Pandemic? Woah didn’t see that one coming! The short of it is this. Life was all great in New York with my friends at the end of February. We had planned a mega spring break trip to a resort in Cancun, poised to live a luxurious beach and pool-side lifestyle. We had heard of cases spreading across other countries and soon enough the first case landed in New York, just north of Columbia’s campus. We decided it might be best to change our plans to a trip within the US so as not to get stuck abroad, “should the virus become a pandemic.” Frankly, Miami was a top contender, although being a native of the South Florida waterfront city prompted me to express my disagreement, so we collectively agreed on Sarasota and Clearwater. Fast forward to mid-March, the day before we were to leave. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and little did we know what was about to overtake our beloved city. We woke up to an email from the school president that cases had been confirmed on campus, giving us two days to vacate. It was at that point in which we canceled our break plans, and life had changed for all of us as we know it.

My dad and godfather had arrived the next day to help me move out, bringing a total of six suitcases! The campus, unlike what one might expect, was emptying in a calm, coordinated fashion. I efficiently packed up my entire room and managed to fit everything in the suitcases, all of which we were able to check-in for free! All my suitemates had already left our panoramic skyline-facing apartment, so by the time Tuesday rolled around I was the only one remaining, which made saying goodbye even harder. Although, an upgraded first-class sympathy seat, some cocktails, and “The Joker” made flying home for good, dare I say, fun! I arrived home in Miami to a healthy family with open arms eager to move me back in. We enjoyed some yummy Cuban food and cortaditos that night, shortly before city-wide restaurant closures the next day. All was safe and well, and then we got a call that my grandmother had become unresponsive while on hospice, signaling the imminent end to a two-year battle against a glioblastoma.

The next week was spent almost entirely in my Abuelita’s home, members of my loud, bubbly Latino family coming and going. At times we had up to thirty people in the house, totally (not) adhering to social distancing! She passed on the morning of March 23rd, and with some phone calls and pulled strings we were able to hold proper services and a burial. The family remained together throughout the entirety of it all. The weeks that followed what would have been my spring break turned into a routine and productive academic grind. Online classes transitioned smoothly, some easier and others harder, but were overall conducted with ease. I also intensified my MCAT prep, taking a full practice test each week. To say I was kept on my toes would be an understatement, as other activities included running livestreams for my church, applying (and getting accepted!) to a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Miami, learning instruments such as the mandolin and lute, and playing lots and lots of guitar! This included taking and giving lessons, and driving up to Orlando to buy a rare boutique amplifier because that’s something only a crazy nut like me would do. Commencement just recently rolled around, and I was surprised by my generous and thoughtful family and friends with banners the size of the driveway hanging from palm trees, decorated cars, a massive drive-by, and a tour of all our friends’ homes with mini outdoor celebrations including horns, champagne, and laughter. Who knew the pandemic would turn into such a thrill?