As a performer my main source of exercise tends to be for my craft, either movement classes or dance classes. When lockdown began I had to find a different way to stay active in the confines of my own home. Staying active in a time of high stress is extremely important for both my mental and my physical health. The first couple of weeks were a struggle as I have always found it hard to get motivated to workout by myself. I tried a few different workout Youtubers and workout apps but I always found myself lying on the ground watching the instructors do the difficult workout that I was supposed be doing. Eventually I found that doing exercises in the same vein of my usual dance classes have been the most productive for me. Principal Dancer for the New York City Ballet Tiler Peck began to stream a daily basic ballet class on Instagram free for everyone to take. I began to take this almost everyday to keep up my dance skills and keep my body moving. This actually led to a fun quarantine craft project. My dad and I went on a field trip to home depot and got the materials to build a PVC pipe ballet barre. I’ve been using it most day to take class and bring myself a little bit of joy. Another way I’ve been getting exercise is is by riding my bike around the park by my house. This gets my heart racing and gives me a breath of fresh air. I haven’t ridden my bike in years but right now it’s become my only way to get out of the house. Although these two ways to exercise were not what I was expecting to do daily in quarantine, these are the things I have found most joy in.
Gaming Group
At the beginning of quarantine not a single one of my friends considered themselves gamers. None of us owned any current consoles but had a large nostalgia for the games we played as children. I was one of the first get my new Nintendo Switch console. I foresaw a large increase in free time and kept seeing the advertising for the newest installment to the Animal Crossing franchise, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Slowly more and more of my friends started to get Switches and all began downloading the same games. A good number of these games have opportunities to play online with other players. It became a daily occurrence that my friends and I would get together via Skype or Zoom calls and to play online with each other. Now it has become a nightly ritual for us to spend some time together and escape via the world of gaming. Being forced to stay apart has led us to find new and innovative way to connect and spend time with one another. Never would I thought that meant I would be spending over 285 hours playing Animal Crossing but here I am. I am so grateful to have this alternative route to spend time with my friends even if it is through a screen.
Food Glorious Food
Throughout quarantine my relationship with food has been ever changing and can only be described as rocky. Some days the only thing I can seem to muster the energy make are the pre-made pizzas that have been sitting in my freezer for a few weeks. Other days I feel inspired and motivated to make a full meal from scratch and really invest my time into nourishing my body. I have always had a special place in my heart for making sweets and desserts and having some extra time has really reignited that love. Recently my family has been making ice cream from scratch and has been experimenting with new flavor combos with the ingredients that we have in our house. Some have turned out terrible, like an accidental mixture and of mint, banana and peanut butter. Others have exceeded expectations, like peanut butter ice cream with cookie dough. My personal favorite flavor was a recreations of Salt and Straw’s honey and lavender ice cream. Along with making ice cream, I have also been trying out new recipes for baked goods to try to expand my horizons in the world of sweets. I made madeleine cookies for the first time and was successful in creating the right texture and shape. The cookbook filled with recipes from The Great British Baking Show has been getting good use during the quarantine. So although all my meals may not be five stars at least my house has been filled with sweet treats to keep our spirits up.
Staging The Sound (and Virtual Reality) of Music during a Pandemic
I am a strong advocate of how Art heals. Personally, I grew up in the world of musical theatre and it was a cathartic atmosphere. It was a safe place where I could release my emotions in the form of a monologue, song, or dance. One of my favorite musicals I’ve been a part of was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. The musical has a magnetic power that has affected thousands since its inception in 1965. It won several Academy Awards including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Music. This iconic musical, especially the score, is very close to my heart. The Coronavirus outbreak has devastated billions globally and I wish that joy could be spread as fast! Although, I pray an epidemic won’t happen again anytime soon, I have created a pitch of what I would love to showcase in the time of another widespread disease. Hence, The Sound of Music took place during a global disaster, yet brought inspiration to the onlookers, I wish to depict a similar outcome from the contemporary audience of my production. I conceptualized a holistic virtual reality (VR) 4D performance amalgamated from the soundtrack of The Sound of Music.
When fabricating my performance, I received motivation from several vital sources. Firstly, Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Circuit Experimental Film, “Cycles” encompassed a part of my vision. The storyline followed a couple who created a home for themselves and it exemplified how their lives evolved. It was very touching and took snapshots of their lives all placed in one room. Although it was a cartoon, it was so beautiful. I wanted to experience the love that permeated through the house. This brought me to the idea of a VR immersive performance. VR unveils limitless possibilities. I have heard many accolades where individuals are placed in VR games such as the Star Wars and Jumanji interactive experiences. Another performance that sparked my attention was the set of Dear Evan Hansen. It compiled a series of panels that projected videos. In addition, these panels moved around the stage to signify houses, apple orchards, and schools. The set allowed for a degree of interpretation, which was refreshing. I love the idea that a set doesn’t have to be definitive, it can also be symbolic and expressive. These foundations motivated me to think of an ambiguous set in my innovative VR experience of the renowned musical, The Sound of Music.
When culminating this pitch, I allowed myself to think on a grand scale. My ideal vision would be a VR experience that encompasses six memorable songs from The Sound of Music (“The Sound of Music”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, “My Favorite Things”, “Do-Re-Mi”, “Edelweiss”, and “Climb Ev′ry Mountain”). The performance would take place in a large spherical room, around 50 ft in diameter. A VR headset would be administered to the audience members which would exemplify the animations. In this immersive theatrical performance, I want the audience to feel a part of the show. I imagined that the characters would be holograms of the original cast, including Julie Andrews (Maria), Christoper Plummer (Baron Von Trapp), and Charmian Carr (Liesl). Rather than recasting the production, I would want to exhibit the original because I believe they affect the audience in a different way and provide a sense of warmth, normalcy, and inspiration. I would want 3D depictions of the original choreography and movements depicted in the film. Furthermore, the original soundtrack to play. However, the main twist lies in the background visuals and 4D elements.
The audience (which would include around 3-5 people, per showing) would enter the space wearing VR headsets and have mobility to walk around the room. The space would go dark and then broadcast the Alps in the spherical room. Then the image of Julie Andrews (Maria) would appear on screen and would perform the opening song. Throughout the number, 4D elements would be introduced, such as wind and the smell of grass. In addition, I pictured that when Maria went by the river, the audience would feel a light mist. This mist is vital because it provides a sense of rejuvenation and clarity. I want the audience to experience the show in a real way when opposed to a traditional performance. When the song ends, Maria would disappear and the background would transition from the mountains to a psychedelic print.
The next song would be “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”. Charmian Carr (Liesl) and her counterpart Daniel Truhitte (Rolfe) would appear as the projections in the background transformed to the psychedelic print. The purpose of the background would be to evoke childlike emotions and symbolize how young love is mysterious! The background would consist of bright pinks, blues, and yellows which would lift the spirits of the audience. The holograms of Liesl and Rolf would be in full color, until halfway through the song during the dance break. At this point, they would turn black and resemble silhouettes dancing. The scene would end with their kiss and then a light mist, as a rainstorm happens at this part in the story.
The next song, “My Favorite Things” includes Maria and all of the Von Trapp children. As this song is very descriptive and contains lists of items such as snowflakes, kittens, and roses, these things would be depicted on the spherical background. This song is vital because it explicitly references the pandemic and modern era. In addition to the items sung about, I wanted it to visually parallel things that the current society loves. I allude social media, technology, and politics. I envision a narrative to take place in the background where characters’ favorite things overpower the wrongdoings and hardships of society.
Following the last number would be “Do-Re-Mi”. I picture the background to be rather simple to this song and the main focus to be on the characters. I imagine that the projections would be blown up versions of the sheet music. However, rather than having the score in black and white, the music would be colorful! In addition, since this scene takes place on the hills, I would want there to be an overwhelming scent of trees! Afterwards, “Edelweiss” would be up next and also have a relatively simple background and dive into the 4D theatrics. The VR headset would project edelweiss flowers and the room would smell of this.
The Finale would be “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and this is the most instrumental scene because it makes the peformance circular as it ties back around to the pandemic.This song is heart wrenching and takes place when the Von Trapp family leaves their home due to the Nazi invasion. In the background, images of those suffering in the pandemic would be portrayed. In addition, I imagine inspirational quotes and statistics of the pandemic being projected. Furthermore, I picture oral histories from those affected by the pandemic to be spoken as background noises. The song is a motivational piece and states how people should defeat every hardship as it comes. This represents that the pandemic is just another mountain for humankind to climb together, similar to how the world overcame World War II.
As for my vision, I wanted to produce an experience and escape for those affected from a pandemic. Albeit, situationally speaking World War II is different from an epidemic, I believe it evokes a significant underlying message. Alongside themes of love and redemption (which are necessary virtues in the time of chaos), I want humankind to feel safe. I yearn for the residents of the World to realize that they can live another day and Climb the Mountain, together.
Painting Through Quarantine
As someone who tends to be anxious I often try to have activities around me to keep my hands busy to around my house. So, as you can guess my house is filled with copious amount of craft supplies. Growing up as a teacher’s daughter I have always been a crafty person but being trapped in my house for weeks on end has really bought out my creative side. My crafty down spiral started when I had the unquenchable need to paint Baby Yoda on my metal water bottle one night. I have no idea why this gut feeling came about but I knew it wouldn’t go away until I painted it. That night I found that sitting down and focusing all my energy into painting was a great way to clear my mind and calm my body. Since then I have continued to find new and fun projects to work on to distract me from the stress of the Pandemic. I have also found that painting projects for my friends and loved ones and sending them off through snail mail has been a wonderful way to connect with the people in my life without seeing them in person. This new hobby is one that I hope to continue even when things start to open up and life gets more busy.
Having a dilettante life during the pandemic
Since this pandemic period has started, I gained bags of time to spend on my interests that I couldn’t do while in the school year. First of all, I restarted to playing musical instruments that I learned for a while. For the piano, I had learned it for seven years when I was young, and I taught myself to play the guitar a few years ago. If it hasn’t been played for a few years, my hands got stiff. And as I expected, it was a little hard when I play them. But one interesting thing I caught was I could completely perform one song that I practiced and played the most. Anyway, I am having a fun time playing piano and guitar recently.
Also, I love and enjoy making some DIY things like nano blocks, painting by numbers, and jigsaw puzzle. Well, maybe all kinds of hobbies are so, but mainly these hobbies eliminate any trivial thoughts in my mind. When I read a book or listen to music, I sometimes come up with different ideas. However, when I do these DIY pastimes, I only concentrate and focus on them. Sometimes my brain also needs some break, and I feel my brain is not working during these hobby times.
For the last, I am really really enjoying playing Animal Crossing New Horizon edition. From March, I was craving to buy the Nintendo Switch animal crossing edition. So when I wake up in the morning, my morning routine was searching for the stocks online. And one day, I saw there are few stocks in Walmart in Santa Ana. I instantly rushed to the store, but the staff said the last one has just gone. On my way home, I was so grieved and angry that I couldn’t get it. So I thought I had to stop by all the stores even if the online said there is no stock. Luckily, I bought the last share of it in Target, and I could come back home happily. And right after this week that I bought it, everything has shut down, and we stuck at home. Since then, many people tried to buy the Nintendo Switch to play Animal Crossing, which has released at the pandemic period. Yes, I was lucky that I could get it before it runs out of stock. Anyway, I attach some photos of my lovely village and lovely villagers 🙂
Being quarantine is tragic, but it is an opportunity to enjoy the pastime at the same time. And for that, I am thankful for nowadays even there is a loss, too. Our spring quarter is running to the end! I hope everyone finishes school works well, stay healthy, and enjoy your heaps of time that will come after this!
Zoomiversity
As we are in week 9 of our quarter everything, I mean literally everything, has been on zoom. All classes, webinars, meetings, you name it. When I first started the quarter I thought to myself “this isn’t going to be hard at all!” Boy was I wrong. For some reason I actually feel more tired than when I was having to go to class in person. I can wake up a little later for my classes because I’m not running out the door to catch the bus. And I never thought I would say this but I miss taking the bus every morning. There were times the bus would be running very early and I was literally sprinting to not miss it. Now, I can sleep in till ten minutes before my class starts, but yet I’m still exhausted. Having to stare at a computer screen from 8am to 4pm is not the best for my eyesight. I’ve even thought about buying those glasses that block out the blue light from computer screens just so I don’t damage my eye sight. With everything being online as well, there have been many new opportunities for people to take free dance classes, master classes, and even watch free musicals that have been recorded in the past.
When week five came around, I was starting to get the hang of things. I was more familiar with zoom and I knew how to navigate canvas pretty well. I have also learned so many other things on the computer that I didn’t know before. I not a tech wizard like some people so discovering how to turn a word document into a PDF was a big accomplishment for me! I also have a lot of friends who have graduated this year as well and I know it has made them quite sad that they didn’t get the chance to walk at graduation, or go to prom/grad night. But many of them have looked on the bright side of things and had their own graduation at home and made it even more memorable. I do have many friends or siblings of friends who are graduating this year. Just to name a few, my best friend is graduating college with a Music degree and her sister is graduating from high school. My best friend since childhood, his sister is also graduating from high school. My boyfriend also graduated from college with a degree in music and worship. I am so proud of them and everything they have accomplished in the past years and I’m so excited to see what they are going to do in the future. Class of 2020 will be one that no one will ever forget.
Sleep & (zzz)oom
For the first time in my life, I have finally had enough sleep (on the borderline of too much). Honestly, I do not remember the first week of quarantine. I think I was only awake for a total of 10 hours, I was so sleepy and sad! It took me a while to acclimate to this new encapsulated life. I did not find a schedule that suited me until remote learning started. I usually get up at 7:00am and go to my zoom classes, do homework, or go to work. Also, I have been having the craziest dreams lately! It has become routine to Facetime my boyfriend in the mornings and share our funky dreams. My mind is craving social interaction, so I have had a lot of dreams about going on adventures with my friends. The increase of sleep has rejuvenated me because I had run very low beforehand. Thus being said, I am excited to launch back into the normalcy of society and pull all-nighters once again. This too shall pass and I want to pursue my dreams I have for the real world.
It’s a Squid… With a Fork
This started as a commentary on contradictions. It is no longer that. I don’t know what it is now. Enjoy.
Thinking in the Time of a Pandemic
I believe that things happen for a reason.
Now I know that it might seem far-fetched, or even horrifying to admit during this pandemic, but surely there has to be some reason for why it happened.
Maybe this pandemic happened so we can be appreciative of everything, like nature, being on campus – the first and only time that I will ever say that even though getting out of my bed is so hard – and being able to be present in classes, and being surrounded by loved ones. Maybe the world purposely needed this so we can take time for ourselves; to understand what does not work for our mental health and learn new tricks so we can keep those ugly voices at bay, keep our stress levels down, etc. Maybe this pandemic occurred so the birds, insects, and other animals could take a breath without having a fear of being killed and being overwhelmed by humans. Or maybe this all occurred so we could have a better understanding of each other instead of quickly judging.
There could be a million reasons why this pandemic happened; we will never know.
I’m just trying to focus on the positives out of this quarantine as so much sadness seems to be occurring all around. Additionally, stress seems to be raging quite high since we are in Week 9 – or 8? I’m not sure anymore – and are about to close the quarter off. I know that this is the case for me and I can imagine this might be the same for others as well. I figured that with all this stress added on with the pandemic occurring, it’s very easy to go into a negative mindspace.
So even though I don’t know you or any of the struggles you are going through, I will say this:
It’s okay for things to not be okay; cry or scream if you have to.
You are loved and you are not alone.
You are enough. What you’re doing is enough.
We will all get out of this pandemic and you know what, I’m so excited to see you on the other side of it.