6 months after COVID19 Lock Down 9/11/20
September 11, 2020
Today is exactly 6 months after my last concert with a live audience. I have gone through so many stages, shocking, lost, nervous, anxious, finding a way, keeping hope and purpose in life, and connecting with people. I have taken photos along the way. Today I am hopeful to start planning for the future. But definitely we will live in a new-normal lifestyle.
March 11: I played a chamber music concert at the library. I clearly remember that the staff members at the library were constantly cleaning the counters with sanitizer, but they served refreshment at the concert. No one was wearing masks, but we did not shake hands or hug. The library was shut down the next day. 
Empty Freeway during Rush Hour 
Homemade Mask 
I woke up in the morning and saw a beautiful rainbow. 
The End of March: I started to teach online from home. 
I made a goal to cook a different meal and was creating something new everyday. It has been fun to explore different food. I had different concerts scheduled in the spring and was looking forward for summer festivals to go, but everything was cancelled and there was no way to know what will happen next. So my mood was down for a while. I was lost. 
I started to walk in my neighborhood in the morning. I have met new neighbors and 
Miss White Princess. Social Distance is not Disconnect with people.
June: Hair Salon was reopened. I had a good time chatting with Kazuyo-san. 
July 4: I started to release weekly Piano Lesson Videos in Japanese. I learned how to make videos by myself.
I visited my friends for the first time since March. I was glad to see they were well. 
The Middle of July: I had a lunch with Toko-san. It was first time to eat out since March. We had a wonderful time. 
I continued to explore my cooking curiosity. 
July 18: First Virtual Live Concert. All of us were so excited to perform. 
August: Visiting Descanso Garden
Visiting Big Bear Lake instead of Summer Music Festivals (!)
August 24: Occidental College Fall Semester started online. I was glad to see my colleagues online and start teaching for college students.
September: I got tested Negative. 
September 11: 11th Piano Lesson Video was released. I am happy to connect with piano enthusiasts in Japan.
I have some virtual concerts in a next few months and am thrilled to have some planning for a concert in Japan next fall. I upgraded a mic for online teaching, and have learned Zoom’s possibility. Now I am able to organize online recitals and meetings. That is a big accomplishment for me. I did not gain any weight for the last 6 months! I cleaned up a cellar. I scanned most of my photos and got rid of albums. I learned new piano pieces and memorized some. We are still living in a uncertainty, but I am glad I have a house to live and food to eat. Thank you, essential workers. We can’t live without you.