Amy Lu's View

It’s been 3 months since I started living in lockdown. I gave up a while ago on marking the passage of every week, but it’s hard to ignore this milestone.

“Lockdown” is too dramatic of a word for my situation (luckily!). Other common terms– like “quarantine” or “shelter in place”–don’t seem quite right either. I think “hermitage” may be the most accurate but I’m not sure that will catch on.

So much has changed in 3 months, but this is also just life. I’ve learned some lessons, had many feels, radically changed my habits and daily life–and it’s just life.

(Disclaimer–this is just a very narcisstic look at my very lucky life, and I’m not tackling any reflection on racial justice in this space because that feels inappropriate).

I’m also going to try to avoid pontificating about the meaning of or future of the pandemic–nobody needs that from me. Let’s just say I’m not expecting life to go back to the way it was. I think COVID-19 remains a very real and serious threat.

BUT, I think nice weather gives us some opportunities now to be outside and get out relatively safely and interact with others–at a distance and with precautions. I’m afraid this might be a small window of time so I want to responsibly make the most of it. AND I finally got the battery in my car replaced so after three months I can drive again (and I still remember how!) I’ve already had a couple of outings to see friends and hear music and drink and it’s been glorious. I hope to never take these small joys of life for granted again.

This may be the summer I savor more than any other because I’m actually more attentive and appreciative.

This time of transition in transition that feels like an interlude (to someone who knows nothing about classical music), seems like a good time to continue my House Party quarantine questionnaire series. (I also know this is a notable time because one of my favorite quarantine podcasts, Staying In with Emily and Kumail, is wrapping it up).

House Party Questions Part 2

What aren’t you missing? Wearing my work lanyard and wearing rings. And being stuck in traffic, but who does miss that?

What’s an unexpected thing that’s getting you through? Weekday lunch and Saturday night coffee house with our church via Zoom.

What one non-essential item you wish you had much more of? Nasoya dumplings, I’ve only had them once since lockdown.

Something you’ve learned about yourself since being stuck at home: I like spending time at home more than I thought would. I can also handle uncertainty–as in not knowing what’s up with the future of my job, or my social life, or my bands or theater endeavors, or the world–better than I thought I could.

What piece of advice would you have benefited from hearing at your graduation? Be braver–Don’t take yourself so seriously and worry less.

What’s a positive change you’re going to keep from this time? Appreciating spending time at home.

What are you unexpectedly nostalgic for? I’m not sure if this is supposed to be COVID related or not, but the cheap packaged seasoning Dad used on steak.

Tell us the best advice your father ever gave you: He never actually said this, but the only positive thing I can ever remember my mother saying about my dad was that he was a generous tipper, so I interpret that as my dad giving the advice to “Be a good tipper.”

Tell us about a summer tradition of yours: Having anxiety about how much I ADORE the longer days and the increased sunlight but not knowing how to properly appreciate it…loving the light so much and wanting to hold it and keep it and make it last that it hurts. Oh, and being oversensitive (physically, emotionally and spiritually) to mosquito bites.