Have you found the Good? Paige Hilton

5/11/2020

Mother’s Day yesterday had me thinking a lot about mothers and families. I’m glad we have a day dedicated to our mothers and all their hard work. With the chaos and uncertainty we are all experiencing, I have found a lot of gratitude in having a family to be with during these trying times. Yesterday my mom commented on how close our family has gotten over the past couple of months. As I thought about this I realized how much truth was in her statement; we have gotten a lot closer. Even though we are all struggling through this and frustrated with sports cancellations, online school, and much more, it is easy to see that everything happens for a reason. So my questions for you are, how are you? How’s your family? Have you seen benefits from being in quarantine and dealing with the pains of COVID-19? Do you feel more prepared to be off on your own now that you have gone/going through this difficult experience that will better prepare you for harder times to come? Are you ready for college? It is easy to get caught up in the negative during hard times, I’m glad we have amazing teachers, friends, and family to help us at this time.

35 Comments

Kately

5/12/2020 04:36:53 pm

I've used this time as a period of reflection and an opportunity to get closer to my brothers, as they are ten years older than me. I'll admit that I am not a fan of how this has affected me academically, but I do believe that its given me time to appreciate being in public and going outside more. I've learned how to cook more dishes, how to sew (even if I'm somewhat terrible at it), and how to change a tire. In a way, its nice to just stop and reflect for a bit, and I think this has been a good opportunity.

Aiden

5/16/2020 09:25:54 am

It has certainly been a unique opportunity to learn new things without added stress of outside life.

Tori Weir

5/17/2020 04:30:40 pm

That's amazing that you learned how to cook more meals, sew, and change a tire. Spending more time at home gives all of us a chance to gain new sets of skills.

Paige

5/17/2020 05:38:51 pm

I have also learned new things through quarantine. As I look back on these past few months I feel there are a lot of opportunities I would have missed out on if it weren't for COVID-19, do you see this in your life?

Alyssa Farnworth

5/17/2020 07:10:51 pm

I think it’s great that you have taken some time for self reflection as many people have been trying to push themselves to be constantly busy. Self reflection is such a great learning opportunity.

Erykah Foss

5/15/2020 01:32:02 pm

My family and I doing well. We have been getting along Recently, we have found time for creative cooking. My sister and I love looking up recipes, and so far we have made cookies, brownies, cake, churros, Mexican hot chocolate, and crunch wraps. My favorite recipe was homemade ravioli. We found a pasta machine that has not been used for many years, and we rolled out some dough we made. The long process was definitely worth the time and effort. We also have had more time to spend with our dog, Darwin. We take him on walks and to the park so he can swim in the river. I have focused some of my time on practicing piano. I want to build my sight-reading and music theory skills, and I feel like practicing piano will help.

I don’t think quarantine has prepared me for living on my own, but I feel mostly prepared for college classes. Since I plan on taking online classes my first year of college, our online learning has helped me keep myself organized. Although I have somewhat benefited from COVID-19, I’m ready to get back to normal and see my friends regularly again.

Aiden

5/16/2020 09:28:59 am

I’ve noticed that with the stay at home push that there has been time for families to cook and bake at home.

Sabrina

5/16/2020 08:30:50 pm

It's not far fetched to assume that a lot of us will be doing online college because of the pandemic so I am also grateful for the practice.

Kately

5/17/2020 12:37:44 pm

I’ve been trying out new recipes myself, they’ll definitely be useful later on. I’m completely ready to go back to normal again though...

Madicyn

5/17/2020 06:39:24 pm

I’m ready to go back to normal too! Being able to contact the people I need to face to face is so much easier than trying to reach people through all forms of social media.

Alyssa Farnworth

5/17/2020 07:09:17 pm

I’m glad this has given you the opportunity to do more online schooling before college. There is a great possibility that all of us may be doing online school this next year. Personally it’s just made me realize how much I dislike it.

Aiden

5/16/2020 09:24:48 am

Quarantine hasn’t really allowed me to do much more it has been more of an early summer. With homework. I’ve been working and playing basketball. I have had more time to fill out my mission papers and spend time with family as well. I’d been able to do what I want and need to do. I’ve been thankful for quarantine overall and just hope those affected from the virus can receive relief.

Sabrina

5/16/2020 08:29:31 pm

It's hard to distinguish vacation from school and that has become a problem for me. I'm glad you've been able to work and stay busy.

Faith

5/17/2020 10:33:11 am

It really does feel like an early summer, but it’s also a great opportunity for everyone to do what they’ve been needing to do.

Erykah

5/17/2020 03:09:00 pm

I’m glad we’re getting closer to summer break. It’s been nice having some extra time to do some fun things with our families. Have you picked up any new hobbies since quarantine started?

Ezra

5/17/2020 06:20:18 pm

I agree it has been a good time to work because it is not blazing hot outside.

Sabrina

5/16/2020 08:22:44 pm

Quarantine has definitely been an opportunity nobody expected. My family sat down at the beginning and discussed the changes that would accompany being together 24/7. Luckily we haven't had any problems. We have definitely gotten closer although we were pretty close before. It's harder to appreciate time with them now that we are together so often and I miss socializing. I wouldn't say I feel more prepared for the future now that I've been through this. I feel more excited for it because now the freedom of leaving the house involves the freedom of actually leaving the house. I can't say I'm thankful for the quarantine but I can appreciate what I have been able to do in spite of it.

Faith

5/17/2020 10:31:47 am

I agree that just having the freedom of leaving the house will be such a good feeling.

Erykah

5/17/2020 02:23:43 pm

Quarantine has definitely been an experience that we won’t forget. It’s been nice spending time with our families, but I also miss hanging out with my friends.

Ezra

5/17/2020 06:19:16 pm

I don't think I would make it through quarantine without leaving the house.

Faith

5/17/2020 10:48:57 am

If I’m being honest, quarantine has not really done me or my family any good. Days before the quarantine started, my dad was rushed to the hospital and they found he had a rare virus that causes inflammation around his heart, making him immune compromised. He has been improving, but very slowly. Knowing my dad is only 42 and has been healthy all his life, it was hard to process the fact that this would happen to him. This also means that my dad and I are not allowed to go to work until his health improves, which has been hard to deal with. Although this has been hard to cope with, I have been trying to do things that I didn’t normally get the chance to do like deep cleaning my house, rearranging my room, getting rid of things I don’t need, etc. I also have practiced my Photoshop skills for my photography, which is something I have really been wanting to do.
I think I have been ready for awhile to go out into the world on my own. I know it will be a very hard to do, but living in Salmon my entire life has made me want to explore the world and find what makes me the happiest. There will be so many more options, new people to meet, and new lifelong experiences.

Kately

5/17/2020 12:47:03 pm

I’m very sorry to hear about that. I hope your dad continues improving and that your family will stay safe. After everything, I know exactly what you mean by wanting to get out of Salmon to explore different places, there’s a lot I hope to see as well. Kudos on furthering yourself in photography, I really enjoyed seeing your photos for Senior Project.

Tori Weir

5/17/2020 04:38:00 pm

I like that you are trying things that you normally don't get the chance to do. I hope doing those things helped you feel better and be able to cope with this whole quarantine situation.

Madicyn

5/17/2020 06:37:33 pm

You and your dad are both amazing humans. It’s been impressive to me how positive you guys have kept the situation!

Tori Weir

5/17/2020 04:25:22 pm

Being quarantine has been an odd time, but my family and I are okay. Since my whole family and I work it makes us all busy throughout the day, and because of that, I don’t really see any noticeable benefits. My family and I have been close before this so there are not any problems besides my sister and I missing our friends. As for preparing for the future, I believe it has prepared me in little ways. For example, I now have the freedom to decide what to do each day and try and find a balance between all of this. It has not completely prepared me for college or life but it did give me a learning experience.

Paige

5/17/2020 05:37:02 pm

Are you busier now than when we were in school? Would you rather be at home spending time with your family or are you glad you have the opportunity to work and stay busy?

Andy Gebhardt

5/17/2020 05:53:44 pm

My family has always been very close. We have had to rely on each other through the years because of moving around to many places. Along with that we just spend a lot of time camping, hunting, hiking, and other activities that we like to do. These experiences have made us closer. Also, we sit together and eat as a family ever night. It is not a big deal but it is something I have grown up with and it is expected that we sit down, leave our phones, and talk about the day at dinner. So in a lot of ways, quarantine has not changed a lot for my family. There are some small changes like not going into town and interacting with other people that had been different but otherwise it has not been very different.

Ezra

5/17/2020 06:17:59 pm

Over quarantine things have been going normal out where I live. We've been working around the house more making improvements on our home, and working in the garden. I've also been working for different people doing yard work and things so I have been making money. It's been pretty normal where we live, so I don't really think that we are effected. It's isn't preparing us for harder times because it is not effecting us at all.

Madicyn

5/17/2020 06:34:34 pm

My family and I have always been close when we needed to, or when we’re together. But we all usually have fairly busy lives, so when the quarantine began... it was difficult to say the least. My sister and I did well the first few days, but after a little while we didn’t want to even see eachother in the house. It has gotten better though, and her and I have fixed simple problems, like asking before taking each others things. My mom and I have been pretty good with it, we’ve definitely had much more time together before college than I had expected, but perhaps I should be grateful for this time.
I don’t think this has taught me a lot about living on my own, or preparing me... but it has given me more time with my family.

Brax Kauffman

5/17/2020 07:49:08 pm

I think the more time with family had been an amazing benefit that had come from all of this.

Alyssa Farnworth

5/17/2020 07:04:35 pm

My family has been through a lot together and due to that we have always been close. The quarantine hasn’t changed much for us in regards to family. There were changes happening in my life before the coronavirus that affected my way of life but for the most part I just spend time with my siblings. Together we have been starting new shows, doing homework, etc. Both of my parents never stopped working so nothing has changed for them.
I don’t think the quarantine has done anything that is helping me prepare for my future in college or living in my own. I’m just grateful for the time I’m getting to spend with Hope and Easton before me and Kiana leave for college.

Brax Kauffman

5/17/2020 07:47:58 pm

That’s great you guys are able to keep doing more thing with each other. It has been a good time to get closer to family.

Andy Gebhardt

5/17/2020 09:42:27 pm

My family is the same way. That is a good perspective to have that it is extra time to have with your family before you leave. Is there anything about quarantine you wish would stay the same after it is over?

Brax Kauffman

5/17/2020 07:43:07 pm

While the quarantine has been hard to go through since we have been limited in what we can do, there have been plenty of upsides to it as well. The biggest is the time we get to spend with our families and everything we can still learn about the people we have lived with our whole lives. I have been able to have more quality time with my family over the last few months than I have had in a long time and I have loved every moment of it. Just being able to have that extra time even if we are sitting around watching a movie and then getting to talk about it had made a huge difference. It is nice having this time before going off to college where a new chapter of our lives will begin.

Andy Gebhardt

5/17/2020 09:40:56 pm

That is nice that you’ve had more time with your family. Do you think there is a reason that kind of thing didn’t happen before quarantine?

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