By Features Staff
Name, Age, Year in School
Fruma Landa, 20, Junior
Where are you currently quarantined, and with whom?
I am quarantined with my parents and 5 siblings at our home in New Jersey.
How are you feeling?
Not the greatest. My family has had COVID-19 symptoms for the past month and I have mild symptoms too. I spent a few days in bed but now, thank God, [I’m] feeling a lot better, not sick enough to be in bed but just sick enough to feel a little achy. It is also emotional to be stuck at home, especially because we don’t know how long it will last.
Currently Reading
I just read Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood for a class and enjoyed it. Earlier this semester, I read My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante and loved it. I just ordered the next few books in the series, they haven’t arrived yet but I can’t wait until they do!
Currently Watching
Anne with an E. I loved reading Anne of Green Gables as a child so when the Netflix show came out I needed to watch it. I find it to be a really wholesome “feel good” show which is just what I need during these times.
Currently Listening To
I don’t usually listen to music, so not really anything.
Favorite Quarantine Snack/Drink?
Smoothies! I put fruits and vegetables in them. The nutrition makes me feel healthy which makes staring at Zoom for classes easier, and I love the way they taste.
Favorite class to attend over Zoom?
Hmm, first is my Gemara shiur with Rav Kahn (Advanced Talmud II). Having a set time to learn in my day is something I really value and the transition to Zoom has been relatively smooth. I appreciate how much time and effort Rav Kahn puts in to make sure we can continue learning on Zoom just as well as we did in person. Second is Female Friendships with Dr. Ann Peters. She really cares about her students and puts effort into making quarantine/social distancing/Zoom schooling easier for us all.
Favorite way to social distance with friends?
I like group Zoom calls or WhatsApp video calls, really just talking to friends and keeping each other in our lives.
Any interesting hobbies or habits you’ve picked up since beginning quarantine?
I started playing jump rope games with my siblings. I want to start making friendship bracelets again, and I definitely spend more time on the phone with family and friends than I did pre-COVID-19
What non-quarantine activity do you miss the most?
So many things but mainly being able to go outside and do anything, see and hug friends in person (just hang out it doesn’t need to be anything fancy, I just want to exist in the same room as them), and having access to a beit midrash.
What’s a thought/quote/piece of advice that’s helping you get through these trying times?
I try to focus on all that I do have, such as how lucky I am to have a home and a family. Thinking about the little blessings in life and all I have to be thankful for makes it easier to keep my morale up during these times.