Day 96: Wishing at Every 11:11
Day 96: June 30, 2020
Global Cases: 10, 577, 756; Deaths: 513, 186
Egypt Cases: 68, 311; Deaths: 2, 953
Lara Degheidy
Integrated Marketing Communications and Graphic Design Sophomore
Day 1
11am: I woke up feeling refreshed after a much needed long sleep. It was a hectic week for me and although I’ve spent it at home, I had tons of work and assignments to finish.
2pm: I had my breakfast earlier this morning, consisting of my usual bowl of oats and milk topped with honey. As I sit in my room, I think about how beautiful life is in its most complex ways. Even after witnessing a pandemic like COVID-19, I’m still convinced that life is a blessing just the way it is. With its ups and downs, there’s always something to be thankful for.
I learned to always look on the bright side of life, of course without being in denial of everything else happening in the world. I guess that is the secret to my happiness and strength. It’s me choosing to adapt, to do what I love, and to make the best of the situation I am in.
A bit later, I decided to text back my friends and call my father. I really miss him and I miss spending time with him. I guess this is one of the longest periods I’ve spent without seeing my father. I can’t wait for airports to reopen so I can reunite with him.
Maybe after seeing my father, I can go on a much-needed shopping spree too. I won’t mind that. I can surely add a few new items to my closet. Wait, who am I kidding? “Few” items? Definitely not! Sorry, daddy.
At 4pm, we get ready for lunch. My mom is the best cook out there, and today she made her signature pasta dish – a creamy linguine shrimp pasta with an addition of shaved parmesan cheese and a lot of love on top. Simple, yet extremely delicious. I couldn’t control myself and refilled my plate again and again.
Asides from eating like a pig, I’ve spent some time helping my mom in packaging some orders she had to send for delivery. While helping her, I realized how much I love seeing my mom work. I can see the passion she puts into each handmade product she does for her store, Right Choice. Seeing how happy she gets when she receives positive feedback on her products and service is priceless fills me with positivity.
Lately, my mom is getting too busy at work and leaves the house to meet with my aunt in their atelier. I kind of missed spending time with her, too. Yes, I know we are mostly stuck at home together due to quarantine for almost three months. But I’m barely free when she is free and vice versa. This is thanks to AUC and the endless work I usually have.
In the early evening, around 7pm, I decided to do a home cardio workout in front of my mirror. I like seeing myself working out to know if I’m doing it right. First things first, I opened my phone to set my timer for each exercise and played my customized music playlist on Anghami.
Midway through my workout, I started dancing to the music and ended up ditching the rest of the workout. After almost more than an hour of dancing non-stop, I decided to lie on my bed to catch my breath. Dancing is considered a workout too, right?
9pm: I took a warm shower, brushed my hair and teeth, and changed into my night pajamas. I recently started a nighttime skin care routine that I’m sure I’ll forget about later this week. I headed back to bed and started finishing an assignment and an unfinished illustration I started last week.
11:11 pm: I wish to keep making myself and my parents proud, and for COVID-19 to end soon.
For The Caravan‘s previous diary entries in Arabic and English go to our COVID-19 Special Coverage page.
I stayed up until midnight, overthinking everything I’ve gone through recently. Why? I ask myself. Well, on a positive note, I’m finally going out tomorrow to see my best friend at her place. I’ll probably decide to straighten my hair in the morning.
