Personal Resources for Quarantine Life

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, I learned that I have adjusted well to social distancing and working virtually, because I was already living much of my life online. Part of this comes from my previous experience in self-isolation. During my first semester in college, I missed midterm week due to the 2009 swine flu pandemic. Contracting swine flu strained any chances of my then roommate wanting to be my friend. When I was battling the worst flu of my life alone and away from home, I didn't have an online guide, so I have compiled this mix of online resources that I have used to keep myself busy before, during, and after the official 2020 stay-at-home order as well as resources recommended by my loved ones and colleagues, in hopes that this will help you survive your Quarantine Life. I plan to continue updating this list, as even I will be working a hybrid schedule starting September 2021. I ended up testing positive COVID-19 after completing my midterm exam in late October 2022 and isolated once again. In November 2023, I returned to working full-time in person.

Fitness

If you know me well, I spent as much time as I can as at the gym. Basically, whenever I'm not at work or in classes, I'm at the gym in a group exercise class. I also have a personal trainer I meet on a weekly basis. While the gym is closed, my personal trainer gave me an at-home workout routine. To supplement, I found these resources to be helpful.

Yoga With Adrienne: I particularly enjoy the routines that are under 10 minutes. This recommendation came from a couple of colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania Counseling And Psychological Services.
FitDance: I like attempting the choreographed dance routines in a single playlist. This recommendation came from a personal friend, who is a zumba instructor.
Don't Stop Moving: The same friend told me about a Facebook group dedicated to virtual workouts. I have thoroughly enjoyed the High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Bootcamp, and Dance Fitness classes offered by amazing female fitness leaders across the country.
FitBit Coach: Since I wear a FitBit, I figured that I will give this database of workout routines a go, when I "graduate" from my current at-home workouts.
Penn Campus Recreation: I have enjoyed the HIIT and yoga classes offered over Zoom.
Workouts Designed by Women of Color: The Penn Women's Center staff recommended this list, which is awesome!
Obe Fitness: Another friend who also happens to be a zumba instructor on the side recommended this database of live and pre-recorded workouts. Use my link to get free unlimited access for 30 days.
Other Workouts to Livestream: A bunch of fitness studios near me are streaming their yoga, barre, and other group exercise classes.
Bala: This is where I ordered some of my at-home workout equipment.

Gaming

I came up from a family that games. Some of you might know that my mother currently ranks #1 on Candy Crush. Her avatar is the pink cow. Whenever I'm not at work, in classes, or the gym, I'm playing games in person and online. Here are my go-to gaming sites.

Board Game Arena: I live in a tiny studio apartment, so I do not have a large collection of board and card games. I use BGA to play the games that I otherwise would not be able to store or afford. My username is ajk1991, and you are welcome to play Tokaido, Sushi Go, King Domino, and Battle Sheep with me.
Kong: In Fall 2018, I took a course "Video Games & Virtual Words As Sites for Learning & Engagement" at the University of Pennsylvania School of Education. One of my homework assignments was playing Donkey Kong.
Pogo: When I was in the AmeriCorps in South Florida in 2013, I started playing free online versions of my favorite board games from childhood like Battleship and Connect Four. Feel free to add akaur2 as a friend, so we can play together.
Solitaire: Solitaire is one of my first computer games my mom taught me how to play, when I was a kid.
Tabletopia: Like BGA, Tabletopia also provides access to a wide variety of games.
Grandeur: The "Philly Loves Board Games" Meetup has been meeting twice per week. This is a favorite game of the meetup host.
Quarantine Games: The "Philly Loves Board Games" Meetup members use this Google Doc to find and share online versions of their favorite board and card games.
Gamers vs COVID-19: If you're interested in taking a pledge to play online games during the pandemic, check this out.

Civic Engagement

Volunteerism is a core to my personal and professional life, so of course, I need to list my current go-to civil engagement resources. Here are ways to volunteer virtually.

Food Connect: One of my mentors recommended this app to me. It provides the means to distribute surplus food to those in need.
Volunteer Match: It's a wonderful site to discover volunteer opportunities. Use the filter "virtual" to find organizations that need your skill sets.
Key Skills Hub: I learned about the Key Skills Hub at a recent Council meeting for the Spruce Foundation. The virtual volunteer work you do can show up on your LinkedIn profile, if you would like.
City of Philadelphia Office of Civic Engagement & Volunteer Service: Beyond being the current home of the Service Year Alliance Philadelphia Chapter, this office lists volunteer activities for all Philadelphians. It was this office that encouraged me to join the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps.
Alex's Lemonade Stand: Join the Lemon-Aiders Team and help me raise money for and awareness about childhood cancer research.

Nutrition

Access to food is vital during this time and at all times. Here are my recommendations.

GoPuff: GoPuff is an app-based delivery service that started in Philly. Using my link will give you about $15 in credit for your first order.
Not Jo Mama's Cooking: One of my friends is a professionally trained chef and is offering cooking advice in a Facebook group and during biweekly group video calls.
EveryPlate: This is the weekly meal kit subscription that I have been receiving since 2022.
BlendJet: This is the portable blender that I have. I made a lot of smoothie during lockdown.

Future Dreams

I have my head in the clouds. 2020 is the first year that I haven't taken a flight since 2006. My wanderlust has transformed into a virtual environment. I am currently dreaming about an epic vacation in the Southwest, based out of Las Vegas. I'm using Google Maps to create my vacation wish list. Most likely, I won't take this trip to the Southwest for years.

Arts, Culture, & History

As a STEM enthusiast, you might not have known that I also am interested in arts, culture, and history. In my teen years, I excelled in art, photography, interior design, and fashion design competitions locally and state-wide in New Jersey.

Metropolitan Opera: The Met Opera is offering free nightly streams of encore presentations. One of my closest friends in college loves opera and suggested this virtual field trip to me. I think it is cool that the Met Opera is becoming more accessible to the general public than ever before.
Google Arts & Culture Street View: I love traveling but I have been out of the country, since Spring 2013, when I was student teaching in South East Asia. Street View allows me to virtually visit places that I cannot afford going. I have learned a lot about Italy and Brazil virtually through this website.
National Constitution Center: I have gone there in person during "Welcome America" Festival, the multi-week festival leading up to Independence Day in Philadelphia.
Museum of the American Revolution: I have yet to go in person, but I like what I see online so far.
Downloadable Coloring Pages: The Penn Women's Center suggested this website in a recent newsletter. Good thing I have plenty of coloring pencils, crayons, and pastels!
Barnes Foundation: I visited the Barnes Foundation twice. The last time I went was a class field trip with my art history classmates. Since the Wawa Welcome America Virtual Festival in July, I have been watching its videos on YouTube and Twitch.
Yaymaker Kitchener-Waterloo, ON: Yaymaker is the company behind Paint Nite, Plant Nite, and other fun craft experiences around the United States and Canada. One particular host is doing a weekly #VirtualPaintNite via Facebook Live on select Friday evenings. Here's one that I attended.

Reading

As a librarian, people often think that I read a lot. I actually didn't read for leisure until the pandemic. Here's what I've read over the past couple of years.

Online Internet & Streaming Services

Access to information, whether it's breaking news or for knowledge acquisition, is important to us as human beings. Here are my suggested free or low-cost solutions.

Comcast Internet Essentials: If you are in need of internet access right, please look into this program.
Pluto TV: This is a free way to access cable television channels, which feature old and new popular shows.
Scribd: During the pandemic, I started enjoying listening to audiobooks. I would like to provide you 60 days for free.
Free Video Chat Apps: I have used all of these tools except Marco Polo. I've been a long-term long-distance relationship, since graduating from college, so video chatting has become second nature to me.
SkillShare: Looking to learn new things while staying at home for an extended period of time? Learn new artistic and digital skills.
Honey: Obtain discounts and cash back while shopping online.
Catch: Get a $15 credit while shopping online.
BetterHelp: Telecounseling was a gamechanger for my mental wellbeing. I no longer need to commute to a therapist's office.
AirTable: This web-based software is like a super powerful version of Excel. You can use it to stay organized.
Spotify/Hulu/Showtime For Students: If you are a student and are able to afford this deal, I highly recommend it. If you end up getting Spotify, please check out my guest appearances on Episodes 018 and 019 of Saturday Morning Showdown, a podcast series about cartoons from the 1980s and 1990s.

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