PANDEMIC STORIES: DIARIES OF 2020 TO 2021 PART 2 of 3
OUR COLLECTIVE PAUSE
疫境同行
PART 2 of 3: SELF GROWTH & gratitude
During the unprecedented time of the global pandemic, Canadians across the country were adapting to new and innovative ways to face the disruptions caused by COVID-19. We document some of these moments in this chapter as a time capsule of what occurred when time stood still. No matter what we were doing, every person felt the impact whether it was professionally, personally, financially, culturally, or perhaps spiritually.
This pandemic, although tragic for many families, also provided a time of realization and personal reflection — an opportunity to reimagine the world together. In some cases, it was as simple as the sweetness of connecting with culture again through a homemade dumpling or a virtual Chinese lesson taught by grandpa and grandma.
在這前所未見的全球大流行的期間，加拿大人在全國各地都採取了新的方式來面對因新冠肺炎而帶來的種種不便。這章，我們以時間胶囊的形式記錄了時間凝定下來的幾個瞬間。無論我們正在做什麼，每個人都感受到其中帶來的影響，那可能是職業上的、個人層面上的、經濟上的、文化上的，又抑或是精神層面上的。儘管它帶來的創傷經歷，這次大流行同樣為我們造就了領悟與反省的契機—個讓我們重新省思想像世界的各種可能。在某些故事裡，我們看到與自身文化再次連結的機會，或許只是簡簡單單地親手做一次水餃，或遙距地跟祖父母學習中文。
“Self Growth”
Chichi Ci
Student, Marketing Management
Spent the Pandemic Alone
我獨自一人在加拿大經歷這場疫情。很顯然，截止到今天為止，這場疫情對我的學業造成了很大的影響。所有進入學校學習的課程都轉變為online的形式，並且我的第一個Program原計劃在4月舉辦的畢業典禮也被取消了。
但是在這段時間裡我也沒有放棄學習，我瘋狂地想學習粵語。我會通過聽粵語歌曲和看TVB電視劇來學習它。同時，我也再一次回顧了《The Lord Of Rings》，這部電影讓我們明白：當光明與黑暗相敵對時，即使過程千辛萬苦，只要不放棄並且守住內心的底線原則，勝利終歸屬於光明的。就像這次危機一樣，雖然全世界都付出了巨大代價，但只要我們堅持正確的政府指令，盡可能的待在家中，消毒防護做好，提升自己的免疫力，我們終將會戰勝這次危機的。這段時間裡，我也發現我的文化背景讓我學會自我認知。在中國傳統文化中，我們會常常提到：吾日三省吾身。當我們不能外出但又想自己的思想境界得到提升時，我們是需要觀察入微每一件生活裡的小事來進行領悟。自我學習不一定是在戶外，它可以是在任何時間、地點來思考自己。因為我是學習Marketing Management和Fashion Business的，當我什麼也做不了駐足在家的時候、當所有活動被取消的時候、當我的學校課程全部被轉變為online的模式時候，我也一直在思考我該如何做才能使得我的專業在之後的學習中不會被影響質量。就目前而言，
我所能想到的就是需要熟練運營社交媒體。社交媒體在這場危機中的地位與重要性毋庸置疑。至於該如何更好的運營它是我值得細細思考的。科技在這場疫情中發揮著重要作用。它促使著每一個行業必須因為它的出現而最快速度的作出應變能力對策，並且傳統的商業模式的劣勢在此次危機中也凸顯出來。電子時代的如今，是需要我們與時俱進的發展每個自身。
Tingting Niu
TV Host, Fairchild TV
Spent Time with My Loved One and Family in Penticton
I guess there haven’t been many chances for the world to stop with you, and unfortunately, that has been my 2020 and fortunately, I’ve spent it with people I deeply love. A book once taught me to list 3 things that you are grateful every day before you sleep to create a positive mindset. If I were to list three things for my quarantine life that I am grateful for, they would be: Books, Food, and Love.
As I very clearly remember, the whole social distancing, closing borders, and take-out food only started 3 days after my birthday this year. With a suddenly clear working and traveling schedule, me and my loved one decided to spend our spring in Penticton, which is a beautiful winery city in the interior British Columbia. Things happen in life and we can only make the best out of it. I finally had the time to take myself away from the hustle and really sit down to read a book, cook dinner from scratch, even talk to a deer in my backyard! I spent quality time with people I love. And suddenly I appreciated everything in life even more.
Yes, I also gained a food baby after we came back to Vancouver but I can’t be more grateful for every moment I had during these times. It really got me thinking that I’ve taken many things for granted. And I hope that I will always carry this lesson with me along my journey.
Kitty Cheung
Fundraising Manager
Spent the Pandemic with My Cat
The world under quarantine is multifaceted, while some people see the pandemic as a transition to a new normal; others feel fear and boredom, anger and gratitude, frustration and peace — the future is so shapeless. However, the choice is on our own. We can choose to walk through it, along with discrimination and anger, or we can walk through gently and get through this COVID battle together.
I decided to go through the pandemic with a positive outlook by making some self-imposed structures. While working from home in Vancouver, I spent quality time with my fur-baby, started to build my beautiful garden, and returned to fine dining at home. These remedies help ease my anxiety and bring me peace of mind; it also helps to create my own little world that is different and better than the one I lived in before.
During the lockdown, I found the streets empty and daily activities gone yet we’re more connected than ever. Bonds with one another are strengthened too. Social media platforms help me show care and concern for my friends and allow me to demonstrate love for my mother and family in Hong Kong.
I am so grateful to see the outpouring support from the community. These philanthropic leaders remind us that what we are going through is both unique and shared by all. Ultimately, we are in this together!
Tracy Wong
Physiotherapist & Clinic Owner
Spent the pandemic with Family and friends in Vancouver
The past few months have been a time of learning how to listen, how to surrender, and how to heal. I had spent the last two years opening a physio and wellness clinic in East Vancouver and I loved seeing how a small business could positively transform and impact lives.
With the sudden closing of the clinic, there was an unanticipated quietness in my life that I had never encountered. For the first time, I was not able to use my hands and abilities to help others. It was also the beginning of months of isolation because of an autoimmune disease that I live with. Despite my friends and family rallying around me by way of grocery and flower deliveries, I felt a deep sense of discontentment.
It was during this season of silence that I began to hear God speak in a clear and quiet voice to reveal that my identity was not found in my occupation, my volunteerism, or my physical health. He brought into light all the years I felt inadequate because I had misplaced my ultimate worth in things, even good things, that did not produce a genuine joy and purpose. This new truth has given me freedom to surrender my time and my plans and I have experienced healing in unexpected areas of my life. Of note, I had been waiting for a surgery since last January and it has now been cancelled because my body is no longer in pain. During a time when my health should seemingly plummet, I have received divine restoration to strengthen my faith.
sponsored by piaget.
“Gratitude”
Lin Huber
Divisional Vice President & General Manager, Holt Renfrew Bloor
Spent the Pandemic with My Husband
It surprised me to find that, during the past two months, the word that came most frequently into my vocabulary is “gratitude,” especially when each day felt like we were being run over by a slow moving freight train. We had to adapt and wait for new regulations and rules each day.
Still, my husband and I realized how incredibly lucky we were to have moved to Canada in 2018. On top of being a cultural icon of the city, my employers are incredibly kind and generous people.
While I was able to work during the lockdown, my husband was in charge of keeping in touch with family and friends who were far away beyond international borders. It was extra nice to hear their voices. We are also lucky that most of everyone we know fared decently and that we had each other to lean on. We were further delighted to find an authentic Szechuan café that delivered on Uber Eats — a treat we had missed for almost two years.
One of the most important lessons to me was how important great leadership is. It needs to be a guiding light through the darkest time, a voice of reason among chaos, and an anchoring presence to bind people towards a common goal. A leader with intelligence and compassion can raise the people above disaster and into triumph. As difficult as the pandemic has been, I am grateful to have had the time to reflect and refocus on the more important things in life.
Michelle Wong
Pharmacist
Spent time with My husband and 3 kids in Toronto
I experienced a whirlwind of emotions the last few months. On February 29th, 2020, my third child surprised us by suddenly arriving 2 weeks early — a leap year baby! Shortly after, the Covid-19 pandemic was announced, and school was cancelled. While struggling with the newborn phase (pain, spit up, sleep deprivation, difficulty breastfeeding), I learned to be grateful for what I had and to not compare my situation with others. While others enjoyed extra time with their families, trying new activities, I felt imprisoned in my home and frustrated as my eldest child's new educator — everything was in French, which is not my forte.
At the same time, I am grateful being home, alive and healthy. While on maternity leave, I do not have to risk exposure on the front lines at the pharmacy, wearing uncomfortable PPE.
I had stockpiled some necessities in anticipation of being home (and having an extra 20 kg bag of flour was nice). My husband remains employed, and my in-laws are an incredible source of food and care. My kids have each other to play with, in a spacious home with a beautiful yard. Most importantly, we have internet, which connects us to our extended families, church, and friends, even ones I haven't spoken to in a long time. When this is over, I will cherish relationships more, picking my own groceries (rather than ordering online), eating a meal at a restaurant, and meeting up with friends. I hope they don't mind getting extra long hugs.
