Right now – and for more than a month – we have been sitting tight, with not much to do. The current status of this pandemic requires a forced release of control and some people are, understandably, struggling. There is so much discomfort in not knowing what the future holds. Although, heads-up, I do think that coming out of this is going to be much tougher than coming in; like reverse culture shock. Looking for things to remain the same, I have a feeling that people might wind up a bit crestfallen. We can’t anticipate all the ways that this global pandemic is going to change the way that we travel, communicate, learn, do, buy, dress, go out, teach, work, and date Although, goodness knows, the internet is certainly giving guessing a go.
On my end, I don’t mind giving up control. I don’t mind things changing. My experience backpacking has been full of things not going the way I expected, flights getting canceled, entire itineraries changing, a new country being thrown into the mix, cars breaking down, hitchhiking, rain delays, and seeing the world in all of its mess and glory. AKA, I have spent a decade developing the “go with the flow” side of my personality. So, a sudden change in plans – especially when a month doesn’t turn out like I had expected – is already in my repertoire.
Yes, I had some travel plans get canceled (Mystery Trip 2.0, for example) but I’m doing my part to fight Covid-19, I’m staying home. Actually, on the whole I’ve been craving less travel. And so, this past month of self-isolation and stationary lifestyle has suited me. Recently, I wrote about how my time in the Peace Corps was eerily reminiscent of parts of my time in quarentine. I feel very well-versed at doing nothing and being happy.
My favorite analogy between quarantine and travel that I’ve come up with so far is to draw a parallel between self-isolation and a road trip (remember those?) because the day to day decisions involved in both are so banal; Should we stop for gas now or in a little bit? Sun chips or Sweedish fish as a snack?
During quarantine, I’ve kept a calendar of events which includes gems like “Trash AND recycling day” because that’s an actual bullet point on my agenda tonight. So, without further ado, my quarantine calendar:
Madness at Trade Joe’s
March 13th
– I had a tailgate with Em, pre-Costco. With lines the size of amusement parks. THANK GOODNESS for that extra freezer space those girls lent me.
– “The only time getting tested and finding out you have influenza A is positive.”–mom
– Hellooooooo, Collin!
March 14th
– Entertained ourselves with outdoor PAC man.
– St Patrick’s day party with “dare Jenga.”
– Farewell to live comedy — for now — at the St Mary Fire hall show.
March 15th
The world is closing its borders and seemingly shutting down.
– Hotel breakfast; whipped cream and Kashi cereal; I absolutely love being a grownup.
– Party for the Health of It and the musical discovery: “Still of the Night.”
March 16th
Pittsburgh is closing all bars for 2 weeks.
Collin, literally every day: I just wanna Netflix and Chill.
The week everyone needs to stay inside: I MUST go outside, run around, and burn off all of this energy.
A fairly empty schedule, in direct contrast to how long this blog is.
March 17th
Quarantine and ch(elp)ill
West Virginia, the last state to report a case of Covid-19.
– A unique St Patrick’s day celebration with Aunt Marjean, Cousin Dwayne, and a fantastic, new, pop tab obsession.
March 18th
Happy birthday, Colleen!
– Apple bread, filming funny videos with Collin, Photosynthesis, and a Bitcoin purchase.
After getting grapes thrown at me I retreated and, while screaming, laughing, crying yelled “there are no grapes in my pants!”
“Goodnight, baby doll.”
“Goodnight! You made me scream so many times today, it was so fun.”
That bed is heaven.
March 19th
One week since Collin arrived.
– Read an article titled “Freezers sell out as consumers stock up,” and I get it.
– From now on, when we say “sprinkler kisses”, you know what to do.
– My face brushed is the best part of shower day.
March 20th – Friday
It’s hard to know what day it is.
– Finished my taxes and subscribed to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
March 21st…
I’ve been eating well.
March 22nd
Sunday morning bliss: We watched Ex Machina and played Monopoly.
“This pasta is done perfectly. Which is crazy ’cause it was frozen and made in the microwave.” – Collin
March 23rd
“Shelter in place”, officially.
– THIS MORNING I HAD COFFEE. (and now I can’t sleep).
– Our new set up for work = looking at each other.
– (Obviously) this quarantine has been great for my blog life.
– Lunch time discovery: We need two microwaves.
– Fleabag, Season 2
March 24th
Every day’s the same:
9am Wake-up / 9:30 Out of bed / 9:45 Start work
11:45 Change / 12 Workout / 1:15 Stretch
1:30 LUNCH / Free time / 5pm Dance
9pm Make (the same) schedule for tomorrow
March 24th
“I could tell you so many Assembly of Gods.” – Getting to know Kendyll better, and loving it 😂
March 25th
It was a no schedule day!
– Zoom Yoga taught by mumzy.
– I like it the best when I’m lounging all-up-in Collin’s space.
BBQ frozen pizza, add broccoli and corn
March 26th
– Cardio day in the park
– Read a Michelin Star chef article about gnocchi… and then I got gnocchi!
“This is the worst experience of my life. I’m not kidding.” – Collin making fudge, after the wax paper ripped for the second time.
Live hard, laugh hard; the Sammi Travis story.
March 27th
Comedy in my living room.
March 29th
– Egg salad for breakfast because I live with the BEST chef!
March 30th
– A concert hosted by Elton John (our first).
Family Zoom.
An evening porch hang.
March 30th
Woken-up abruptly….they were towing cars out front 
Thanking workers at Allegheny General Hospital.
– Surprise, a quarantine present which makes me into a human toddle!
– A phone call with Rebekah, my expensive friend. I felt sparkly after.
WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY I AM HAVING!
– In my own living room, the Banff Mountain Film Festival.
Actually, I don’t have too much to complain about.
March 31st
Food shopping day!
– “This is wild, this is so fun!” – me, at our Doce Taqueria car picnic.
Ever seen McKnight Road this empty?
– A Scale bug attacked all my houseplants. “A pandemic of a different scale,” Dad said.
– A pandepic hang with Molly 🙂 This is just, like, available to us.
April 1st
– A new April Fool’s Day tradition = Michigan roast
– Played Cards Against Humanity with Emily and Laura! One quick note for the makers of this online game, taking all the cards (by accident) shouldn’t.be.allowed.
April 2nd
– Tennis while we still could.
April 3rd
– Those “famous nachos”.
April 4th
– A hunt for the ages!
April 5th
It’s both trash AND recycling day, a big night in our household.
– Chatted with foreign friends; Paula on the cruise ship!; Katie K.; Ira.
– Pork chops for dinner and a lemon poppy seed cake (sans poppy seeds) for dessert.
April 6th
– American Dreamer, the stressful movie thriller with Jim Gaffigan that we liked.
– Clapping in gratitude for the health care workers and a short walk to see the full, maybe pink moon.
– Beto’s reheated…but we kept the cheese cold.
– A “Hoseparty” hang and game night with my parents 🙂
If you can’t handle me at my worst than you don’t deserve me at my best
April 7th
A new low: I didn’t leave the house once today.
April 8th
Samantha Traverstein (I’m Jewish now.)
– Chag Pesach! A sedar through Temple Sinai with homemade matzoh anointed with olive oil. The best I’ve ever eaten, even with the wax paper.
– Two Guvners, National Theater of London, a play. [2012. James Cordon (pre talk-show). And Christine Patterson, an underrated actor.]
Q: “What are you looking forward to tomorrow?”
A: “Waking up and being happy.”
Spoiled.
April 9th
– A package from Sam Dorky! Pittsburgh, like I suspected, has really fast mail service. It’s so fun to have the same exact flavored items in two different states.
– A scallop pasta dinner and then, the funnest Molly hang! Lesson number one: Let’s do this again.
April 10th
Spring has sprung.
In the middle of the night: Does it sound like someone’s here?
Don’t you dare kill my roommate.
April 11th
First time filling up the car with petrol since March 13th.
– Homemade, to-die-for brookies.
– Hi, Trisha and Joe!
– The Amazing chicken lunch special at the Sesame Inn by a gorgeous, flowering tree.
– A second sedar, hosted by Aaron.
– Helen’s Instagram live comedy show!
– Forbidden Island, the board game.
“Are you busy?” – Collin
“No, why, what’s up?” – me
“Could you, like, maybe google how to get gorilla glue off of your skin?’” – Collin, after fixing a wooden spoon in the kitchen
April 12th
– Tonya contacted me ❤
Googled “big bunny”, was not disappointed.
There goes the cat. – Wendy
I wanna see the cat. – Betsy
I don’t believe they have a cat – Marvin
April 13th
– Started Schitts Creek and, unrelated, we froze Little Debbie’s Swiss Rolls.
It’s only Quarantine if it’s in the Quarante province of France. Otherwise, it’s just Sparkling Isolation.
I’m not taking this Sparkling Isolation for granted.
Sparkle sparkel,
‘mi
Adventuresam 
I really enjoyed this blog post. Love you, sweet pea!
Sent from my iPad
>