It's crazy to look back on my portfolio entry from Spring 2020, titled "Unprecedented". What a crazy year. Never in my life would I have imagined that I would lose an entire year of 'normal' life to a deadly pandemic. It's weird to think about the aftermath of this past year. Death, sorrow, pain, loss, but also community, innovation, and scientific discoveries. I wonder what I'll feel when I see this event described in history textbooks or when my grandchildren ask about it. I've discussed this a lot with my family and friends, but it's going to take some time to process all of this. The human body is amazing, and the fact that we all adapted so quickly was outstanding. But how long will it take for me to fully recognize the effects of the pandemic? I guess only time will tell. 

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This quarter brought new hope after a year of unknowns. I and many other individuals became fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. While life did not immediately get back to what it used to be, it definitely started to become more 'normal'. This quarter was full of long walks, roommate talks, new friends, shopping trips, Bainbridge adventures, mid-week bonfires at Golden Gardens, and so much more. The weather was stunning, the cherry blossoms were breathtaking, and I was reminded of the beauty of Seattle and the gratitude I have for the places and the people who occupy my life. I coached a Girls on the Run team consisting of twelve 3rd-5th grade girls, and the joy, curiosity, innocence, and zest for life that they all possessed consistently made me smile. I took a few trips home, went to the beach with my family, and worked hard at my classes. When I finished my last final exam a few weeks ago, I shut my computer and didn't open it until almost a week later when grades came out. While everyone worked so hard to make this year work online, we were all exhausted and burnt out by the end of it. And that's okay, it's normal. COVID is still very much a force to be reckoned with in the world right now, and while I'm sad and frustrated that I've had to cancel important events that I've been planning and looking forward to for so long, I know that whatever I end up doing will be right. Adapting and changing are not easy, but we've all learned a heck of a lot about it this past year. Goodbye, Zoom University. I look forward to never having to experience this again.