Jenna Weatherbie: Thoughts from Home

Hello all and welcome to Jenna’s random thoughts and hobbies during this strange time of COVID-19, corona, rona... or whatever you call it. I am an incoming third year BFA Dance major pursuing a certificate in pre-health science. Never in my years have I predicted to consistently use these words and phrases in my vocabulary: quarantine, social distancing, pandemic, and six feet apart. Who knew masks were going to be the trending accessory of the new decade. Not me for sure. In the beginning of this mess, it was difficult to avoid corona in any conversation. The news BLEW UP. Corona was all over social media. The word was plastered across every newspaper article. You couldn’t get away. Within the walls of my home, I found some means of escape.

Before college, I loved to draw and paint. Given the abundance of free time, I made the bold, dauntless decision in taking on the huge project of.... a paint by number. You may think they are easy, but oh you are wrong my friend. This piece of work took me not 1, not 2, but 3 WEEKS. Why so long you may ask. Well this masterpiece was built of 2,373 meticulous pieces! And I finished it all. Any and all applause is appreciated.

 I also decided to pass the time with this streaming service (you might have not heard of it) called Netflix. If you need more shows/ movies to watch, these are some of Jenna’s pics.

-Elite (watch with English subtitles)

-Money Heist

-The Kings of Summer

-Call Me By Your Name

-Outer Banks

-Hollywood

I’ve been excited about reading again. Not textbooks but page-turning novels. Yesterday, I just finished Little Women, and today I began In A Dark, Dark Wood. Books deserve more hype... that’s all I have to say.

When I have any spare time, I bake. I literally bake constantly. I have the ingredients, I have the time, and food is delicious.... is this a good enough explanation for the dozens of cookies I make every week? Speaking of food, I’ve randomly found a love for oatmeal. It’s so bad that I actually get excited about making it in the morning. I get this same feeling about coffee too. Don’t ask me why. Quarantine is doing things to me.

To balance out all of the treats, I enjoy working out. I highly recommend Sydney Cummings (I’m not trying to promote her or anything I genuinely just really like her work outs). She kills me every time. I also recommend simply turning on some good tunes and jamming out. Dance = good for the heart and good for the mental health. Double whammy.

My sister has been keeping me company. We honesty get along really well... until she takes all of my clothes without asking, or takes my side of the couch, or drinks all of the oat milk so I can’t make my special morning coffee. Brooke if you’re reading this, I’m just going to throw out that I love you before you try and flame me. But in all seriousness, I couldn’t ask for a better person to be stuck in a house with.

I do spend much time thinking of past memories: communities that inspire, professors that encourage, friends that uplift. It’s easy to forget we are present in the here and now. Find the silver lining in the current state of the world. Appreciate what you had before and what you are given now so that in the future you are grateful for the many opportunities ahead.  You made it to the end. Thanks for attending my ted talk. Love y’all.