Camille’s Crazy COVID-19 Chronicle

Hey y’all! I’m Cami, and I’m a first-year BFA Dance major at UT (second-year after May 13!!!!!). I don’t know about you, but I have been quarantined for 47 days. Thankfully, this time seems to be an answered prayer to a prayer I didn’t even realize I was praying. For real though… all I could ever want at the height of the semester is some peace and quiet, and that is exactly what was handed to me on a silver platter. But SIKE, I don’t want it. I want nothing more than to walk down speedway listening to my favorite playlist on max volume, sit at Zilker Park and draw with my friends, or even people-watch through the windows at Winship again. Man, I miss it.

However, I have been learning a lot about what is important to me when I have no obligations or structure to follow. Being home has given me time to bond deeply with my family, read, run, paint, draw, and dance a lot. iMovie and I have really become good friends as I have explored dance on film. I feel like I make a new Spotify playlist every day. I’ve also watched a lot of TV and movies during this time, so please understand that these come with my highest recommendation: Frances Ha, Momento, Parasite, Unorthodox, The Perks Of Being a Wallflower, Short Term 12, and (500) Days of Summer. I also taught myself how to type properly. Yes… middle school failed me. I could only type with my pointer fingers 47 days ago, but today, my words per minute and muscle memory are growing fast. Lastly, I started a little garden in my room, and there is something so special about caring for plants and watching them grow. They are like my kiddos. It is these small victories that keep me sane during quarantine. 

All to say, I’ve really enjoyed quarantine. Even the bad days. The bad days are just as important as the good ones. I’ve been given this time to really process my life and stretch my emotional spectrum. Do what is important to you today, even if that means eating a pint of Cookie Two Step ice cream while you make a Pinterest board listening to Sufjan Stevens… or watch that video of Timothée Chalamet saying “good girl” for an hour straight. My best medicine has been personal dance parties in my room. I highly suggest it. Think…  iCarly random dancing vibes. Be kind to yourself. You are doing your best.