Episode 85: Life during quarantine

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Ian: Hey everyone, you are listening and watching “Coffee with Gringos.” Also known as “Quarantine with Gringos.” I'm Ian Kennedy.

Paige: And I'm Paige Sutherland.

Ian: And Paige, this is kind of weird, isn't it? This is our first, well, Zoom—it’s our first Zoom conference recording for the podcast. This is a new thing for us, right? It's a new thing for the world what's happening right now. So, we’ll see how this goes.

Paige: Crazy times, Ian. Crazy times.

Ian: Yes, strange time to be alive, but it's also exciting, I think. But as we've seen, COVID-19 has really changed the way we're living the world right now. And one of these new normals is life during quarantine. So, everyone has moved from working being outside in their office and spending time outside to basically being hunkered down in their apartment or their house for sometimes long periods of times. In my case, I have been in quarantine here in Providencia for about three weeks to a month now. So, starting to turn into “Groundhog Day”—I'm starting to feel like Bill Murray. Every day is the same almost, but I'm keeping myself busy and trying to stay focused. So, how about you? How's quarantine going for you?

Paige: Yeah, like you said, I mean, it's definitely repetitive. Like, what day of the week is it? What month? What year? Maybe. No, it's, I've never spent so much time inside before. I think it really makes you appreciate the liberties you had pre-quarantine life. Little shout out though, I think it's a really good time to learn a language. Everyone who has all this free time, maybe a little less work on their plate. You know, could listen to some podcasts like “Coffee with Gringos.” So yeah, that's my plug for the day, but yeah. Life could be worse, could be worse.

Ian: Definitely, you know, it's true. You mentioned and, you know, this is, of course, inconvenient. It's something new, no one really knows what's truly going on. Unless you were alive over a hundred years ago for the Spanish flu, this is really a new experience for everybody. We're all trying to figure out: “How do we manage this new situation we're living in?” So, a lot of people are figuring out, how can I stay at home and stay focused, continue working and really being able to take advantage of this time? And so, we see a lot of people focusing on new hobbies or, in my case, I'm trying, picking up the guitar again. I'm trying to improve a little bit so it gives us more time to focus on these things we want to improve on. And that's why I will also plug subscribing to “Coffee with Gringos” and listening every day when you're in your house, you’re thinking about something to do, you need something to listen to. It's a perfect time to take ten or fifteen minutes and get a little practice in.  

Paige: And I do have to follow up on that, so what other new hobbies have you picked up while you've had a little more free time?

Ian: Oh well, new hobbies…. Not so sure, new hobbies. I don't think I've picked up any new ones. I think I've been more picking up the slack on some things that I've been trying to do on my to-do list or maybe some things before that I said I didn't have enough time. I'm finding more time now; I'm devoting more time. So, like, guitar, practicing my Spanish more, what else….taking , like, free courses online that are being offered. So, it's a good time to take advantage of these things to where if you're running around all day and you're in the office or running errands, doing these things, maybe you won't have time. So, it just depends. What about you? Have you picked up anything new or keeping yourself busy in any certain way? What’s your...?

Paige: Yeah, so I feel like being inside all this time I have a lot of like built-up energy, and I've just, like, been fed up with watching TV and Netflix. I’m just, like, over it. So, I ended up getting into TikTok, which is kind of embarrassing. So, I've been making videos which I probably will regret after I, like, get my mind back. I just feel like when you're inside all day, I, like, need to be creative in some way. And so, I was like, “Oh, I'm gonna make some videos.

Ian: Sure.  Yeah, good way to pass the time.

Paige: Yeah.

Ian: Wait until your kids see those videos, twenty years from now. Talk about embarrassment.

Paige: Yeah, well it's funny too is, I don't know if you're ever on TikTok but there's, like, a lot of people like me who are, like, I'm thirty. Just discovered this, like, new app and I'm like, just, like, leaning in…leaning into it.

Ian: “This is what the cool kids are doing, huh?”

Paige: Yeah. No, you can also you can have some fun with it and, like, with my friends we've been doing challenges where we're, like, making videos and, like, competing. But yeah, I mean, I just feel like being stuck inside all day, like, you need to find new ways to entertain yourself. You can't just, like, sit and watch TV all day.

Ian: Right, it gets so repetitive. And I think one thing that's a plus, or something that's good about the situation is, at the very least, we can pass the time looking at funny memes, watching funny videos, kind of turning something that's obviously unfortunate to finding the humor in it, right? We can laugh at ourselves; we can laugh at the situation. I really do think humor is the best medicine for most bad situations. And so, I think it's been good for people's mental health, for people staying emotionally healthy to be able to make these videos, these fun videos, and kind of laugh off the situation. It's making it less severe as if everyone was stuck at home without communication. People would probably be feeling a little bit more distraught, I think.

Paige: Speaking of that, I have to ask you, I mean, we're both quarantined inside was not a lot of people. How do you stay social? What's your, like, method?

Ian:  Yes, a good question. I mean, like we're talking about we're lucky that at least this all happened in 2020 when we have great technology. It's so easy to call home, talk to loved ones, talk to friends. So, I'm lucky enough to, you know, have WhatsApp video calls with my family, my friends, still use all the social media with Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook. So, I still call home and see everybody's face and talk to them. So, I can't imagine what this would be like if this happened maybe fifteen or twenty years ago before all this technology existed, right? It would be so different to not be able to talk to your family during the situation, especially for us being on the other side of the world from our families. And so, it's good to check in on everybody, know that they're safe. Know that they know that you’re safe. So, I think that's also another good thing. If something bad like this had to happen, it’s better that it happened when we have all these resources to stay connected than if it happened before. What about you?

Paige: Have you had any Zoom parties?

Ian: No, not so many Zoom parties. Had a few, like, a couple conference-like Snapchat calls and stuff like that. But yeah, Zoom has really taken off since this has happened. And so, I see lots of people having multi, multi-person parties. You know, virtual drinking parties or just catching up or whatever so I know that's really catching on. So, is this something you're doing? Some Zoom parties?

Paige: Yeah. No, I have. I mean, it's strange. Like, I've never, I'm a very social person. I always like to have plans and I'm always out doing stuff with friends. So, it's, like, a weird time to be inside for what? Four weeks? And not have that social interaction. But I think the really good thing is, because we have more free time, I'm talking to my friends more. I mean, once a week, I have, like, a video chat with fifteen of my college friends and we all just, like, you know, have jokes but games, like, shoot the shit. And it's, you know, these are people that I normally talk to, like, maybe once a month, if that. Because we're all busy, I mean, people are married, have kids. And like same, I have, like, a weekly Zoom chat with, like, my high school friends and, like, my family. So, it's weird we're less social like face-to-face but I feel like I'm talking to people so much more. So, it's kind of the silver lining, I guess.

Ian: Yeah, definitely. Yeah, and kind of, like, what we've talked about in previous episodes about what's happening with COVID-19, just, I think that it's, I really hope that this, out of this tragedy, out of this bad situation, that people don't take things for granted so much. Like, seeing friends or talking to family or being able to go outside even. You have these little things that, before, we never we never thought about. Now they're like treats—like luxuries, right? So, I hope that after all this people don't just go back to normal life thinking, “Okay, everything's back to normal now.” I think we should really treat everything with a little bit more value and really cherish these moments in life. It's so funny because, you know, you're seeing people now that are going outside and exercising that probably haven't exercised since, like, 1998. People who never go outside now are like, “I'm stuck inside, I can't leave. Well, I guess it's time to go for a run.” So yeah…what you wait for a tragedy or wait for the government to tell you can't leave your house to go outside? “Okay, I guess I'll start exercising now.” It's pretty funny to see these, like, characteristics from certain people.

Paige: Speaking of exercise, how have you been able to stay fit inside?

Ian: Good question. It's a challenge, especially in a small apartment. My apartment isn’t very big so really have to utilize the space. But I've been doing a lot of yoga, I've been getting back into yoga which I neglected for a couple years. I used to do (it) quite a bit in the States but, obviously, now I can't. Especially, since we've been on a mandatory quarantine. No leaving without a permission slip—your residency, at least. So, I haven't been able to go ride my bike or go run, or the things I usually do outside so I've been trying to utilize space in my room to do yoga, maybe like an hour every day. Not only to keep my body in shape but obviously the mind. The mind can go crazy through stuff inside for so long, so for me, it's kind of, like, a double whammy for the mental and physical health. Besides that, just making use of things in the apartment, like doing push-ups on things, bodyweight things with things I can find. It's been fun to try to be resourceful with things in the apartment. And yeah, just keep trying to keep yourself mentally fit and mentally sane. So, what about you? I know being a big runner it's, have you still been able to go run or you completely stuck inside? What's the situation?

Paige: Yeah, I mean because I'm in quarantine I haven't been able to run but luckily, I have a two-story apartment. So, I've been doing some creative stair workouts. So basically, doing like stair sprints. And I think my neighbors probably think I'm insane because it's really loud. But it's a really good workout. I mean, muscularly, like, my calves have been, like, killing me but in, like, a good way. And, like, it’s really good cardio, because, like, you know, you can do push-ups and abs—which I have—but, like, the cardio is the hard thing to do inside and I don't have a treadmill or a stationary bike which would be awesome. So, you just, you gotta get creative—some online workout videos and stuff. But, I think, we talked about it in an earlier episode, I think we're similar where we have to, like, work out, mentally, so.

Ian: Yeah, definitely.

Paige: I think that's really helped, like, I feel like a lot of my friends are lazy. So, like, you know, going to a gym is a little easier because, like, you know, you don't have to think much about it. So, a lot of my friends aren't working out because it's harder now. Like, you have, you have to be proactive and think of how to do it inside. So, I feel like, for them, it's like, I don't know how they're sane because, like, not getting the sunlight, like, not going outside and then, like, not sweating or getting endorphins. Like, I would go crazy.

Ian: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, you totally have to, I mean, you have to keep using your body, keep using things like kind of, like, normal or else things will start to get weird. So, you know, even things like, even though I'm working from home, you know, I still try to, in the morning, I still try to keep a somewhat normal routine—not stay in pajamas. You know, really get dressed and have a normal routine to try to stay focused and working as opposed to just thinking, like, “Alright, we're just in lounge-mode. We’re just here in home-mode.” And stay in pajamas. It's kind of hard for me to stay motivated to do things as normal. So, little things like that. You know, even just going out on the balcony, my balcony, for a few minutes, like, a half hour. Getting some sunshine is a real treat now. So, it's just these little things, you know, we never thought of before, become these important things. And something I want to ask you about that, I feel lucky and I feel, I want to give hope and help to those who are in the situation but, can you imagine having your whole family, like, having children who aren't in school, who now you have to have them at home all the time? You know, they're being homeschooled or having their classes through Zoom, which I can't even imagine having a classroom of twenty-five little kids in a Zoom classroom trying to teach a normal class. So, for educators and for parents, I'm sure this is a very strange and difficult time, also.

Paige: Well, I think, I'm trying to stay positive, I think what I've really loved about this forced quarantine is, I don't know about you, when you were a child, but I think it's definitely gotten a little worse with kids these days because of smartphones and technology that they don't really spend time with their parents. You know, they're always on social media, out with friends, , and I think because of, unfortunately, you don't want a pandemic to do this, but I've seen online and talking to people that, like, kids are spending time with their parents, they're making TikToks with them and videos and playing cards with them and games. And so, it's kind of nice to see you, like, families bonding—because they have to—but it's just nice because normally, kids don't want to spend time with their parents.

Ian: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, there is that family cohesion that you see happening, which is nice. You know, playing board games or doing activities and yeah, it's kind of something that's, you know, we're so busy, you know, parents have work, they’re at the office, kids, back to school activities. Sometimes it's fine, it's hard to find time to sit down and spend some time together. So, this is one of those opportunities, like you said, took a pandemic to happen, but nonetheless, it's a good thing to have people together. And again, I hope this is something that people really see as a silver lining and really will value that once we come out of this. So, fingers crossed.

Paige: So, for those who are listening, call your grandma, call your parents, spend time with them, because you'll never have this time again where you can really get quality social time together. So, do that exercise, be creative, learn Spanish and English, whatever you're learning.

Ian: Yes, exactly. Tell your friends who are stuck at home about “Coffee with Gringos.” Tell them how awesome it is, tell them to subscribe and we'll have some great new stories for all of you coming soon, okay?

Paige: Perfect. Well, thanks for listening,

Ian: And we'll catch you next time. Bye-bye! See you, Paige. Enjoy your quarantine!

Paige: You too, man.

Ian: All right, stay safe. Bye-bye.

Paige: You too.

“Coffee with Gringos” was brought to you by Dynamic English, where you can learn English simply by using it. If you’re interested in taking classes or just want to learn more, go to our website at dynamicenglish.cl. Thanks for listening.

Key Vocabulary, Phrases and Slang:

1.     quarantine (noun): period and place of isolation to limit the spread of disease.

a.     Many people around the world in mandatory quarantine due to COVID-19.

2.     to hunker down (phrasal verb): to stay in one place for a long period of time.

a.     I have been hunkering down in my apartment since the start of the quarantine.

3.     Groundhog Day (noun, holiday): popular movie based on the American holiday with the same name. In the movie, every day is repeated exactly the same and the main character cannot escape this time trap.

a.     Every single day is the same as the last…. I feel like I’m in “Groundhog Day”!

4.     Bill Murray (noun, person): actor starring as the main character in the movie “Groundhog Day.”

a.     I feel like Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day.” Everything is exactly the same!

5.     repetitive (adjective): repeating the same thing over and over; boring.

a.     This teacher is so repetitive that it makes me want to fall asleep.

6.     liberties (noun): freedoms, rights.

a.     It’s really strange having less liberties than normal during the quarantine.

7.     to have something on someone’s plate (idiom): to have important work to do.

a.     I don’t know if I can come to your party because I have a lot on my plate right now with work. I’ll try to come to the next one.

8.     plug (noun): promotion or advertisement.  

a.     The salesman’s plug made the customers very interested.

9.     to pick up (phrasal verb): to return to doing and improving something from before.

a.     I’ve been picking up the guitar again since I have more time.

10.  to pick up the slack (idiom): to improve something.

a.     We need to pick up the slack in international sales if we want to reach our quarterly goals.

11.  to devote (verb): to give all or large amount of time to something.

a.     I will devote my life to researching wild animals.

12.  errand (noun): short trip or journey to complete a task.

a.     I’ve been running errands all day long and you haven’t done anything!

13.  fed up (adjective): exhausted, sick and tired of something.

a.     I’m fed up with all the trash in the parks.

14.  over it (adjective): tired; no longer interested in something.

a.     Paige is so over this quarantine!

15.  to regret (verb): to feel embarrassed for something done in the past.

a.     I’m gonna regret all those Tikor videos I filmed during quarantine…

16.  to lean into something (phrasal verb): to fully embrace something new.

a.     I’m going to lean into the new popularity of TikTok and see what the kids are doing!

17.  plus (noun): positive.

a.     One plus of the quarantine is spending more time with family.  

18.  distraught (adjective): worried, upset, distressed.

a.     The family was very distraught with the news that their grandma was in the hospital.

19.  to take off (phrasal verb): to become successful and/or popular very quickly.

a.     This new social media app is really taking off right now.

20.  to catch on (phrasal verb): to become popular.

a.     That new fashion style is really catching on right now.

21.  to shoot the shit (phrasal verb, vulgar): to talk, to chat casually.

a.     One of my favorite activities is shooting the shit with my best friend.  

22.  silver lining (noun): a positive that comes from a negative situation.

a.     Having more time with loved ones is a silver lining of the mandatory quarantine.

23.  tragedy (noun): terrible and serious accident or event that causes suffering and destruction.

a.     There are so many tragedies that happen in the world every day.

24.  granted (adjective): given; unappreciated.

a.     I hope we all don’t take our freedoms for granted once we can return to normal life.

25.  luxuries (noun): great and desirable comforts.  

a.     Getting to spend time outside has turned into a luxury.

26.  to cherish (verb): to protect, care and love for something.

a.     I will cherish the memories I have with my family for all my life.

27.  to neglect (verb): to ignore; not give enough time to something.

a.     People are now focusing on things they were neglecting before the crisis.  

28.  double-whammy (noun): a situation in which two things are done or solved at once.

a.     Exercising gives me a double whammy for my physical and mental health.

29.  sprints (noun): a full-speed run over a short distance.

a.     We like to do sprints inside our apartments to stay in shape during this time.  

30.  abs (noun): stomach muscles; short for ‘abdominals’.

a.     She wants to work out every day so she can get some good abs.

31.  treadmill (noun): running exercise machine with a belt that allows walking or running in place.

a.     I wish I had a treadmill in my apartment so I could run inside.

32.  stationary bike (noun): exercise bike machine that allows riding in place.

a.     My building has a stationary bike in the gym.

1.     endorphins (noun): hormones in the body that cause happiness or euphoria.

a.     Releasing endorphins during exercise is very good for the body and mind.

33.  lounge-mode (noun): state of relaxation and lounging.

a.     I like to be in lounge-mode whenever I’m at home and not working.  

34.  to bond (verb): to become closer or more intimate to someone.

a.     She and her sister quickly bonded over their love of horses.

35.  cohesion (noun): the fusion or coming together of things.

a. I love to see so much family cohesion during these difficult times.