By Caterina Erdas A few weeks ago, I met a stranger at a bus stop in north Baltimore. When I struck up a conversation, he introduced himself: “I’m Tom Bing, his name reign supreme — one day I’ll win the million-dollar lottery.” He was African-American, in his early forties, and worked for a landscaping company Read more about Between Murda-land and Charm City[…]
By Caterina Erdas In early March, right before I came home for the rest of the semester, my mother spent two hours explaining new coronavirus precautions to my grandmother, who lives nearby. Her name is Mei-Chih Chang, but we call her Popo (maternal grandmother in Mandarin). My mother laid down the law: Popo could not Read more about Protecting Popo: How One Family is Coping with COVID-19[…]
Baltimore Community Statistics Name of Community: Baltimore City, MD Established (date): 1729 Land area: 92.28 sq mi Population: 602,495 Population over 65: 13.2% Population per sq. mile: 6,550 Racial Makeup: 62.5% black, 27.5% white, 5.1% Hispanic, 2.6% Asian, 2.5% mixed Persons per household: 2.48 Per Capita Read more about Baltimore by the Numbers[…]
By Caterina Erdas Being home and not hanging out with my Baltimore friends is unsettling. I am really lucky to have a strong group of friends back home that I feel close to. I never talk to them when I am at school, but whenever we meet up at home, or if they stop by Read more about Toilet Paper Theory and Marble Sports: Journal | April 20[…]
By Caterina Erdas Today I worked on my ballet for ballet class and I played soccer with my dad and brother. It’s remarkable how much my focus increased after a light workout. Getting started really is the hardest part. Dang it, all those gym rats were right! I email my old research professor for Read more about My first productive day: Journal | April 18[…]
By Caterina Erdas National Geographic published an article about different ways quarantine may be affecting how often we remember dreams and the content of those dreams. It reminded me of a very vivid dream I had a couple days ago. Usually, I remember my nightmares, but I had a wonderful dream I cannot stop thinking Read more about Space Climbing: Journal | April 17[…]
By Caterina Erdas The idea of the fall semester online brings a pit to my stomach. I feel really bad for the seniors who won’t have a proper graduation. I have never been a sentimental person who cares about rites of passages, but I understand its important for others. Can you imagine the disappointment and Read more about To be Selfish or Patient? Journal | April 14[…]
By Caterina Erdas This situation is mentally exhausting when there is no real end in sight. The potential date when things will start going back to normal gets pushed back further and further as the situation changes; you can’t feel confident about those dates. What happens in Italy is a window into the near future Read more about Motivation Cycle: Journal | April 7[…]
By Caterina Erdas Coronavirus is the “invisible enemy” so I will record some non-visual observations that are a part of my everyday life. They are either new changes or observations I had never stopped to notice before. Dogs barking Children playing, throwing insults at each other The taste of fresh, sweet, slightly fermented orange juice Read more about New Sounds, Scents, and Flavors: Journal | April 3[…]
The internet here is so incredibly frustrating, as you can tell by the fact that I keep bringing it up. Mama says Popo is very sad and extra lonely because of what is going on. Side note: our crazy fundamentalist Christian relatives think this is the second coming of Christ. What’s up with that? Read more about What has changed and what will never change: March 29[…]