[INTRO MUSIC PLAYS]
ELENA: Hello and welcome back to Hoo’s at the Writing Center!
I’m Elena,
KARISSA: I’m Karissa,
SARAH: I’m Sarah,
KIMBERLY: And I’m Kimberly!
ELENA: We apologize beforehand for ending season two pretty abruptly, but as many of you know, fall quarter took a lot of our headspace. But we find ourselves in a new podcast season, a new quarter, and a new year. And while it may be over now, 2020 was truly exhausting, and the beginning of 2021 has shown that the new year doesn’t really mean the world resets with a blank slate for the next 365 days.
That being said, we thought we could all use a little time to decompress and talk about things that helped us make it through 2020, as well as hopeful things in the year to come, both big and small.
KARISSA: Before we get into that, we wanted to acknowledge and honor that Monday, January 18th was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In the description we’ve included some links to resources that we’d encourage you check out. Um, some of his works and other resources concerning the Black Lives Matter movement and how you can help out in that way as well.
SARAH: So this is definitely a weird winter break and holiday season, but as weird as it was, what were some experiences you had that you were really grateful for? As corny as it is, especially in times when so many overwhelming negative things are happening, expressing and keeping track of the good stuff in life can be so helpful in grounding yourself and focusing on what’s important.
KIMBERLY: It’s similar to an actual practice called gratitude meditation, which is based in the common practice in Buddhism and many Indigenous American cultures of beginning the day by reflecting on the people and the things you’re grateful for. You can do this verbally, mentally, or even keep what’s called a gratitude journal, where you write down these thoughts or even write little letters to the people, places, or things you’re grateful for. This podcast episode is like our own version of gratitude meditation for the past, present, and the future year ahead. You’re welcome to join us in reflecting on what you’re grateful for as you listen.
So to start things off we wanna talk about, uh, little winter break things that we did. Uh, take it away Elena.
ELENA: Sure. So, I spent most of my winter break in super exciting quarantine—um-- but I was with my family, I flew back to Phoenix and um six feet apart was a lot better than 1,415 miles apart. Would recommend, safely. I got to see my cat and our husky puppy, who—she's more like a very laggy husky teen now. Um, and taking her on nighttime walks was a really good excuse to, like, safely escape quarantine, um, and just kind of get outside. And something that I always miss when I'm up in Seattle is the stars. Arizona has really clear skies, um, and it was really magical to look up and be able to see the clear Phoenix night skies. And especially during the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, which was super, super cool, and I—my dad and I, like, got his pair of binoculars and we could see Saturn’s rings, which was pretty amazing.
KIMBERLY: I have a telescope, well I don’t have a telescope my parents thought it’d be great for my siblings and I to get a telescope and like look at the stars, cause like, Seattle doesn’t-- it’s pretty, you know, blank slate every night and cloudy in the morning, but, um, it was like “maybe you should look at the stars and, you know, check it out,” but hearing you talk about it is like makes me feel “oh! Maybe I should... maybe I should look up every once in a while, and not be, you know, corralled in my room all day and night.”
And also, Elena’s pets are really cute, so check them out. I don’t know how that would work, because you’re all just listening to this, but I guess that’s the magic of--
ELENA: I mean, I guess I could link them [chuckles].
KIMBERLY: Link in the description!
ELENA: Just fully embed pictures [laughter].
KIMBERLY: [laughter].
ELENA: But yeah, you can see it in 100 more years Kimberly, so [laughter]
KIMBERLY: I’m prepared.
KARISSA: I also flew back home. I’m from Minnesota, so I went back to Minnestoa for winter break, so it was nice to see my family and get to spend time with them. Um, I spent a lot of time working, which is kind of a bummer, but on the bright side I had a mandatory two week quarantine, so I wasn’t allowed in the store that I work at, and I had to just stay home for two weeks, um, which was super nice because I got to do absolutely nothing and I just got to cross stitch and, like, actually watch TV, and read, and go, like, get back into my practice of mindfulness, which I got so stressed that I just stopped doing it dead week last quarter, which was probably not for the best [chuckles]. Um, my parents also got a new Goldendoodle puppy over break, and she’s so cute and has so much energy and she loves being in the snow, um, so, like, we were forced to take her on walks every day or else she would just never go to sleep, um, so that was like a good excuse to get outside, and um, to spend some time with her. And I also got Lasik! Which is really cool because I can now see 20/20 with my very own eyes, and it’s a whole—it’s a whole new world out there.
KIMBERLY: You’re a whole year late or you could make the 2020 joke.
KARISSA: I know. I know. It was such a bummer, but now looking at the past... 20/20 vision, though. That was really awful. Alright, Sarah, tell us about your--
KIMBERLY: That was terrible. We’re moving on.
Ooo, there’s little guest cat but you can’t see it because this is just a podcast.
SARAH: Yeah, you wanna say hi? [laughs] I don’t think she’ll meow on command, but I wish she did. You know we’ll have like little conversations. Anyway, the listeners don’t even know what I’m talking about [laughs]. Um, it’s my little kitty, but we’ll talk about her later, don’t worry.
Um, I also spent my winter break back home in New Mexico. Um, it’s so funny, like, I left so early because our like school starter earlier and then I wanted to quarantine for my grandma for Thanksgiving, so I left like early November, and I remember like [laughs] it was very movie-esc. I opened my airplane window and I saw the sun and it was like “oh my gosh that still exists!” Like the blue still exists, the sun still is here, um, so very cute, very cute things. I long for the sun now. Um, me and Elena were talking about how like—it’s very funny because sometimes in the winter the sun comes here, like in Seattle, but it’s not warm. Like, it’s so cold it doesn’t warm you up, so that’s just ridiculous.
ELENA: Why? [laughs]
SARAH: It doesn’t make sense!
ELENA: You see the sun and you’re like “yes!” like “finally seasonal depression can go away” and then you go outside and it’s like freezing and you just get said again.
SARAH: [laughter] Exactly! Um, yeah, but it’s really nice going back home—it's—I don’t live in a really big city in a really loud place so it’s nice to go back to the quiet. Um, I really like seeing the sunset every day when I’m back home, because everything is just flat. Like it’s not flat, we have mountains and stuff, but there’s no like really big buildings in the way like here, so it’s just really nice to see all the colors and I always just, like, miss the sky when I’m up here so, yeah! Kimberly?
KIMBERLY: I just want to concur, uh, that Albuquerque is beautiful, and uh, sunsets there are gorgeous. And as Sarah was talking about it, I couldn’t help but think about, uh, where my girlfriend is located and getting to see the sunset because, like, it happens in Seattle, but it’s just a different vibe when you’re in Albuquerque and you can see the like—she lives near the, like, I was trying to think of it, because I—the Sandia mountains? Yeah?
SARAH: Yeah!
KIMBERLY: I’m getting a thumbs up from Sarah, so this is right [laughter]. Emily if you’re listening I’m sorry. Um--
SARAH: [laughs]
KIMBERLY: But it’s pink!
SARAH: Yes!
KIMBERLY: Because you get to see the sunset and it’s like you—it's just gorgeous. Everyone when we’re not in a panoramic um-- Tik Tok fans will get that—we [laughs] we uh please go to Albuquerque because it’s gorgeous and beautiful. I just wanted to give a shoutout.
SARAH: Thank you, thank you.
KIMBERLY: Yeah, of course, of course. Love my ABQ. Um, so, I’m lame and I’m a born and raised Seattleite so I [chuckles] was stuck here. Um, but I also hate to say that because I’m from here I’m so used to it being sunny but cold and that’s actually my favorite kind of weather. I’m sorry everyone. I know, I know. I’m terrible, but [laughs] that’s my favorite kind of weather. Um, anyway, uh, so anyway during my winter break I actually did nothing. I know that a lot of people like to be productive during breaks, and if that’s you that’s really cool, but I really needed a break. I needed that five weeks to just, you know, take in what was fall quarter and anticipate 2021, so I really took the time to just do things that I really enjoy like being lazy and watching nerdy voice actors play Dungeons and Dragons, that was basically all of my winter break, and also watching anime because I was trying to get into that. And so, so lots of screen time, but I think it was helpful for me to just sort of recuperate, because we all know that fall quarter was something else and it was stressful for a lot of us, so I think everyone who took winter break to, like myself, as time to just decompress and do whatever you wish is, you know, perfectly valid and perfectly fine. Um, so, I had a lot of fun with that. And my girlfriend also surprised me, not surprised me, I knew she was coming, but she came up to Seattle [laughs] yeah, I know. She came up to Seattle to spend not Christmas with me, but she left on Christmas Eve and it was really great because, you know, spend time with my family and her and, uh, we played a lot of games. A lot of Jackbox party, if you guys don’t have that I totally recommend, uh, it’s a lot of yelling if you’re a competitive person like me. And that’s about it, just a lot of spending time with myself, which I hadn’t done in a while, and spending time with family, and getting to relax before I have to get back into a routine again, so.
ELENA: Yeah, so winter break was really, I think for all of us I think a time to decompress and sort of brace ourselves for the new year, so on that note we wanted to share some of our, uh, super corny new year's resolutions, but also just general survival techniques, because like, who knows. Survival techniques in a positive way, let’s go with that [laughs].
Um, so for me, I think I know that like the most cliché new year’s resolution is , like, go to the gym/workout, but this year I really mean it [laughs] and I think the reason for that is, I don’t know about you guys but Zoom school and Zoom work, like, killed my legs and like the body aches were real, especially towards the end of 2020. Um, and so, I’ve found that doing just like, not even really long, but like, simple short daily workouts have been really helpful. Yeah, walking to school too was like where I got my aerobic exercise in, like it was a guaranteed aerobic workout to like walk up Cherry Street, like, um, so now that we don’t really--
KIMBERLY: Also, if you have like a, like a class from like all the way in the—I don’t even know directions-- but like in Admin and then you had one all the way in like a different building it was like a full sprint, but--
ELENA: Yeah, especially if there are stairs too and you’re just like running up the stairs because the elevators take forever [laughs]
KIMBERLY: Oh god.
ELENA: Yeah, so now that we don’t have that I think it’s been really helpful for me and my mental state and my, uh, poor achy legs to have daily workouts. And, um, I think also for me some new year’s resolutions are just like getting more creative with cooking, um, I got really into cooking in 2020 because quarantine, but I think I really would like to branch out and make a layer cake, like one of the really ambitious, like requires multiple cake pans, uh, so we’ll see how that goes. I’ve already forced my roommates whatever I make so [laughs] at least I know that I’ll have friends to eat it with. Um, and also just getting back into art. I used to do art a lot more but 2020 kind of zapped all of my creative energy, um, and now I think I’m sort of recovering from all that, so I’ve really wanted to get back into watercolors, um, and maybe even getting back into sculpture which I did a lot in high school, um, and yeah. I think another thing too, just sort of like a fun weird thing, is my sister got me this little tea leaf reading book. Um, she got it from this like little—I don’t know—like hippy, new age sort of like crystal shop up in Sedona, which is like peak hippy town in Arizona [laughs] um, and yeah, I don’t know, I just feel like it would be a fun, a neat party trick to be like “let me read your tea leaves.” I don’t know when that would ever come up in life, but [laughs].
KIMBERLY: If you’re at a party with Elena, you have to ask them about their tea leaf reading. Just pull—just keep tea leaves on you from now on.
ELENA: I’ll just like always have loose leaf tea on hand.
KIMBERLY: Yeah, and everyone else.
[overlapped chatter]
ELENA: Just distribute lose leaf tea. Nothing weird about that.
KIMBERLY: Not at all. 2021 here we come!
ELENA: Yeah, so you know, very realistic and useful goals for 2021.
KARISSA: Number one new year’s resolution: carry around lose leaf tea. I have to remember to do it all the time. You never know when you’re gonna need it.
Um, and along with that, my other new year’s resolution is to, like, hold myself accountable just for being more organized and like actually taking care of myself, and like—for example I’m not really lactose intolerant but if I eat enough cheese, like, it really wrecks my stomach and I eat a lot of cheese all the time just because, like, no one’s ever told me like, “you’re lactose intolerant, you shouldn’t eat cheese.” So, then I just do it and I just like feel awful. And so just little things like that really taking care of myself and not thinking like “oh I’ll just deal with that later, like I’ll just feel that later” because I want cheese now or something like that, I don’t know. But, um, I—over break I had to like schedule all my doctor’s appointments, my dentist appointment, eye doctors, because I haven’t done that since literally high school because I just hate doing all of those things, and it felt really good to like go and find, not find out what was wrong with me, but find out the things that I can do to take better care of myself, that like I wasn’t doing that have maybe changed in the three or four years I’d seen my doctor. Um, so and it just felt really good like to have a better understanding of myself in that sense of this is what I should do, this is what I shouldn’t do, and here’s the ways that I can just like take care of myself a lot better. Um, so yeah, that’s like my biggest resolution, is to like not only check in mentally, but like physically and like approach my health from that sort of angle.
And then also, just to be better about checking in with people because I’m so awful at like even just texting. I won’t do it, and I’m on my phone all the time, and I just won’t [laughs] I won’t text anybody. So that’s really awful and I’m gonna, I’m gonna get better at that.
SARAH: Um, I don’t know if I told you guys this, but I had to get a permanent crown over break, like on my tooth. Um, and, so yeah I really highly recommend like actually making appointments with you dentist even if you’re like maybe scared of the dentist like I am, um, because my tooth like broke—I don’t know. Anyway, I didn’t feel it but it broke [laughs] and it was so funny the lady was cleaning my teeth and she was like “has anyone ever asked you about this back molar? It broke!” [laughs]
ELENA: Wait, you didn’t notice?
SARAH: No! [laughs] I was like “Jill!” [laughter] “No! No one’s ever asked me.” And she was like “Oh, well, hmmm.” It’s like HMMM yeah! [laughs] Yeah, apparently, I didn’t notice. Apparently, I had a really big cavity back there when I was little itty bitty and so then the um, oh my gosh, the tooth like—what is that called—oh my gosh, I’m so sorry—um, enamel weakened and then it just like *tongue click* chipped off and I didn’t feel it. So, anyhow taking care--
KIMBERLY: 2021 carry around tea leaves and check on your friends back molars everyone.
ELENA: Just occasionally make sure they’re all still there [laughs] and intact as friends do.
KARISSA: Count them.
SARAH: Yes please. I would appreciate it. Um, amazing, love.
My new year’s resolution for this year, um, kind of like Karissa just taking better care of myself and like really speaking up for myself and asking for what I need. I think, I struggle with that, I think a lot of people struggle with that, like, even the very simple like “oh, maybe I need more time to do this, maybe I should ask my professor for an extension,” instead of like—instead of working myself too hard, um, staying up all night doing something and not being proud of what I did. Um, just asking for what I need, telling people what’s going on. I have a really hard time doing that because no matter what’s going on, you’re certainly not as alone as you think. Uh, so it’s really important to reach out.
Um, more little things, I would love to keep a consistent sleep schedule. I’m pretty good right now I was—back home I got in a really good habit of going to bed at like nine or 10, because my family goes to bed really early, but when I’m up here it gets really janky. So, I’m pretty good right now, going to bed at 11, waking up around 9. I’m pretty happy about that. Um, I really want to get more into tarot readings, um, learn how to embroider because I know how to cross stitch, I don’t know how to embroider though. I would love to do that. I just bought a pattern for myself, so. I know. And [laughs] I would also really like to improve my posture. Even right now, I just, I always hunch and then I need a massage, but we can’t get massages because of COIVD, also money. So, it’s just really hard [laughs].
Um, so yeah! Those are my resolutions for this year.
KIMBERLY: Um, I just wanted to say, I went to Target like a couple days back, and I went through like the five-dollar section, you know, and I got a little bee. A little bee for cross stitching because I wanna get into it.
SARAH: I love that!
KIMBERLY: And I bought two because they were the only two left and I want to make them. Sorry eight-year-olds everywhere [laughs]. Thank you. Um, so yea, um, just aside from the usual stuff that we all, you know, sort of want to achieve or aim for in new years—new year's resolutions, like, you know, exercising or not sitting in front of a desk all day and like actually taking a walk or just walking in general. And I definitely want to cook more and write more, and uh, read more. What’s really funny is when we were trying to create this episode Sarah was like “you know, we should talk about the books we’ve read over winter break,” and I literally stared at the camera and I was like “I literally did nothing. I did none of that Sarah, I’m so sorry” [laughs]. And instead, I watched anime and dungeons and dragons' stuff, and I felt so bad, so I want to read more for this year. And I actually have a little list on my phone that says, “things I will accomplish in 2021” and I’m hoping that, um, hoping that I fill it up and it’s not as empty. The only thing that’s on it right now is that I finish watching Fullmetal Alchemist, um, which is an anime, but I will put up books, I promise. I’m currently reading, uh, you know-- all of my friends are laughing at me [laughs]. I don’t even know if I can count this as currently reading because I read it halfway through and then I stopped, and it’s been very many months since I last picked it up, but I’m in the midst of Crazy Rich Asians, which you all should read. It’s a great book, I’m sure it is, I will finish it and I will get back to everyone how great it is [laughs].
Um, so yeah, aside from all of that, like I said just general cooking, and writing, reading more, and the thing that I put in our little um episode transcription is that I really want to start taking initiative on my future, because I got a notification a couple days ago about applying for graduation later this year, and I got scared because that’s real, and it really hits me that I’m a junior and I’m going to graduate next year. Um, so that’s really crazy and scary, especially since we’re in a pandemic it’s like the future doesn’t even exist, but it does. So, uh, definitely gonna start thinking about how I can jumpstart that, and I think that’s something that will make me feel better, is for me to have a little bit of a structure as to how I’m gonna start my life. Wow that sounds scary.
ELENA: Yeah, it must be scary thinking about graduating next year [laughs].
KIMBERLY: I’m sorry!
KARISSA: It’s not like we’re gonna graduate this year or anything [laughs].
ELENA: We don’t need to talk about that.
KIMBERLY: Listen, as the youngest in this group I feel like I have a right to be afraid [laughs].
ELENA: Oh yeah. No, that’s fair.
KIMBERLY: You guys had this opportunity last year, it's my time now [laughter].
ELENA: The fear only grows. On that really cheery note. Uh, there’s some overlap here, but we also wanted to just talk about, like, general selfcare things, things that sparked joy, mostly recent things, but could also be, like, just things that are just sort of like your comfort things that you return to.
Um, so for me, I have recently discovered the joy of Sea Shanties. Uh, they are a Tik Tok phenomenon, but I was into them before that, just let the record show. Uh, there are Spotify playlists that are just full of Sea Shanties and they slap. Unironically, they’re really good and you should listen to them. They’re especially good to listen to while working out, and I can’t explain that it’s just like [laughs] they’re great. Um, and I think also for me, playing D&D and watching D&D, but I think activities like that—like this is super corny, but for me D&D has been honestly sort of a lifesaver in 2020 because it allowed me to still, like, chill with my friends in a safe format and have like a scheduled social interaction, um, that, you know, was still safe and, kind of, I think helped keep me sane. And another totally unrelated thing is watching nature livestreams. I really miss being able to like, go hiking and just go out in nature because I honestly don’t have time, and there are all these nature livestreams, you can google it. There’s like a million of them, and they’re all of just different places around the globe. But my current favorite one is this Puffin cam. It’s just these Puffins chillin on this island, I think it’s from Audubon bird society, but they have just these Puffins chillin on their island, doing Puffin things, and it’s delightful. Um, and another delightful thing is I saw the movie Wolf Walkers, which just came out. Uh, it’s mad by the same people who made Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, which are like these really, very pretty, like, animated, 2D animated movies. And it’s one of those stories that’s-- it has like pretty serious themes, but I think it’s fun for like anybody of any age to watch. Um it’s about like 1650 Ireland during the English occupation. Yeah, it just has really powerful themes and I like totally cried while watching it, and I’d definitely recommend--cried in a good way, but I definitely recommend watching it if you, you know, want a movie to watch with your family or like your friends, or, you know, alone, just to cry alone watch [laughs] just a really beautiful movie. So, yeah.
KARISSA: Yeah, so the biggest thing that’s gotten me through like the last year, and kind of even into the new year is just like the ability to make myself laugh, and not necessarily at myself or anything like that, but just like feeling comfortable enough to laugh at anything and everything and no one has to be around, like it can just be me and I have like this funny thought and instead of just being like “hmm,” like I will laugh out loud at whatever I’m thinking about that just feels funny, um, and I think especially living alone right now that’s really helpful because it just fills the space and it just allows me to be more consciously comfortable and accepting of like my environment and how I fit into that and just being alone and really just existing, which is—it's nice to have like a sense of comfort, um, when thinking about that especially with everything that’s been going on in the world. Um, and also, I have found a new love for Facebook Marketplace, like it’s my favorite thing to look at on my phone and purchase things. It’s just awesome, like it’s a pretty sustainable and sometimes cheap way to fulfill the need for retail therapy. And a lot of the sellers are really promoting social distancing and contactless pick up and payments and things like that, so, um, it’s a really good time. I enjoy it very much. Take my money!
SARAH: We love Facebook Marketplace. I think we got, like, all of the chairs in this house--a lot of chairs from there. Oh! Also, this table. Yeah, it’s just—what a good place, a good nook of the internet.
Um, let’s see. I think something that, something that sparks joy [laughs] for me [laughs] is usually getting enough sleep. I think this year I really noticed like... because of the lack of routine I got in a very bad habit of not getting enough sleep or just going to bed at very weird hours, and so, a good eight to nine hours, highly recommend. I love waking up and not feeling terrible, you know? Um, also going out for walks like Elena said, even if it is just one step out your door—the nice fresh air is really the best. Also, you know, honestly this whole year my little kitty Athena has really sparked me the most joy. Um, she was down in New Mexico and I brought her up here, snagged her for the year. She’s technically my emotional support animal now, so even on the plane I got to like—she got to be in my lap the whole time, she was on sedatives, so it was really nice. We were like both really calm, um, cozy together. The flight attendants loved her, I also love her, so it’s a great pair. She’s a three-year-old, black kitty. Also highly recommend black cats. I know a lot of the population is like, “they’re bad luck.” That’s a lie, they’re great luck. I love—all of our cats have been black cats. Um, so yes, just really—it's really nice to have like another form of life in the house. If you can’t get an animal, perhaps a plant would be a good recommendation, as Elena’s-- how many plants do you have now?
ELENA: Like over 20.
SARAH: [Laughs]
ELENA: But I started creating baby plants by cutting off parts of the previous plants, so if anybody would like a baby plant, they’re growing roots and they’re free so [laughs].
SARAH: I would love!
KIMBERLY: Hit Elena up for tea leaf readings and plants.
[overlapped laughter]
SARAH: Yes!
KIMBERLY: We are quite a brand. Uh, yeah, so, in a similar sense of doing stuff that helps us, you know, feel better in terms of taking a walk, I got a massive 50-ounce water bottle for Christmas because I’m so terrible at keeping track of how much water I drink, and sometimes I forget, and sometimes I, um, get really dizzy or I get really bad headaches and everyone I speak to is like, “did you drink water today?” and I’m like, “you know what? You’re right I didn’t do that.” So, I have a giant water bottle and my goal is every time I fill it up, I have to finish it the day of, unless it’s like nighttime then I’m not gonna drink like 50 ounces of water, yeah. Anyway, so drinking more water, uh, I’ve come to really appreciate its affects and you know, making me feel better, like the second I drink water I feel better, I feel refreshed, I feel a little more energized and I just think it does a lot of wonders for us, especially for health benefits and just—it’s just great! I know that’s kind of obvious – it's kind of silly to say out loud - but I just need that reminder for myself - as we’re editing this – to drink water. And if you haven't already, drink water! And get a glass! And you know, look at the sun, if there is anywhere you are. And as Elena said, PLAY DND! I promise it’s as nerdy as you think it is, but it’s super fun and I’ve played it with both people who are not medieval or Dungeons and Dragons-esque people and I’ve played it with people who are! And it’s both a great time. And I think that the responses I’ve gotten from either party has said that they really enjoy it. And I think it’s a fun way for creativity and just a fun [Kimberly trying to get her thoughts together through gibberish] Just a fun opportunity to see how you make decisions on and play with fate and all that stuff. It’s really awesome, it’s really great, and also, rolling dice is just so satisfying. [Laughs] And I mentioned earlier that play--Jackbox Party, which is a virtual game that you can get online or on Steam [An online gaming platform]. It’s a great way to play— It’s like a fun board game and it gives you a couple of board games that you can play— “board games quote-on-quote". They’re really fun, they’re super accessible for larger parties, but if you aren’t able to purchase it, I’ve also came to find--I’ve come across a free version of Jackbox – kind of – called “backyard.co” and it basically has a similar essence to it, in that, it gives you different games that you can play with multiple people, but it’s free so it’s more accessible and you can—It has a built-in feature where you can video-chat people live as you play games. So, you can yell at each other if you think someone is doing—made a wrong move in chess or if they just took your queen and you’re really upset. Or you can play other games like... There are just so many. The first one that came up to me was a “Cards Against Humanity”-esque kind of game but there are other ones, I promise. And that’s all I have in terms of sort of self-care, I just--making sure that we [unintelligible] you know, allow ourselves to take better care of ourselves in a multitude of ways for 2021. Which leads us to our sort of final segment of this episode of things to look forward to because 2020 was something else. We hope, and we surely hope, that 2021 is full of new, crazy adventures and new opportunities for all of us. So, take it away!
ELENA: Yeah, so, an exciting thing, which I didn’t realize until I was Googling stuff for this episode and I was like, “Oh God, what is there to look forward to in 2021?” Turns out there’s a lot of things! One of which I thought was very cool, the Mars mission from three different countries – I think from … I want to say China, United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. - are arriving on Mars in early 2021 like February-ish. And there is also a total solar eclipse at the end of 2021, so get hyped for that! Cool space things! Also, I feel like a part of me feels like I am the only person who knows that this movie exists because I have never—I don’t think I ever saw trailers for it air in movie theaters when movie theaters were a thing people went to safely. But, the movie, The Green Knight, starring Dev Patel, is finally coming out this summer. It’s based on one of my personal, nerdy, English major faves, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which is this like 14th century, “Arthurian" poem. The poem does slap [Laughs] and you should read it, but I’m just really excited about the movie because I think it makes it more like an accessible format for people to watch and appreciate.
KARISSA: The thing I’m looking forward to most in 2021 is just like growth and change. I’m working really hard to embrace the idea of both of those things especially with graduation coming up in the spring. So, trying to put a positive twist on that because looking back, over the last couple of years, being able to see the growth and the change has been really empowering and enlightening. So, I’m just trying to focus that mindset, but more on the future. And also, the return of Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series that’s supposed to start filming this year! I’m so excited because I really do love Star Wars, but even more than that, I love Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. And I love them both as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. So, I’m—I just cannot wait for this to come out. I don’t know if it’s coming out in 2021, but I know it starts filming. So, I’m geeking out about that one!
SARAH: Karissa, you may be extremely disappointed in me, but I’ve never seen any Star Wars--
KARISSA: You have to.
SARAH: (small chuckle) Yes.
KARISSA: You HAVE to.
SARAH: I’ll get there. Just you know...(small belly laugh)...there’s like seven...uh--
KARISSA: Start with the first six, those are the best.
SARAH: Alright.
KARISSA: I’m--controversial opinion—I don't like the new ones. But whatever.
SARAH: Cool. (laughs) Sorry! I’m sorry I don’t know what to say because Kimberly unmuted and I thought she was gonna--
KIMBERLY: I accidentally--
SARAH: I thought she was gonna clap back.
KIMBERLY: I accidentally unmuted...but I was just going to say that I am—I am Obi-Wan Kenobi? Ummm, the public will never see it unless you go to my high school’s drama website. But I did play Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Shakespearean version of A New Hope. So, keep that in mind.
SARAH: I love that. I don’t even know who that is and I love that. *chuckles* Ummm, along with more—I'm sorry I really can’t talk about Star Wars ‘cause I have no idea what I’m talking about. Umm along with Karissa: Growth. Change. I’m really excited for new beginnings. I know a lot of us, not only the three of us--*chuckles*-- I know a lot of people in the Writing Center are graduating this year and I know that’s really hard for the people staying along with the people graduating along with our bosses ‘cause we’re very sad. ‘Cause we’re all a little family, it’s very cute and it’s very sad. BUT! Umm, it’s really exciting! Like I can’t believe four years have passed! Or three years for our lady Karissa, graduatin early – woo! Anyway, I’m sorry I feel like I didn’t write a lot for this section (laughs for a while) I’m really just falling apart—anyways! Very excited to graduate and for anything to come afterwards umm...
KIMBERLY: That’s okay, that’s okay! (laughs) Graduating and just, just, umm I put in the chat – the audience can’t see it but I just put in the chat “We don’t' say the G word” in our house because it makes me sad because I’m the only one who isn’t graduating this year, of this podcast group. Wow, that’s a mouthful. Umm, but you know sometimes new beginnings have—some of the things have to end for new things to begin; when a door closes another one opens—that's what I was trying to allude to. Umm so, things to look forward to! If you haven’t known already, there is a vaccine for the corona virus and I would recommend, I would highly encourage you to get it, if you can! When you can! Umm because the sooner we are able to tackle this virus together as a collective population, then we are able to be together in person! And hold hands and hug each other and show affection! I know for some people who don’t like that—just a simple hello and just being in someone else’s presence so we don’t have to be six feet apart. Umm so that’s something to look forward to, that’s definitely definitely, please please, get it uhh when it’s available to you. And like Elena, there are movies that are coming out that I’m super excited about! Namely, Raya and the Last Dragon, I think I’m pronouncing that right, staring one of my idols, Kelly Marie Tran, who’s from the Last Jedi, uh fun fact. And is written by one of my favorite playwrights, Qui Nguyen, and uh is coming to theatres March 2021 and I could not be more excited because I just love Disney movies and I think this is a really great um movie, especially for Southeast Asians uh to really get—to see some of their faces on screen! And in animation! It's great! Additionally, I am one of the assistant directors for Rosa Joshi’s production of Twelfth Night as part of the theatre program at SU’s winter quarter special Uncharted Waters which is a collaboration between UW and Seattle U and all of their theatre programs so please check that out in March. Tickets are—I don’t know yet—but I will be advertising it, so stay tuned. Umm, and that’ll be it for me yeah.
ELENA: Yeah, so, in conclusion uhh we know that 2020 felt more like ten years wrapped up in 365 days, uh and the start of 2021, probably--actually it could have been more stressful you know like let’s no tempt fate there umm but here at Hoo’s at the Writing Center we want to create a space where listeners can find some calm in the storm.
KARISSA: We are beyond excited to start 2021 with our new season and we wish you all the love and care in the world.
SARAH: Be safe, take care of one another, and this has been another episode of
COLLECTIVE: Hoo..Hoo...Hoo’s at the Writing Center...Writing Center...
SARAH: I feel like we should a little-- *chuckles*
KIMBERLY: You know
ELENA AND KIMBERLY: We need a conductor.
KIMBERLY: We gotta like time it? We gotta know before hand, before we hit record to be like okay. How many hoo’s, how fast are the hoo’s, and like how do we end it. All that stuff. Okay *chuckles* thank you for listening to that and we’ll see you next episode!
[OUTRO MUSIC]
ELENA: Hello and welcome back to Hoo’s at the Writing Center!
I’m Elena,
KARISSA: I’m Karissa,
SARAH: I’m Sarah,
KIMBERLY: And I’m Kimberly!
ELENA: We apologize beforehand for ending season two pretty abruptly, but as many of you know, fall quarter took a lot of our headspace. But we find ourselves in a new podcast season, a new quarter, and a new year. And while it may be over now, 2020 was truly exhausting, and the beginning of 2021 has shown that the new year doesn’t really mean the world resets with a blank slate for the next 365 days.
That being said, we thought we could all use a little time to decompress and talk about things that helped us make it through 2020, as well as hopeful things in the year to come, both big and small.
KARISSA: Before we get into that, we wanted to acknowledge and honor that Monday, January 18th was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In the description we’ve included some links to resources that we’d encourage you check out. Um, some of his works and other resources concerning the Black Lives Matter movement and how you can help out in that way as well.
SARAH: So this is definitely a weird winter break and holiday season, but as weird as it was, what were some experiences you had that you were really grateful for? As corny as it is, especially in times when so many overwhelming negative things are happening, expressing and keeping track of the good stuff in life can be so helpful in grounding yourself and focusing on what’s important.
KIMBERLY: It’s similar to an actual practice called gratitude meditation, which is based in the common practice in Buddhism and many Indigenous American cultures of beginning the day by reflecting on the people and the things you’re grateful for. You can do this verbally, mentally, or even keep what’s called a gratitude journal, where you write down these thoughts or even write little letters to the people, places, or things you’re grateful for. This podcast episode is like our own version of gratitude meditation for the past, present, and the future year ahead. You’re welcome to join us in reflecting on what you’re grateful for as you listen.
So to start things off we wanna talk about, uh, little winter break things that we did. Uh, take it away Elena.
ELENA: Sure. So, I spent most of my winter break in super exciting quarantine—um-- but I was with my family, I flew back to Phoenix and um six feet apart was a lot better than 1,415 miles apart. Would recommend, safely. I got to see my cat and our husky puppy, who—she's more like a very laggy husky teen now. Um, and taking her on nighttime walks was a really good excuse to, like, safely escape quarantine, um, and just kind of get outside. And something that I always miss when I'm up in Seattle is the stars. Arizona has really clear skies, um, and it was really magical to look up and be able to see the clear Phoenix night skies. And especially during the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, which was super, super cool, and I—my dad and I, like, got his pair of binoculars and we could see Saturn’s rings, which was pretty amazing.
KIMBERLY: I have a telescope, well I don’t have a telescope my parents thought it’d be great for my siblings and I to get a telescope and like look at the stars, cause like, Seattle doesn’t-- it’s pretty, you know, blank slate every night and cloudy in the morning, but, um, it was like “maybe you should look at the stars and, you know, check it out,” but hearing you talk about it is like makes me feel “oh! Maybe I should... maybe I should look up every once in a while, and not be, you know, corralled in my room all day and night.”
And also, Elena’s pets are really cute, so check them out. I don’t know how that would work, because you’re all just listening to this, but I guess that’s the magic of--
ELENA: I mean, I guess I could link them [chuckles].
KIMBERLY: Link in the description!
ELENA: Just fully embed pictures [laughter].
KIMBERLY: [laughter].
ELENA: But yeah, you can see it in 100 more years Kimberly, so [laughter]
KIMBERLY: I’m prepared.
KARISSA: I also flew back home. I’m from Minnesota, so I went back to Minnestoa for winter break, so it was nice to see my family and get to spend time with them. Um, I spent a lot of time working, which is kind of a bummer, but on the bright side I had a mandatory two week quarantine, so I wasn’t allowed in the store that I work at, and I had to just stay home for two weeks, um, which was super nice because I got to do absolutely nothing and I just got to cross stitch and, like, actually watch TV, and read, and go, like, get back into my practice of mindfulness, which I got so stressed that I just stopped doing it dead week last quarter, which was probably not for the best [chuckles]. Um, my parents also got a new Goldendoodle puppy over break, and she’s so cute and has so much energy and she loves being in the snow, um, so, like, we were forced to take her on walks every day or else she would just never go to sleep, um, so that was like a good excuse to get outside, and um, to spend some time with her. And I also got Lasik! Which is really cool because I can now see 20/20 with my very own eyes, and it’s a whole—it’s a whole new world out there.
KIMBERLY: You’re a whole year late or you could make the 2020 joke.
KARISSA: I know. I know. It was such a bummer, but now looking at the past... 20/20 vision, though. That was really awful. Alright, Sarah, tell us about your--
KIMBERLY: That was terrible. We’re moving on.
Ooo, there’s little guest cat but you can’t see it because this is just a podcast.
SARAH: Yeah, you wanna say hi? [laughs] I don’t think she’ll meow on command, but I wish she did. You know we’ll have like little conversations. Anyway, the listeners don’t even know what I’m talking about [laughs]. Um, it’s my little kitty, but we’ll talk about her later, don’t worry.
Um, I also spent my winter break back home in New Mexico. Um, it’s so funny, like, I left so early because our like school starter earlier and then I wanted to quarantine for my grandma for Thanksgiving, so I left like early November, and I remember like [laughs] it was very movie-esc. I opened my airplane window and I saw the sun and it was like “oh my gosh that still exists!” Like the blue still exists, the sun still is here, um, so very cute, very cute things. I long for the sun now. Um, me and Elena were talking about how like—it’s very funny because sometimes in the winter the sun comes here, like in Seattle, but it’s not warm. Like, it’s so cold it doesn’t warm you up, so that’s just ridiculous.
ELENA: Why? [laughs]
SARAH: It doesn’t make sense!
ELENA: You see the sun and you’re like “yes!” like “finally seasonal depression can go away” and then you go outside and it’s like freezing and you just get said again.
SARAH: [laughter] Exactly! Um, yeah, but it’s really nice going back home—it's—I don’t live in a really big city in a really loud place so it’s nice to go back to the quiet. Um, I really like seeing the sunset every day when I’m back home, because everything is just flat. Like it’s not flat, we have mountains and stuff, but there’s no like really big buildings in the way like here, so it’s just really nice to see all the colors and I always just, like, miss the sky when I’m up here so, yeah! Kimberly?
KIMBERLY: I just want to concur, uh, that Albuquerque is beautiful, and uh, sunsets there are gorgeous. And as Sarah was talking about it, I couldn’t help but think about, uh, where my girlfriend is located and getting to see the sunset because, like, it happens in Seattle, but it’s just a different vibe when you’re in Albuquerque and you can see the like—she lives near the, like, I was trying to think of it, because I—the Sandia mountains? Yeah?
SARAH: Yeah!
KIMBERLY: I’m getting a thumbs up from Sarah, so this is right [laughter]. Emily if you’re listening I’m sorry. Um--
SARAH: [laughs]
KIMBERLY: But it’s pink!
SARAH: Yes!
KIMBERLY: Because you get to see the sunset and it’s like you—it's just gorgeous. Everyone when we’re not in a panoramic um-- Tik Tok fans will get that—we [laughs] we uh please go to Albuquerque because it’s gorgeous and beautiful. I just wanted to give a shoutout.
SARAH: Thank you, thank you.
KIMBERLY: Yeah, of course, of course. Love my ABQ. Um, so, I’m lame and I’m a born and raised Seattleite so I [chuckles] was stuck here. Um, but I also hate to say that because I’m from here I’m so used to it being sunny but cold and that’s actually my favorite kind of weather. I’m sorry everyone. I know, I know. I’m terrible, but [laughs] that’s my favorite kind of weather. Um, anyway, uh, so anyway during my winter break I actually did nothing. I know that a lot of people like to be productive during breaks, and if that’s you that’s really cool, but I really needed a break. I needed that five weeks to just, you know, take in what was fall quarter and anticipate 2021, so I really took the time to just do things that I really enjoy like being lazy and watching nerdy voice actors play Dungeons and Dragons, that was basically all of my winter break, and also watching anime because I was trying to get into that. And so, so lots of screen time, but I think it was helpful for me to just sort of recuperate, because we all know that fall quarter was something else and it was stressful for a lot of us, so I think everyone who took winter break to, like myself, as time to just decompress and do whatever you wish is, you know, perfectly valid and perfectly fine. Um, so, I had a lot of fun with that. And my girlfriend also surprised me, not surprised me, I knew she was coming, but she came up to Seattle [laughs] yeah, I know. She came up to Seattle to spend not Christmas with me, but she left on Christmas Eve and it was really great because, you know, spend time with my family and her and, uh, we played a lot of games. A lot of Jackbox party, if you guys don’t have that I totally recommend, uh, it’s a lot of yelling if you’re a competitive person like me. And that’s about it, just a lot of spending time with myself, which I hadn’t done in a while, and spending time with family, and getting to relax before I have to get back into a routine again, so.
ELENA: Yeah, so winter break was really, I think for all of us I think a time to decompress and sort of brace ourselves for the new year, so on that note we wanted to share some of our, uh, super corny new year's resolutions, but also just general survival techniques, because like, who knows. Survival techniques in a positive way, let’s go with that [laughs].
Um, so for me, I think I know that like the most cliché new year’s resolution is , like, go to the gym/workout, but this year I really mean it [laughs] and I think the reason for that is, I don’t know about you guys but Zoom school and Zoom work, like, killed my legs and like the body aches were real, especially towards the end of 2020. Um, and so, I’ve found that doing just like, not even really long, but like, simple short daily workouts have been really helpful. Yeah, walking to school too was like where I got my aerobic exercise in, like it was a guaranteed aerobic workout to like walk up Cherry Street, like, um, so now that we don’t really--
KIMBERLY: Also, if you have like a, like a class from like all the way in the—I don’t even know directions-- but like in Admin and then you had one all the way in like a different building it was like a full sprint, but--
ELENA: Yeah, especially if there are stairs too and you’re just like running up the stairs because the elevators take forever [laughs]
KIMBERLY: Oh god.
ELENA: Yeah, so now that we don’t have that I think it’s been really helpful for me and my mental state and my, uh, poor achy legs to have daily workouts. And, um, I think also for me some new year’s resolutions are just like getting more creative with cooking, um, I got really into cooking in 2020 because quarantine, but I think I really would like to branch out and make a layer cake, like one of the really ambitious, like requires multiple cake pans, uh, so we’ll see how that goes. I’ve already forced my roommates whatever I make so [laughs] at least I know that I’ll have friends to eat it with. Um, and also just getting back into art. I used to do art a lot more but 2020 kind of zapped all of my creative energy, um, and now I think I’m sort of recovering from all that, so I’ve really wanted to get back into watercolors, um, and maybe even getting back into sculpture which I did a lot in high school, um, and yeah. I think another thing too, just sort of like a fun weird thing, is my sister got me this little tea leaf reading book. Um, she got it from this like little—I don’t know—like hippy, new age sort of like crystal shop up in Sedona, which is like peak hippy town in Arizona [laughs] um, and yeah, I don’t know, I just feel like it would be a fun, a neat party trick to be like “let me read your tea leaves.” I don’t know when that would ever come up in life, but [laughs].
KIMBERLY: If you’re at a party with Elena, you have to ask them about their tea leaf reading. Just pull—just keep tea leaves on you from now on.
ELENA: I’ll just like always have loose leaf tea on hand.
KIMBERLY: Yeah, and everyone else.
[overlapped chatter]
ELENA: Just distribute lose leaf tea. Nothing weird about that.
KIMBERLY: Not at all. 2021 here we come!
ELENA: Yeah, so you know, very realistic and useful goals for 2021.
KARISSA: Number one new year’s resolution: carry around lose leaf tea. I have to remember to do it all the time. You never know when you’re gonna need it.
Um, and along with that, my other new year’s resolution is to, like, hold myself accountable just for being more organized and like actually taking care of myself, and like—for example I’m not really lactose intolerant but if I eat enough cheese, like, it really wrecks my stomach and I eat a lot of cheese all the time just because, like, no one’s ever told me like, “you’re lactose intolerant, you shouldn’t eat cheese.” So, then I just do it and I just like feel awful. And so just little things like that really taking care of myself and not thinking like “oh I’ll just deal with that later, like I’ll just feel that later” because I want cheese now or something like that, I don’t know. But, um, I—over break I had to like schedule all my doctor’s appointments, my dentist appointment, eye doctors, because I haven’t done that since literally high school because I just hate doing all of those things, and it felt really good to like go and find, not find out what was wrong with me, but find out the things that I can do to take better care of myself, that like I wasn’t doing that have maybe changed in the three or four years I’d seen my doctor. Um, so and it just felt really good like to have a better understanding of myself in that sense of this is what I should do, this is what I shouldn’t do, and here’s the ways that I can just like take care of myself a lot better. Um, so yeah, that’s like my biggest resolution, is to like not only check in mentally, but like physically and like approach my health from that sort of angle.
And then also, just to be better about checking in with people because I’m so awful at like even just texting. I won’t do it, and I’m on my phone all the time, and I just won’t [laughs] I won’t text anybody. So that’s really awful and I’m gonna, I’m gonna get better at that.
SARAH: Um, I don’t know if I told you guys this, but I had to get a permanent crown over break, like on my tooth. Um, and, so yeah I really highly recommend like actually making appointments with you dentist even if you’re like maybe scared of the dentist like I am, um, because my tooth like broke—I don’t know. Anyway, I didn’t feel it but it broke [laughs] and it was so funny the lady was cleaning my teeth and she was like “has anyone ever asked you about this back molar? It broke!” [laughs]
ELENA: Wait, you didn’t notice?
SARAH: No! [laughs] I was like “Jill!” [laughter] “No! No one’s ever asked me.” And she was like “Oh, well, hmmm.” It’s like HMMM yeah! [laughs] Yeah, apparently, I didn’t notice. Apparently, I had a really big cavity back there when I was little itty bitty and so then the um, oh my gosh, the tooth like—what is that called—oh my gosh, I’m so sorry—um, enamel weakened and then it just like *tongue click* chipped off and I didn’t feel it. So, anyhow taking care--
KIMBERLY: 2021 carry around tea leaves and check on your friends back molars everyone.
ELENA: Just occasionally make sure they’re all still there [laughs] and intact as friends do.
KARISSA: Count them.
SARAH: Yes please. I would appreciate it. Um, amazing, love.
My new year’s resolution for this year, um, kind of like Karissa just taking better care of myself and like really speaking up for myself and asking for what I need. I think, I struggle with that, I think a lot of people struggle with that, like, even the very simple like “oh, maybe I need more time to do this, maybe I should ask my professor for an extension,” instead of like—instead of working myself too hard, um, staying up all night doing something and not being proud of what I did. Um, just asking for what I need, telling people what’s going on. I have a really hard time doing that because no matter what’s going on, you’re certainly not as alone as you think. Uh, so it’s really important to reach out.
Um, more little things, I would love to keep a consistent sleep schedule. I’m pretty good right now I was—back home I got in a really good habit of going to bed at like nine or 10, because my family goes to bed really early, but when I’m up here it gets really janky. So, I’m pretty good right now, going to bed at 11, waking up around 9. I’m pretty happy about that. Um, I really want to get more into tarot readings, um, learn how to embroider because I know how to cross stitch, I don’t know how to embroider though. I would love to do that. I just bought a pattern for myself, so. I know. And [laughs] I would also really like to improve my posture. Even right now, I just, I always hunch and then I need a massage, but we can’t get massages because of COIVD, also money. So, it’s just really hard [laughs].
Um, so yeah! Those are my resolutions for this year.
KIMBERLY: Um, I just wanted to say, I went to Target like a couple days back, and I went through like the five-dollar section, you know, and I got a little bee. A little bee for cross stitching because I wanna get into it.
SARAH: I love that!
KIMBERLY: And I bought two because they were the only two left and I want to make them. Sorry eight-year-olds everywhere [laughs]. Thank you. Um, so yea, um, just aside from the usual stuff that we all, you know, sort of want to achieve or aim for in new years—new year's resolutions, like, you know, exercising or not sitting in front of a desk all day and like actually taking a walk or just walking in general. And I definitely want to cook more and write more, and uh, read more. What’s really funny is when we were trying to create this episode Sarah was like “you know, we should talk about the books we’ve read over winter break,” and I literally stared at the camera and I was like “I literally did nothing. I did none of that Sarah, I’m so sorry” [laughs]. And instead, I watched anime and dungeons and dragons' stuff, and I felt so bad, so I want to read more for this year. And I actually have a little list on my phone that says, “things I will accomplish in 2021” and I’m hoping that, um, hoping that I fill it up and it’s not as empty. The only thing that’s on it right now is that I finish watching Fullmetal Alchemist, um, which is an anime, but I will put up books, I promise. I’m currently reading, uh, you know-- all of my friends are laughing at me [laughs]. I don’t even know if I can count this as currently reading because I read it halfway through and then I stopped, and it’s been very many months since I last picked it up, but I’m in the midst of Crazy Rich Asians, which you all should read. It’s a great book, I’m sure it is, I will finish it and I will get back to everyone how great it is [laughs].
Um, so yeah, aside from all of that, like I said just general cooking, and writing, reading more, and the thing that I put in our little um episode transcription is that I really want to start taking initiative on my future, because I got a notification a couple days ago about applying for graduation later this year, and I got scared because that’s real, and it really hits me that I’m a junior and I’m going to graduate next year. Um, so that’s really crazy and scary, especially since we’re in a pandemic it’s like the future doesn’t even exist, but it does. So, uh, definitely gonna start thinking about how I can jumpstart that, and I think that’s something that will make me feel better, is for me to have a little bit of a structure as to how I’m gonna start my life. Wow that sounds scary.
ELENA: Yeah, it must be scary thinking about graduating next year [laughs].
KIMBERLY: I’m sorry!
KARISSA: It’s not like we’re gonna graduate this year or anything [laughs].
ELENA: We don’t need to talk about that.
KIMBERLY: Listen, as the youngest in this group I feel like I have a right to be afraid [laughs].
ELENA: Oh yeah. No, that’s fair.
KIMBERLY: You guys had this opportunity last year, it's my time now [laughter].
ELENA: The fear only grows. On that really cheery note. Uh, there’s some overlap here, but we also wanted to just talk about, like, general selfcare things, things that sparked joy, mostly recent things, but could also be, like, just things that are just sort of like your comfort things that you return to.
Um, so for me, I have recently discovered the joy of Sea Shanties. Uh, they are a Tik Tok phenomenon, but I was into them before that, just let the record show. Uh, there are Spotify playlists that are just full of Sea Shanties and they slap. Unironically, they’re really good and you should listen to them. They’re especially good to listen to while working out, and I can’t explain that it’s just like [laughs] they’re great. Um, and I think also for me, playing D&D and watching D&D, but I think activities like that—like this is super corny, but for me D&D has been honestly sort of a lifesaver in 2020 because it allowed me to still, like, chill with my friends in a safe format and have like a scheduled social interaction, um, that, you know, was still safe and, kind of, I think helped keep me sane. And another totally unrelated thing is watching nature livestreams. I really miss being able to like, go hiking and just go out in nature because I honestly don’t have time, and there are all these nature livestreams, you can google it. There’s like a million of them, and they’re all of just different places around the globe. But my current favorite one is this Puffin cam. It’s just these Puffins chillin on this island, I think it’s from Audubon bird society, but they have just these Puffins chillin on their island, doing Puffin things, and it’s delightful. Um, and another delightful thing is I saw the movie Wolf Walkers, which just came out. Uh, it’s mad by the same people who made Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, which are like these really, very pretty, like, animated, 2D animated movies. And it’s one of those stories that’s-- it has like pretty serious themes, but I think it’s fun for like anybody of any age to watch. Um it’s about like 1650 Ireland during the English occupation. Yeah, it just has really powerful themes and I like totally cried while watching it, and I’d definitely recommend--cried in a good way, but I definitely recommend watching it if you, you know, want a movie to watch with your family or like your friends, or, you know, alone, just to cry alone watch [laughs] just a really beautiful movie. So, yeah.
KARISSA: Yeah, so the biggest thing that’s gotten me through like the last year, and kind of even into the new year is just like the ability to make myself laugh, and not necessarily at myself or anything like that, but just like feeling comfortable enough to laugh at anything and everything and no one has to be around, like it can just be me and I have like this funny thought and instead of just being like “hmm,” like I will laugh out loud at whatever I’m thinking about that just feels funny, um, and I think especially living alone right now that’s really helpful because it just fills the space and it just allows me to be more consciously comfortable and accepting of like my environment and how I fit into that and just being alone and really just existing, which is—it's nice to have like a sense of comfort, um, when thinking about that especially with everything that’s been going on in the world. Um, and also, I have found a new love for Facebook Marketplace, like it’s my favorite thing to look at on my phone and purchase things. It’s just awesome, like it’s a pretty sustainable and sometimes cheap way to fulfill the need for retail therapy. And a lot of the sellers are really promoting social distancing and contactless pick up and payments and things like that, so, um, it’s a really good time. I enjoy it very much. Take my money!
SARAH: We love Facebook Marketplace. I think we got, like, all of the chairs in this house--a lot of chairs from there. Oh! Also, this table. Yeah, it’s just—what a good place, a good nook of the internet.
Um, let’s see. I think something that, something that sparks joy [laughs] for me [laughs] is usually getting enough sleep. I think this year I really noticed like... because of the lack of routine I got in a very bad habit of not getting enough sleep or just going to bed at very weird hours, and so, a good eight to nine hours, highly recommend. I love waking up and not feeling terrible, you know? Um, also going out for walks like Elena said, even if it is just one step out your door—the nice fresh air is really the best. Also, you know, honestly this whole year my little kitty Athena has really sparked me the most joy. Um, she was down in New Mexico and I brought her up here, snagged her for the year. She’s technically my emotional support animal now, so even on the plane I got to like—she got to be in my lap the whole time, she was on sedatives, so it was really nice. We were like both really calm, um, cozy together. The flight attendants loved her, I also love her, so it’s a great pair. She’s a three-year-old, black kitty. Also highly recommend black cats. I know a lot of the population is like, “they’re bad luck.” That’s a lie, they’re great luck. I love—all of our cats have been black cats. Um, so yes, just really—it's really nice to have like another form of life in the house. If you can’t get an animal, perhaps a plant would be a good recommendation, as Elena’s-- how many plants do you have now?
ELENA: Like over 20.
SARAH: [Laughs]
ELENA: But I started creating baby plants by cutting off parts of the previous plants, so if anybody would like a baby plant, they’re growing roots and they’re free so [laughs].
SARAH: I would love!
KIMBERLY: Hit Elena up for tea leaf readings and plants.
[overlapped laughter]
SARAH: Yes!
KIMBERLY: We are quite a brand. Uh, yeah, so, in a similar sense of doing stuff that helps us, you know, feel better in terms of taking a walk, I got a massive 50-ounce water bottle for Christmas because I’m so terrible at keeping track of how much water I drink, and sometimes I forget, and sometimes I, um, get really dizzy or I get really bad headaches and everyone I speak to is like, “did you drink water today?” and I’m like, “you know what? You’re right I didn’t do that.” So, I have a giant water bottle and my goal is every time I fill it up, I have to finish it the day of, unless it’s like nighttime then I’m not gonna drink like 50 ounces of water, yeah. Anyway, so drinking more water, uh, I’ve come to really appreciate its affects and you know, making me feel better, like the second I drink water I feel better, I feel refreshed, I feel a little more energized and I just think it does a lot of wonders for us, especially for health benefits and just—it’s just great! I know that’s kind of obvious – it's kind of silly to say out loud - but I just need that reminder for myself - as we’re editing this – to drink water. And if you haven't already, drink water! And get a glass! And you know, look at the sun, if there is anywhere you are. And as Elena said, PLAY DND! I promise it’s as nerdy as you think it is, but it’s super fun and I’ve played it with both people who are not medieval or Dungeons and Dragons-esque people and I’ve played it with people who are! And it’s both a great time. And I think that the responses I’ve gotten from either party has said that they really enjoy it. And I think it’s a fun way for creativity and just a fun [Kimberly trying to get her thoughts together through gibberish] Just a fun opportunity to see how you make decisions on and play with fate and all that stuff. It’s really awesome, it’s really great, and also, rolling dice is just so satisfying. [Laughs] And I mentioned earlier that play--Jackbox Party, which is a virtual game that you can get online or on Steam [An online gaming platform]. It’s a great way to play— It’s like a fun board game and it gives you a couple of board games that you can play— “board games quote-on-quote". They’re really fun, they’re super accessible for larger parties, but if you aren’t able to purchase it, I’ve also came to find--I’ve come across a free version of Jackbox – kind of – called “backyard.co” and it basically has a similar essence to it, in that, it gives you different games that you can play with multiple people, but it’s free so it’s more accessible and you can—It has a built-in feature where you can video-chat people live as you play games. So, you can yell at each other if you think someone is doing—made a wrong move in chess or if they just took your queen and you’re really upset. Or you can play other games like... There are just so many. The first one that came up to me was a “Cards Against Humanity”-esque kind of game but there are other ones, I promise. And that’s all I have in terms of sort of self-care, I just--making sure that we [unintelligible] you know, allow ourselves to take better care of ourselves in a multitude of ways for 2021. Which leads us to our sort of final segment of this episode of things to look forward to because 2020 was something else. We hope, and we surely hope, that 2021 is full of new, crazy adventures and new opportunities for all of us. So, take it away!
ELENA: Yeah, so, an exciting thing, which I didn’t realize until I was Googling stuff for this episode and I was like, “Oh God, what is there to look forward to in 2021?” Turns out there’s a lot of things! One of which I thought was very cool, the Mars mission from three different countries – I think from … I want to say China, United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. - are arriving on Mars in early 2021 like February-ish. And there is also a total solar eclipse at the end of 2021, so get hyped for that! Cool space things! Also, I feel like a part of me feels like I am the only person who knows that this movie exists because I have never—I don’t think I ever saw trailers for it air in movie theaters when movie theaters were a thing people went to safely. But, the movie, The Green Knight, starring Dev Patel, is finally coming out this summer. It’s based on one of my personal, nerdy, English major faves, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which is this like 14th century, “Arthurian" poem. The poem does slap [Laughs] and you should read it, but I’m just really excited about the movie because I think it makes it more like an accessible format for people to watch and appreciate.
KARISSA: The thing I’m looking forward to most in 2021 is just like growth and change. I’m working really hard to embrace the idea of both of those things especially with graduation coming up in the spring. So, trying to put a positive twist on that because looking back, over the last couple of years, being able to see the growth and the change has been really empowering and enlightening. So, I’m just trying to focus that mindset, but more on the future. And also, the return of Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series that’s supposed to start filming this year! I’m so excited because I really do love Star Wars, but even more than that, I love Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. And I love them both as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. So, I’m—I just cannot wait for this to come out. I don’t know if it’s coming out in 2021, but I know it starts filming. So, I’m geeking out about that one!
SARAH: Karissa, you may be extremely disappointed in me, but I’ve never seen any Star Wars--
KARISSA: You have to.
SARAH: (small chuckle) Yes.
KARISSA: You HAVE to.
SARAH: I’ll get there. Just you know...(small belly laugh)...there’s like seven...uh--
KARISSA: Start with the first six, those are the best.
SARAH: Alright.
KARISSA: I’m--controversial opinion—I don't like the new ones. But whatever.
SARAH: Cool. (laughs) Sorry! I’m sorry I don’t know what to say because Kimberly unmuted and I thought she was gonna--
KIMBERLY: I accidentally--
SARAH: I thought she was gonna clap back.
KIMBERLY: I accidentally unmuted...but I was just going to say that I am—I am Obi-Wan Kenobi? Ummm, the public will never see it unless you go to my high school’s drama website. But I did play Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Shakespearean version of A New Hope. So, keep that in mind.
SARAH: I love that. I don’t even know who that is and I love that. *chuckles* Ummm, along with more—I'm sorry I really can’t talk about Star Wars ‘cause I have no idea what I’m talking about. Umm along with Karissa: Growth. Change. I’m really excited for new beginnings. I know a lot of us, not only the three of us--*chuckles*-- I know a lot of people in the Writing Center are graduating this year and I know that’s really hard for the people staying along with the people graduating along with our bosses ‘cause we’re very sad. ‘Cause we’re all a little family, it’s very cute and it’s very sad. BUT! Umm, it’s really exciting! Like I can’t believe four years have passed! Or three years for our lady Karissa, graduatin early – woo! Anyway, I’m sorry I feel like I didn’t write a lot for this section (laughs for a while) I’m really just falling apart—anyways! Very excited to graduate and for anything to come afterwards umm...
KIMBERLY: That’s okay, that’s okay! (laughs) Graduating and just, just, umm I put in the chat – the audience can’t see it but I just put in the chat “We don’t' say the G word” in our house because it makes me sad because I’m the only one who isn’t graduating this year, of this podcast group. Wow, that’s a mouthful. Umm, but you know sometimes new beginnings have—some of the things have to end for new things to begin; when a door closes another one opens—that's what I was trying to allude to. Umm so, things to look forward to! If you haven’t known already, there is a vaccine for the corona virus and I would recommend, I would highly encourage you to get it, if you can! When you can! Umm because the sooner we are able to tackle this virus together as a collective population, then we are able to be together in person! And hold hands and hug each other and show affection! I know for some people who don’t like that—just a simple hello and just being in someone else’s presence so we don’t have to be six feet apart. Umm so that’s something to look forward to, that’s definitely definitely, please please, get it uhh when it’s available to you. And like Elena, there are movies that are coming out that I’m super excited about! Namely, Raya and the Last Dragon, I think I’m pronouncing that right, staring one of my idols, Kelly Marie Tran, who’s from the Last Jedi, uh fun fact. And is written by one of my favorite playwrights, Qui Nguyen, and uh is coming to theatres March 2021 and I could not be more excited because I just love Disney movies and I think this is a really great um movie, especially for Southeast Asians uh to really get—to see some of their faces on screen! And in animation! It's great! Additionally, I am one of the assistant directors for Rosa Joshi’s production of Twelfth Night as part of the theatre program at SU’s winter quarter special Uncharted Waters which is a collaboration between UW and Seattle U and all of their theatre programs so please check that out in March. Tickets are—I don’t know yet—but I will be advertising it, so stay tuned. Umm, and that’ll be it for me yeah.
ELENA: Yeah, so, in conclusion uhh we know that 2020 felt more like ten years wrapped up in 365 days, uh and the start of 2021, probably--actually it could have been more stressful you know like let’s no tempt fate there umm but here at Hoo’s at the Writing Center we want to create a space where listeners can find some calm in the storm.
KARISSA: We are beyond excited to start 2021 with our new season and we wish you all the love and care in the world.
SARAH: Be safe, take care of one another, and this has been another episode of
COLLECTIVE: Hoo..Hoo...Hoo’s at the Writing Center...Writing Center...
SARAH: I feel like we should a little-- *chuckles*
KIMBERLY: You know
ELENA AND KIMBERLY: We need a conductor.
KIMBERLY: We gotta like time it? We gotta know before hand, before we hit record to be like okay. How many hoo’s, how fast are the hoo’s, and like how do we end it. All that stuff. Okay *chuckles* thank you for listening to that and we’ll see you next episode!
[OUTRO MUSIC]