My journalist journey during Covid-19

I can recall when Covid-19 started its spread to Florida. It was March 1, 2020, and it was during this time I had just completed the requirements to have a smooth transition from Valencia to UCF and had enrolled in my final class for the next semester.

March 6, 2020, was the day my parents and I were going to Cuba to visit our niece and family to celebrate her birthday. We were aware of the risks of flying during this time, but it had been nearly three years since we saw our family from Cuba. We'd still follow social distancing and hand sanitize frequently. So during our time there we all had a fun time visiting historic sections of Cuba and spending time with family. However, the happiness was short-lived.

On March 11, 2020, we heard that the airports were being closed in Cuba and wouldn't open back up until the pandemic could be handled. I remember my parents calling the airport would depart from in one day if it were true. The airport representative told them that it was true and that their flight tomorrow would be the last one out before Cuba shut down their borders.

March 12, 2020, was chaotic. My parents and I arrived early to be processed through airport check-in, get identified, check in our luggage, receive our boarding passes, and finally wait at our gate for our plane. To paint the picture, my parents and I were waiting near the gate with 25 people anxious over the news, with three other gates filled with groups of people waiting to leave Cuba. Our flight was to arrive by noon but was delayed not one, not two, but three times! The anxiety was through the roof with everyone at our gate seeing one after another the other flights departing, leaving 25 anxious Americans counting the minutes before our plane would arrive. Finally, by 4 p.m., the plane had landed and had to be decontaminated. After a few more minutes, we were all taken to a bus that drove up to the plane. Everyone was shoving, yelling, and crying to get on the plane. I stuck with my parents as we waited our turn to board the plane. Once we got to our seats, I still couldn't relax. Not until we were lifted into the air. Anxiety shifted to joy as some of the passengers cheered upon us being airborne. I finally took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair. The flight from then on was uneventful. And in an hour, we were back at Orlando International Airport. The descent was met with cheerful clapping and joyful cries. My parents and I were happy to be back in Florida. By 6 p.m. we were back home and felt completely drained from the stress of it all.

On March 13, 2020, I saw that Valencia College was closed and were working to have all their classes online until further notice. Restaurants, schools, and shops are closing down to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Our local news channel began warning us to gather supplies such as face masks, cleaning supplies, gloves, and sanitizer, and to restock on any medication. I remember going with my dad to get these supplies and when we came back, we heard that the Cuban borders were closed the same day we left. Sometime in late April, online classes were available. I just remember throwing myself into my studies, homework, assignments, and essays to distract myself from the pandemic as a way to cope. Time seemed to pass quickly during this time as it became routine to wake up, eat breakfast, do online classes, get supplies, comeback and wash up. If I wasn't studying or completing assignments, I would pick up my hobby of writing horror or fantasy stories, talking with friends over Discord, playing video games, or spending time with my family. Then as soon as I realized, it was my big day.

On May 8, 2021, I graduated with my A. A from Valencia Osceola Campus. The ceremony was held virtually and that's when I began my journey at UCF. I had completed the proper paperwork and began my first semester taking online courses from UCF until the fall of 2021 and eventually attended physical classes for the first time in the fall of 2022, actively starting my journalistic career at the UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media and feeling the impact of the "new normal" that Covid-19 created.