As 2020 comes to an end, the series will focus on how our faculty, staff, and students persevered through an unusual year and dealt with the struggles of living through a pandemic.
"I have to admit that there have been days when the anxiety, stress, sadness, and uncertainty have made it difficult to get going in the morning. My coping mechanism? Keep busy. I started working long hours, 7 days a week. Work was my way to escape reality. However, the passing of a childhood friend (due to the virus) brought reality so much closer to home. And I slowed down. And I grieved.
It’s OK to grieve, it’s been a tough year. Despite it all, I realize how incredibly lucky I am. My husband, our children and I are home safe, healthy, together. I try to savor every moment of this borrowed time we’ve been given, before my kids leave the nest. This year will pass, this pandemic will pass, we will grieve for the losses we’ve experienced, and I hope we’ll come on the other end stronger and kinder."
-Adelaida Medlock, Teaching Professor & Associate Department Head of Undergraduate Affairs, Computer Science
"I've been keeping healthy and happy by focusing not on what I can't do, but on what I can. I've found that sticking to a daily routine is calming—and not to mention keeps me productive. And engaging in creative pursuits (in my case mostly writing fiction) has helped me channel my anxieties into a different way of being. And lastly, keeping up my hobby of long-distance running has given me a physical outlet and an excuse to get outside—and not to mention helped me keep in shape even without the gym and my walking commute to campus."
-Tim Gorichanaz, Assistant Teaching Professor
"The pandemic has drastically changed the nature of events happening at CCI. Shifting to an online setting has been a bit challenging for me to get accustomed with at the beginning, but I eventually felt at ease working with students virtually very soon. Yet, the pandemic is not an excuse to lean back but rather an opportunity to work harder. My best friend started a company from scratch during a pandemic, I declared a second major, and created an organization while working a full-time job, during the pandemic. In short, you can make anything happen if you truly put in the effort, irrespective of circumstances. I truly hope that all students will take advantage of the opportunities at hand. I look forward to working with more students over the next remaining terms as a DA."
-Muneera Cadersa, Undergraduate Student
"Our kids love being at home and spending time with each other. In fact, our oldest wants to stay in virtual school and doesn’t want to go back to regular school after the pandemic is over! So, while it has been a struggle, I am thankful that we have each other and can endure together."
-Edward Kim, Associate Professor