School and COVID-19

(This was posted during the 2020 Summer on ‘The Pink Ravyn Writes’ Blog)

Hello Lovelies,

The last semester’s over, and school is rolling in. However, for many of us, school this year will be different. The word of the day: ‘remote’.

No more going to actual classes and sitting in a chair among fellow students. We all will be fully online, trying to adjust to the new world we live in. I promise, things always get better. But for now, we have to practically force ourselves to adapt to a situation that was suddenly sprung on us. With that being said, many people may want to know how things were for me during the lock-down.

To be honest, even before classes started, I had a sense that something was about to happen. The atmosphere was different. I’m very ’empathically’ understanding of a situation, sensitive to my surroundings. During the winter break, a lot of things happened.

I had several dreams and premonitions, one of which was blatantly about a virus outbreak that was worldwide; one that caused people to ‘barricade’ themselves in their homes. People dropped dead from the virus, the people were desperately afraid. In that dream, family was even afraid to let family in the house out of fear that they would contract the virus. Massive food shortages, crying, people turning against each other.

Then, the news broke: they found a vaccine, but during their research, they realized that this virus was harmless, so scientists were baffled as to why so many people were dying. And then my spirit told me: ‘the people were dying from fear’. This was a dream that I never thought would happen.

(Link here for more information on my dream.)

Fast forward three months later, March 2020. My school has now officially announced that they will be conducting no more in-person classes. I watched as my world fell apart. I was reminded of the dream I had.

The dream that told me to keep the faith, but I was still afraid. I was upset because I worked so hard on my fashion portfolio, but I was briefly reminded that this year didn’t even start well for me. I was depressed, lacked inclination to do anything, and really downhearted. Not because of the virus, this wasn’t an issue yet. But merely lack of motivation. I just needed a break.

Even though the lock-down was bad timing in terms of being in the middle of classes, it was perfect timing for me. I believed that if I’d continued on with in-person classes I wouldn’t have gotten the grades I knew I was capable of receiving. The lock-down was bad, but the workload was drastically lessened, and I was able to manage school well.

With classes being easier, I was able to focus on myself, my spirituality, and my writing. In doing so, I managed to self-publish my first novel, as well as start editing my other novels in the series.

I was able to cook some of my favorite dishes spend time with family, contact friends, and catch up on my favorite shows.

It wasn’t easy, trust me. But being in the presence of just myself was quite satisfying. Trust me, I do still prefer to learn in-person, but I’ve come to realize that the best way to learn sometimes, is to learn in the comfort of your own home, where you feel more confident, and less pressured.

And what is even better for me, this semester (I have to admit), is that I realized how much I hate draping in crowded areas. One of my biggest struggles in school was draping, and for a while I thought I hated it, but fifth semester taught me (shout out to Prof. Armillas) that I actually liked draping alone. I was able to spread out my things and focus, which was quite important for me.

With my school offering remote learning, and studio classes being practically empty due to social distancing methods, I hope to be able to find some more comfort draping my garments away from everyone else. Besides, I only have one sewing/draping class to worry about, unlike other semesters.

Most of my other classes are art/lecture classes where I can sit and learn new things without the hassle of rushing to class. This is a blessing for me.

(You wouldn’t believe the amount of times I’ve showed up for class during this last semester late due to lack of motivation. At one point, I even skipped some classes. That was when I knew something was off about the semester that just went by.)

Trust me, I’m going to miss sitting in a classroom, and I would want nothing more than to be able to sit in a classroom for my last semester (graduating in Spring 2021). But for now, I’m just going to allow the personal blessings that COVID-19 has allowed me to keep propelling me forward.

I want to take the time out to extend my condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this pandemic. It’s very hard during this time to go through a journey without the person you love by your side.

I want to sympathize and empathize with those who’ve lost their jobs, those who have been displaced and can’t get back home, and those who have been affected by this pandemic psychologically and mentally.

I want to stand in solitude with those who are protesting for a better world, those who are working on the front-lines, and those who are doing all that they can to find a cure or vaccine for the virus.

I want to thank those who are praying for their prayers. I want to thank those who are still putting their businesses out there to make it easier on others, and those who are still fighting. And congratulations to all those who were able to graduate amid this global crisis. You are all strong.

You are all loved.

The coastlands saw it and feared, the ends of the earth were afraid; they drew near and came.

Everyone helped his neighbor, and said to his brother, “Be of good courage!”

So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; he who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, saying, “It is ready for the soldering”; then he fastened it with pegs, that it might not totter.

“But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:5-10 NKJV