sounds cheesy but it honestly has been the best part of this whole thing. When I was in high school, between dance, school, and softball I never got to take him for walks or just chill with him and then I went to college and I missed him like crazy. Now with all this extra time I am able to walk him everyday and then after the walk he becomes my study buddy (pictured above). The quarantine has also given me the ability to get back in touch with old friends and talk more with family both immediate and distant. Although my brother probably would never admit it, we are the closest we have ever been and I had a zoom call with my cousins that I usually don’t talk to unless it is a family function. These little things are what have been making me feel better in all this craziness.
For me and I am sure many others it is so easy to let the bad thoughts flood and take over. To allow the stress of it all and the fear of the unknown to blind me. Although it is hard to accept sometimes, there is always good that comes with the bad, you just have to be willing to see it.
English 110 Spring 2020 10:10-11:00 
Riya my girl! I love the relatability in your writing, we are uncertain and it most definitely feels like something out of a movie – a worldwide pandemic, being placed in quarantine, and all of the other statistics and information being put out there. I am in agreement that for me personally, it is more than difficult to be unsure and not know the answer; the reality of this situation is, day by day, and week by week will only confirm our questions; we cannot determine the future of this worldwide event, but rather sit back, ponder, and handle this with our feelings and families as best we can. I recall we were sitting in Trabant, enjoying some food before heading to work on lab, everything seemed okay and we had been the only school not to receive confirmation of early spring break or online classes among other information. The exact day we got the information regarding spring break starting early and the next two days of classes being suspended, there were memes of University of Delaware and how we wouldn’t be a part of the shut down; my personal favorite was an image of Big Bird on the back of a carriage with the caption, “we ride at dawn bitches.” I’m sorry but it was too good to not be said. Unfortunately, in an instant everything changed and we would be sent home with our confusion and questions. While this is a challenging and uncertain time, affecting some worse than others, we can get through it and we can still enjoy the nicer weather approaching and chill time with our families; facetime is our friend! Miss you, stay safe and stay healthy! Great post!
-Toni Abdy
LikeLike
Missing you so much but not really missing our late night chemistry study sessions. I like that through this time you are able to have a positive outlook since we are overwhelmed with bad news everyday. Through your writing I able to hear the uncertainty in your voice making it feel I’m not the only one who has no idea how they should feel during this time. I know for me that I like being on a strict schedule and hate the unknown but it seems that you are getting through this time the best way possible. Miss you so much and hope you and your family are safe and healthy.
LikeLike
Riya, I really enjoyed reading this piece because I feel pretty much the same about everything. It’s so weird how everything has seriously changed in the past few weeks and how this is our new, hopefully temporary, normal. I’ve been also doing things I normally wouldn’t have been doing. Although I don’t have a dog to take walks on, I did try and occupy my time with cooking and just playing around with different recipes to make for my family to eat. I know things have changed, some say for the worse, but there could be some good coming from this pandemic and in times of frustration and anxiousness it’s important to remember that.
LikeLike