As August passes by, many students have said our goodbyes to the late nights of watching Netflix and the bliss of sleeping in until midday, and have instead bid greetings to the new school year. However, as a last-minute vacation, my parents and I decided to go out on a family outing; somewhere we could all go to relax and let loose one last time before the stress of school kicks in. And so everyone woke up at 9 AM (much too early in my opinion), and even though we had to drive a full hour to get to Laguna Beach, waking up in the (not so) early morning was worth it.
Located along the coast of Orange County, California, Laguna Beach offers many different sights through its nearly eight miles of coastline. From cute, dainty bakeries to boardwalks leading to long, winding caves, Laguna Beach meets everyone’s preference of scenery. For instance, my mom was thrilled to stroll along the coast of the beach, enjoying all the sights it had to offer, while my dad was exuberant to walk through all the alleys that showcase their modern-styled, yet antique-looking shops. Furthermore, my family and I were able to feel free and comfortable, finally smelling the salty, ocean air and feeling the summer breeze, something impossible to come across when confined in the four walls of one’s home.
As we walked along the coast of the beach and as our feet met the cold, refreshing water, I was reminded of how much everyone had missed out on during summer break due to COVID-19. The usual summer vacation would be filled with amusement parks, visiting friends, or vacationing to other states and maybe even overseas. But instead, most of the break has been filled to the brim with moments of boredom as we roll around our house and, in my case, walk to the kitchen excessively, expecting the fridge to have magically restocked itself with our favorite snacks.
Yes, our summer break wasn’t anything like we imagined it to be in the beginning of 2020. Many couldn’t even walk outside without having the all-too-familiar mask on our face, dampening with every breath we heave. However, visiting Laguna Beach and safely exploring all the sights it had to offer also reminded me that our social lives haven’t necessarily been turned to dust. There are always ways to create fond memories and enjoy time with our loved ones while still ensuring everyone’s safety.
COVID-19 may have drastically changed our lives and basically destroyed most students’ in-person social lives, but hope is not lost. Whether it be ZOOM calls or safe, distance-kepted meetups, we have found ways to still find happiness and create exciting memories with our loved ones. So whether it is feeling the unexplainably soft sand of the beach below your feet or hosting a themed ZOOM party with your friends, students and parents should find ways to let loose one last time before the school year of 2020-2021 officially comes to a start.
