What I learned during quarantine …
I still remember the first time I heard about the COVID-19 virus. I was about to travel back home to California after spending 2 months away in India. I saw the news about the virus spreading throughout China. However, I did not realize then how the virus would make its spread around the world.
1. Better safe than sorry
My father was overly cautious at the time, that of which I’m grateful for. We went out to buy masks, which were already out of stock at the time. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one mask. I remember not many people were wearing masks at the airport. However, I remained skeptical of their skepticism. I wore the mask during my entire 26 hour journey.
I had classes for a couple of weeks, as the news that the first case of the virus had come to Seattle, WA. A week passed, and I was soon told that California numbers were on the rise. I was still going to classes in person, walking around 30,000 students on a small campus. With the knowledge I have now of the virus, I would not have dared to walk around in such a high-risk environment.
2. Things don’t always go as planned …
I remember my roommate and I were talking about the virus and hoping that we could get a break from the stresses of the semester. However, our prayers were more than answered. What started off as a week of break, extended to a virtual semester with all classes online. California was under lockdown for a majority of March. The grocery panic quickly spread to our area as well. Neither I nor my roommate had a car, and I was tasked with the challenge of carrying 2 weeks worth of groceries on my bike.
The rest of the semester flew by, with camera’s off and muted mics on Zoom. I then started my summer internship at Amazon. This was quite painful. I so badly wanted to go to Seattle, to experience going to work and making new acquaintances. Flying was high-risk. I guess my prayers were heard again, when I spontaneously decided to fly out to Seattle to stay with my sister and brother-in-law.
Leaving my college apartment meant leaving behind everything for up to a year. However, I knew that my anxiety was getting worse as the days passed in my cramped apartment. I did what was best for me, hoping to come back before 2020 came to a close. I was wrong yet again. Regardless of the failed plans and missed opportunities, I was able to learn a lot from the semester, from my internship, and from going with the flow of life.
3. Always pack like you’re about to move
Moving out to Seattle was not a temporary one. I ended up selling most of my items. With the help of my friends, I moved out my apartment without even being physically present. I currently only possess summer clothes, which was not the smartest decision I had made while packing. However, I will say that I was able to take the items which really matter to me.
Moving out of California took the matter of a weekend. The renter saw the place on Saturday and I moved out by Monday. As I mentioned, things don’t always go as planned. Moving meant having to sell some of things I loved, including the bike, which helped me get groceries. Learning to be detached from worldly items is the way of the saints, for me it’s been tough. I learned that the items which I had accumulated throughout my college years were not as essential as I believed. I am currently trying to lead a minimalist life, however, I will admit Black Friday deals won me over.
4. Sometimes we should just listen…
Everyone experienced and is experiencing quarantine in different ways. I for one have learned to listen more. I am grateful for those around me who have taken the time to educate me about the issues of our time. Sharing information, having uncomfortable conversations, and reading about others struggles really do make a difference.
From the Black Lives Matter movement to the current riot at the Capitol, one thing I am sure of is that listening and being open minded will allow us to learn more about these issues and to push forward as a society. Making sure that we take the time to question everything and to educate ourselves about what is really happening, will ensure that we can fight a pandemic better next time.
