4/21/20 Julia Song Pd. 5

Julia Song #22

4/21/20

Period 5

Sophomores 2020

Your own personal feelings and thoughts about what is happening right now?

I think I’m handling things pretty well compared to others and I distract myself by working out, baking, cooking, and going on my phone. However, there are periods of time where I just think about how my life was before this global pandemic and I get really sad. I think about how next year is going to be the hardest year with the SATs and AP classes, and how my year is going to be totally unprepared for that because we aren’t receiving enough education. I honestly miss dressing up and going to school so much. I've forgotten how my friends’ voices sounded! It doesn’t help that tomorrow is my Sweet Sixteen, which was supposed to be spent ice-skating with my friends, is now going to be spent at home. Around this time last year, I was in Vegas for my 15th birthday and was actually at the Grand Canyon. On a positive note, I get to spend more time with my family, and thankfully, no one is sick.

What is it like working from home?

I think I’ve been more productive at home because if I spend a whole day doing nothing I would feel pretty bad about myself. Everyday I make sure to complete one assignment, and if two assignments are due on the same day, I make sure to finish one on one day so I don’t have to do both later. I do have to admit that my sleep schedule is completely messed up. I used to go to sleep at 10 PM and wake up at 7:30 AM. Now, I go to sleep at 12 AM and wake up at 11 AM. Some classes are really difficult to keep up with without a teacher and my classmates. For example, in band everyone is working on the same piece together with Mr. Rams helping us. Without everyone here, I lose my motivation to play and it’s hard to learn a brand-new piece by myself. For this class too, Ms. Fusaro teaches things so well and explains each activity on the slide and how it applies to the lesson that it’s hard to learn everything I’m supposed to, by myself. I also have SAT prep on Sundays which has now been moved to online classes. On top of school work I now also have prep work due on Thursdays.

What are you learning about your world/community based on the reactions?

I’ve learned many positive things about the world but also negative things. To start off, I’ve seen many videos of the environment prospering without us humans to pollute it again. Italy’s canals are becoming clear with fish inhabiting them. China reports seeing clearer skies without the factories running. However it’s obvious that the negatives outweigh the positives. Racism has become even more prominent with our own president calling Coronavirus the “Chinese virus.” There is also this whole issue of people hoarding essential items and leaving none for the elderly, essential workers, or the less fortunate. A major problem involves people that I know hanging out together despite the orders to self-quarantine. If they can hang out together, why is everyone else staying home?