This pandemic has made me more aware of how careful we as a community and a world need to be when it comes to our health, so that we can start improving awareness and protecting those that are already at risk. Staying positive during this time has only made things better. Thinking happy thoughts and meditating has calmed me down and has helped me give off good energy to my family. Each night before bed, I turn on my diffuser and fill it with water. The fresh smell of my mint and lime essential oils fills my room, leaving me relaxed and less anxious. Some activities that have helped me during this process are yoga, reading, looking at positive quotes, making a schedule for my work, and applying a face mask. All these things have helped me stay sane, and allowed me to realize how taking self-care moments every day and doing something that you enjoy helps relieve stress and allows you to respect this time to be with family instead of rushing around. As much as I love shopping, this time off has allowed me to put perspectives on what matters and what is just for fun. Some people think that this is the end of the world; I don’t think that it is, but it is an opportunity to change our future. I think the longer it takes to solve, the more hidden messages we will uncover. If America and other world leaders play their cards right, we can help pass this together as a united front. This virus has opened the door to so many questions and far fewer answers, leaving people scared and frustrated. As for this magazine, each and every story in this issue has to do with life, and the awareness that the changes in our world are forever evolving.
ONLY THE ESSENTIALS: PACKING A SUITCASE IN A WORLD OF UNCERTAINTY I go to a school that is a three-hour flight, a 16-hour drive, or, if I were more athletic, a 99-hour bicycle trip from home. This distance only bothered me a little when travel was easily attainable. I was used to flitting through my layover at the Detroit airport every couple of months with my suitcase, thoughtfully packed with only the essentials. My spring break plans for this year were to tan on the beach in Florida for a few days, living off of freshly squeezed orange juice. My suitcase was filled with a heavy pair of white platform heels, sun-splashed dresses, seven swimsuits (enough for plenty of outfit changes throughout the day), and only one pair of pajamas. But two days before my departure, talk about the coronavirus seeped into just about every conversation I was having. Even my expertly packed bikini tops started to look like surgical masks from their place in my suitcase. The next day, my dad called to break the news that he canceled my flight to Florida, and booked me a spot on the next flight back to my home state of Wisconsin. With my body already bronzed with the sticky mousse of Jergens Instant Sun, I got to work deciding how I should repack. I was thinking that I might still be able to take my trip to Florida if I postponed it for a week, and just suffered at home in the abominable snow-land for a few Netflix-fueled days. Expertly analyzing each piece, I decided that the additional items added to my Sunshine State-ready suitcase would be: - One pair of cowboy boots - Three sets of bell-bottom pants: one lavender, one embroidered denim, and one denim with hearts on the behind - Two fantastically knit sweaters, cropped so high that they make no functional sense - Four Scrunchies - Eight pairs of underwear - Five party dresses, because who knows, I may be invited to something black tie - One pair of gingham children’s sneakers
M
Sincerely,
- Two pairs of cat socks - One pair of sweatpants
There are so many different buzzwords that I could use to describe what has been happening in the world. The new normal, a brave new world, unprecedented times, etc. But there really are no words or phrases in any language that can fully capture the amount of disruption or the emotional havoc that this situation has created. Never in our lives could any of us have anticipated such a sudden halt to our very existence. Since March, everything has been uncertain. Will seniors receive a graduation ceremony? Will local businesses, schools and places of worship open up again? Will our economy survive? Will we? What will our world look like on the other side of this international emergency? I find comfort that I can be certain about one thing: that good deeds happen even in the midst of suffering. Throughout the chaotic ebb and flow of time, hope has always been present. Tragic and tumultuous times have often been a prelude to humanity’s greatest achievements. The Black Death arguably led to the Renaissance period that birthed some of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo’s greatest works of art. In fact, certain political systems and philosophies created during the Renaissance triggered the American Revolution centuries later. The Spanish Influenza of the 20th century was followed by an economic boom and the creation of a vibrant youth culture that spawned some of the world’s greatest creatives, including Pablo Picasso, Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. While under lockdown, I have had the time to write poems and short stories that I never would have been able to write with my regular routine. I’ve seen countless examples via social media of friends and family members designing graphics, taking photographs, painting, or participating in other creative endeavors that they usually don’t have time for while not socially distancing. Despite remaining creative and hopeful, we sympathize with our fellow international students who have been displaced. We mourn for the seniors who will not be able to complete
the graduation ceremonies and capstone projects they spent years working towards. We feel pain for those who lost their jobs and their livelihoods. And we feel pain for those who will lose their lives to the virus. I mourn for the priceless moments with my friends we can no longer make in our dorms. For the silly end of year rituals we participate in on campus. And for countless other moments that can no longer be made in restaurants, salons, malls, movie theaters or boutiques. Time can’t be stopped, so these moments are lost to us forever. There’s an odd duality in making the best of our present while also looking to the future for hope, all while mourning the profound loss we are experiencing. Despite living in a time of precariousness, we can still choose to grow our characters. We can be more thoughtful about how we value the teachers, nurses, and grocery store workers that are often looked down upon, despite being our first line of defense against many forms of chaos. This pandemic has created new opportunities and memories we would not have had otherwise. Moments of laughter over Zoom conferences and Facetime calls, moments of appreciation for the things and opportunities still available to us, and moments of pride in our ability to evolve in the face of uncertainty and disease. Memories of quality time with our families. Memories of creating paintings, photographs, or baked goods that we are proud enough of to remember forever. In this magazine you will find the chaos of life itself dripping from the pages; life never turns out exactly as planned, but it is beautiful nonetheless. History contains endless tragedy, fear and disappointment. But this goes to show that it also has infinite opportunities for inspiration, beauty and excitement.
When I arrived home, reality set in, and my utter lack of thinking became apparent. My only pair of sweatpants were worn for the first four days, then I transitioned into a f loor length sweater dress for the next three. As I was forced to dig into the clothing I saved frommy adolescence, then came the decision to wear my high school German club sweatshirt (‘Nostalgisch’)! After the comfort clothing had run out and I had resorted to working out in satin sleep shorts, I decided that functionality in a socially distant society could be inventive. I began pairing silky party dresses with turtlenecks and knee-high socks. Lilac bell-bottoms paired well with my dad’s white undershirt, which was tie-dyed on day three of quarantine. One of the uber-cropped sweaters was worn over a very 2000s-style shorts and tights situation. I had decided not to think of the lack of comfortable clothing as a mistake, but rather as a challenge. When the fridge is the only cold welcome you are getting towards your ensemble, why not try something new! Sincerely,
Living in Bergen County, N.J., during this time has been nothing but scary. Less than one hour’s drive from New York City, our town watched as local businesses have closed, an 8 p.m. curfew was set, and police monitoring increased. My mother was diagnosed with cancer multiple times in her life, which has taken a toll on her health over the years. Before the virus hit, she had to go to the doctor’s office twice a week to have vitamin shots administered to her to make up for being immunocompromised. But now, the reality is that all she can do to stay healthy is to stay indoors. During these first weeks of quarantine, my family and I have begun a routine that will help keep my mother the safest. Every day in my household starts off the same; we get up and make a healthy breakfast that consists of a fresh fruit smoothie, eggs, and toast. After breakfast, my mother and I work out. This means getting out the yoga mats and doing a mix of cardio and full body exercises to keep fit. After the productive morning, my mother tends to pick a movie to watch to help her relax, or will talk on Facetime with family members, which always keeps her occupied. If we get bored, we usually bake together, filling the house with an amazing aroma. When it comes to food, my father goes out to the store, leaving my brother and I home. When he goes, he is very particular about the time of day and about what items he buys. He goes shopping first thing in the morning, when the shelves are stocked, and there are less people to interact with. My family loves staying active and going out. But now the only time we go out is to walk my puppy in the backyard, and when it is nice out, we sit on the deck for a little to soak up some vitamin D.
M
Sincerely,
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