May 4, 2020
Right now we are all in a time of confusion and uncertainty. We are trying to keep everything as “ normal” as we can. From getting on our sleep schedules back on track, to staying productive throughout the day; hoping one day, we will go back to our normal lives where there are no worries and the nights are filled with last-minute adventures.
I hope one day, we can all go back to those days where laughing is all I ever did. As part of the senior class of 2020, I can promise you that I looked forward to all the activities of the second semester of high school. Whether it be, performing alongside my team at competitions, or just walking downhill to Starbucks, I am going to miss it. In my experience, I did not go to prom my junior year. With exams coming up and preparing for college, I always said, “I go next year.” “Next time” were two words that always found a way into my mouth.
“Do you want this dress?”
“Next time.”
“Do you want to go to prom this year?”
“No it’s okay, I have next year.”
About this time of year, is when we should all be celebrating our accomplishments. This is when we should be going to Sadies, Prom, competitions and throwing parties. Little did know there was going to be no “next time.”
Everyday I wake up at about 7 to 8 in the morning. I always felt that if I slept until 11am or noon, my day would be half gone. Once I help my mom get ready for work, I start my homework around nine. An hour later, I have already gotten distracted at least three times, eaten two snacks and drank one of those frozen Korean coffees that my brother put in the freezer. Did I do any work? Maybe my math homework.. If I am lucky. (Speaking of snacks, I just got a bowl of strawberries. I have noticed that it takes me longer to complete assignments at home. Something as simple as my math work, takes me about two hours to complete, although when we were attending school, I could easily finish these assignments within half an hour (while still snacking).
I do not believe that it is because my environment is too loud or too quiet, but physically being at school with my friends and classmates, improved my productivity. Now I am in my house 24/7, waking up and repeating the same routine everyday. Before this quarantine, my family was used to eating out and taking last-minute adventures to find new restaurants or different cuisines. We became acclimated to eating breakfast at the nearest Denny’s or IHOP at three in the morning, if we could not sleep. Being in quarantine is one of the most bland things my family has ever encountered. Although we are a loud family and we still do laugh A LOT, we have had to be creative to have little adventures in our house. We used to love going to Korean barbecues, but instead of going out, We brought it to us. Outside our house, in our driveway, we made our own Korean barbecue. We brought out the burners we had, along with the pans. We bought some sides and meats, and we also made some white rice. Being in quarantine, we could not invite many people, especially if we did not know where they had been or who they had come into contact with. So we invited four of my brother’s friends that had been working with him all day. They had been working such long hours together, this was the perfect opportunity for them to relax. Now every week these same co-workers make a meal for the whole family. Although it is not a lot of people and it is not the same experience as going out to eat, we still enjoyed each other’s company.
For someone like myself, that was used to getting at school at 6:30am and leaving around 9pm after practice, being at home all day is very unusual. I went from waking up very early to pack everything for practice, and seeing so many smiling faces everyday to waking up at seven, doing homework, sewing and going back to sleep. Although I do not see many people now, I do see my sister and my two brothers all day ( they keep me busy).
I have to admit, the first couple of weeks were the most difficult. I had to adjust to being home, which I have not done for such long periods of time since I joined colorguard my freshman year. I spent hours crying, realizing that my winterguard season and now my senior year had disappeared before my eyes. The week before it was announced that schools would close, my team and I were excited. We would be receiving our costumes that weekend, we improved so many parts of our show and I was excited to see some of my rose parade friends at the upcoming competitions. To have our whole season taken away, was heartbreaking, especially to many of us that dedicated our lives to it. To any athlete, performers, artist, I am very sorry that your activities and seasons had to come to a stop. We will get through this. And for every senior that worked extremely hard for the last 12 years of school, but did not get to enjoy events such as prom or graduation, my heart goes out to you.
Although it is difficult to stay inside during quarantine, especially when you had gotten so used to being outdoors, I stay inside for all the essential workers that cannot. The workers that go to work everyday, not knowing who they will come into contact with but they still risk their lives for us. I wear a mask when I go outside for the nurses and doctors that are receiving scars because they have to wear masks for such long hours. I do this for all the seniors that lost their sports seasons, lost their prom, lost their moment to walk across that stage in front of their family. I do this for the elderly that are afraid to leave their house because they are high risk. I stay safe in quarantine, because if there is no need to leave my house during this time, I will not risk my loving family by going outside. I am deeply sorry for everyone that has been affected during this time and I wish I could have written this sooner, but everyone needed time to process what had happened.
Now we can only hope for a brighter day. We can all do our part, whether that be wearing a mask when we go outdoors, or washing our hands constantly. These little things can go a long way. Stay safe everyone.
-Stoophie
May 4 ,2020
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
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