The sun is out, the sky is blue, and the flowers are blooming. With everything going on, I keep forgetting that Spring is coming. I woke up, turned the electric kettle on and took our Boston Terrier, Nora, out for her morning walk. I can’t help thinking that maybe this quarantine thing might be a good time to acknowledge all the natural beauty around us. I’m sounding cheesy and yes, I am still riding the wave of gratitude I’ve been feeling since after the Utah Earthquake on Wednesday. But still, it’s really beautiful out there.
Over the past few days, I have felt extremely lucky and dearly loved by friends who have sent me some $ for POETRY. Every little bit counts and I am realizing that as an artist I can give back to my friends and family, my community and the world, in a very special way. I can create and reflect on this unusual time probably in ways some people can’t. If they find solace or can connect with what I create whether that’s art, poetry, fiction, or music, it brings me happiness to hope that I may be helping someone on a personal level.
PLANS FOR TODAY
I am going to try to figure out what is going on with my unemployment. I am having difficulties figuring out when my first check will arrive or if it even will. The DWS website looks simple but I am finding it to be complicated and somewhat lackluster.
Apply to writing jobs, or jobs that require a Bachelors of English. I made a promise to my family I would stay inside until this all blows over, they are worried about my health and don’t want me working in-person jobs right now. I am respecting their wishes and applying solely to online-only jobs in case this COVID-19/Quarantine thing lasts longer than we think.
As of March 20th, 2020, I was officially LAID OFF from my full-time job at Squatters Pub Brewery. No income and no health/dental insurance.
So many of my co-workers are in the same situation. Our only source of income was our one restaurant job and now we are all scrambling to file for unemployment and look for new jobs. Yesterday I posted LAID OFF: SUPPORT MY RESTAURANT FAMILY, this post includes venmo links to my co-workers that wanted to be listed and need money asap to pay rent/bills and buy food/supplies.
As for me, I will continue to offer POETRY FOR $ and when I get a job that is dependable, permanent and hopefully full-time with benefits (would be a plus). I will be donating any money for POETRY that I make DIRECTLY to my co-workers that need it the most.
After I’m done with the essentials on my to-do list today, I will be working on homework for my Poetry Workshop, making art, and writing.
If you want to stay up to date with my going-ons, I am posting regularly to my Instagram story.
Thank you for your time.
Stay safe and stay well out there!
Liked this blog post? Check out these:
Life during COVID-19 Personal Update: March 25th, 2020(Opens in a new browser tab)
Why I’m Not Celebrating Independence Day This Year(Opens in a new browser tab)