Freshly Brewed Babble: Making Use of A Mundane Quarantine

Something I’ve gathered from my numerous quarantine coffee talks with my mom, walk-and-talks with my sister and Zoom calls with my friends: we are so future-focused right now. We’re planning for our post-quarantine endeavors. Believe me, I’m guilty of compiling lists of the restaurant favorites I miss most. We daydream about going back to “normal,” but even post-quarantine lifestyles will have to adapt to the “new normal.” So, rather than dwelling on what’s to come after lockdown, in the meantime, I’ve decided to prepare for the uncertain future by getting ready to answer the inevitable question of “what did you do during quarantine?”

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Makin’ Banana Pancakes

Jack Johnson said it best. I find that I go to bed each night excited about what I’ll make for breakfast the following morning. To no one’s surprise—especially my mother’s after nearly two months of this—my usual choice is pancakes. Yes, I’m here to tell you that my quarantine has been well spent because I’ve been eating a lot of pancakes these days. Sometimes, I’ll switch it up from a banana mix-in to blueberry, a drizzle of maple syrup or good ol’ Aunt Jemima. I’ve taken pride in perfecting my pancake stacks that vary in sizes, monstrous plate-sized cakes to itty bitty silver dollars. Despite my avid TikTok use (and I’m proud to announce that I’m dialing down the hours I spend with eyes glued to that app), I have yet to try the viral pancake cereal. I choose to give my breakfast choice the unique respect it deserves. Perhaps it’s my daily mission of getting the perfectly timed flip for a golden flapjack that makes me feel like I have some control over my life as it stands. Take it from me, the sizzle of the skillet is a nice change of background noise from the voice of a Cuomo brother.

Netflix (or Hulu) and Chillin’

Chillin’ refers to my nightly bowl of ice cream for dessert, of course. Like many others, I’ve fallen into the trap of some quarantine-prompted Netflix binging tendencies ever since the “stay at home” order commenced. Between 2011 rom coms and episodes of “New Girl,” I’ve made an effort to watch something with a bit more educational value. Michelle Obama’s new documentary “Becoming” was full of girl power pride and family-oriented sentiment. There are some extremely quotable moments and words of wisdom I plan to put toward saving my slowly slipping sanity. “It’s a whole new track. It’s not going back, it’s just all different, and it’s different forever,” said Obama. “So it’s not getting back on track, but it’s creating my next track.” Of course, the former First Lady was discussing moving out of the White House and not escaping the confinement of a South Jersey suburban home, but it’s all relative, right? Anyway, great film, 10/10, would recommend; I should probably read the book at some point.

Becoming an A-List Lister

I think I’ve come up with a major life hack for those of you whose fifth circle of hell is the first day icebreaker with the classic fun fact, which contrary to its name, is hardly ever that fun. If you’re a twin or have been skydiving, feel free to click off now. Now, I’m a firm believer that every person has some wow factor to them, but it seems that whenever you’re asked about yourself, you suddenly become the world’s most average person. So, how can one prepare to deliver a fun fact on the spot? Create lists. Whenever you do something unconventional, meet someone noteworthy, taste an exotic food (or non-food; I’m not here to judge), reach a new personal record, remember a weird habit you had as a child or realize your very unpopular opinion, for Pete’s sake, just write it down. I’ve had my list running for years now, and it comes in handy more than you might think. Whether it’s to make a great first impression at the interview, convince your peers that you’re both cool and humble on the first day of a class, or just to strike up an interesting conversation at the dinner table, your list will not fail you. So, I urge you to take out your phone, open the Notes app and list away!

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To all of the people who pass me on the street and ask me how I am, I’m not just “doing alright.” I’ve really been spending my time productively in the kitchen, on my laptop and in my Notes app. By the end of quarantine, I will not be able to impress you with a fluency in a new language or mastery of an instrument. However, I will be able to cook some 5-star pancakes, discuss the wonder that is Michelle Obama and tell you promptly and confidently that Seth Rogen liked my tweet once.

#quarantine #stayhome #breakfast #netflix #lists