Items

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  2020-11-23

  Colonel Varman Chhoeung Oral History, 2020/11/23

  The contributor of this item did not include verbal or written consent. We attempted to contact contributor (or interviewee if possible) to get consent, but got no response or had incomplete contact information. We can not allow this interview to be listened to without consent but felt the metadata is important. The recording and transcript are retained by the archive and not public. Should you wish to listen to audio file reach out to the archive and we will attempt to get consent.
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  2020-04

  Summer Reading Time

  A friend whose child recently beat cancer started the Teddy Bear Foundation this last summer. He reads to children in both English and Spanish. Since he is no longer able to do so in person, he started a YouTube channel in order to read stories to children suffering from cancer.
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  2020-06-21

  Father’s Day during Quarantine

  “Here's what I did on Father's Day: delivered care packages to families of kids with cancer:”
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  2020-07

  Summer Activity Risk Levels

  SImply leaving my home felt like I was risking my life this summer, but sometimes your sanity is worth some risk. Here is one of the websites I utilized to determine the risk factors into any activity. Due to being high risk, I would make sure to choose low risk activities such as walking outside.
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  2020-06

  BLM Protest During the Pandemic

  A friend, who is to remain anonymous but offered a photo, lives in Washington D.C. and attended a BLM protest there. I asked her to share her experiences. “it probably didn’t move the needle anywhere, but I’m glad I went. The energy and atmosphere were... it’s hard for me to describe. After the sun went down it felt like a street fair, a party. During the day it was passion. The whole time there was a strong feel of togetherness”
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  2020-04

  No Disneyland this Summer

  I started following a lady on Youtube and Instagram as I began preparations to go to Disney for the first time. This Youtuber gives advice on how to have a great Disney trip for introverts. Needless to say, my trip didn’t happen and neither did hers.
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  2020-07

  Stay Safe and Explore

  A friend shared her story about exploring close to home. “It’s been a challenge... we want to be out and doing stuff but we also don’t want to be around people, so there has been several times we’ve gone to do something but it was too crowded so we just stayed in the car and drove around. We tried to find areas not as many people knew about.”
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  2020-06-01

  Take this time to explore your own town

  Staying home all summer when you’re used to travel and exploring can leave you weary and unable to think of things you can do. I turned to google for some ideas and happened upon a website that gave great ideas for exploring locally. I live in Monterey, California and spent last summer exploring antique shops, boutiques, and interesting restaurants. I’ve never considered myself someone who enjoys the outdoors, but I had to try some of the ideas on this webpage because I was simply tired of being cooped up. There are so many places to explore. I took the time to explore 17 Mile Drive and Pebble Beach early in the day when few people were there. I must’ve stayed for hours just walking along the beach or the little trails.
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  2020-10-23

  Masks: Socially Responsible and Fashionable

  I don’t think I’ve worn jeans, or really anything other than leggings and t-shirts since I started social distancing. I’m pretty sure my makeup drawer hasn’t even been opened since March. I wear a mask when I go grocery shopping, so why even bother? A friend of mine shares Facebook and Instagram posts nearly everyday of herself wearing makeup and a mask that matches her outfit. As you can see from the photo she allowed me to screenshot, she adapted her need for social responsibility to fit with her own personal style. I think it’s time to feel like myself again; maybe get matching Sword Art Online masks for my daughter and I.
• 
  2020-04-01

  How Military Base COVID-19 Protocol affects Military Dependents- Presidio of Monterey base guidelines

  My husband is active duty Air Force. Most base housing is several miles away in Seaside, Ca. However, we were given the option to move into the historical housing on post, which meant my husband could walk to work and we have a stunning view of the Monterey Bay and Pacific Ocean. This also means that we must show our identification whenever we return home and obey base regulations. So must the thousands of language students attending DLI (Defense Language Institute). It means my daughter couldn't have a birthday party this summer. Students under my husband could head to a local pub or bar to celebrate their birthdays either. My daughter couldn't play on the playground with friends, and the students here had to collect their meals from the mess hall to take back to their dorms instead of chatting with classmates. My daughter couldn't go back to school after spring break and the language students had to begin distance learning and quarantine. As difficult as it was for my daughter to be without her friends, she could still play in the yard and hug her mother. My husband's students had to go months with no physical contact. However, these protocols were instituted to keep everyone safe whether or not they live on base. How difficult must it have been for base leadership to tell us families and students that we couldn't do the things that make us happy? That the mission must continue in spite of this pandemic? I don't envy their job.