Making Lemonade From Lemons

Let’s rewind for a minute.

The date is June 30. Charles Bridge–one of Prague’s most historic landmarks–is full of partygoers, as a pot luck dinner on a 500-meter long table celebrates the end of Coronavirus restrictions and the country’s “triumph” over the illness. The Czech Republic crushed it. Thanks to the quick, but draconian, government measures, the country was seen as a model for the rest of the world. Coronavirus was gone.

Or so everyone thought…

Now, let’s hit the live button and go back to the present day. Coronavirus is not gone. Not even close. As far as Coronavirus numbers go, this country has gone from being one of the best in Europe to one of the worst. No, literally, the worst. The numbers and the new health minister say so. We went from the penthouse to the outhouse. We went from the 1997 Florida Marlins to the 1998 Florida Marlins. We’re seeing more infections on a single day than we were during entire months earlier in the pandemic. I remember, for example, when 300 cases was a bad day. Now, we’re throwing a whole zero on to that number. And it’s only getting worse.

I’m not going to get into how or why it’s happening because, frankly, I’m not sure I know. That’s for people who make more money than I do. Unfortunately, the restrictions are tightening (again). Significantly. Most schools have transitioned to distance learning. Bars and restaurants must be closed by 8 p.m. Gyms are closed entirely. Museums and cultural institutions are shut down for at least two weeks. Most sporting events have been cancelled, and the ones that do happen cannot allow spectators. The list goes on and on.

It’s not a lockdown, but it’s damn near close. Maybe the lockdown will come. If we keep going at the rate we are right now, it will. I’m hoping it doesn’t. However, one way or another, I–and most of the people who live in this great country–will have to stay at home more frequently than usual in the days and weeks ahead.

I could sit here and mope about it. I could make plans to go home to New York, which, after a very unfortunate start, has become a success story in the Coronavirus outbreak. I could openly blame this politician or that politician or whoever I feel like blaming.

But I’m not going to do that. My mom did not raise a quitter. Furthermore, blaming people isn’t going to solve anything (I really wish some prominent septuagenarians in the United States would recognize this right now). As hard as it might be some days, we need to be united (to whatever extent we can be given the anti-COVID measures) and optimistic. Whether we like it or not, we need to make it work with the hand we’ve been dealt.

So that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’ve set a list of goals for the last quarter of 2020. It’s time to create a recipe to make lemonade out of lemons.

Goal #1: Get healthy. For years, I’ve been unhappy with my appearance. I took a big step when I stopped drinking alcohol this past summer. But I still need to do more. Before the current wave of restrictions hit, I was strongly considering joining a gym, and I would still like to once they open again (they are currently closed over here for a minimum of two weeks). However, since I can’t do that at the moment, I’m going to embark on a series of indoor-friendly workouts and outdoor exercises. I’m also going to eat right. No more McDonald’s. No more soda. If Taco Bell were here, I wouldn’t eat that, either. Unimaginable. But in all seriousness, committing to my health is something that needs to be done. Here in Prague, I’m fortunate to have supportive friends who are willing to take time out of their schedules to help me accomplish this goal. Let’s face it, at 31 years old, I’m not getting any younger. Let’s do this!

Goal #2: Learn some Czech. Picture it: You’re at the tram stop waiting for the 7 or the 18 or the 24 and someone comes up to you speaking a mile a minute. Great! The only problem? They’re not speaking English! It’s all Czech. All I can do–and I’ve literally done this before–is shrug my shoulders and say one of the few Czech words I do know–“ne.” That means “no.” Creative, right? I’ve been here too long to still not know any Czech. As Clark Griswold said during National Lampoon’s European Vacation, “if you speak the language, they’re gonna be very nice. Just try.”

So I’m going to try. I’ve signed up for Duolingo. Hopefully when the pandemic is over, I can take some Czech lessons. I’m also planning on buying a notebook to write down all Czech words and phrases I know. My own Czech-English dictionary of sorts. You’re never too old to start learning something new.

Goal #3: Create a journal. This pandemic has wrought havoc on those of us (like me) who suffer from anxiety and depression. On the mental health front, I’m not afraid to state that I recently have not been doing as well as I would like. The recent situation in this country and in the world has not made things any easier. It’s so easy to feel isolated. Sometimes, I feel like I have no one to talk to or that the people I do have just don’t understand everything going on in my constantly overthinking mind. I’ve always loved writing, and a journal allows me to get my thoughts on paper in a somewhat organized way. I’ve done it in the past, and it’s a real stress reliever, too.

Goal #4: Update this blog more often. Like I said, I do love writing, but a journal is mostly for those more private thoughts. A blog is for that fun writing–the memories, experiences, and feelings that I want everyone to share with me. Admittedly, I haven’t kept up with this blog as much as I might like, and I feel very badly about that. However, I’ve been very busy, and with everything going on in the world, sometimes the right words just don’t come. But now is a time when they need to come. After all, I’m not over here just to teach students. If I can teach you all a thing or two as well, I’m doing a good job.

Goal #5: Develop a following on Instagram. I recently started using Instagram, and I have to say, I love it. I started using it because I wanted to have another way to connect with people. It’s a great opportunity for those from afar to share in my Prague experience. There are already plenty of pictures of Prague on my Instagram. Those will certainly continue. But I also want to focus more on the little things in life, the simple details that sometimes get overlooked. For example, the other day I posted a picture of a hand sanitizing station at one of the metro steps. It’s small things like that which sometimes put out the most powerful messages.

Five very reasonable goals. When I achieve them, I’m not going to have a party at Charles Bridge or do anything crazy like that. However, I will feel a sense of accomplishment. By putting these goals out there in public for you all to see, it will make me want to complete them. It’s up to you all to hold me to it!

Now that I’ve put it out in the open, I can’t let you guys down. Most importantly, I can’t let myself down! Here’s to crushing these four goals and continuing to be the best version of myself each and every day!

Cheers, everyone. Stay safe out there. And wear a mask (ONE THAT COVERS YOUR NOSE AND YOUR MOUTH).

(The picture: I took this picture of a closed food court at the Prague Palladium on March 13. For at least the next two weeks, this is how it will look after 8 p.m., as Coronavirus restrictions have forced our restaurants and bars to close by that time.)