Items

• 
  2020-05-01

  Taking advantange of a bad situation.

  Covid-19 for me was difficult as a high school senior at the time and graduation coming. My class kind of lost the fun trips and experiences with teachers and classmates that graduates look forward to. We did not see our classmates till the day of graduation. I felt that Covid-19 allowed me the opportunity to better myself as I lost 18 pounds and wished I took more advantage of that time at home to learn new skills and offered me an opportunity to think and plan the future. At the end of the day. It taught me many lessons and ways to prepare for disasters.
• 
  2021-10-07

  Positives of the pandemic

  This is a photo of a community garden at a park very close to me. Although this project existed before the pandemic, it has flourished much in this time to become a beautiful large garden with many different plants. I think this reflects some of the positive effects of the pandemic, as for some people, it gave them the chance to focus on things they might not normally have. Community engagement and connection in this way has provided hope for many people during this time.
• 
  2021-10-13

  HIST30060: My first pandemic quilt

  Last year (2020) I was living at home with my parents. My mum noticed how the pandemic was affecting me mentally and suggested that I make a quilt as a therapeutic tool. It was my first ever quilt, and it took several months. I enjoyed making it so much that I've kept on making quilts ever since. This quilt, therefore, reminds me of the pandemic's silver linings; it forced me to take up a hobby, one that slows me down. This photo is of the quilt on my bed now in Melbourne (2021).
• 
  2021-04-13

  HIST30060: Pandemic cookbook

  I bought this cookbook earlier this year from a local Melbourne lady. During the 2020 lockdowns, she decided to write a cookbook celebrating cooking and sharing food with friends during eased restrictions. Whenever I cook from this cookbook, I am reminded of how the pandemic was also an opportunity for many people to pursue new hobbies and interests, often creative ones, that they previously wouldn't have.
• 2021-09-08

  Relative Distance

  A couple of weeks before lockdown began in March of 2020 I had reconnected with someone I met in college years prior. We went on a few dates before I left to study abroad and nothing developed further, but we had struck up a conversation over text and had made plans to meet in Boston the weekend that New York City declared a state of emergency. Needless to say, we never met for drinks that weekend, yet we talked every day without fail for the rest of 2020. Our initial conversations typically revolved around the different developments of the pandemic but we started to get to know each other as text conversations became phone calls then video calls. Our connection grew as a reaction to the large amount of time we suddenly had and by a new reality where distance meant something very different than before. Although I had not seen him in person for almost 2 years, he was there for me in the only feasible way a person could be during that time. He was there through personal tragedies or minor irritations in an evolving and confused stretch of months. Sometimes we did not have much to say at all - I deferred to topics like what I cooked for dinner or we compared notes on the new show that we had just watched. I called him first when my pandemic furlough turned into a lost job. I called him first when l was chosen for my Executive Assistant position many months and numerous applications later. He texted me on my first day of remote work to wish me luck and he consoled me over video chat through my tears of frustration and defeat as I navigated the new reality of learning a remote position in the typically highly visual and highly performative art world to which I was accustomed. On one of these calls he told me that he had to go back home to Italy. There were many more months of having a friendship and possibly relationship in a state of limbo with this person who now knew me better than most. We had become close through untraditional means; it felt strange at times but then again so did everything else. He came back to the United States in January of 2021 and we have been dating ever since. Connection to others took on a new meaning during that year. How we interacted and who we kept in contact with changed. Speaking with him was something I looked forward to and it gave me a sense of routine. More importantly, our conversations provided a dose of levity and joy to each day throughout a very tumultuous year.
• 2020-11-24

  Life lessons

  Before covid happened I never got to experience the holidays just with my family. It was always cousins and other family but I was never to close to mine. when covid happen I started to bond more with my family and really learned the true value of family because they stick with you through all the hard times that we may need to conquer.
• 
  2021-05-22

  POST-PANDEMIC IDENTITY

  See file uploaded "Post-Pandemic Vision"
• 
  2021-04-21

  COVID-19, Religion, and Public Life Reflection

  Throughout this past year, COVID-19 has affected each and every person, whether emotionally or physically, but I believe that it also has taught us so much about ourselves and allowed us to empathize with those around us who may be struggling in similar ways. The object I submitted is a photograph of my best friend and myself at a Black Lives Matter protest in Downtown Phoenix on June 3rd, 2020. As the pandemic has forced us to remain at home, it has given me the time to not only focus on personal growth, but also learn more about groups of people that are being oppressed around the world. I have become a more active member in society this past year listening to Black voices by furthering my knowledge on the discriminations they continue to face, and how their experiences of COVID-19 are different from white Americans. This has really opened my eyes to see how many different races are being oppressed, either by being blamed for the occurrence of the pandemic, or by how decisions are made surrounding who deserves priority treatment over another patient on the bias of race, ethnicity, or wealth status. I am grateful to have learned so much about these topics and for being able to attend numerous Black Lives Matter protests, and wish to continue to stand up for what I believe in as an active member in my community. Throughout the pandemic, I believe that relationships within religious communities have strengthened because individuals are looking for even more hope that their loved ones will survive and that everything will be over soon. Religion has played an important role in helping many throughout this difficult time by letting people know they are not alone and have an entire community to support them. Upon working hard to become the best version of myself and really see the world in a more positive manner, I have learned so much about the need for spreading positive energy and support especially to those whose voices were particularly oppressed during this time, or to those who were directly affected by COVID-19. In the midst of this, we must look past our differences and help each other out, because violence and disagreement will not further our progress.
• 
  2020

  Sistema de monitoreo territorial

  "El Sistema de Monitoreo Territorial es una plataforma de recolección y generación de información que hace parte del sistema de información propio de la Organización Nacional Indígena de Colombia." "The Territorial Monitoring System is a platform for collecting and generating information that is part of the information system of the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia"
• 
  2021-02-22

  #JOTPYLesson from Kiki

  I learned that despite numerous journalists and politicians bemoaning the deep damage quarantine is doing to elementary aged kids, my two kids are thriving. They love having time to roller blade, bike, play legos, build forts, run around the yard, have both parents home to join in the fun, and end the night by watching an after dinner movie or tv show together (currently, the og Muppet Show) - all things our crammed with activities pre-pandemic life didn’t regularly allow for. I guess I learned a slower pace of life isn’t necessarily a bad thing!@elle_cool_j @alburritvo @tranuwu @bjueinoars @callie.coe
• 
  2020-04-06

  We Will Get Through COVID-19

  Photograph of a sign on a fence to convey positive message in spite of COVID-19.
• 
  02/22/2021

  Layne Williams Oral History, 2021/02/22

  This interview is with medical profession Layne Williams who speaks about a positive aspect of the pandemic they noticed.
• 
  02/21/2021

  Carolyn Rayroux Oral History, 2021/02/21

  At 0930 hours on 02-21-2021, I asked my stepmother for her perspective a positive outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 
  02/21/2021

  Michele Lebsack Oral History, 2021/20/21

  On 02-21-2021, I sat down with my mother-in-law to ask about the positive experiences she had since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 
  2021-02-02

  Don't go back to the "Old Normal" yet!

  This is an image from the WHO website that reminds people that even though it has been long we still arent safe from spreading and getting the virus, and the title speaks "The New Normal". I thought spreading this image would be a great spark of positivity since many are upset during this time due to the fact that they miss their life before covid and wish to do things that could be done before the pandemic. This image is a reminder that we are still in the middle of the fight and can't stop now!
• 
  2021-01-22

  Reliving my Life as a 6 Year Old

  You know, I don’t see much difference between the lifestyle I’m living right now and to the one I was living 10 years ago. 6 year old Me’s daily routine: Wake up: check Do school work at my desk: check Mope around the house: check Annoy my siblings: check Attempt and fail at anything in the kitchen: check Look outside my bedroom window and daydream: check Draw and doodle endlessly: check Want to see my friends: check Think about what I want to be in the future: check Sleep without expecting much the next day: check This year was horrible. There is, of course, covid happening and political events and natural disasters and death. The world and society is constantly changing and shaping due to the actions of people, possibly in the worst way possible, while all I’m doing is sitting in my room, looking out to the vast blue sky. And I have a confession: I feel like I’m missing out on everything. I KNOW I SHOULDN’T BE SAYING I’M MISSING OUT ON CONTRIBUTING TO THE WORST YEAR POSSIBLE, but I just miss the other not-so-horrible things in life such as experiencing highschool (debatable though), meeting new people (also very debatable), going out for the day, traveling to see family and friends; you know, making memories, having fun, the things that make life worth living. For the past few years of my life, like any teen going through adolescence, I’ve met hardships, failures, tears, but during this lockdown, I’ve haven’t felt any of those things in a while. The same goes for the successes, the excitement, and the joy-- it’s been a while since I’ve felt those too. My life at the moment has reached a straight. Life is supposed to have its bumps - its highs and lows-- a road with unprecedented surprises, but I’ve been going through life as if I’ve pressed autopilot, set to one direction. Time is passing all around me and I’ve been on this one way road, destined to who knows where, and I haven’t done much to enjoy life for what it truly is. However, my situation hasn’t been nearly as bad as others though and I’m truly grateful for that. One thing I won’t ever regret doing is resisting the urge to go out. I’ve been tempted a few times, but I’ve stayed quarantined from others-- you know the one thing that we all should be doing. I’m glad to say that I haven’t put my family, my friends, my neighbors, heck, random strangers’ lives at danger and I’m going to keep doing this until things finally boil down. The last thing I want to do is change someone’s life for the worst. Though it sounds like I’m all gloomy and what not, I don’t think quarantine was a complete waste of time. I’ve been able to sit and reflect in my own thoughts-- the one thing I’ve been trying to avoid. Like I said in the beginning, the life I’m living now is nostalgic of my 6 year old self. Not like the goldfish crackers and PBS kids TV shows kind of way, but the experiences I’m reliving. The last years of my life have been hectic and I’ve been striving for self improvement. I haven’t really sat down and let those experiences marinate. I’ve been doing, doing, doing, but I haven’t asked myself the true reasons for my actions. Self improvement, development of my character, blah, blah, blah, everyone says that stuff, but I’ve asked myself what DO I truly aim for: an end goal? A life goal? Why did I do the things I did back then, and how would they affect me now and later. Thus I revert back to my 6 year old self-- curious about what I want to be in the future and learning what it is to be a good person. I’ve come to realize my many flaws and rethink my mistakes and actions I’ve acted in the past. I’ve come to realize some of the things I did back then and the things I do now aren’t very nice-- for others and myself. Sometimes I’m too judgemental, I overthink things, I’m brash, I take things for granted, I do things for my own benefit-- heck, I can keep listing. To say the least, I’ve become more self-aware. Things aren’t all rosey posey and sunshine and rainbows-- quarantine helped me back down to earth and analyze my own character. I’ve also begun to realize the small things. Not my patience, but the things that give me joy. The nature in my backyard, windy days, my favorite nail polish, hot meals. I’ve been on this 1 track mind for so long that quarantine has made me stop and find joy, even the slightest bit of it, in things I would normally overlook-- the things my 6 year old self would smile for the brim for. I guess it hasn’t been all that bad. Could be better since I miss seeing people THAT aren’t constantly nagging my name to do the dishes, but hey, at least I’ve got my family to entertain me. I don’t know if we’re going out of quarantine anytime soon, but we did just get out of 2020. Cheers to 2021- maybe it’ll get better, maybe it’ll get worse, but hey it’s going to be quite a ride. Hope you enjoyed reading my brain dump and wish me luck as I try to tackle my kitchen; I am very determined to make both something at least edible and some new memories I can look back on.
• 2021-01-10

  A COVID Virus Christmas

  Christmas of 2020 is approaching fast. Faster than usually, as this year has seemingly sped by quicker than any year before. Perhaps the first sign of the coming Christmas season is when I open the fridge to find a bottle of Califia brand eggnog. Just as I think that Christmas will be perfectly normal this year, I hear some disappointing news. My cousin Michael is coming home from the Marines... With COVID. This means that I will not be going to my cousins house in Burbank like always, but that I will be spending Christmas at my own house. I don't like the idea of Christmas away from my cousins at all. I have been going to Burbank for Christmas for as long as I can remember. That being said, I can't do anything about my cousin getting COVID. On Christmas Eve, my mom grilled some steaks for dinner that she had gotten from Gelsons market, and we watched Four Christmases and Die Hard. In the morning, I woke up without the usual anticipation and excitement that comes with a typical Christmas morning. I walked down the stairs to discover the presents my parents had ordered online. I opened them, thanked my parents for the wonderful gifts, and started playing the new game I had got: Call of Duty Cold War. The rest of the day seemed like any other, and so did the rest of the week, and rest of the month, and the rest of the year at that. Now it's 2021. Everyone is filled with hope that this year will be far greater than the last, but I seriously doubt it. Especially with the news we all got on Tuesday, January 5th. That said, all we can do is stay positive and keep our heads up. As Winston Churchill once said, "If you're going through hell, keep going."
• 
  2020-12-05

  Being a 25-year Suicide Survivor and my QPR (Question Persuade Refer) Suicide Prevention Training Save a Life of a Total Stranger 2000 miles away

  I just wanted to send you the story about meeting Chaz Ah You, the young man that went from a total stranger to another son. He is a football player at BYU. It was a very emotional meeting but one I'll never forget and treasure ALWAYS. I was able to save Chaz's life through divine intervention and QPR Suicide Prevention Training. That is why we can't sugarcoat the importance of addressing suicide prevention head-on. It's not a comfortable conversation nor is it warm and fuzzy, but we have to have those uncomfortable conversations to become comfortable to evoke change. I am so glad Chaz is here. We will continue to have these uncomfortable conversations to change not only how people view suicide but to educate and break down the walls of stigma to STOP suicide. Have some tissues when you view this story. Everyone should take QPR Suicide Prevention Training! It saves lives! 25-years ago, my Aunt Kellie nicknamed "Aunt Spankie" saved my life when I called and told her, "She could have my shoes," she didn't hesitate to have me involuntarily committed. She's a HERO in my eyes because she did whatever it took to save my life. She didn't worry about me getting mad at her, my mother, or my grandmother being mad. As bad as February 14th, 1995, was to be involuntarily committed, handcuffed, and taken to a mental health facility, it saved my life and started me on the long road to recovery. It also awakened me to help others like me, especially in my culture and people of color. Mental health isn't one size fits all. Today, I'm a board member with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NC, a volunteer with AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention), MHA (Mental Health America) of Central Carolinas, an NC certified Peer Support Specialist, a certified Mental Health First Aid for Youth Instructor and a certified QPR (Question Persuade Refer) Suicide Prevention Instructor. When the Governor of NC issued the Stay Home Order in March, I was given the opportunity to do QPR Suicide Prevention Training online. I had no idea I was going to train so many. I started training on March 26th, through May 30th and trained 600 people from 23 states and 5 countries for FREE. I took a break in June and started back training in July, finishing on December 19th. To date, I have trained over 1000 people from 24 states and 5 countries . I am not done. I plan on continuing my quest to stop suicide through paid and free training online until the QPR Institute tells us to stop training online and go back to face to face. That's over 1000 people that are now certified "Gatekeepers that can and will save a life through positive action while providing HOPE. I have trained people from all walks of life, sports psychologists, directors of sports medicine, directors of nutrition, teachers, a congressional aid, social workers, student-athletes, pastors, an NFL player, therapists, social workers, college professors, 10-D1 college football coaches (Michigan, AZ, Wake Forest, BYU, Navy, Perdue, and others) former Charlotte Mayor, Jennifer Roberts, DA Spencer Merriweather, 36 nursing students from NCCU, sorority sisters (AKA & ZETA), colleges students, two CBS News producers, a CBS News reporter, a local news reporter, nurses, an entire college conference (Sunshine State Conference), 56 student-athletes from the Sunshine State Conference, 80 student-athletes from WSSU, a Native American reservation, directors of sports wellness, numerous college athletic trainers (Carolina, Ohio State, UMASS, Liberty University, Howard University, South Carolina, UCF, UT, Clemson, High Point University, UVA, UGA, WSSU, FAMU, Notre Dame College, UMass, and Eastern Washington to name a few) and many others have taken the training. In an hour and a half, that is how long the training is, I can train anyone how to recognize someone in crisis or suicidal, talk and listen to them in a nonjudgmental way and help them to get the help they need all the while providing HOPE and positive interaction. The training teaches you that anyone can save a life while being positive and providing HOPE. I also use my own suicide attempt to dispel the stigma that surrounds mental health and to show you can get the help you need, you can recover and you can have a good life. You don't have to be a professional to save a life. You just have to care.
• 
  2020-09-08

  Jewish Melbourne

  Rosh Hashana 2020 Style - Achieving Inner Peace, Spirituality & Connection: Discussing Rosh Hashanah in a Covid world, the redefining of Rosh Hashanah 2020 Style! As part of our focus on Spiritual Health, the JCCV welcomed back two professionals who shared their insights on how to make the most of celebrating Rosh Hashanah this year, and offer ideas to achieve meaningful experiences for you and those closest to you.
• 2020-12-17

  A Ray of COVID Happiness

  Covid-19 has changed my summer in many different ways. For one, I have grown more in confidence since I’ve been inside for so many months. Being around myself and learning more about who I am allowed me to slowly accept myself. Also, I got to talk to my friends a lot throughout summer quarantine over Zoom and texts, so we were always around to uplift each other constantly. One of my favorite childhood memories is probably when my family and I traveled to Seattle for a few months and we auditioned for the Shake It Up Competition. I was obsessed with Zendaya, (and I still am) so that moment of time really showed me that it would be a dream of mine to be like her when I grow up. The day my sister and I auditioned was a great memory because we were just little kids in the moment who gave it a shot. Although we didn’t make it out of the hundreds of thousands, it’s heartwarming to me because we have been always trying to chase after our dreams in any circumstance. As for a regular update, I’ve been wanting to decorate my room so I’ve been compiling album covers I would want to see on my wall and hopefully being able to order print outs of those soon. To add on, I just applied to be an ambassador for a clothing company I saw on Tik Tok so hopefully I get chosen for that, because the fashion aesthetic the brand displays is so beautiful, Also, it's a black-owned business, so I’d love to support that. Overall, this pandemic has allowed us to recognize our gratitude and things we have a growing passion for.
• 2020-12-17

  Summer During a Pandemic

  This journal entry was written as a part of the American Studies class at California High School in San Ramon, California. Covid-19 had a pretty major impact on my Summer. My family was planning to go on vacation somewhere, but we obviously weren’t able to do that due to Covid. I was also looking forward to spending a lot of time with my friends and I was also unable to do that. So instead I ended up spending a lot of time at home playing video games. But there were some positives that came out of it. I start playing the guitar again after I haven’t played for a number of years (even though I kinda stopped after school started). I also started working out and taking care of my body more which I typically do during Summer anyway, but this time I could focus more on it because I didn’t have much else to do (again, I kinda stopped after school started). So that is pretty much how my summer went, it wasn’t really eventful, but it wasn’t a complete waste and I tried to make the best of it.
• 
  2020-12-10

  Anonymous in Santa Ana, California

  I think that it is good to have texts that talk about the lives of people that are not so upper class as they are living through this pandemic, since that is what future historians will use and they need to be able to access more sources.
• 2020-11-30

  Finding The Sun Through The Clouds.

  2020 is being described as the worse year of modern times. The year started off with an international crisis in the middle east, a series of devasting natural disasters, and of course the widespread pandemic of Covid-19. The pandemic ignited a financial crisis, and many people lost their jobs. As to date, the virus has claimed 1.46 million lives worldwide. It is understandable why so many people are biding their time, praying for this disastrous year to finally end. As I reflected back on the year, I am conflicted on my opinions on it. Covid-19 ruined my senior year of high school. I lost my graduation, my prom, and spring sporting events. I was forced to quarantine for many months in the springs, unable to see my close friends. My summer was lackluster due to the restrictions placed on my community. For my first semester in college I hoped to study abroad, however, Covid squandered that adventure too. I could look back on this year with a pessimistic mindset; however, that would be an untruthful interpretation of this year. This year has contained so many wonderful things, which have had a positive impact on my life. After years of persevering in high school, I finally got accepted into my dream college. I got into my first serious relationship with a wonderful girl. And despite Covid restrictions, I have been able to make so many new and lasting friendships in college. It is easy to write 2020 off as an awful year and put forth and effort to forget about it. However, I believe it is important to reflect on the positive events of this year. Ignoring the good things from 2020 will only strengthen its negative effects for years to come. If one can find the positives of 2020 then the year would not have been a complete waste.
• 
  2020-05-04

  Diamond Dog - HIST 393

  Covid really began changing my life when the news broke that I would not be returning to my college campus. I remained home from my spring break with my family in New England and lots changed, both positive and negative. The most positive change in my life since the pandemic began has been my new family member, a mini Australian shepherd named Penny Lane. Penny is my family’s first dog and has been a big part of how we stayed sane throughout the initial craziness of Covid. Having a puppy to unite my family was a huge help because we were all feeling divided and found ourselves crashing more than usual due to the extended time at home. We were all able to bond over the teamwork required to take care of a pet and the happiness that a happy puppy brings to a household. Penny has helped all of us deal with our specific anxieties as well. In my case, I found myself becoming more reclusive, and finding motivation to do school work was more and more difficult. Experiencing a dog being happy to see me when I walked back home helped my motivation tons and made me want to retreat less into my negative thoughts. Penny had been a silver lining because we would not have gotten her if we weren’t spending so much time at home, and she made adjusting to the new way of Covid life much easier. As time has gone on, I find myself reflecting on the positive aspects of my quarantine experience more than the negative ones, and Pennny has been the most positive change in my life during he plague year.
• 
  2020-10-29

  How the Pandemic Changed Us

  On March 13th, 2020, my entire life shut down with the rest of Massachusetts. My public school job closed, my university closed and my life began only existing in the four rooms of my apartment. My time became dedicated to my toddler, I became a stay at home mom, student and caretaker full time. The world around us had stopped completely, or so it felt. Quarantine was in full affect and people were stuck inside for months.Then, almost magically, our communities began to come together. I have witnessed some of the most beautiful things I for so long ignored because of the business of every day life, I witnessed nature and humanity again. I began appreciating the little things again. Quarantine had become a time to reflect, grow and appreciate the world around me. This horrible situation began to blossom into people supporting each other, clapping for the healthcare workers nightly, singing together out their windows, thanking each other. I share this image because I realized in the midst of everything that has been bad about this year, I’m reminded daily that there is always positivity in the world, even when everything around us feels negative.
• 
  2019-10-16

  Making the Best of Covid

  Like everyone, at the beginning of the pandemic I was terrified. I didn't know what the future held. I had just started a new job substitute teaching and all of a sudden, the schools were shut down and I was out of necessary work. Thankfully, I worked another job that afforded me the ability to continue making somewhat of a living, although savings would ultimately get me through about 7 months of the pandemic. Cooped up at home, I had nothing but time to think, reflect, work through my own demons, and ultimately to find myself again. I finally had nothing but time-- the one commodity we all complain we never have enough of. I got to take care of my physical, emotional and mental wellbeing again, spend time with my horses and dog, finish crocheting a few afghans that I had tucked away for months because I simply didn't have time. I got my photography business off the ground and finally went out to photograph places that I loved but never felt I had enough time to drive to. I found a better version of myself--a happier, stronger, braver and fearless, take no prisoners kind of woman through all the time on my hands. I treated myself to a photography trip to Alaska in September, which turned out to be the final step in self discovery. I needed to spread my wings on a solo trip to one of the most beautiful places in the world to find that final missing piece. I can confidently say that I think I found the place I will call home next. This pandemic has been transformative in so many ways. It is still possible to respect the virus for what it is without sacrificing our own mental and financial health. It is easy to seep into the perils associated with the pandemic. Between the online bickering of political parties, the looming election, the vaxxers and the anti-vaxxers, the maskers and the anti-maskers-- what everyone has failed to take advantage of, is time. I wish people took a step back to re-evaluate their sense of self through all of this. I wish people took time to look at all the opportunity and blessings that the confusing time of the pandemic has provided us. I wish people took time to be grateful for the things they have and not disparaged by the things that they do not. I choose a positive perspective on an otherwise horrible period in our lives. I choose to make the best of covid. Photo: Matanuska River Bridge, Palmer AK, 2020. Taken by: Jordyn Clutter (Hot Mess Pony Express) Arizona State University, HST 485.
• 2020-10-08

  Covid-19: Keeping a Positive Mindset

  We all were taken by surprise when we heard of how fast cases sky-rocketed soon after the single student case at ASU, and for most of us, it has been a real struggle, whether it has to do with family, mental health, jobs, or school. Whatever it is, Covid-19 has impacted us all in at least one way. For me, this pandemic has taken me through a roller coaster of positives and negatives throughout the past 7 months. It is a given that the changes happening in the world have made it difficult to adjust, especially to learning. As a biological sciences major, virtual labs are extremely hard to understand to me, and sitting at home in front of a laptop all day is quite exhausting. However, I think that in light of what is happening, it is important to stay positive and think about how this pandemic can have positive impacts as well. For example, I believe that Covid-19 has truly positively influenced me and my state of mind, at least once I learned to adapt to it. When quarantine first occurred, it was so sudden and unexpected. We could not go to the gym to relieve stress or go out without a mask, which I forgot to bring half of the time. Although a month later of boredom, I realized what this meant in terms of life. Many times we all take things for granted, and we don’t realize what we have in front of us, such as the opportunities we have and to say that we are alive. The pandemic opened my eyes, and with usually being busy all day, I took the time I had during summer to try new things and figure out what I want to do with my life. I picked up my guitar for the first time in years and taught myself how to play again. I started painting again. I did all of the things I never got to do anymore because of how busy life was at the time before the pandemic. I did some research on physical therapy school at Northern Arizona University and made goals. I took the negatives and turned them into positives, and I would say I am a much more positive person than I was months before. Of course, this is only my individual situation, and Covid-19 has brought tragedy. However, I think this is an opportunity to adapt and to work on yourself, like I did.
• 
  2020-10-08

  A Different Perspective

  I never realized how important a simple walk to the store was until Covid-19. To be honest I never realized how important a lot of stuff was. A daily event of going to school was no longer a daily event because of a new virus going around. Going to work was a task I used to complain so much about until I was on quarantine and wished I still had the option to go. Sitting in the house decorating a face mask because the new normal would be to wear them anytime you are outside. The most annoying thing about the face mask would be the scabs I get on my ears from it being too tight. Also,not being able to do a hard activity because the mask will make you struggle to get your breath back. And the worst part of it all is not knowing when it’s going to be over. Everyday we get different results of the amount of cases and different ways we can protect ourselves. The way this pandemic affects you is all based on how you view it in my opinion. Many people took the opportunity to start a business or learn a new hobby. I personally would say a good outcome of it would be having enough time to invest in yourself. During this pandemic I had time to update my resume that way when the first phase was ready I could apply for new jobs. In addition, I got better at braiding hair which is something I felt I never had enough time for. I’ve always wanted to learn since I never liked the way other people braided my hair. When I was younger I would ask for braids just so I could avoid having to get my hair straightened. When I was learning I actually used to just rebraid my hair over and over since we had to be separated from everyone. This outbreak was something that was very dangerous and also hard to adjust too. I'm used to being able to go out to eat every weekend and maybe watch a movie in the theater when I’m done. The corona virus has closed gyms, movie theaters ,indoor dining, casinos and many more. The dining wasn’t such a setback to me because it was summer time but now we’re back to quarantine basically because winter is coming.Sitting outside for lunch will no longer be an option and delivery will become everyone’s new favorite. Being able to do activities outside gave some relief from covid but now it’s all gone. Although it’s a worldwide pandemic, I feel you should always try to make the best out of your situations even if they may seem unable to adjust to. Staying positive and trying to adapt to this new lifestyle is something I’m still growing into. If you take everything as a chance to grow eventually you would look at life differently.
• 
  2020-03

  Finding Me.

  I know people have mostly negative stories that correlate to Covid-19 but I am choosing to write about one of the positive things that happened to me during these harsh times. Before Covid-19 I never really had time for myself, it was always wake up, go to work and then go to school, then go home, then homework, shower and finally sleep (eating multiple times throughout the day). But I never really had time to do anything I liked. Back then when someone asked what my hobbies were, I had none. But Covid-19 was low-key a blessing in disguise for me, with all this free time with work and school being closed, I found myself. I started watching tv, picking up new hobbies and finding things that I loved but never really had time for. And now of course that everything is opened again, I gained some time management skills and am able to manage everything that I love in life.
• 
  2020-05-27

  TikTok Takeover

  In this world there are many things we cannot predict. For instance, we could not predict the effect COVID-19 would have on us and our everyday lives. In this unfortunate situation it is important to understand perspective. If we were able to travel back in time and show someone a picture of a masked and fully sanitized person shopping, they would think you were crazy. Along those same lines, if you were to show someone the app TikTok six months ago they may not even know what it was or what you were talking about, and if they did, they surely weren’t using it every day. When I first downloaded the app TikTok back in February before COVID-19 hit, I didn’t realize how popular it would soon become. I was mildly curious and wanted to check it out for a few minutes. Soon after, I was hooked, and it became a more prominent source of entertainment for me and millions of other people. I recognize that TikTok also has many drawbacks, including misinformation, negative suggestions, security issues and more. But for this purpose, I am focusing on TikTok as entertainment in this pandemic crisis only. Today, TikTok is used by millions of people and is still growing. The very week my sister came home from college early because of COVID, we made a TikTok together about how our mom makes us take a walk around the block for fun---a sign of the times when literally all we could do was walk “around the block.” In a time of uncertainty, it felt good to do something lighthearted. I have noticed that there are many different takes on this app. People love it, and people hate it. I may have started out seeing TikTok as just another social media app, or even a waste of time, but due to the pandemic, I now see it in a new light. In some ways, it is a way for people to express their creativity, to try new things, and inspire others when personal interaction is limited. It is a reminder that you are not alone in this time of hurt and crisis—what better way to relax over the pandemic than making these fun videos and seeing so many other people doing the same. In addition, emotions are high during the pandemic as it sometimes seems it will never end, that everything is out of your control, and there is a lot of repetition. It almost seems like we are in the movie “Groundhog Day.” TikTok is the perfect way to funnel those emotions everyone has been feeling and at minimum provides a lighthearted break from the world. As I open the app, I am instantly engulfed in uplifting and positive videos, comedy videos that truly make me laugh, and a feeling of empathy towards others that reassures me that I am not the only one living through this event that is changing history. Furthermore, one of the most important parts of being socially distanced and quarantined is communication. It is easy to lose communication with friends and distant family members during a pandemic, yet one of the things TikTok offers about this pandemic is ironically connection, just not in person. This app provides a means of communication that no other app possesses and a sense of community, even if it is an odd one. This article and Tiktok itself are important to me because they show that TikTok and other social media platforms can truly bring people of all ages together in ways that surprised me. This includes not just young kids, but all generations of people as well as whole families. Social media has always been around and growing, and every generation has its phase, whether it’s MySpace, Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, or Tiktok. However, what truly makes this app important to me is its ability to show a lighthearted and fun side of a world facing not-so-lighthearted issues for all generations. I don’t know what will happen to it in the days or weeks ahead, but TikTok has definitely left its mark on society during this time.
• 
  2020-08-30

  COVID Camping

  Our family loves the outdoors. Since the birth of our first child, we have made it a priority to camp at least once each summer. We all look forward to this tradition as a time of togetherness as we disconnect from our busy lives, if even for just a few days. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, camping looks a bit different. But we decided to roll with it and continue our family tradition. Our first camping "trip" was in our backyard. And it was magical. We played and slept outside for 3 straight days. Our second camping "trip" was in our living room. Due the wildfires ravaging Northern California, we have been unable to even go outside for over a week. The kids were thrilled for this new camping experience. Despite the many challenges that 2020 continues to throw our way, the resiliency and positivity of my children remind me that everything will (eventually) be okay. And, yes, we did enjoy s'mores during our camping "trips."
• 
  2020-08-17

  Staying Positive During A Pandemic

  I remember when quarantine first started, I was miserable. I hated the idea of being stuck in the house. But I used quarantine as a time for me to stay positive and work on becoming a better me. With staying positive I had a better mindset throughout the day and found ways to keep me motivated. I was upset at first with a bunch of my activities being cancelled but I did find positive alternatives. With this it has definitely lifted my spirits and made me have more of a positive outlook on the cancellation of certain things and on life moving forward.
• March 26, 2020

  COVID Share Your Story #RITtigers #15, Visual Media Major's Point of view

  Yes, I had to change my capstone project as it involved a lot in-person interactions and sharing it during Imagine RIT. I had to adjust and make it a virtual delivery, which is a challenge, but I am grateful for my capstone class to work on this together. One really good thing that is coming out of this COVID=19 experience is that I've been doing 'through the window' shoots around my neighborhood to document what we all are going through. I practice strictly social distancing, and I hope to continue as long as it is safe to do so. I've seen beautiful positivity sharing around in my neighborhood because of this project. You can see on my Instagram @ameliakhamilton for the photos I've done. https://www.instagram.com/ameliakhamilton/ If I could give a message to myself at the start of this semester, what would I say? Cherish every moment. Grab every opportunity. Appreciate what you have!
• 
  2020

  Positivity During Covid-19

  This inspirational message is making its way around. Suicide rates are high right now. People are frustrated. This message asks if this is a time of transformation? A chance to start anew.
• 
  2020-06-24

  The best and worst of Coronavirus (Peru)

  I really love reading Somos, and I love this short historias piece reflecting on the best and worst of coronavirus from 100 Peruvians. It's reassuring to read what is helping people stay positive, and at the same time recognize that we're all struggling with a really difficult moment. There's a parent who laments she can't visit her daughter when she got into Stanford, another parent willing to watch the Wizard of Oz as many times as his daughter asks, and others who took the extra time at home to learn new skills like baking a carrot cake or reflecting on their lives and relationships.
• 
  2020-05-29

  Reopening hope

  Everything being closed has been hard. But finally after a few months of quarantine and social distancing, things are finally starting to open back up. Reopening up is bring a glimpse of hope. What better way to celebrate then to get some ice-cream.
• 2020-03-20

  By the time you read this, it will already be obsolete

  They say in Vermont, if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes for it to change. I haven’t found it true of clouds or rain, but the news is on an hourly refresh: constantly changing, though never for the better. The world’s gone to dog time. Days have telescoped to weeks. Last week feels like a different era entirely, when kids went to school, businesses stayed open, you could grab lunch in town or take the cat to the vet. After days of pouring over graphs, I could redraw contagion curves from memory, but it all seems strangely theoretical. The number of reported cases in Vermont is still less than a block in Wuhan or Milan. And it’s never that busy here, so the towns look pretty much normal. Nationally and worldwide, the deaths are still lower than the flu, lower than heart disease, lower than car accidents, and yet the trajectories explode like a flushed grouse. While these fears, statistics, and calculations swoop through my brain, the real birds have returned: lines of geese, honking encouragement as they struggle against the wind; gangs of grackles, blackbirds and starlings descending on our feeders and glistening in the cloudy half-light. We should really bring our feeders in, as the warmth has awakened the bears. Last year the ground was frozen nearly until May. This year the snow vanished a few days before the pandemic arrived, winter evaporating as quickly as our former lives. My husband and kids, home all the time now, help me rake away last year’s leaves, uncovering bright shoots of daffodils, and yellow and purple crocuses already blooming. Soon the frogs will shout their odes to fertility from every pond, sending out an aural map of still water. Each time I go outside, my spirits lift, just a little, as non-human life goes on the way it always has, and the world tilts slowly toward warmth.
• 
  2020-05-10

  The signs on our doors that give our costumers hope

  This image depicts a way essential workers try to do their part in keeping positive during these uncertain times. One thing can be certain during the pandemic; we all need something to keep our heads up, and hopefully these signs do just that.
• 
  2020-04-01

  “I would say I am by book Christian..."

  “I would say I am by book Christian but for me I think I would consider myself having a stronger relationship with God rather than being committed to the religion of Christianity but yeah this pandemic has definitely risen the talk of God coming or the end. This stuff kind of tends to usually freak people out but I've done or at least attempted to become more prepared for his coming spiritually.”
• 
  2020-04-01

  “Overall, I would say it hasn't affected my faith in a negative way."

  “Overall, I would say it hasn't affected my faith in a negative way. I've heard from a lot of people. They have different opinions on why this situation is happening. For example, I've heard people say that it's God's judgement.I've heard people say it's kind of a wake-up call to help us recognize how we should be living differently but.. I don't think... I mean both of those are probably valid in anyone's beliefs but personally in mine I think it's just a good way to recognize how we can work together through this and grow from this and kind of put ourselves in a better perspective rather than worrying about daily things.”
• 
  2020-04

  "To make me grateful to have a spiritual basis to live my life from ..."

  “To make me grateful to have a spiritual basis to live my life from which is what I call... I guess that would be related to my religious beliefs... I had a spiritual life prior to having a quote religious belief. My religious belief came about 20 years ago in the form of another vital spiritual awakening which led to the Baptist Church. That faith led me through 911 which strengthened my face and gave me confidence that God could take care of things in the world that seem to be catastrophic to me.”
• 
  05/08/2020

  Trying to Stay Lighthearted at the Start of a Shift

  Medical staff the world over has been given the herculean task of not only trying to care for people that are getting sick, but also trying to maintain a somewhat positive disposition in light of all of this. Taken at the beginning of a shift, anything silly helps.
• 
  2020-05-08

  What Is Going On?

  Listen…I don’t know who else can agree on this with me, but doesn’t it just feel like a light switch went on and suddenly the world knew what the Corona virus was? When I sit down and reflect on the first time I remember hearing of it, my mind draws a blank. It’s like this huge conspiracy within my own mind, that one day I just woke up and all of a sudden was in the loop. There is talk that it started in December, and there is talk of people first hearing in January, for me personally, I have no clue. This is not something any of us prepared for…parents are out of jobs, businesses are declining rapidly being forced to shut down, schools closing and children losing proper education tools. It feels like a horror story, I truly think it is, and I already know down the road in the future my kids will ask about my experience in it and how it impacted me. That is why I am trying to document everything, write journal entries, take videos, to truly remember what I felt at a time like this. I don’t ever want to forget it. But I want it to end. For the first time in my mother’s 35+ years of working, she’s had to file for unemployment. Never did I think that my mom would be unemployed. Things happen though, and since humans are so adaptable it’s been wild to see everyone adjust and learn this new normal. If you would have told me a month ago that my world would be turned upside down, I would have such a hard time believing you. I am a senior in college. I go to Marymount University, and this semester was supposed to be the time of my life. My friends and I took a history course that went abroad to Paris for spring break. That was supposed to be in early March. You’d think it was a joke that 2 hours before boarding the bus to head to the airport and we get an email that our trip had just officially been cancelled. This was so early on with the virus, no talk of quarantine, I didn’t even know what that term was at the time. It wasn’t until middle of the following week that people began discussing the possibility of it taking place. Fast forward to now, nearly 2 months later and over half of my spring semester became online, my graduation was cancelled, and almost all of my friends moved home. My internship got cancelled, and my last day as a senior just disintegrated in front of my eyes. Despite anything, I’ve been trying to find the positives in this situation and grow more so that once this is all over, I can reflect and be proud of what I did. I think it is important that everyone just does what they can to be safe and take precautions, but that they do what they need to fulfill their daily needs to stay happy. Though this has single-handedly been the worst thing to happen in my lifetime, there is a lot to be learned and improved on. But seriously…I still wonder .. what is going on..?!
• 
  2020-04-03

  Enjoying Spring at the Park

  This image was taken by me on one if my walks around a local park. I have been going to this park since I was three years old. Ever since the stay-at-home order was give for NC at the end of March I have noticed a much greater diversity in the demographics of people who visit the park.Traditionally the park would be populated by younger children, around elementary and middle school aged, along with young parents and their children. Now people of all types and ages frequent the park in an attempt to help normalize and adjust the the changes caused by the pandemic. Something I never expected to enjoy while going to the park is being able to see so many different people playing happily and making the best of the situation. Seeing others adjusting to the pandemic, in a way helps me accept the normalization of the changing social dynamics that have been created.
• 
  2020-04-14

  Tik Tik Nurses Dancing

  I found a video on the app “TIK TOK” and these nurses were all dancing! It is extremely liberating to see healthcare workers staying positive throughout this extremely touch period. The video really showed me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. This pandemic is devastating but knowing that we have amazing healthcare workers who are spreading positivity while saving lives is extremely raw and humbling. *@Nursesavyrose *The video is an inspirational Tik Tok
• 
  2020-05-03

  COVID19 & Memes

  This morning the first thing I saw on my social media pages was the announcement that ‘Asian giant hornets’ were spotted in the U.S. for the first time. On top of worrying about the COVID19 pandemic we now must worry about killer hornets. This year was supposed to be a new and great start for everyone but clearly 2020 is nobody’s year. A lot of people are trying to deal with all the stress of 2020 by making memes. I thought instead of having a negative entry for my post I would put together a couple of different memes that made me smile.
• 
  2020-05-03

  Don't Stop Believin'

  Finding hope in the midst of a pandemic.
• 
  2020-05-01

  "We Stay at Work For You, Please you Stay at home For us"

  At this point in isolation, my Twitter feed is flooded with images such as this. This point evokes a great deal of emotion for I assume all that comes across it. I have the utmost respect for medical professionals. I myself have recently been accepted into the University of San Francisco Nursing Program. Being accepted during a time of great uncertainty has led me to an even greater appreciation for all those that serve on the frontlines, not just medical professionals. We are all affected in some manner during this pandemic; however, it is how we respond that will affect the outcome. Working together, maintaining a positive attitude, following instructions, and faith is what will get us through this disheartening time. Although this image is a piece of art, the message still rains truer than ever. Nurses and doctors are giving of their own time, safety, and placing their lives at greater risk for contracting the CoronaVirus as well as any other ailments, infections, diseases, etc. Men and women are left with bruising, scratches, and other facial discomforts as a result of having to wear PPE for extensive duration periods. Not only the physical discomfort but these individuals have endured emotional and mental difficulties as well. This photo saddens me as well as frustrates me. I continuously pray that people follow as the photo illustrates, “Stay at home for us” for the sake of these selfless people. For those who are not taking this issue seriously, I pray for them as well and that they might be awoken to the true reality of the world as it is right now. #CSUS #HIST15H
• 
  2020-05-03

  Pandemic Daily Routine

  Routines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 
  2020-05-01

  Living

  Living