Daily Journal Entry #1
05/29/2020
A Vivid Memory
I have a vivid memory of the Thursday before spring break, specifically the third-period student life class. Mr. Starensier interrupted his methodical lesson to briefly talk about the situation with COVID-19. A few minutes turned into ten minutes which turned into twenty minutes and before we knew it, we had taken almost half of the class talking about the virus. Mr. Starensier then throughout the question “what are you most looking forward to doing on break?” My answer wasn’t immediate in my brain, but when it came to me, it was definite. It was the thing that I was looking forward to the most by far. The question was passed around the room, and the responses were all practically the same. Everyone was looking forward to their trip to Mexico or their Disney cruise, but that was not what I was looking forward to. I wasn’t looking forward to a family trip, I was looking forward to being with my family and doing something that we don’t do quite often: eat out at a restaurant. My parents, considering that they are both doctors, are constantly working throughout the week. If we ever go out to eat, it is during the weekend, and even then it is never a sit-down meal due to my father’s demanding profession: cardiology. Because of this pandemic that has taken over the world, I cannot do the thing I have most wanted to do since the start of the school year.
I would kill for a Chicken Parmesan from the restaurant Papa Razzi. It isn’t even the taste that I am longing for, it is just the atmosphere. I want to see my family together again. I want to hear the ruckus and noise coming from the chaotic kitchen. I want to smell the scent that freshly made focaccia bread makes. I want to laugh so hard at my dad’s jokes that a spaghetti noodle pops out of my nostrils. I want to be near society again. I want to be able to leave my house without having to wear a mask and sanitize my hands every ten minutes. I want everything to be like it used to.
There is one thing about this virus that scares me, and it is not its ability to spread extremely fast, nor is it the fact that this virus is lethal. What keeps me up at night is the fact that we don’t know when it will go away. I just want to eat out with my family. And for those of you who say that I could just get take out: it is not the same. It´s never the same.
So as I sit here writing this journal entry on this gloomy Wednesday afternoon (yes, I know that the assignment is due today, Mr. Fitz), I am wondering when this will all clear up. A few weeks? A month? A couple of months? Who knows? All I can do is wait. That's all we can ever do any more.
But who can wait?
Cause I sure as hell can’t.
This was very interesting to read, especially from the perspective of someone who has two doctors as parents. I also really liked the paralell stucture in the second paragraph, and its length really emphasizes the point you are trying to make.
Posted by: Nick Brady | 04/09/2020 at 07:40 AM
Oliver, I don’t even know where to start. I LOVED THIS. You captured all of your emotions about this pandemic in just one piece, and you did an amazing job! And I don’t think anyone can wait for this to be over. I too was looking forward to some family time outside of the house, but all of that’s down the drain. Amazing job!!
Posted by: Jamie Book | 04/09/2020 at 07:44 AM
Your writing easily and simply flows from one thought to another, every sentence driving its point home all the way to a poignant and clean ending.
Posted by: Max Troiano | 04/09/2020 at 07:45 AM
I really like how all you wanted was just to spend time with your family, which was really wholesome and touching. It was actually really cool to read this.
Posted by: Colin Soukup | 04/09/2020 at 07:46 AM
This is a very clear piece to read. This must be a very difficult and anxious time for your parents, I hope they are doing well. I enjoy seeing different perspectives on the situation right now and I appreciate seeing a wildly different topic of focus (is that a sentence?). Keep up the good work
Posted by: Will | 04/09/2020 at 07:49 AM
Wow. Just wow. This has been the most powerful story I’ve read so far. Even though it’s only my second, but that doesn’t matter. I can feel every emotion while reading this. The parallel structure in the second paragraph was crazy. I almost feel as if I’m going through the same emotions as you when in fact I’m not at all. That’s what good writers do. Well done.
Posted by: Sean L | 04/09/2020 at 07:49 AM
This piece flowed extremely well Oliver, It had amazing vocab and captured this idea very well, great job Oliver
Posted by: Max LG | 04/09/2020 at 07:57 AM
Wow! This is an incredibly great essay, even more than just a journal entry. It is thoughtful and real and poignant and delivers a powerful message about the power of family and doing something that is seemingly small, such as a simple meal with the family love.
Posted by: The Fenn Voice | 04/10/2020 at 09:05 PM