In this installment of “Ask Adrian Anything,” JJ’s List asked Adrain about getting back to “normal” after living with restrictions because of the global pandemic.  Adrian shares his hopes for the future and how he coped during the difficult months of the global pandemic.

What are you most looking forward to with the lifting of COVID restrictions?

Adrian onboard

I am looking forward to regaining my independence by using public transportation to and from work. Don’t get me wrong, it is nice to have my parents give me rides when they are needed; I am grateful for that. I would just like to be able to take the train independently again.

It will be great to go back to restaurants like The Italian Village in Chicago or Gigio’s Pizza in Evanston. It would even be great to finally get myself out of this country at least once. Italy would be ideal for me because we have family out there.

I am also looking forward to seeing friends and family in person. Fortunately, I was able to go sailing with my family on my family’s boat a few weeks ago.

Was there anything positive that came about from the situation of the past 15 months that you hope continues?

Adrian’s personal digital workout guide

I started checking in with my second cousins and friends more often. It would be great if we could continue to talk often.

I actually lost weight during the lockdown and now I hope to keep losing and keep off the weight. I started writing down workouts in a journal that I have done so I can use them in the future. I even got myself into the online dating world – I cast my line to see what is out there.

Finally, it would be nice to have the option of meeting online for certain events and classes even after all the restrictions are lifted. For example, I was never able to make the Social Hour hosted by Center for Independent Futures before the virus. Now that it is on Zoom, I can make at least one of the two per week, which is awesome. I think if certain businesses capitalize on the idea of offering both online and in-person events, classes, etc. it can open the doors to even more business.

Tell us a little about how you felt and what you did during the Covid-19 pandemic.

I’ll admit to being scared about the virus at the beginning of the pandemic, then again who wouldn’t be? It was also hard to not be with extended family during the winter holidays.

Writing helps me deal with stress, so I did a lot of poetry and story writing. Several of my poems and some of my fictional stories were related to quarantining and the virus. I wrote lyrics to a song called “I Want Christmas Back” which was also based on the virus.

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, too. I cooked many dishes, such as burrito bowls, pasta, mushroom risotto, and shrimp with orzo. I also baked brownies, cookies, chocolate chip banana bread, chocolate chip banana bars, and cake.

I did some cleaning (sort of), played video games like the Uncharted series, the Infamous games, and some of the Tomb Raider and Spiderman games. I also worked out on the treadmill and lifted weights.

I found wearing the masks annoying and I still do, but I am willing to do anything to help us move past all of this. Now I hope that EVERYONE does their part to end.

Do you have a question for Adrian…? If so, put it in the comment box below!