So much has been happening and continue to happen in the world right now. It is with a deep sadness that I watch the horror going on worldwide and I wonder what will become of us. I pray everyday for the safety and health of us all.

These are just some ideas to help occupy your time. Do not take your health or that of your loved ones for granted. Can we change our ways to help keep out any future pandemics? If history is any kind of indicator, then the answer is no. We are asking for people to take some simple precautions as hard as it may seem it’s easier than losing someone you care about. Please consider all the essential workers who still have families at home but are willing not only to risk their health but the health of their families so you can make it back home to yours. The ones that are not as healthy are getting hit the hardest, but even the ones that are healthy are suffering when they catch it. Please don’t be selfish by disregarding the simple request to wash your hands, social distance, stay at home unless it is a need and to fully isolate if needed.

During this time most of us are quarantined and I do hope you guys take this seriously. I for one know how hard it can be to stay inside for extended amounts of time. Especially when there is no real answer as to when this stay in quarantine will end.

However, there is so much that can be done during this time. As an international student or a student on a whole things right now are uncertain. Classes may be online and some may not be in session at all but this is a great time to maybe put some extra time into that subject that isn’t going as well as the others. When I was in school I didn’t think to use all of the online resources that are at our fingertips. Do not do what I did. Use YouTube or google your topic at hand, I’m sure that you will find a bunch of ready use information that will help you understand whatever you don’t.

For those that school work is not a factor then I would suggest maybe finding a hobby. One can only watch so much Netflix. Why not watch while doing a hobby that you’ve not had the time to do or one that sparked your interest. Some hobbies can be expensive to keep up with but there is so much you can do without breaking the bank. Cooking is a great way to occupy your time, though you have to buy the ingredients you also need to eat so it’ll be a win win. I personally craft and though this is an expensive start up and upkeep I usually have some if my items for sale to recoup some of the expense. Puzzles, reading, photography, writing, learning a language and drawing are all cheap hobbies to keep up and there are so much more. There are a lot of free or cheap online classes you can find on the internet. Or give yourself a home project, something you wanted to do but kept putting off because of time constraints.

Dating in this time can also be tricky but I urge you all not to go meet up with anyone during this time. This is where creativity can come into play. Video call dates can be a good way to get to know someone. Or the good old fashion phone calls that lasted forever just talking and getting to know someone. The positive thing about this is its easier to end a bad phone date than a bad in-person date.

 As a nurse I want to say thank you all of you that take this risk every day, but more so you are taking it now in a pandemic. I hope and pray that this is the last one we will ever experience. 

Be safe, follow directions and be kind to each other.

May God bless and keep us in this time.

Love Natarie