Get to know our community through interviews with students, parents, siblings, and faculty members about their experience with the shelter-in-place and things they are looking forward to.
IN TODAY’S POST:
Lael S., Grade 9 | Qiao Liu, Math Teacher | Anil Assudani, Parent
Check back daily for more interviews!
LAEL S., GRADE 9
What is one thing you have learned about yourself during quarantine?
One thing I learned about myself during quarantine is that if I don’t have a steady hobby to occupy myself, I get really bored. I tried to solve this by keeping myself busy with assorted hobbies.
What are some of the ways you keep yourself occupied during quarantine?
I started skateboarding and working out more often. I also just talk to my friends and Netflix Party a lot.
What is one thing you want to do as soon as the shelter-in-place is lifted?
One thing I want to do as soon as shelter-in-place is lifted is go surfing. I go surfing every summer and it is one of my favorite activities. I look forward to going surfing all year and I can’t wait until we are allowed to surf again. I go surfing at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica with my friends from out of school mostly.
What is the most memorable thing that has happened during quarantine?
The most memorable thing that has happened during quarantine was my birthday. One of my friends baked me a cake and brought it to my house. She also brought a large banner that said “Happy Birthday!” She then sang “Happy Birthday” to me while standing in the middle of my street. Even though I couldn’t be within six feet of her, it was still really nice seeing one of my friends from across the street.
How do you think your life will change compared to pre-quarantine?
I think after quarantine is over, I will have acquired a brand new perspective on life and my surroundings. There are so many things I miss about non-quarantined life that I never took the time to appreciate.
What are some of the things you miss most about the non-quarantined life?
I miss seeing my friends and going out of the house to places other than the park. I miss being able to actually rock climb instead of just hangboarding at my house.
What do you miss most about attending classes on campus?
One thing I miss about attending classes on campus is seeing my friends every day. We would attend classes together, eat lunch together, and hang out together around campus. I miss lunch the most, if that counts, because I got to see all my friends and eat lunch together and it was one of the only times that all my friends were together and bonding.
What’s one new habit or activity you have picked up during quarantine?
One new activity I have picked up during quarantine is skateboarding. I used to skateboard, but I recently decided to relearn. I’ve had a lot of fun learning how to skateboard and it’s very helpful for keeping the boredom away. I’m a beginner so I’m bad but I just skate around near my house and by the park. I’m trying to learn how to ollie but it’s not going great.
QIAO LIU, MATH TEACHER
What is one thing you have learned about yourself during quarantine?
That I actually can be very organized when I have time to organize things. That was very surprising.
What is one thing you want to do as soon as the shelter-in-place is lifted?
I want to go back to China to visit my grandma because she has gotten pretty sick recently. Because of the quarantine, we cannot go back to China if we’re not a Chinese citizen, so I wish that once everything goes back to normal, we can go and visit her.
How do you think your life will change compared to pre-quarantine?
I think I will be more careful of personal hygiene—not that I didn’t care about it already—but I might wear masks more often. Usually, when I have a cold or something, I don’t wear a mask, but now I will be more aware of that. Also, if I’m sick, I usually still try to go to work because I don’t want to miss anything, but now I feel that it’s a better idea to stay at home.
What do you miss the most about teaching classes on campus?
The interactions with students and other teachers—I really like to see people’s smiling faces, or just chatting about any random thing.
What’s one new habit or activity you’ve picked up during quarantine?
I have started learning the ukulele. I’m not really good at music; I’m always out of tune. And when I’m learning the ukulele, I feel like I’m really a genius because even though I’m playing and singing at the same time, I can still go off pitch!
Do you have a favorite thing you’ve eaten during quarantine?
I like hot pot with my friends. That was a tradition we had before quarantine, but since we can’t meet together, we video chat and eat hot pot at our own place.
Do you have a favorite place to be during quarantine?
My kitchen. I have all the food there, so I feel safe! And I can make boba tea or any food that cheers me up.
ANIL ASSUDANI, PARENT
What is one thing you have learned about yourself during quarantine?
That I do enjoy my work, and that I’m thankful for it. Continuing to work has its risks, of course, but my cabin fever isn’t as bad. So that’s nice.
What is one thing you want to do once the shelter-in-place is lifted?
Go on vacation, or travel away from home—by the ocean, somewhere with a beach. I want to go somewhere with the opportunity to explore nature.
How do you think your life will change compared to pre-quarantine?
It’s already changed. I’m always cleaning, and I’m always watchful. I really miss things I took for granted, like going to a restaurant and hanging out with people. I wonder if the handshake will ever be back in my lifetime. After quarantine, I want to keep life simpler, and not be distracted by material desires.
What’s one new habit or activity you’ve picked up during quarantine?
Cooking—I’m more comfortable with it, and I’m also enjoying it. I’ve cooked several Indian dishes, like paneer tikka masala and butter chicken. I’ve also cooked crack chicken, vegan chili, and a complicated spicy African peanut soup. My favourite thing I’ve eaten during quarantine was a bread pudding I made.
What emotion do you feel most often during quarantine?
Ennui—a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
What’s your favourite object during quarantine?
Can we consider [our dog] an object? He’s been a godsend for all of us. We’re really lucky that we got him when we did; it’s nice to have a dog during the lockdown.
