Needless to say, 2020 was a tough year for all of us. But for most, it also was a year of growth, and a year that strengthened our sense of community even more as we braced for Covid-19 together as SJC Residents in our “home away from home.” And what better way to reflect on our experiences of what we braced for together, than together. In this post, we share some stories of SJC residents, reflecting upon their individual experiences related to the pandemic. Some of these stories were created in a story writing event at our traditional Sunday Chai Party (with social distancing measures, of course), where we created cards to handwrite our stories while sharing our experiences together. Some were written by the residents separately. Some of us chose to show their experience in terms of art, in the drawings they made on the cards, and some chose to write a letter to their future self. Some chose to keep their stories, to maybe show to their grandkids some day, explaining how these times were. Many of us also wanted to share our experience with our fellow Johanneans in this Alumni Newsletter. Below you will find the drawings and stories our residents wanted to share with SJC Alumni. We hope you keep safe, and thank you for sharing this experience with us.
– Demet Kirmizibayrak, SJC Workstudy Student Project Coordinator
 Hello, I’d like to share my story… I used to live off-campus the first time I came to Vancouver. However, I had always wanted to live on-campus. Last March, I was able to finally move-in St. John’s and how glad I am to have made the decision, especially when soon after, Canada announced a lock-down. Being new to Canada, the lock down has limited our chances to meet new people, but being in St John’s, I was able to make many new friends and experienced many new things, which made my first experience in Canada so much more meaningful. Being in St John’s made me feel like I have a second family away from home. During this pandemic, having company to go through it together helps me stay motivated in school. I am grateful to be part of this wonderful community of St John’s. I couldn’t imagine having to go through this pandemic by myself, away from my family back home without the community support of St John’s. – Primi Oct 2020 The year of COVID-19 |
 Looking back to the first surprise, the first scares, and the beginning ‘chaos’ of things starting March 2020, the first thought that comes to my mind is how much this experience has changed me, and surprisingly, much more for the better. Of course, there is the new habits of constant handwashing and the mask-wearing and the Zoom expertise we all so fastly had to gain. But to me, the biggest change was in my perception of people, communities and social connections. I remember the first day of UBC cancelling classes. I’m not sure if it’s due to my past experience, but my initial expectation was so different from reality. I hadn’t considered how much people would be willing to help, and apart from all the bad and the uncertain, I had never expected to feel the “we are in this together” so much. A big part of this was connected to SJC community. I remember people giving each other toilet paper, when the shortages started. We made ‘community kitchens’ with residents sharing their excess food. We had Zoom dinners when dining hall was closed. We found a way to be there for each other, to feel together, and it helped me grow my perspective. COVID made me realize that what I expect is almost always not how things turn out. And I will need to keep adapting, learning everyday. But I will have people with me, like me, adapting, changing, being there for each other. Be it the volleyball games that we changed due to restrictions, and came up with a new plan to play safely. [SJC] Volleyball became my source of social life for a long time, and raised my spirits. And it makes me think, at the times I thought would be the hardest, the scariest, the darkest, were also the times where I was able to get my first overhand serve over the net, or the time we laughed until we had tears because of a funny volleyball moment. SJC and COVID helped me realize that also, in times when I expect the worst, there is also good. And I greatly appreciate the realization. It of course still has been hard. I struggle having to be in crowds, and our social lives are all greatly restricted. But I am glad that, at least now, we have our dinners together after a day of Zoom-socializing exhaustion. I think with COVID, and time, I am maturing. And I am glad to be maturing with connections and mutual support from people. – Demet, October 2020 |
 The year of 2020, COVID-19 has been an important milestone in my life. My life has drastically changed in 2020, therefore, for me 2020 is the year of TRANSFORMATION, not a year of change. Because TRANSFORMATION means transcendence, i.e. nothing of the old remains. First of all I enjoyed the holiday that It gave us. Full time staying at home, all the time you have only for yourself if the best gift one can get. I used this opportunity to know who I am. Purposefully I kept away TVs, movies, video games, Netflix, reading, dancing, and what not. I just stayed with that I have and spent time with myself. Because all these things are to distract one from their chattering mind. It’s like a lullaby. When I continuously kept it aside, I wanted to spend time with my monkey mind and listen to him, what he has to say. So last 6 months, bestowed me with stillness. And I realize if there is no stillness, then there is illness. IF YOU ARE NOT STILL, YOU ARE ILL. This is my biggest life lesson, and I am happy to see what’s coming next. – Ashish |
 When I was a kid, I was obsessed with aliens and monsters. Probably thanks to all the sci-fi movies I was watching. I always expected aliens to enslave all humanity and for giant monsters to end humanity as we know it. Don’t get me wrong, that might still happen, but 2020 has prepared me well. It taught me to expect the unexpected. Even in my wildest day dreams as a kid, I never expected a microscopic invisible virus could end up changing humanity as we know it. Anger, frustration and just deep uncertainty is how I describe March when it seems the world decided to lock down. Global leaders lined up to declare a state of lockdown in their countries. I thought this was crazy but boy was I wrong. The entire summer went by dealing with the ramification of Covid coupled with the rallies of BLM protest. A rally in the middle of a pandemic sounds weird but there was nothing more important than to stand up, be heard & protest & support the BLM movement. With easing restriction and “Winter finally here” (love saying that?) there is a second wave of Covid cases and if 2020 has taught me anything it is to be extremely careful & try & be prepared for everything. But the summer wasn’t all bad. An insane amount of time I suddenly had I decided to spend on learning new stuff. Of course, worrying seemed to be my favorite past time but I am glad I picked p photography & guitar during this time. They were not only my hobby but also my escape. For anyone reading this, remember to expect the unexpected, value humans & all forms of life like you value yourself and make the best of what you have been given. – Ronit |
 Although I moved out of SJC in April, my summer was spent literally being there everyday. Playing volleyball with fellow Honeybadgers, composing on piano and studying late nights in the social lounge was an everyday hustle and became a part of me. I have lived in all possible residences at UBC, but I never found or developed such a close community as I did in SJC. So many friends made, grown as a person, I can call SJC my second home. It was an experience of a lifetime! “Do you still live here?!” – Pranjal |
 Hello Me! Hope the COVID hasn’t got ya! Hope you can hug your friends now! Are you still wearing a mask? Is Trump still president? We’re looking forward to the day when we don’t have to worry about Covid anymore and we can go back to classes and meetings and spending time together and traveling. One thing Covid has taught me is that I shouldn’t take things for granted. For example, I won’t take granted the freedom to leave my room/house and go wherever I please. Or going to the gym/swimming any time I want and that I don’t have to sign up at exactly 12:00 pm two days before gong. Something else I learned is just how important face to face interaction is, and that virtual communication can never replace that. I am fortunate enough to live in a community of awesome people that care for me and I care for them and therefore I have had amazing interaction during Covid time. No matter how lonely or isolated I felt during the day, I could always look forward to spending time and connecting with my friends at dinner, be that outside in the courtyard or in the dining hall. There are so many questions that I wish I could ask you but I guess we are living in the “time of uncertainty” and that’s the “new normal”. That’s ok, though, because Covid has taught you that you are strong, resilient and never alone. HAKUNA MATATA - Parham & Brianne |
