Corona Chronicles (Vol1.Issue11)

The post you are going to read today was written before the end of my actual day.  That's usually how it happens because I should be writing them in the morning, but I was really slacking off.  So this post is about laughter. But immediately after writing it, I called CPS because I had a student messaging me insinuating that she was not safe with her father. It was a terrible experience.  

And then after I called CPS I found out that after the police had come by to do a wellness check (because I had sent something to the school social worker), the father was taking the student out of the state.  Normal people don't just take their kids away two hours after the police show up to make sure your child is safe. 

I cried for two hours after watching Zombieland: Double Tap and really that's not how I thought my night would go.  I am thankful that I have especially wonderful friends who were supportive and understood that I was having a very difficult time with the decision I made to call CPS.  However, it was a decision that was basically made for me when I got my teaching license because I am a mandated reporter so no matter what I have to say something.  I also never thought that I would have to call CPS while teaching remotely. 

So here is my lighthearted journal entry that I let the kids read and at the time had reflected my feelings. 

Thursday, April 2, 2020: 
    There’s an image going around the internet that lists all the things that have not been canceled due to the coronavirus (and I stole it from Mr. Minnillo).  My favorite one of these is “Laughing - NOT CANCELLED.” Mostly, it’s my favorite because sometimes I struggle to remember to laugh every day in this time of crisis.  

   Therefore, in my attempts to keep myself in good spirits and laughing, I have been watching a lot of comedy specials on Netflix.  Currently, my favorite one is Pete Davidson: Alive from New York.  Saturday Night Live has been one of my favorite comedy sketch shows since I was in middle school and Pete Davidson has been on for the last few years.  He’s young, maybe a year younger than I am, but I think he’s funny. His Netflix special was great because he talks about his relationship with Ariana Grande and tells some stories from SNL.  

   I’ve also enjoyed all of Iliza Schlesinger’s specials.  And Taylor something or other (I can’t remember her last name and I don’t want to look it up).  These ones I’ve found enjoyable because they’re women and they’re people that I could have been friends with when I was in school.  Heck, I would love to be friends with them right now.  

   If you go back to my entry from Sunday (or Monday) when I was talking about having a virtual movie night with my friend, we ended up sending sad GIFs to each other.  I spent an hour laughing because we never once sent a single word. We expressed how we were feeling in this isolation with the best memes/GIFs we could find. I’m also reading Anna Kendrick’s memoir Scrappy Little Nobody and I find myself laughing right before I fall asleep each night.  

I’ve always heard “Laughter is the best medicine” but I never believed it.  Until now. Now I know that laughter is what will keep me sane through all of this and how I will make the most out of staying in my house.

​So I had some stuff to say about laughter.  Because it is still important to laugh during this time.  Which is also why we watched Zombieland (plus it had just been made available on Starz and I wanted to see it so bad!).  

So keep laughing.  Or trying to. 

xo, j

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