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WOTL
Watching (mostly just listening) the One World Together At Home while writing this post. Despite my fading trust in WHO, I think this is an incredibly creative campaign to connect and entertain people and showing appreciation for our medical staffs for fighting COVID-19 while we stay safely at home. I’m reminded once again of the power of web technologies and its importance in sharing information and connecting people globally, instantly, and simultaneously.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic at around CNY (late Jan.), I have been spending more and more time in my room at home. Little by little, it is being transformed into my tiny ark sheltering me from the virus while letting me stay sane through calligraphy and cartooning.
The pandemic is still serious and killing people by the thousands worldwide. A couple at my church in Toronto was diagnosed with COVID-19 recently, fortunately both of them are now discharged and recovering at home. Feels differently about the seriousness of the pandemic now that I can put a face on the overwhelming death toll numbers.
My daily devotion has now reached 2 Samuel. The weekly reflection noted about how David had waited on the Lord (WOTL) and disciplined himself on flute and sling shots while mundanely tending sheep as a shepherd boy. It’s a good reminder that I should be patient and proactively train and prepare myself for the post-COVID-19 era.
Oh Lord, pls be merciful to humanity Your creation and help us through this pandemic that we may come out stronger and closer to You. ??
Easter Weekend
This marathon social distancing practice is really soaking the life out of me. When can we all leave our masks behind and meet face to face again?
Have been keeping myself busy with studio work, calligraphy practice, and cartooning. One of the breakthrough this week was making a protective visor with 3D printing and standard materials like A4 transparencies and a hole-puncher. Makers in the US have been making and donating thousands of these PPE to their local frontline medics. Never thought 3D printing technology can be employed to save lives, and seeing how quickly these DIY face shields have been proliferating in response to the sharp rising demand during this pandemic was a revelation and encouraging experience. Maybe it’s time to put on my dusty engineering hard hat and iron ring and see if I can be of any use to help humanity during this dark difficult time.
Seeing how internet technologies have been used to connect and entertain ppl around the world during this social-distancing pandemic also got me thinking about getting back to doing some web programming work. I’ll probably need some time to pick up on the latest development, but I guess it’s never too late to start if the direction is right.
I’ll continue to keep my inking endeavor as a hobby. Art is not a critical sport during this pandemic, but it certainly helps me stay sane while social distancing. Art has always been my good companion when I’m alone.
I think last week’s video clip by an astronaut on social isolation had triggered the many thoughts on my “mission” in this world. It also helps to stay hopeful and prepare for the future, especially during these gloomy days. The day shall come when we’ll meet and be joyful again.
Oh Lord, my Father in heaven, You have sent Your one and only Son on a mission to die and save us sinners more than 2000 years ago. Can You also tell me my purpose on Earth?
Self Isolation
The world continues to spiral down the seemingly bottomless COVID-19 pit with US now leading the plunge. Worldwide, over 1 million ppl is now infected by the virus with over 65 thousand deaths recorded. This overwhelming casualty is unprecedented in my lifetime. The rising death toll numbers continue to numb my senses.
I don’t really know what to make of all this. I’m doing ok, not well, but ok. Hearing the daily depressing news and seeing the downcast eyes of masked faces on the street tells me I’m living better off than many ppl around me. I’m thankful but can’t feel the slightest bit of happiness. Is there anything I can help besides staying isolated and trying my best to protect myself from the virus?
These isolated days have been giving me extra time to do things I don’t normally spend a lot of time on – cartooning, calligraphy practice, assembling plastic models (the last time I assembled a gundam was way back in highschool!), etc. Truth is, I never seem to have problem finding ways to entertain myself growing up, but now during these slow economic days I can indulge more in my non-money-earning hobbies with less guilt. In fact, some ppl are coining this as a rare time in history when we can save the world by staying home and doing nothing! If we don’t die from this pandemic, we should consider repeating the same strategy to save humanity from climate change.
Watched a short clip of an astronaut giving advice on self-isolation – understand the risk, focus on mission, evaluate constraints, take action. Repeat. Good advice, I should reflect more on that this week.
Oh Lord, do You hear the cries of Your people? Are You seeing the sad faces on the streets like I do? You must be seeing more than I do and, unlike me, You have the power to help. Why aren’t You helping?
Social Distancing
The second wave of the pandemic is hitting our city hard. The hospital’s isolation wards are getting full and some confirmed COVID-19 cases are starting to require to wait in line, a very worrying situation.
I’m still practicing my alternate working days routine, still finding it very productive. Spent a lot of time practicing Chinese calligraphy while working from home, finished writing the thousand letters classic (千字文) in traditional script once again. While at the studio, I’ve been spending more time doing R&D and began cleaning and reorganizing the space. Having more time alone seems to be helping me clear up my thoughts, set priorities to the more important things, and giving me many new ideas for work.
I’m getting used to these isolated days. Nonetheless, the prolonged social distancing isn’t entirely satisfying. I seriously miss seeing my calligraphy class, going to fellowship, and meeting friends. When can we stop wearing masks and chat openly and freely with our loved ones?
Oh Lord, the pandemic in our city and around the world is still worsening with no ends to be seen, can you hear our cries for help? ??
