Quarantine: VCFS Style
The fast and furious COVID19 has undoubtedly altered all our lives for the time being. The abrupt change in lifestyle can be overwhelming and at times, even suffocating. That’s why it’s critical that we protect our mental health, alongside looking out for our physical safety.
Whether it be immersing ourselves in literature, physical activities or even cooking, it’s important that we give ourselves a little bit of freedom during this time. The pressures that come with being locked inside can tend to block our creative output. However, a slight change in mentality can help turn this lockdown into much more.
A few members of the VCFS 2020/2021 executive team have provided a list of the many things they’ve been doing to keep busy during this time! We hope that it will help inspire some at-home creativity, healthy distractions and even a means of having fun!
Note From the Editor
It may be hard to find the silver lining during these estranged times, but I think what you’ll come to find is that when you rise to the challenge of using this time to do some good, that silver lining is you.
Ciara Halloran // Co-President
Music!
"After sitting inside pretty much all day everyday, I found my mental health starting to slip. Like a true millennial, I turned to Google, and found out that there are many surprising psychological benefits of listening to music! Now, I incorporate light-heartened music into my daily activities (I.e. while going on a run, cleaning, doing homework) and have found myself to be better energized and able to cope with stress!”
Check out Ciara’s ‘Sunday Morning’ playlist for what she likes to call, “chill vibes.”
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7bt3pJ6WAk9OCs21UndooW?si=Xa6SnDugTNGbvJAvEhIA6g
Adam Oaknine // Head of Makeup
Grab your brushes, babe.
“Doing makeup during this time helps me be creative, have something to look forward to everyday and help me practise my skills! Because of makeup, I have learned so much and I’ve unlocked an entirely new part of myself.”
Up for a challenge? Try and recreate some of Adam’s unbelievable looks!
Nicolette Shwarzman // Creative Photographer
Do it for the Gram
“It can feel easy to fall into despair during the Covid-19 pandemic; with isolation replacing social interaction, the drive towards media platforms is spurred by the deeply motivating power of boredom. To replace your inner couch-potato during this time, it is imperative to reach towards a creative outlet as a form of self-expression. Here are 50 ways you can create an indoor Instagram-worthy photo, as well as 3 apps essential to increasing your personal aesthetic. Happy creating!”
Frannie Shen // Co-Head of Marketing
The Power of a Good Read
“Reading is my favourite way to spend time while social distancing! Unlike watching a movie or tv show, reading demands your full attention and a certain level of commitment and patience. I find this helps me take my mind off the chaos of the world.”
Here is a quick list of some of Frannie’s top recommendations!
-Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
-The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
-Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff
-Educated by Tara Westover
-Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow
Kianna Lavigne // Head of Independent Design
Get sewing!
“Sewing for me is an escape from reality. It allows me to put aside all of the stress from school and the pandemic and channel my energy into something creative and productive.”
Kianna and her mom have gone above and beyond. Together, they are working to create as many masks as possible for Kianna’s grandma’s retirement home. Using old fabrics and an array of materials, they have been able to sew together a bunch of masks and contribute to the safety of their community!
Mika Backman // Technical Director
Create A List of Learning
“I have been trying to keep a list of things that I have learned during quarantine. Small little skills that are fun and easy, it helps me visualize what I have accomplished during this time. Making it feel like an opportunity rather than a waste!”
Mika’s COVID19 List of Learning:
1. How to poach an egg
2. How to change a bike tire
3. How to change a car tire
4. How to make pasta from scratch
5. How to make sourdough from scratch
6. How to put a screen protector on real good
7. How to play a whole bunch of new songs on the guitar
8. How to peel the skin off a raw fish
9. How to start a zoom meeting
10. How to do Pilates
Mika challenges you to make your own list of goals!! Make the best of COVID19 by learning new personal skills and pushing yourself to try things you haven’t tried before.
Anika Ines Bousquet // Creative Director
Crossword Central!
“A fun way to connect with others and momentarily step away from the news is to do a group crossword! Set up a zoom call, get a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine), and spend a couple of hours working together to solve a puzzle. Most newspapers have a free daily crossword accessible!”
Bella Crysler // Socials/ Events
Arts and Crafts
“Doing crafts has been a great way to take my mind off things and get lost in a fun and creative project. I can’t wait to hang up all my work in my house when I get back to Kingston!”
Kieran Turnbull // Videography
Movie Mania
“Movies can be far more than a form of entertainment if you let them. Obviously there’s nothing wrong at all with turning on a good show or movie you’ve already seen in the background while you’re on your phone, but if you take a few hours to actually sit yourself down with a good movie, you can find yourself learning more about humanity, relationships, and why our lives are so weird and wonderful. I wrote down a few movies that I think really achieve this effect. They all show how, even when things seem really bad, our world is still really beautiful.”
Here is a list of some of Kieran’s top recommended movies!
Her (2013)
Clue (1985)
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)
Lost in Translation (2003)
Faces Places (2017)
Spirited Away (2010)
City Lights (1933)
Raj Brar // Portfolio Photographer
Brownies!
“Baking really provides the opportunity to slow down, especially with 24 news cycles and how fast pace our lives can get. It’s therapeutic to just think in the moment for once. You also get a sense of accomplishment with the end product and you have an amazing dessert to share with the rest of whomever you’re living with! Plus, it’s just a great way for everyone to come together.”
Want to taste?!
Check out Raj’s go-to brownie recipe at https://tasty.co/recipe/the-best-fudgy-brownies
Enjoy!
On behalf of the VCFS 2020/2021 executive team, we hope that everyone is safe, healthy and staying indoors. Hopefully we have inspired some creativity during quarantine and made some helpful recommendations as to how to spend all this extra time! Take care and be well.
Mikayla Bergamin
Press and Media Editor