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New Year
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2021-02-07
An Interview On 2020
Me: Could you give me a brief overview of your experience with COVID? Interviewee: Uh yeah, I mean, I guess I just experienced the same thing that every, you know, United States high-schooler experienced, it was just a random Friday in the middle of March and we went home and from there I've spent, I guess a month and a half in quarantine, you know, strict quarantine. And then of course I've been distancing from friends since then. Me: Do you remember your thoughts at the beginning of the pandemic and even prior to the pandemic and hearing news about it? Interviewee: Yeah. I mean, hearing news about it, you always think, Oh, that's, half a world away, what difference does it make? But I think when it started to set in for me was when there was a document released saying that the United States was statistically about seven days behind Italy in terms of contracting the virus and the virus's effects. And I remember there was this one week in Italy where their grocery stores were completely sold out, even the pasta which when you're looking in the United States, it actually did happen, I think a little bit on a smaller scale, but it definitely, in terms of toilet paper and paper towels, those were out of stock along with a lot of other necessities and cleaning supplies. So I would say those were my first thoughts. Me: What did you find to be the hardest part about the quarantining experience? Interviewee: I mean, I think there's just a sense of loneliness. I was at my previous school because I just transitioned to another school for high school and I kind of felt cheated out of those last few months of summer with my friends back at home and now I've been cheated out of all of winter term staying here at home. So in that sense, I've just felt a lot of frustration, but then also like a lot of loneliness in terms of quarantining. Me: Yeah. I think I understand that. Were you optimistic for 2020, at the beginning of the year? Did you have high hopes for the year? Did you say this is going to be Eleanor's year? Interviewee: Um no. I kind of find that whole thing cringy. I hate new year's resolutions personally, just because statistically the majority of people do not stay with them. I set goals every new year, but I don't really think of them as resolutions because, what am I resolving a part of my identity or something like? I don't really believe in that. So I wouldn't say I had high hopes for 2020, but I would say I had a lot of goals specifically in terms of my education and personal/social lives that were not able to come into fruition because of the virus. Me: Hmm. Are you optimistic for 2021? Knock on wood. Interviewee: Yeah, no. I'd say the same thing of course, going into the year it is like “Oh, new year, clean slate”, and then, you know, in the political world, there's so much going on too, especially with the violence at the Capitol and the inauguration. So I think in general, it's hard to have hopes for your 2021 but I think that it's always important to look at the good news. And you know, if you look at it, right, the vaccine is coming out. We had a pretty peaceful inauguration, so stuff like that, I think there are things to be hopeful for and to look forward to. Me: Do you think some people believe that everything was going to miraculously, you know, clear up at the beginning of 2021? Interviewee: I don't think anyone genuinely believed that, you know, I think if someone were to sit down and really think, or not even really think halfway think they would kind of realize that this virus isn't going anywhere the second it turns from 2020 to 2021. I think people have a lot of hope for 2021, as we should. But I don't think that anyone truly believes that the new year would make everything perfect. Me: Yeah. How do you think 2020 compares to other years of your life? Interviewee: Um I think it had, it ties in highs and lows like every year. For me the virus, I was fortunate that it didn't impact a lot of my life, my personal life. I don't have family members who have contracted the virus. But in my personal/social and educational lives, I would say a lot has changed. So I think the virus was responsible for a lot of that. Me: I know you're pretty experienced with online schooling through Zoom and other various platforms. What were your thoughts on that? Interviewee: Um it's awful cause I think the biggest thing about school is you have little interactions with people throughout the day and even with the teachers. For me, I work really well in visual and auditory learning, which of course through zoom and online platforms, you have auditory learning, but the visual component is a lot harder. And you just, a lot of times you don't have that same one-on-one interaction. And even if you go to conference periods or set up one-on-one meetings with your teachers, it's just not the same feeling. And unless you deliberately set aside time in your day to connect with your peers and to maintain and build upon those friendships, it's so easy to lose them online. Me: How do you think this year will be taught in history books and to the students of the future? Interviewee: Poor kids in 2050. Me: Remember that the me-me I saw of kids learning about 2020 in the future. Interviewee: Um yeah, I've seen a lot of Memes, Me: You mean Me-mes? Interviewee: Yes. Suuuure. Okay. But anyways, I feel like kids will have maybe a better understanding of the impacts of the virus because there is so much documentation on it. I feel like for us, if you're looking back in history, maybe one of the biggest things that every single person in the world learns about I would say it's probably World War II, right? That's something that, you know, you ask any kid already age, they probably have some sort of idea of what world war two was hopefully. So I feel like in that sense, the virus will go down as one of those things. And I think for us, World War II has some sort of impact because it was our grandparents who were fighting in the war and you know, Whereas I feel like future generations might feel a little bit more separation from World War II, however, I think that they might experience the same feelings of coronavirus as we feel about World War II, if that makes any sense. Me: Do you think you'll be telling kids of the future that you had to quarantine for 18 months straight and couldn't see light and couldn't talk to anyone? Interviewee: Totally. I turned into a vampire too. -
2021-01-26
The 2021 Social Justice Outlook
NEW YEAR. NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE OUTLOOK. 2020 will be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide civil unrest spurred by killings of unarmed Black men and women by police officers. With a new president in office, what will social justice look like in 2021? Get your questions ready and join the conversation tonight at 7:30 p.m. on NBC 6 Voices with Jawan Strader on the NBC 6 Facebook and YouTube pages. -
2021-02-12
New Year, New Hope
This Year of the Ox is coming in much differently than the Year of the Rat. Last year, with the smallest shadow cast over the new year with news of a SARS type virus spreading through China, we were still able to celebrate normally, and thought those who had taken to wearing masks were exaggerating the seriousness of the disease. We had new year’s dinner with family, the kids wore their traditional outfits to school and fed red envelopes to the lion dancers, the city held their annual parade, and we even celebrated at Disneyland’s California Adventure, with local community groups coming in to perform and celebrate. Whether you say “新年快乐,” “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới,” or simply “Happy New Year,” Lunar New year is a huge celebration in our community and that celebration certainly isn’t happening in the same way this year. However, even though it’s tempting to focus on the fact that we’re sequestered at home and are physically separated from family, friends, and big celebrations, there is much optimism with the hope of the vaccine. All day, my phone’s been buzzing with new year messages, most of which end with “may the new year bring better tidings” or “may this new year bring much health.” Even talking to my in-laws for the new year today had an extra sense of joy, because they shared they are getting their second dose of the vaccine on Thursday. With light at the end of the tunnel, we are able to talk for the first time about maybe being able to see each other in person by the spring. When my son played piano for them virtually, I imagined it won’t be too long until these FaceTime visits will be replaced by the real thing. So here’s to the new year - may we all see health and peace. -
2021-01-17
Twitch Streaming
At the end of last year, after some motivation from my friends, I began to stream on the gaming stream platform Twitch. It had always been a wish of mine to do something along those lines, but my timidness limited my capabilities. Considering how much of my time in quarantine was spent gaming, my friends encouraged me to start streaming, while I still had the opportunity. I can't wait to continue in the new year, especially with the support of my friends, so that I can have a small following in the future! -
2021-01-17
Think Big, Dream Big
As of January 12, 2021, I began my final semester as an undergraduate at Arizona State University. Four wonderful years consisting of academic rigor, late-nights, and wrestling with the not so smooth transition to online courses. Admittedly, I still have reservations about online instruction; though, I am warming up to the idea and have had success so far in staying engaged and enthusiastic about learning. With that being said, my immediate goal for the year 2021 is to continue my education and pursue a Master's in History here at ASU. At this crucial juncture in my academic career, I have spoken about it over the past year to my close friends, family, and personal mentors, that the idea of not applying would be a step in the wrong direction. I believe I am ready for all the challenges and opportunities that come with an advanced degree. And so, over the coming months, I will continue to establish vital connections, build upon my existing support groups, and plan on starting Fall 2021 at ASU as a graduate student. Thinking of a future after 2021 has also frequently crossed my mind. I have two prospective PhD programs in mind, but I hope to add more to the list. -Solidarity -
2021-01-17
Looking Forward to 2021
2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic have affected all of us and caused so many different changes that everyone has had to adapt to and overcome. However, 2021 is a new year and the potential for great things is huge! In my New Year, I am aiming to: 1. Finish my senior year strong: I have only 2 semesters left until I graduate from ASU and I would love to do this in person! I miss being on campus and I am looking forward to finishing! 2. Having family gatherings again: I really miss being able to be with my family (there are so many of us and I miss seeing them in person)! Seeing the people you love over a call is fine, but it is not the same as being able to hug and kiss them 3. Starting law courses: I am looking to go to law school after graduation and am so excited to start the courses! I would like to take them in person and in the valley (I am trapped at home) and having the ability to study with people and go for food! -
2021-01-01
New year, new goals
For this new year I have many goals and aspirations. One of them being that COVID goes away (I know that is not how it works). I want to go back to regular life and be able to see everyone’s smiles. I do not want to be shamed for going out to get food instead of staying home 24/7. I do not want to have to take my temperature three times before going to work. Something else I want to change, is that I want to stop living through historical events. I am a history major and I prefer to read history books, not live through them. It seems that in 2020, if it wasn't something that was going wrong, it was another. I will be graduating in May and one of my biggest goals, although I do not have control over it, is to have a ceremony. I am a first generation graduate and I know my family and friends have been waiting for this day. I also want to get into graduate school and continue my education journey and continue to grow. This year I seem to have a lot more goals and resolutions than I have in the years past. -
2021-01-17
Entering 2021
2020 was rough. I don’t want 2021 to be a repeat. This is my hope for 2021. This is what I hope to accomplish this year to keep myself motivated. -
2020-02-10
how china faces cover-19
The COVID-19 outbreak in China during Chinese New Year. Everyone forces to stay at home during this period. They only can get out home when they need to buy some food to eat. And people out of home need to wear a face mask. During the COVID-19 spread, people would get a phone call to tell them to wear a face mask immediately if they been in outside without a face mask.