Cancellations due to Coronavirus, College, and Camping

Stream along Redbud Trail in the Cache Creek Wilderness.

The world has changed so much in such a short time. We have all adapted, but I don't think I know a single person who has not lost something due to this pandemic. Some people have lost their lives, others have lost their jobs. All in all, I am very lucky to be in the situation I am in. I have a home, am healthy, and neither of my parents have completely lost their jobs. However, I lost the opportunity to do an internship in Germany and see family and friends there. I was looking forward to visiting everyone and learning about conservation on the other side of the world, but it was not to be. I may have the opportunity to reapply for the internship at a later date, which I will do as soon as I have the chance to travel. For now, I am back at home.

Originally, I was going to leave home again on Friday, April 17th. I was prepared to not live at home again for an extended period of time until after college, possibly ever. Although I love my family dearly and we are very close, I am ready to live on my own. It has been weird being back and reintegrating back into this life after being gone for 5 months. Several times I have realized that certain items are missing from my room and rediscovered them in other places in the house. Also, all the chores that used to be "my chores" have been redistributed, and I have had to find new ways to be useful in family life.

As soon as I realized I would be here for a while, I decided I needed to get a job. I have applied to a variety of places, including several grocery stores and a retirement community, but I have yet to hear back from any of them. In this case, I guess I can blame the economy.

I am also ashamed to say I have not concretely decided on a college yet. I have, however, eliminated Indiana University from my choices, on account of the weather (cold and dark in the winter and humid in the summer), and because of the fact that 50% of people on campus are a part of Greek Life (sororities and fraternities). Additionally, 66% of people of the student body is white, and I would really prefer to live in a more diverse community. Also, why live in the middle of nowhere in the United States when I could live on the California coast???

That leaves UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara, which are both great schools. I have talked to people who have attended them, and have until May 1st to make my choice. I am currently leaning heavily towards Santa Barbara, but I will have to make that choice without ever having visited the campus.

One thing we are still allowed to do, thank goodness, is go walking, hiking, and camping. On Easter Weekend we decided to go camping in the Cache Creek Wilderness, which was absolutely wonderful. We saw 2 rattlesnakes, a bull snake, many acorn woodpeckers, and a bald eagle! Tovia is also raising a baby parakeet, and he came with us because he needs constant attention. Camping with a baby bird was an interesting experience, but doable!