Day #41: Sunday, April 26, 2020

For two and a half wonderful months after graduating early from RB in December of this year, I worked as a nanny. It was the perfect situation for me, still having a consistent schedule, snuggling a bunch of cute babies, and making money for college. Then, of course, coronavirus happened. 

Like everyone else, my life did a total 360, and it was not fun. I spent a couple of days figuring out what I was going to do and not really thinking the virus was a big deal. I obeyed social distancing rules and only left my house to go to the grocery store, but personally thought everything would soon be fine. Then I got sick with the actual coronavirus, which really did a number on me. I spent quite a bit of time on my couch eating popsicles and sleeping, but after a couple of weeks I felt much better. 

Now that I am totally recovered and have been for close to a month, I have been taking daily walks with my brother Andrew, my dad, and my dog Doug (also known as Riverside’s biggest jerk). It is quite refreshing to get outside and walk a couple of miles a day as well as spending time with my dad who I couldn’t see for the three weeks I was sick since he doesn’t live with me and we didn’t want to spread it to him. 

I’ve also been getting quite a bit of work done for college in the fall and have finally found my soon to be roommates, which I am super excited about! Another fun part about getting ready for college is spending a whole lot of money. So far I’ve ordered shoes, clothes, and almost cried while spending close to $900 on a Macbook Air. 

 Although I graduated early, I was very much looking forward to prom, senior awards night, walking the stage for graduation, and so many other things that our class won’t get to experience. Realizing that none of that will happen continues to suck every day, but at the same time, I am trying to look at the bright side of everything. For a bit of time before graduating I was looking into study abroad programs for this semester. Had I been in a different country at this time, I may have been stuck there for who knows how long and wouldn’t have access to the healthcare I have here. Also, none of my nanny families got sick at all, which I am very thankful for. 

I spent a couple of hours with a friend this last weekend in our separate cars a parking spot away with our windows rolled down, which obviously was not typical, but felt normal and was very good for my mental health. I’ve also gotten to Zoom with friends which has been wonderful. 

I want life to go back to normal. I want to be able to go to college in the fall which is becoming more and more unlikely every day. All of this sucks, but I am trying to remind myself of how much worse it could be. My family and I are safe as well as my friends, so there isn’t much more I can ask for. Seeing our community come together during this time has been very encouraging and I cannot wait to see the celebrations that will happen when quarantine is over.