“Hi, I’m Your Neighbor”
In these times of physical (and social) isolation, Glendale Library, Arts & Culture is still creating community for all of us that live, work or play in the Jewel City.
“Hi, I’m Your Neighbor” is an opportunity to connect with the Glendale community during this isolated time. We will share more news and new opportunities to meet your neighbors soon, so please follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get updates, see photos, and learn more about experiences of the COVID-19 era in Glendale. Get to know four community members below.
You can also find the previous post in this series here and here.
“Hi, I’m your neighbor! My name is Nancy and I’m a Librarian. I have had a birthday milestone during this pandemic, yet I feel stronger and healthier than I have ever had in years. I attribute this to eating way less fast food and lots of at-home exercising (thank you, YouTube). During this time I have also learned to use a variety of virtual meeting platforms. The photo here is a photo of myself testing out a lamp my sister had lent me for my many virtual work meetings. My sister wanted to see if the lamp makes a difference - it does!
My family has been helping me get through this time. Although I am disappointed for my son that he won't be able to go off to college this fall, I am secretly happy that I get to keep him at home for a while longer. I miss my coworkers and all the families and patrons of my library. I look forward to seeing everyone!”
Nancy recommends:
Podcast: “THEY CALL US BRUCE: Unfiltered conversations on what's happening in Asian America”. Listen: https://theycallusbruce.libsyn.com/
Book: Our library's next online book club read - “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark” by Michelle McNamara. Join the book club!
“Hi, I’m your neighbor! My name is David and I’m a Librarian. Since I'm largely an introvert, for better or worse, I'm okay with holing up in my place and working from home without going outside for many days. That said I do miss spending time with my friends, family, and coworkers and look forward to when I can get back into the building to work. I've also learned that my couch isn't as comfortable as I originally thought it was.
I've been virtually getting together with my family every week on Houseparty which is an iOS and Android app that allows for video chat and also games in the app. We also get together (again virtually) and play Hand and Foot online (a card game) with each other. I've also been watching lots of YouTube tutorials related to home improvement to learn some new skills.
The Glendale Library, Arts & Culture's Online Book Club has been reading “The Burglar” by Thomas Perry for the months May - July (shameless library plug). It was a great book and not at all what I expected. Download it: https://glendaleca.rbdigital.com/titles/9781684418381
I'm a big fan of the films “Brick”, written and directed by Rian Johnson and “Dope”, written and directed by Rick Famuyiwa and produced by Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi. Check out “Dope” https://bit.ly/38YtmYA
For music, I've been really diving deep in blues so I've been listening to Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins, and John Lee Hooker to name a few.
“Hi, I’m your neighbor! My name is Vivian and I’m a Librarian. During the Safer at Home order I learned that my family and I get along really well. We've all been able to respect each others' work or school schedules, especially during critical meetings. We listen to each others' concerns, and I've really enjoyed hearing the sound of my children's laughter while they connect with their friends through Zoom.
I had to establish a routine for myself. I wake up at 5:30 in the morning, enjoy a light breakfast, exercise, and then get ready for the day, which includes a review of what I want to or hope to accomplish. I also write in my journal, read, listen to music, and practice playing different strumming patterns on the ukulele.”
Vivian recommends:
“I am enjoying “Material World: Global Family Portrait”. This book is filled with photos and information about families living in different corners of the world. Each family's life circumstance is different and it's interesting to see which material goods they use during their everyday lives. One can truly appreciate what one owns, and at the same time marvel at how others can live so happily and simply. It's a wonderful book to read alone or to share with others.” Check it out: https://bit.ly/3fAwIUc
“Hi, I’m your Neighbor! My name is Shannon and I work as a Customer Service Assistant.In the past few months of safer at home, I've learned how to be okay with being still, mentally and physically, but I've also learned when it's okay to get up, get out, and engage with our neighborhood community. Through the new abundance of online events, I've found classes, webinars, book talks, and concerts. There have been in-person socially distanced gatherings and protests, but also plenty of at-home ways to support our community and other affected communities during this unique time.
Getting through safer at home has been a day-by-day challenge. Reading helps me greatly, and I've been logging all my reading through Beanstack. I love film, so drive-in movie theaters have been a comfort. I try to keep myself healthy by taking daily walks while listening to podcasts and doing yoga through Zoom a couple of times a week. Exercise is necessary because I bake A LOT: sourdough boule, ginger scones, zucchini bread, chocolate oatmeal cookies, and cakes. I try to leave some baked goods on the doorsteps of friends and family . . .”
Shannon recommends:
For fiction, I recently finished and loved "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett! I'm currently engrossed in "The Prettiest Star" by Carter Sickels. I've been watching "Perry Mason" on HBO. "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" and "Palm Springs" are two recent films I loved. Place a hold on “The Vanishing Half”: https://bit.ly/2WtTfum