Photo By Missy Kaiser

Jen Johnson, Arts Education Coordinator, 48

How are you coping?
I am fortunate enough to have a stable income, good friends, a sweet dog to hang out with, access to walks and nature, and a great little place to call home. I'm doing OK.

What, if any, new rituals have emerged for you?
One of my new rituals, which I hope will remain after all of this, is to enjoy happy hour zoom calls with all my long-distance friends. It's so much more fun than a phone call. I've also had more (technology supported) time with my niece. We are sending dorky videos of our faces back and forth and it's brought me a great deal of joy. 

The worst thing about quarantine:
The worst for me has been the inability to make travel plans, which of course sounds very spoiled given the nature of what's happening. Even though I'm still connecting to students, colleagues, friends and family via zoom, I also find myself really missing the random interactions that used to populate my days- with strangers, neighbors, clerks at stores, etc. It's something that has surprised me.

The best thing about quarantine:
The best is seeing people slow down. More people walking their dogs in my neighborhood, more friends with time on their hands to talk, cleaner air, wildlife with some breathing room. For me personally, the best part has been how clearly I see what I have and how thoroughly I've given up thinking about what I DON'T have. 

What are you most thankful for? 
My health, my friends and family, my Mom being safe and sound in her own home, my dog, nature, this beautiful spring that we are having. Life!