New Rituals of Connection Series: Angelica Obando, Class of 2020

​As​ we left school for the last time, we didn't know all that we'd be losing. ​Now​ you're sitting at home, not feeling the same connections.​ I've​ started to use tik-tok and mostly FaceTime also Instagram to share mostly funny videos I randomly find and share them with my friends and family these days.​I've​ been playing more upbeat music than I have ever played in my life.​

This​ month I have been eating quarantine birthday cake to find a little joy.​I​ have developed a connection with online shopping. There's a new package in my doorstep almost every day. But most importantly, I have found some peace and ​quiet​ while I paint and listen to Harry styles Fine Line for a good millionth time. 

These​ days I have started to occasionally walk around to ​see the​ ​magnolias​ around my neighborhood and feel the wind​. This is something I haven't enjoyed in a long time, a pleasant walk down the baby snake hill up Fairview and Broadway.​ Everything​ about the way I used to think and the perspectives I have feels different. ​There​ was a week I wasn't feeling well. My mom told me​ "todo va esta bien mi niña."​ I just looked at her and responded in ​silence​ as if my fear took over me.​That​ night I remember sleeping with a bible and a tiny bottle of metal with two blankets over my ​cold​ body.​ I​ remember praying in my head, telling God​ "Protect my family and everyone in the world ."​ At​ that moment, I realized that even with God I put everyone before me. It's not a matter of not loving myself, but just the way I've always ​been​. ​This quarantine puts a lot into perspective it makes people write songs about future change and more love for the world and everything that once was.​ The​ funny thing ​is​ that Ms.Earth has given so much for the human race after years of humans taking it for granted I feel like she's finally taking a vacation.​ Although​  our situations could be better as humans, the earth's oceans and rivers have been able to breathe​.​

The​ way the flowers around the street polls are ​blossoming,​ I have never seen their ​colors brighten​ as they have these days.​ When​ you're trying to quarantine at your finest, I recommend you lie flat surface and listen to your favorite album. Then just ​breathe. ​Everyone​ deserves a break from reality. ​Try​ to remember the best time in your life and try to bring all the joy out with a simple smile. You'll find that the darkness you've felt will dissolve into dust.​The​ ​light​ shall destroy the ​dark​ . In this time of crisis, I have become closer to my family. Being all together between four walls only makes closer. I tend to wake up late, maybe 2-3 pm, and do homework, then I occasionally paint.

​Some late nights consist of late-night cravings, movie nights with a mini projector. ​There's always "rule breakers" kind of the quarantine kings. By that I mean the 40-50 year old uncles down at the bodega eating fritura and drinking Coronas at 1:25 in the morning.​ To​ be honest, their conversations are pretty hilarious when you can't find sleep until 4 am.​ I​ started to look forward to clapping at 7 pm out the windows to honor the healthcare workers in the neighborhood and around the world. I'm so grateful for their work and devotion to saving lives and doing everything they can to help the health of others. And to the unsung hero's sending donations to the people and families in need. This thank you is for you, along with everyone else finding ways to rise up.​ Thank​ you for working, saving lives, and loving one another.