MMMedia Magazine

Some of us had to visit the University of Iowa Hospital, and is was a unique experience to say the least. I thought businesses in Burlington were cautious, even a little strict at times, but over there, it was insane the screening and protocol.  First, the place in so complex, it is exceedingly difficult to find the right parking lot, and then, to make it to any appointment is even more challenging. Entering the building, you must get screened to see if you might have the virus, and if don’t have an appointment, they will not let you wait inside. We were lucky that outside, there was a soda machine that took debit cards, and that there was Wi-Fi accessible to us. Later, our friend was able to get something for us to eat at the cafeteria, but we could not go through the building, so we had to the LONG way around. It had stopped raining, so that was good, but it seemed a lot harder at the time. When we finally made to the entrance, we were able to outside, and they even let us go in...

Now, we need to get a handle all the other stuff that is handed to us. People have not always dealt with our differences the best way. All of this has come to a boiling point, which has been building over the years. People have been getting hurt, people we may not know, but who are still human beings, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and children. Whether their black, or Latino, or some other race entirely, everyone needs to be accountable for how we treat each other. We all live on this planet. With all this going on, we need to stay connected, even from home, and keep talking about how to stay safe, that means keeping healthy, and working to fight injustice and racism. These are my thoughts, on what I have heard, read, and learned. This is my way to speak up, and I hope others do as well.

Getting into this time of year, most of us were hoping that the virus would die out, and we could find out way back to normal, or what could pass for it. The weather is warmer, some places are opening again, but we have other things going on we need to take care of. Our health, not just our looks and fashion styles for one. We need to remember to take care and watch out for ourselves and others. That does not mean we cannot have fun though. Many of us have designed or bought cloth masks for when we need to go out. Speaking of places that are reopening, the YMCA in Burlington, Iowa has opened its swimming pool, as well as other areas for small groups. We go to the pool, and we need to be mindful of large groups, no one crowding. Time to work out and enjoying fitness again. To be able to go exploring when it is this warm out is great, and we get to see nature, and watch the scenery change. So now, we can keep up with these regulations we have been doing, maybe this pandemic will not...

We all have been self-isolating for a couple months now, and right about now, the stress maybe starting to get to some of us. Now is the time to get creative and get started on something for yourself. Work on a project, clean out your house of the clutter, or get out of the house, and explore something new.  It has been a slow time coming, for life to return to a new normal, if that is the right word. Right now, there has been a gentle reopening of stores, and salons in the area, while other large businesses around the world have keep their doors closed. Our church has started to resume worship, with some groups gathering inside, as well as its live streaming. For as long as it takes, we still need be vigilante, work together to stay as healthy as possible. Working together is the only way we are going to the other side, and hopefully beat this pandemic, once and for all.

One of the interesting things that draws me into a series, or a storyline, is the beginning of a relationship, especially a couple that is just getting started. Seeing how they come together is part of the fun. These are two examples that I have in mind. On GH, we have Michael and Willow. After Willow had her baby, and he was delivered to his adopted parents, Michael was dealing with Nelle, the mother of his child, when they got into a car crash. Willow’s baby dies, and Nelle manipulates Brad, on the adopting fathers, to switch the babies. So now, both Michael and Willow are dealing with loss. We see them meet, and deal with their feelings, and how they end up connecting with each other. Enter Chase, and then Sasha. Then all four become friends, and then the baby switch is revealed. Now, Michael is working on being a father and giving his child the best life, while Nelle is attempting to take their son, and have him all to herself. Willow still loves the little boy she thought w...

For a long while now, all over the globe, people have had to keep a fair distance from each other to stop the spread of the COVID-19. Friends, and families have had to stay apart, no visiting, or getting together for long periods of time. And yet, we have been able to find new opportunities to communicate and stay connected with each other. It has also given us a chance to find others, people we would not have gotten to know otherwise. It has given us all the opportunity to explore friendships through social media, instant messenger, and video chats. For some, it is all so different, and exciting, and sometimes we just stumble upon meeting people by mistake, and come out finding true relationships, hopefully. During this time, people have been experiencing each other differently. Getting to know each other is a unique experience in some ways. Personally, talking to someone face to face is a challenge, people can get off subject, and you can still listen. When you are messaging...

It has been a while now since the coronavirus has spread around the globe, and it has changed just about everything, including the many ways we manage our health in our daily lives, at least for me it has. While being isolated from people, it is also given us a different perspective as well. For me, it has made me take a harder look at both my general health, but also how it affects other as well as myself, in public. I've been working on a better routine for myself, starting with having a regular exercise workout, and healthy eating habits. I work on keeping clean, including taking care of personal hygiene, as well washing my hands on a regular basis. Now that physical distance is strictly required, there are different ways to communicate with others, enter social media. We’ve been able to use live streaming, and other mediums in ways we hadn’t before. Churches have been able steam through using Facebook, and YouTube. And friends, and family have been able to video chat, seei...