I miss in-person events on a grand scale. I took large communities, music events, libraries, and book clubs being able to meet with each other for granted. And hugs! 

2. What will you do when COVID-19 restrictions have gone away?

First, I’m going to go to the movie theater or a sports event. Then, I would like to begin traveling more, whether nationally or internationally. I’m naturally a bit introverted and like to stay inside, but I can guarantee when I get invited to events now, I’m going to try to attend most of them.

3. Has your perspective on life or how you perceived the world changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? 

Yes, I value the benefits of social interaction more and the ability to maintain calm in uncertain situations. I also see how impactful my local library has been with being a resource center. This time has shown what’s really important to me when I don’t have so many other distractions clouding my head.

4. Did you develop any new hobbies during quarantine?

No, I just continued the hobbies I already had, drawing, writing stories, practicing my Spanish, etc. 

However, after a two-year break, I started painting again. I use acrylic paint on canvas. Here is one of my paintings of a boot. I like drawing people and fashion, but I’m not good with backgrounds yet or animals. 

In this Global Conversations event, we are going to talk together about many topics that have a direct effect on our daily personal and professional  life, the matter which allows us to share with each others many personal and academic experiences. And since the two partners belong to two different cultures, this will enrich the conversations and open new channels of international communication, understanding and consciousness.
 Our first session will be tomorrow, it is 1-hour long virtual session and you have to accomplish a minor assignment about its topic. We are going to talk about the pandemic of Covid-19, and how we experience nowadays a different version of our life, and how everyone of us has been accustomed to those great changes?

Cooking is fun. I try to look up interesting recipes or just learn from my mother. What is a popular dessert in Egypt?
-Destiny

// What is it you most miss of the old world before Covid-19?

As it simple as it sounds, but I really miss seeing people’s face. Currently it seems it is the stable for people to wear masks not the other way around like it reminds us 24/7 that we’re living with a new plague we have to evade which is necessary but I wish we can back to normal days, attending face-to-face lectures and meetings.

//When the world releases?

As COVID already suspended many events I looked up for, I will do my best to make up for.

// What is it you understand better now about life after Covid-19?

It made me understand that humanity still not immune to face any catastrophe about to hit despite the tech. we still have more to go. Never get too full of yourself.

// How could you best use your time in the quarantine period?

The last quarantine since march 2020 was valuable for me, I had my time practicing my hobbies I didn’t have time for it before like sharpen my Japanese and English Languages skills as well as Design skills, I learned a bit about game-creating process.

// What most calms you down and keeps you relaxed during these hard times?

Gaming .. basically, I used to playing Valorant and R6S with my friends during quarantine.

I miss the stability that I had pre-COVID-19. While I had to make tough decisions that ultimately led to bigger and better things, I miss the certainty and consistency I once had.

2. What will you do when COVID-19 restrictions have gone away?

I will definitely resume traveling. I will also attempt to meet and form relationships with more people in my own community since it’s new to me and I don’t have many friends yet.

3. Has your perspective on life or how you perceived the world changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? 

Yes. I am better at adapting and can take on tough situations with more grace. I am also less hard on myself as I realize that some things are just out of my control.

4. Did you develop any new hobbies during quarantine?

I began roller blading, learning aerial, and spending more time learning languages. 

- Ashley Barrett, Santa Fe College

- Ashley Barrett, Santa Fe College

2. What is the favorite time period of your childhood? and Why?

Also, when I was a teenager, I thought I would like to become a librarian. I had spent so much time in libraries that I wanted to live inside one. Books are a constant in my life, whether reading or writing them.

2. Maybe the timeframe from when I was 9 – 11 years old. I was in ballet class each week. Saturday morning cartoons were a big event for me. I was trying to teach myself how to draw. My dad had gotten a copy of Rosetta Stone from his job, and it was my first introduction to Spanish and so on. School wasn’t difficult back then, so I had a lot of free time.

I think I like this time period so much because it’s when I really discovered the things I liked and shaped who I am today.

2. My favorite time period of my childhood would have to be in my youth to preteens. My family had a large motorhome and we would travel quite a lot. Mostly it was trips back to Canada. My family joined an associates for motorhomes. This group offered rally's around the states and my family started to travel to certain rally's. These events held kids club and scheduled entertainment while the adults enjoyed touring the latest models of bus and vendor booths for various gadgets.  I really enjoyed those times and adventures. Though they continued well past my teens, when I secured a job outside of babysitting, I began to travel less with them, opting more to stay and work. 
Now that I have my own kids, If I could afford a motorhome I wouldn't have to think twice. I'd be on the road, traveling to new places I still wish to see. 

2. What is the favorite time period of your childhood? and Why? 
I liked Thanksgiving and Christmas because there was always lots of family members around.

Those first two months of the year of the pre-Covid-19 world I miss. Squinting at the outside world's light, having emerged from a hikikomori bedroom hermitage is one reason. The hustle and bustle of students, young and old, buzzing from class to class was both overwhelming and thrilling to see. My Jell-O legs felt like they were going to give in trying to get from place to place, but it was exhilarating and thus worth it.

I'd just enrolled at Santa Fe for the first time and had no clue what to take, especially so last minute, and so one of the classes tossed to me was an education class, which to my surprise, required volunteering at local schools. The buildings seemed way smaller. The youth of tomorrow were kind and vibrant (I had a Kindergarten class). The hecticness was the same, and so my respect for the profession soared. 

Burst into tears of joy.

Strangely hopeful. Tutoring, tele-health, and many other resources and support being moved online has given me hope for the possibilities of accessibility. 

Additionally, connecting with others has long been of great esoteric difficulty to me, but the shift online has made opportunities I never imagined accessible. 

Just this March, a virtual exchange was opened to talk with Ukrainian students. Learning of their unique traditions, how many people pay 50-70% of their income just on gas, along with many shared contemporary experiences was eye-opening. I've never felt as connected with other parts of the world, and I don't think I would have if not for such an opportunity been made. They had kindly taught me so much of their life in their country, and has inspired me to learn more of life out there. Learning that another exchange was made possible for Egypt was amazing and 

I would go for a stroll around the neighborhood but looking out my window I've noticed a great traffic of people walking. Perhaps joining would run contrary to social distancing goals.

I only had an idea of what I wouldn't do. Being generally clumsy, I'd crossed off being a surgeon or a doctor in fear I'd make a mistake. And so for the sake of humanity I have avoided this track. Likewise, I crossed off being an engineer since I'm afraid if I were to be part of building a bridge it'd collapse; learning of Hammurabi's code has only strengthened that aversion. 

2. What is the favorite time period of your childhood? and Why?

When The Legend of Korra premiered on TV. It was the first show I'd remembered exactly when it aired (I forget now whether it was 8 PM EST and 7 PM CST "8/7c" Fridays or another time) but I think it comes to mind because in that epoch it gave me something to look forward to at the end of the week. 

2. What is the favorite time period of your childhood? and Why?

My favorite time period in childhood was the ages 12 and 13. This is because I worked at Walt Disney World and traveled to many countries performing live and televised shows, acting, singing, and playing my guitar.

I wanted to be a filmmaker because of my love of movies. As a child, I was always filming and editing videos with friends. I have always been a fan of YouTube - I wanted to produce my own independent films. 

2. What is the favorite time period of your childhood? and Why?

My favorite time period of my childhood was probably when I was a pre-teen. I felt that I had the most opportunity to explore and spend quality time with my family during that period. We began camping quite often and I fell in love with hiking and other outdoor activities during those years.

Have you experienced any contradictions between your Childhood dreams and your actual abilities?

Yes, I have. Most of my childhood dreams were creative and / or artistic in some way and I have found that while I am creative, it isn’t necessarily in an artistic way and I’m a much more “Type A” personality. I’m a creative thinker and tend to be good at problem-solving.

Who was the favorite person in your childhood dreams? And what you loved most about him/her?

I was my favorite person in my childhood dreams. I loved the confidence I had, the willingness to try new things, and how great of a speaker I was. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered how to embody all of the things I dreamed about myself when I was younger.

Who is the person who had the greatest contribution in making you who you are today?

My grandfather had the greatest contribution in making me who I am today. He allowed me to be experimental with minimal judgement, but was also honest with me about the real world and taught me how to take care of myself. He taught me to be a hard-worker and not to be afraid to get my hands dirty.

If you weren’t in your current status, what would you want to study or to do?

If I wasn’t studying Accounting, I think I’d be studying Anthropology or Social Work. I have also thought that if I weren’t in a traditional program of study, I’d attend a trade school to learn something like welding.

Mention one thing people say you are really good at when you were a child and it became true now.

As a child, people always said that I was good at writing and being organized. I don’t write as often as an adult but I would agree that I am very organized and it’s something that I take pride in.

but if I can include TV series as well not movies exclusively, I will go with "Blood Time" Dexter. https://youtu.be/e2xxizpHuoo

Léon: The Professional! 

Okay, will you guys kill me if I said Nicolas Cage? I mean, I’m not mocking his great movies, for example “Face Off” but that’s another reason I don’t want to see him in new movies as each new movie he makes it becomes worse, please don’t destroy your ego. 

Can’t really say every classic cartoon I watched over and over again I felt it shaped a part of me and my childhood, 

But one movie I remember well the “Monsters University” it was released 2013 and this year I was so neglective to my studies and school assignments but after watching that movie and how flexing and false arrogance or ego without ward working could be destructive. And so, I did well and got 92% in my elementary degree this year which was far cry of my expectations :D

 

Now you see me 1,2 
and "FRIENDS" series :'3

 

  Who is your Favourite comedian?

Jim Carrey, of course, who else could it be :D I just love his physical comedy style. Also, his movies ages like wine! Btw I just rewatched “Ace Ventura” and “The Mask” couple weeks ago!

3- Conversation Menu: Movie Time

·       What is your Favourite movie soundtrack?

·       What is your Favourite 80s/90s/00s/etc movie?

·       Who is your most overrated actor or actress?

 

 Main Course

·        Mention a movie that had the biggest impression on you as a child, in your professional life, in romance, etc.

·       If you could cast the main role in a movie based on your life, who would play you?

 

·       Mention a movie you hated that everyone else loved.

·       Have you ever met a celebrity? If so, who?

·       Who is your Favourite comedian?

3. Who is your most overrated actor or actress?

3. There are a few actors that I tend to avoid because they are more franchise or play similar roles in different films, can't get their humor. Those would include Ben Stiller, Jim Carey, Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Will Farrell (though sometimes they do pull out a film that are really great).  

2.    My favorite animated movie is Howl’s Moving Castle because it’s magical and whimsical, and no matter how many times I watch it, I love the story. My favorite live action movie is Creed because I enjoy underdog stories.

3. I don’t really spend time watching actors I don’t enjoy. Although Keanu Reeves is nice, he’s not very expressive to me. Nor is Kristen Stewart or Lauren London. 

·       What is your Favourite movie soundtrack?

Dirty Dancing

·       What is your Favourite 80s/90s/00s/etc movie?
I have some favorite movies, but I can say that the movie Rambo is my first favorite, then Titanic, I Can Only Imagine, and Pretty Woman. 

·       Who is your most overrated actor or actress?
Angelina Jolie

 Main Course

·        Mention a movie that had the biggest impression on you as a child, in your professional life, in romance, etc.
There was more than one movie that made a big impression in my life: Maid in Manhattan, Fireproof, Courageous, Devil Wears Prada, and Rambo movies (Sylvester Stallone stars in these Rambo movies).

·       If you could cast the main role in a movie based on your life, who would play you?
Salma Hayek or Eva Longoria

·       Mention a movie you hated that everyone else loved.
Dumb and Dumber

·       Have you ever met a celebrity? If so, who?
I have met some celebrities in Ecuador, South America. Maybe one day I will meet one or more celebrities in United States .

·       Who is your Favourite comedian?
Gabriel Iglesias "Fluffy"

The only contradiction that I think I may have is that I am not very good at singing or finding the rhythm of a song naturally. For any other dream I have had, I haven't encountered any contradictions between my abilities and my goal. 

My favorite person from my childhood was my mom because she was nice. 

The person that had the greatest contribution to who I am today was my dad and my grandma because I try very hard to not be like them at all. 

If I wasn't in my current position I would want to be a singer. I was in chorus from kindergarten through high school graduation. I very much enjoy performing on stage and singing and dancing.

No one has ever told me that I am really good at anything, but I think I am really good at learning new skills. In every work situation or class situation I can generally grasp new things (concepts or skills) relatively quickly.

3. Who is your most overrated actor or actress?
I don't know if they are overrated or not, but my favorite actresses are Audrey Hepburn, Michelle Yeoh, Milla Jovovich, and Scarlett Johansen. My favorite actors are Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, Gong Yoo, and Ryan Reynolds. 

I knew through this exchange I would learn more about our cultural differences, but I also enjoyed learning about our similarities, juggling studies, making career/major changes, not always enjoying a popular media, missing pre-Covid life, and trying to take care of our communities.

2. Did you enjoy this exchange? What did you like and what did you not like?
I liked the conversations and the prompts on Padlet. Hearing each other’s anecdotes is interesting. I also liked when we had a trivia activity during our third session.

I wish there was more facilitation with the conversation. Sometimes, things can get a bit awkward waiting for someone to get the courage to share or keep a conversation going. 

3. Would you participate in another exchange in the future?
Yes, most definitely! I hope I will have time to do another one before I graduate in Fall. Even better, if it is in-person somewhere.

4. Do you have any feedback that you would like to share with us?
Maybe a facilitator for the breakout sessions. He or she wouldn’t always have to comment if things are flowing smoothly, but it would certainly help to keep the conversation(s) going.

Overall, it's been a pleasure to meet and talk to you all. Hope you all do well during your finals. Goodbye c:

My childhood dreams came true, although the process was different than I anticipated.  Namely, instead of finishing college to become an architect, I joined the Army. Afterward, I started remodeling buildings and later began to design and build houses. Eventually, this led to a governmental career inspecting construction and reviewing architectural blueprints. Ultimately, I surpassed the goals that I had as a child and continue to create new ones. Now, I have the opportunity to enter another phase of career development and look forward to the unfolding possibilities.   

My uncle because he was an electrician, and I enjoyed visiting him on construction sites. 

My mother because she helped me to appreciate the value of integrity.

I wouldn’t want to change anything about my past, present, or direction for the future.

Performing with my guitar and singing is something that I am asked to do regularly and still incorporate into my life. 

You have all gifted me so much joy and inspiration, and I will forever carry immense gratitude for your time and thoughtful responses, anecdotes, and vulnerability, and shared human struggles, love for movies. 

It's so sad that it's ending so soon, I would love to stay in contact , my discord is matthewaguanta lol . thank you so much