Notes from a Global Pandemic

Well it's been a LONG time since I wrote an actual post in here, but this blog is used to document my life and it will be interesting to read back on this time in a few years. We are currently in a global pandemic where the whole world is fighting COVID-19, a novel coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and can be spread fairly easily from person to person. It wasn't until early February/March that the US really started to experience the effects of COVID-19, although the first US case was identified on January 21st.

Currently, all schools in Massachusetts are closed until early May. Additionally, non-essential workers are required to work from home and all non-essential businesses are closed. Many restaurants are still offering delivery/takeout. Luckily, both Jacob and I have been working remotely since March 13th. We also have a curfew in place from 9pm - 6am and it's recommended that you wear a mask and gloves when out in public. New York has been hit really hard. Laura is still having to go to work as she is considered essential. Everyone is still healthy and safe but I worry every day for my friends and family there. Two of my best friends are nurses in NY and I can't imagine the physical and emotional tax this is having on them.

Things are very scary and I've been battling a lot of anxiety. I was very sick at the end of January with the flu and had lingering symptoms from that flu for many weeks - including a cough, one of the main symptoms of COVID-19. It's nearly impossible to get a test so I don't know if I had it or not. I was also traveling for work through early March so who knows. Besides that, Jacob and I have both been feeling physically good and healthy.

The days are long and strange. Weekdays have blended into weekends and we are doing our best to keep a schedule. I am incredibly grateful to have a steady job that I can do virtually. Luckily none of my family or close friends have been majorly affected in that way yet by this crisis. Nearly 10 million Americans filed for unemployment in the last two weeks - so insane. The federal government has signed off on a stimulus package to support people and business financially during this time, but I can't imagine it will be enough to prevent a recession.

We have had to cancel several trips and events like the Austin Food & Wine Fest, a trip to Portland, ME, and Easter with my family in NY. Our friends also had to postpone their wedding in May - so horrible. In the scheme of things, none of this matters too much. No one knows how long this will last or if things will ever go back to normal. It's hard to imagine people will feel comfortable gathering in large groups in a matter of weeks or months.

My job has transitioned to focus 80% on COVID-19 response. I feel so horrible for all the kids and families who were already struggling and facing so many challenges before this crisis. Many of those adults have either lost their jobs or are considered "essential" workers -- transit drivers, mail delivery, cleaners, grocery working, etc. They are putting themselves and their families at risk ever day.

On a daily basis I am just trying to remain grateful and keep my anxiety in check. I have been keeping myself busy cooking, baking, watching TV, exercising, doing puzzles, and having lots of phone/video calls with friends and family. About a week ago I decided to stop reading the news entirely. It is too anxiety inducing for me to get constant updates on this and I'm sure if there's anything urgent, someone will tell me.

Anyway, here are some photos from this strange time. Maybe I will write another update in a few weeks.

Neighbor's chicken!

Biscuit baking

Lots of great breakfasts

My favorite Fitness Marshall workouts

Trying to manage my worries...

Creating a sense of calm while I work

Trying to keep somewhat healthy meals in the rotation

Appropriate face covering?

Calzones are the ultimate comfort food

So many puzzles

Peanut butter cookies

Cheesiest chicken parm!

Hello enchiladas

Video calls with my faves

The prettiest puzzle ever

Family chats!

Perfected the breakfast potato

Makeshift work station

Cinnamon sugar popovers!

The pantry filled up and ready

1:1 beer pong to pass the time

More zooms

Virtual game nights - thank you technology!

Lots and lots of walks by the beach

2019: A Year in Review

2019 was a tough year for me and my family. In February I lost my dad to early onset Alzheimer's after a long and challenging 5 year battle. Just a few weeks later I lost my great Aunt Rose, who was like my third grandma. Much of the year has felt tainted by these losses, but as my dad once said (quoting James Taylor), "the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time," I know he would be proud that I found joy in the year - and did that mostly in spending time and creating new memories with family and friends. I thought about skipping this recap for the year but decided he would want me to be able to look back on this in years to come and smile at the good times I experienced. So that being said, here are many of my favorite moments from 2019:

Ringing in the new year surrounded by friends

*Almost* completing my first puzzle of the year - it was missing one piece in the corner!

Checking out Bow Market for a date night with Jacob

The spot where we had our first kiss! :)

Annual work trip to DC

Celebrating my grandpa on his 90th birthday!

Cozy winter weekend in Bretton Woods, NH with friends

Hosted a work event in Cleveland including this fabulous cheese setup

Many amazing breakfasts at home with this cutie

Lost of beers! This was during a fun day visiting Jack's Abby and Exhibit A breweries.

I ate at so many great restaurants in 2019 (25 just in Boston!) and Sycamore was a highlight. This pasta was amaaaazing.

In the winter I became obsessed with this Monopoly game hosted by my grocery store...

Beer and cheese festival - so fun!

Learning to make empanadas with my little Cubano

Getting snuggles from many pups throughout the year

Celebrating Liz's birthday in New York

Fun night out at Trillium for the Ivan Ramen pop up

More quality time with my favorite munchkin

Bought a new couch and rug for our living room that I'm in love with!

Spending Easter with the family

German feast in CT - acquired the "friendship gauntlet"!

Savannah, GA for Steph and Brian's wedding!

Wonderful weekend with friends on the Cape at Kathleen and Craig's new house!

Family trip to Oneonta for Laura's Masters Graduation

It was mid-may and it snowed on the way home!!

Work event in CT at the Governor's mansion

Hosting a birthday party for this little one!

Annual Memorial Day weekend trip to Gloucester

Supporting my favorite volunteer program at the Match Gala

I didn't take many photos from my awesome birthday celebration which included bowling, a big dinner with friends, annual visit to Neptune Oyster for lobster rolls, and dinner at Season to Taste, but here's a few:

Jacob was the grill master this summer!

Celebrated Pride with the Hubspot crew!

Treated myself to a super relaxing solo weekend in Palm Beach, FL

Spent a fantastic weekend exploring Vermont with friends.

Spent the fourth of July camping in the Catskills - some of my favorite days of the year!

Watched many beautiful sunsets from a favorite spot near my apartment.

Got tonsilitis and was bed ridden for a while...poor Jacob had to sleep on the blow up mattress.

Another Saco River tubing trip in the books!

My family visited me in Boston over the summer for the first time in a long time. We had such a wonderful time!

And then my two best childhood friends came for a visit!

I took my mentee to Northeastern to check out the school of law - this girl is going to be a kick ass lawyer one day!

I had jury duty and was put on a trial for a week - it was a crazy and exhausting experience. When it was finally over I had this beer in the sun to commemorate the week.

Lots of birthday celebrations for Jacob! Cuban food, whale watching, a party at Dorchester Brewing, and fancy dinners galore!

Spent Labor Day weekend boating and beaching in Dartmouth

Then came back to Boston to check out the new casino, Encore.

Then it was concert week! First up was annual Billy Joel concert at Fenway Park (amazing as always)

Then Andy and I saw Lizzo who was absolutely a dream!

Finished up was Shakey Graves and Dr. Dog!

I finally hit up the Big E festival...it was so fun and filled with so much tasty food and cute baby animals!

Date night at Tiffany Faison's new resturant Orfano was one of the best

Annual apple picking at Cider House Farms.

Celebrated Laura's birthday in NY!

Then attended Carla and TJ's beautiful wedding

Annual trip to Wellfleet for the Oyster Festival - beautiful weather this time around!

Corn mazing with Jacob's family

Final concert of the year was Bon Iver and Feist - got free upgraded tickets!!

Attended the Cambridge Brewing Company pumpkin beer fest as Bob Ross and his happy tree!

Had a great time on a work trip to San Francisco. Spent time with the seals and finally hit up the famous Swan Oyster Depot.

We didn't do as many hikes as I would have liked to this year but here's proof of one :)

Jacob and I took a much needed getaway to VT for just the two of us. We stayed on a beautiful farm and had a fantastic time!

Made fire in the backyard

We attended baby showers in the fall for Dom and Lily...

And Maja and Tom!

And made it to NY for another Thanksgiving

Made the trip to New Bedford for Marissa's annual Christmas party

Bought our best tree yet for the apartment

Treated myself to a solo trip to the ICA to check out Yayoi Kusama's Love is Calling exhibit

Took a quick trip to NYC for work and soaked in the Christmas magic

Hosted Jacob's family for a holiday dinner

Then it was back to New York for Christmas with my family

Celebrated my mom's birthday before heading back to Boston

And finally, rang in the new year with our third annual NYE party!

Here's to another great year...hello 2020!