Four Skills I Learned During Quarantine

October 16, 2020October 16, 2020 | Helen

Ever since we were first put under mandatory lockdown orders, it felt as if my little world had come crashing down around me. For the first time, I could not just walk out of my own home. Whenever I did brave the outdoors to go to the store, I was always amazed at the nearly empty streets. It was as if the apocalypse had come. It was as if the entire world had just stopped.

The world had seemingly stopped in March-April. And yet, we couldn’t just sit in front of the TV all day, mindlessly absorbing Netflix or Hulu on repeat. So, many of us went online, the only place where we could escape the reality of living under lockdown. I was one of those people who went online, but not to post mindless posts about how much it sucked to live under quarantine. I went online for a different reason.

I decided to revive my old blog, Crispy Confessions. I haven’t written in so long, and I kind of missed it. I used to write stories and poems all the time in high school and college. And now, with the craziness of life, I just didn’t have the time to write anymore. I wanted to change that.

In the process of reviving my blog, I ended up learning and gaining a few skills. Because of this, I am so thankful to this time for giving me the time to be able to do some of the things that I love doing.

Four Skills I Learned During Quarantine

1–Cooking Well

Before quarantine, I wasn’t really good at cooking. I ate a lot of processed foods and ramen noodles. But now, I have been watching cooking videos and searching for new recipes on Pinterest. I’m finding that I enjoy cooking. I enjoy that feeling of starting with the basics like meat or noodles and then combining them with vegetables and seasoning to create something delicious. The last thing I made was chili completely from scratch, and surprisingly, it was actually good.

2–Baking a Cake

I’ve made cake before but the Betty Crocker version. I’ve always wanted to bake a cake from scratch. So, one day, after I bought all the ingredients, I made a cake. Surprisingly, it wasn’t that hard. It just required a few basic ingredients, like flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and milk. The ingredients were then mixed together, poured into a cake pan, and then baked.

Here’s the recipe for the cake that I made that day. It was pretty good, especially with chocolate icing on top, because chocolate always makes everything better.

3–Using Instagram Effectively

I was using social media before lockdown. But I wasn’t using it effectively. I was just using Instagram to post pictures of the kids.

So, I decided to rethink my Instagram strategy. I know that Instagram can be a pretty powerful social media marketing tool. So, a few weeks ago, I changed my brand and the content. Using Canva (which has been a godsend), I have been using my graphic design skills that I learned in college to create Pinterest-worthy Instagram pictures to post. I’ve also rethinked my strategy for Instagram stories as well. Ever since then, I’ve increased my engagement on Instagram by twofold. I am still learning, however, and I’m excited about the things I will continue to learn from using this tool.

4–Using Pinterest Effectively

Before lockdown, I didn’t use Pinterest at all. I had an account that I had created years ago, but at the time I dismissed it as a glorified bookmarks tab. It sounded cool and all but I didn’t think I had the time to use it.

But then lockdown happened and suddenly I had more time that I knew what to do with. I decided to add Pinterest to my social media marketing strategy. After all, visual search is trending now; more and more people are using visuals to search and to obtain information. But besides that, I’ve learned that I can use Pinterest to find keywords for my blog posts. I can use Pinterest to see what is trending, visually, and possibly get inspiration from them.

I feel immensely proud at having gained these skills. Of course, I’m no expert. I’m still learning. And I like it. Life happens when learning happens after all.

What skills have you gained during the pandemic?

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A Letter to My Quarantine Baby on National Sons Day

September 29, 2020October 10, 2020 | Helen

(This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. I may earn a small commission from any purchases made from those links).

Dear Son,

From the moment that I knew of your existence, I knew that you were a person who was strong, passionate, and deliberate. You have great physical strength, as indicated by your movements in utero and out. One grip by those hands is enough to bring even the strongest man to their knees.

You are so passionate with your emotions. You aren’t just happy — you get excited. You aren’t just sad — you get teary eyed. You aren’t just angry — you swing your fists up and down while squeaking and babbling uncontrollably.

Despite the intensity of your emotions, you are also deliberate. I see this everyday as you crawl towards me carefully with a huge smile on your face. You sit first, before you decide whether its worth using your energy to go somewhere else. Your movements are so calculating and meticulous. From the time you were a newborn, I could see the thoughts imprinted in your eyes, always pensive and contemplative and wondering.

This quality of yours to always look before you leap is particularly important considering the year that you were born. You, my dear son, were born in the year 2020. 2020 is the year of the big, bad, evil Coronavirus. It is the year of wearing masks, social distancing, staying home, and keeping safe.

You are only eight months old and yet you’ve barely been anywhere since you were born. These long months, you’ve always been at home, which is like a small cocoon, protecting you from the outside world. If you had been born in any other year, this wouldn’t be as big of a deal. But you were born in 2020, the quarantine year, the covid-19 year, so for you being home has been your safe place.

When you do go out, carefully and safely wrapped up inside the baby carrier against me, you get to glimpse the big outer world. It must seem strange to you to see people wearing masks. It must seem strange to hear all of these muffled voices, so similar to when you were in the womb. It must seem strange to always be on the inside looking out.

And yet, this is all that you know. This is the world that you were brought into. I am thankful. Thankful that you are alive. But also thankful because spending the first year of your life during a pandemic only serves to teach you probably the most valuable lesson of all.

Anyone who faces the issues we are facing now will come out of it a more invincible and vigorous person. Covid-19 serves to teach us that bad things happen all the time and it is not our fault. What matters is how you face it head on. What matters is how you react to it.

Learning how to deal with a negative issue with grace and resiliency is so important. Bad things happen to make us stronger. People who experience the death of a family member, a bad grade on a test, or a break-up of a long term relationship ultimately emerge stronger as a result.

You are only eight months old, and yet you’ve experienced more things than most people have experienced during their entire life time. You’ve experienced your inner world breaking into pieces around you as you and your mama struggle to bring you earth side. You’ve stayed in the intensive care unit at the hospital for days. You’ve struggled and yet you survived. And you will survive this pandemic.

Your survival is the testament to your own strength — both physical and emotional. It’s important that we stay strong during times like these. It’s important that we bond together even closer, because everyday is not guaranteed to any of us. It’s important that we do our best, because it is what is right and what is expected of us.

You, my dear son, will go far. You are only eight months old, and yet you’ve faced so much in your short life. You will look back on this five, ten, fifteen years from now. I know that the world is in a truly strange place right now. Life is changing.

But life is always changing, whether it is the Coronavirus or something else. There will always be something there waiting to test us. No matter what it is, just know that you can survive it. As long as you got me, you’ve got the entire world on your shoulders. Just keep looking up. Things will only get better from here on out.

Stay safe, my little man,

Love,

Your mommy

Baby carrier mentioned above:

2020 — The Beginning of Something Great

September 21, 2020October 10, 2020 | Helen

After dropping off my daughter at preschool, I sat in my car for a minute, thinking. Despite all that is wrong with the world, I believe that now is a really great time to be a child. Of course, it’s not ideal or even normal. Nothing is normal right now, after all. But in terms of what they can learn and what they can gain, 2020 might just be the year that everything changes for the better.

I mean, think about it. Before 2020, we were all going about our lives, which were increasingly hectic and chaotic. We were all too busy at work and at school. We didn’t spend enough time with our families. We were all on our smartphones and tablets, our eyes constantly glued to our social media news feeds.

And then Covid-19 happened, forcing us to stay at home and go to work and school virtually. We had to stay at home to be safe. We had to seek comfort and solace in our own homes. We started to turn to social media not just as an automatic response, but as a way to give us the socialization and community that we so desperately craved.

Covid-19 just had to happen during one of the biggest years of the technological revolution. Ever since the birth of the Internet and consequently social media, we have all been glued to our devices. We were getting even less physical exercise. Kids were spending less time outdoors and more time indoors playing video games. Our entire lives were dictated and even controlled by technology.

But now, Covid-19 has shown us that we don’t have to be blindly controlled by technology. Instead, we can use it to better ourselves. We can use Zoom video chat to take virtual classes. We can work at home instead of driving miles to go to work, saving the company hundreds in money and time. In short, we can use technology to make our lives easier, more convenient, and more practical.

Covid-19 has taught us that using technology effectively can make our days longer. If we can make our days longer, then we would have the time to do things that we’ve always wanted to go. We can go and learn how to crochet or knit. We can go mountain biking. We can go scuba diving. Having an extra hour or two that technology has saved can give us the freedom to do these things.

It can be argued that covid-19 has taken our freedom. In one sense, that is true. It has taken our freedom in the sense that we are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing guidelines. It has taken our freedom in that we need to think once, twice before going somewhere. We need to always make sure that we have a mask, hand sanitizer, and that it is safe.

But on the other hand, covid-19 has given us the opportunity to take some freedom for ourselves. It has shown us the power of technology. It is showing us that even when people are physically forced apart, we can still stay together through the power of the Internet.

It is because of the Internet that many of us have been able to stay sane, hopeful, and optimistic. It is because of the Internet that we can still attempt to carry on with our daily lives. And finally, it is because of the Internet that we have the information that we need to stay safe even we have to venture outdoors for work and school.

So many people complain on Twitter and other social media platforms that 2020 is the worst year ever. I, however, like to think of it as the year that is the start of something great. Something like this can’t happen without changing us, the world, and the Internet… for the better.

The 5 Best Things About Living in America

September 8, 2020October 10, 2020 | Helen

Recently, I asked this question on Twitter:

What is the best thing about the USA?
— Helen Hensell (@hhensell) September 7, 2020

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With everything going on in the US, I was genuinely curious what people really thought and felt about this country.

Growing up, I was raised by a mom, who was probably the most realistic person I’ve ever met. She refused to be swayed in the magic of the American Dream that just seemed to happen out of thin air to some people. She knew that in order for that to be a reality you had to work at it. Nothing in life was free after all. She knew that America wasn’t the land with the golden roads and endless opportunities.

America was real. It was as real as the air that you breathed in inner-city Detroit or the smoke permeating the air in California. Sure, America wasn’t perfect, but neither was life. America is a place where people can dream big and where people can say what they want about whomever they want.

So, the best thing about America, I would have to say, is the freedom.

1–Freedom

We have freedom here in America. We are free to speak our minds. We are free to own and carry a gun, thanks to the second amendment. We have freedom to walk outside and organize a protest to fight against injustice. We have the freedom to fight for what we believe in. As Americans, we are free to do these things because that is what this country was built on. And it is one of the things that attracts so many to come here. Because when people are not free, then they live in fear. And what kind of life is that?

2–Landscape

There is no doubt that America is a very big country. In fact, it is the third largest country in the world, right behind Russia and Canada. Because of that, America boasts so many different types of landscapes. By driving or traveling by train from coast to coast, one can see so much of the terrain. And one can be amazed and in awe at the Rocky Mountains to the Grand Canyon to the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, has something unique to offer, rather its the climate or the geography, or the mountains or the desert. There is something here for everyone.

3–Diversity

It is definitely no secret that America is a very diverse country. Some countries in other parts of the world are known for being quite mono ethnic. But in America, it is nice to be able to walk outside and see people who have different skin color and features and are of varying heights and sizes. It’s hard for me to imagine what it would be like to live in a country in which everyone have the same ethnic background. For me, as a biracial individual, that would almost be an impossibility.

The fact that there is diversity in this country is what makes America great. Because there is diversity, it gives us more opportunities to learn about people’s backgrounds and cultures. It makes us more open minded and tolerant. Of course, America isn’t perfect and we still have a long way to go to combat some of the internal racism that unfortunately many people are still experiencing today (including yours truly).

But we can combat this racism by first and foremost embracing diversity as one of America’s greatest assets and not as a disadvantage or an annoyance.

4–Strength

America is a very young country, and yet it can’t be denied that America is a very strong country. When an outside force threatens us, then we, as Americans, come together as a unified force. Unity is oftentimes the only thing that can help beat a greater adversity.

I remember after 9/11 happened, so many examples of patriotism cropped up in the media. Even more recently, we were — and continue to be — united during the Covid-19 pandemic. We remained an unbreakable force on social media, even when we were under lock down and physically separated from other Americans. After the tragic murder of George Floyd, so many people risked their good health and lives to speak out against the injustice of it all by marching together.

Whenever something horrible happens, Americans stand together. This unity is what makes America great because it transforms the non-believers into dreamers.

5–Dreams

In America, dreams can come true. At least, that is what I’ve always been told in history books and novels. In America, if you have the idea and the dream, then you can achieve it. In America, if you work hard, then you can move up the social economic ladder and even, eventually, break and shatter the highest glass ceiling. In America, anything is possible if you have a dream and enough nerve to achieve it.

So, America is a country that still has a lot to learn, and it has made a lot of mistakes. But at the same time, it has also done so much good for other people and nations. Because of that, we shouldn’t give up hope on America. We should keep believing that one day, perhaps sooner than we think, America will be even better. As long as we remain united, then all things are possible.

What do you think? What is the best thing about America? Feel free to comment here, or on my twitter thread. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

The 5 Best Things About Going to School During a Pandemic

September 1, 2020October 10, 2020 | Helen

The year 2020 has been the wildest, craziest year in … well … decades. So it is no surprise that the ’20-’21 school year will be off to a bumpy start, due to, of course, Covid-19. There has been a considerable amount of debate both on social media and off regarding the question of where to send the kids to: brick-and-mortar or virtual. Moms and Dads, even grandparents, aunts, and uncles, have all been weighing in on the pros and cons of both, ultimately making their decision based on what is best for the family and ultimately the child.

But no matter where the child ultimately goes to school, they are going during an unprecedented time. They are going to school during a pandemic and during one of the biggest events of the decade. With the increased level of precautions and protocols that schools are mandating, it is harder and much more stressful to be a child and a student these days.

But despite that, there is still some good to going to school during a pandemic. Here are the five best things about going to school during a pandemic such as Covid-19.

1–Clean Environment

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

The Coronavirus has given rise to an increased demand for hand sanitizer, soap, and cleaning products. People are now actively and energetically washing their hands, trying to stay clean and “germ-free.” One of the best ways to avoid transmitting the virus is by washing hands, as well as social distancing and wearing masks.

Schools are now taking measures by sanitizing the classrooms. My daughter is starting preschool this year. Her school regularly cleans and sanitizes toys and other shared objects after play time. This means that her school will be cleaner than ever. Hopefully, this will result in less incidents of kids getting sick with the common cold or the flu. It will also hopefully instill a healthy ~~obsession~~ love of washing hands.

2–Strong Character

Going to school during a time of one of the nation’s greatest unrest can help to build strong characters. There are protocols and mandates in school, and yet these kids are going to school. They are making the best in a scary situation. They are trying to regain some sense of normalcy. They are enduring, hoping, and surviving. They are resilient, brave, and strong.

This generation of kids is learning that even when the situation absolutely positively sucks, you can make the best of it by hoping, praying, and enduring. And eventually surviving. This is an important life skill to learn.

3–Being Adaptable

This generation of kids is learning about change. They are learning that change happens. It is a fact as surely as we can expect taxes and death.

They are learning that it’s okay when things change. They can adapt. They can learn new technological skills to better prepare them for success at distance learning. They can design and make cute masks to match their outfits and also to stay safe.

4–Finding Strength in Numbers

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Covid-19 may have forced physical social distancing upon us, and yet it has also brought us closer. Students may be forced to wait in line in the cafeteria by maintaining six feet of distance from their peers. Or they may be forced to sit at desks surrounded by clear Plexiglas. Or they might be forced to sit by themselves on the school buses.

And yet, students are still able to be close. Thanks to the wonders of technology, students can talk to their peers using social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. They can use Zoom or Facebook video calls to “hang out” with their friends.

Because kids can still maintain these virtual connections, they won’t ever truly be apart. As long as these connections remain intact, they remain united. And united is the only way that we can fight any adversity, even one as silent as Covid-19.

5–The Power of Love

As kids grow, they start to disengage and distance themselves from their parents. It is only natural and part of the growing up process.

But this school year is different. Kids are returning to school after having spent months in quarantine with their home bound (and, sadly in many cases, unemployed parents). During those months, many have revitalized their familial bonds. They have discovered that their parents might not be so boring after all. They have discovered that their parents are “real” people, affected by this pandemic, and yet still trying to support and provide for their families.

Kids of this generation are returning to school under this mindset. During lock down, they have learned that it is love that kept the family together. When the health of jobs, schools, and the family’s finances were threatened, the family remained intact. That is only possible because of love.

Kids hopefully will see that love is quite possibly the only thing that will get you through. Being guided by the love of your parents and siblings is probably the most important thing that any child can have.

Kids going back to school will learn that as long as they have love, they can conquer anything.

All they need is a spray bottle of Lysol, a heart full of love, a willingness to adapt, a huge arsenal of strength, and an army of friends to help beat down that metaphorical door blocking their way forward. Then, this generation of kids will be set for life.

They’ve got this, ya’ll.

Dear Daughter — A Letter to My Daughter During Covid-19

August 30, 2020October 10, 2020 | Helen

I’ve known you for four years. Ever since you were born in 2016, I’ve had the privilege of watching you grow from infant to toddler to a preschooler. I remember the first time I saw you when they held you to me. You were so small and beautiful. You opened your eyes and we locked eyes. From that moment, I silently made a promise to you that I would help you do and be whatever you want.

You have done and experienced so much during the past four years. I remember your first smile, your first crawl, your first words, and the first time you took that first step hesitantly but confidently.

You have always been so independent. Even as a toddler, you always refused to let me help you. When you could string together sentences, you would tell me “I can do it all by myself.” You are probably the most independent person I’ve ever met. And I’m so grateful that you are.

It is because that you are so independent that you have been able to react to every situation with such grace. The first moment that you met your baby brother, you stepped up an became that wonderful, lovable big sister that I knew you could be. You always helped Mommy by fetching diapers and helping to feed your baby brother. You never complained when Mommy was busy feeding and comforting baby brother. You just played quietly by yourself.

I love to play cars and barbies with you. But what I love most is racing you. I love watching you run so fast and then cheering so loud I win, I win, oh yeah! You just love to win. You are so competitive and ambitious. And I’m so glad for that. It means that no matter what you do, you will succeed. You will not stop until you are number one.

Tomorrow, when I drop you off, I will put on a brave face, but inwardly, I will be in tears. You know why. My baby girl, my first baby is going to school for the first time. I hope that you will make a lot of friends. I hope that you will learn a lot.

But at the same time, I do have some reservations. You are going to school during a time that is the most unconventional, abnormal period in history. You are going to school during a pandemic. But most importantly, you are attempting to live a normal life, despite these extraordinary situations. And that, my dear, will ultimately make you an even stronger person.

Because of this extraordinary situation, you are learning that change is okay. You are learning that you can’t change or resist change. You can only get past it by living, enduring, and overcoming it.

You are learning that even though we have to wear masks and maintain 6ft of distance, we can still remain close. We can remain close by the awesome power of technology.

You are learning that we can overcome these extraordinary times by the power of positivity. It is important to be positive and optimistic in the face of adversity. Always tell yourself that all will be well. Always tell yourself that you can do it.

Because, my dear, you can do it. You are a force to be reckoned with. You are a strong, independent, fierce girl.

Good luck, my dear. I wish you the very best on your first day of preschool. Don’t let these awful times dampen your spirit. Just go forward and be the awesome person that you are.

Love,
Mommy

Playing at our neighborhood playground precovid19

The Five Best Things I Like About Online Teaching

August 29, 2020October 10, 2020 | Helen

It is no secret that this school year is going to be unlike any other in the past. This school year is going to be different with the mask and social distancing mandates. Many people are choosing to keep their kids at home and do distance learning. Some are sending their kids to a brick and mortar school, trying to maintain some idea of normalcy in this crazy covid fueled world.

This school year, for me, will be the same. Why, you ask? Because I teach online. I’ve been teaching online since before covid. There are ups and downs to teaching online. But in this post, I’m only going to talk about the good. Because I like the good. And positivity breeds more positivity. We need more positivity especially in this abnormal climate.

1–It’s Fun

Teaching online is fun. I especially love it when the students are five or six or even seven. I get to act goofy and silly. I get to make animal sounds (moo!) I get to laugh and giggle and play with puppets.

2–Work in PJs

I get to go to the office in my PJs. I mean, c’mon, what other job allows you to be in your PJs and work? I put on a nice collared shirt and keep my PJ bottoms on. I love being able to look professional on top and comfy on the bottom.

3–Learn new things

I learn something new every day I teach. Whether it is grammar or a stylistic device or an interesting fact, I get to cram that extra nugget of knowledge into my head. I’ve always loved going to school and learning new things. I love that I can just keep on learning. After all, learning never stops. Yes, that was pretty cliche.

4–Set my own schedule

Because I work from home, I don’t have to commit to that boring 9-5 shift. Instead, I can set my own schedule. I can choose to work anywhere from one hour to twelve hours. They don’t even have to be consecutive hours either. I can take as many breaks as I want to recharge. And believe me, when dealing with little kids, you need all the breaks you can get. Recharging is important when it comes to this environment to avoid getting burned out.

5–Ask questions

I get to ask kids (and adults) questions. I love asking them questions and learning more about them and their culture, their lives, and their likes and dislikes. I love being able to talk to someone halfway around the world.

Do you teach online? Will you be teaching online because of Covid-19? What are your thoughts? Hate it? Love it?

The Five Best Things About the Coronavirus Pandemic

July 23, 2020October 10, 2020 | Helen

Photo by Yaroslav Danylchenko on Pexels.com

Yes, you read the title right. The year 2020 has been the craziest, strangest year so far. In so many ways, it has sucked ever since we were pushed into lock down and quarantine mode, many of us forced out of jobs, and lacking basic supplies such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

But no matter how crazy and crappy something is, it is always good to look on the bright side. It’s awful having to wear a mask to the store or being stuck inside all day, but there is a silver lining. Never fear! So, without further ado, here they are:

1–Reconnecting with family

The past few years, we’ve all been so disconnected from people, especially the people who are supposed to be the closest. We live, share a space with these people that we love, and yet we often fail to connect with them. We are all too busy texting, playing games, facebooking, or whatever-ing on our phones. Don’t be ashamed. We’ve all done it. You’d be sitting in the living room with your spouse and kids but you wouldn’t be exactly present. Why not? Because you, your spouse, and even your kids are all on the tablet, phone, or the TV, absorbed in these fictional, virtual worlds.

Since Covid-19 happened, it has allowed many of us to just stop, step back, and enjoy the people and things around us. When the world stops, like it did back in March, we started to enjoy the simple things more.

I know I did. I just had my baby boy just two months when we were forced into lock down. Because of Covid-19, I was able to really enjoy him. When life stops and you find yourself at home every day, all day, you can’t help but start to appreciate the things and people around you better. A whole lot better.

2–Picking up a hobby

Photo by bongkarn thanyakij on Pexels.com

With so many of us out of work and school, it gave us so much free time. I noticed a lot more people on Facebook, just lurking and posting. I imagine people hunched in a corner of their room, humped over their phones, trying to pass the time away on Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram. I know I’ve been guilty of it.

With so much free time available to us, this is the perfect time to pick up a hobby. Learn something you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the time because of work or school. Now with no work or school, it is the perfect time. Start a blog, a YouTube channel, or learn a new craft. Learn how to knit or crochet and make a nice scarf for your loved one for Christmas. Sit by your window and paint a picture of what you see.

During lock down, I’ve been reevaluating myself, trying to figure out how to better myself. I’ve started blogging again (yay!) and hopefully will keep at it forever and ever (fingers crossed). I’m looking at ways to generate more income, such looking for some side hustles (I’m seriously planning on becoming a notary agent).

3–Starting a creative enterprise

Since lock down has begun and people have been encouraged — even forced — to wear masks in all public places, many creative enterprises and ideas have sprung up. Remember the college student who invented the clear mask to make it easier for the deaf and hard of hearing to be able to lip read? Or the hundreds — thousands, maybe even millions — of people who’ve started sewing masks, and then selling or giving it away to friends and family?

Yes, the Coronavirus has absolutely sucked, but it has made way for all of this creativity to blossom to help make other people’s lives blossom. Thinking of this makes my heart soar. Yes, there is hope. There are so many people who are doing things for the betterment of others. That is something to celebrate especially in this individualistic world.

4–Using technology in new ways

So many people went sent home. Some were fortunate enough to be able to stay home and work remotely. Some weren’t. As the new school year starts back up, people are choosing homeschooling or virtual schooling for their kids. People are using apps such as Zoom or Skype to have work meetings, classes, and more.

Before Covid-19, technology was already so advanced but now we are being forced to use it more just to survive. Before it was just optional. Now, it is a requirement. Now we’ve had to shop online, use apps for curbside pickup and have work Zoom meetings in our underwear and dress shirt. We should be thankful that technology has evolved so much to allow us to do this. Imagine if we still had the technology of the early ’90s. Imagine how much different and hard it would be to survive.

How have you used technology during this pandemic? Do you find that you’ve used more or less of it?

5–Cleaning Up the Earth

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com

Just weeks — maybe even days — after we were forced into lock down mode, I saw news articles about less pollution and cleaner air. This is so remarkable and so amazing. It is no secret that the Earth is in trouble. It’s good that Covid-19 forced us into our homes. We needed it just to let our beloved Earth — our home — heal. It makes me wonder if perhaps we should all stay home regularly — once a month or once a year — to help save and clean up the Earth. What do you say?

What do YOU think is the best thing about the Covid-19 pandemic?

What I Fear the Most During the Coronavirus Pandemic

July 22, 2020October 10, 2020 | Helen

I fear that kids today will see mask wearing as the norm. They walk into a Walmart or a Target and see faces that are half obscured and covered. They no longer see people laughing and smiling. All they see is the fear in people’s faces as they stay apart from one another.

I fear that kids today will now grow up distancing themselves from their peers and other people around them. We are teaching them to stay away, stay apart, and don’t touch. This mentality is bound to affect them as they grow up.

I fear that this will last for years, bringing about even more deaths.

I fear that life will never go back to normal.

What do you fear most about the pandemic?