Dear Diary: Don't forget to take off your mask before trying to blow out your birthday candles

CBCCalgarywants to knowhow you are living these days. What are you doing differently? What makes you laugh? Cry? Scream? Have you started a new hobby? Let us know.

In this instalment of our series, Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19,10-year-old Allysha Nolasco tells us about missing pageants, helping her grandmother and what it's like to celebrate a milestone birthday in the middle of a pandemic.

This submission has been edited for clarity and length.

Before the pandemic, I was a stress-free, worry-free student, a friend, a sibling, a daughter in the family, and a citizen in our community.

When the pandemic started, I was feeling stressed, and I will tell you why. The "NO SCHOOL" announcement was declared on my 10th Birthday! I was sad because I couldn't have my 10th birthday with my friends, even though I had a birthday cake,lots of love, and a Nintendo Switch as a gift. I felt special! I even tried to blow out the candles forgetting I had my mask on! It was an epic pre-teen birthday celebration!

When online classes were announced, I got excited and at the same time felt sad and nervous. I was excited because we would be at home, which means no early mornings. But I was sad because I won't see my school friends and teachers for the rest of the school year, and I didn't have the chance to say goodbye.

I was also nervous because of the online classes.

Though staying at home is very challenging, I have managed to stay positive. I think this is resilience, adapting, and being flexible in a hard situation.

Despite the pandemic situation, I am keeping myself busy. I started painting and doing arts and crafts. I have been selling my paintings for a cause! I paint for my Grandma to help with her chemo expenses back home in the Philippines.

I also started "kid's reporting", and have won a toque and mug from CBC Kids! My mom and I also started delivering dry goods and helping vulnerable people with strict precautionary measures!

I've learned to cook my own egg breakfast, and how to bake bread and cakes. I've started learning how to use the sewing machine, and hand crocheting to make a headband, too. I also send letters/postcards to friends around the globe.

I sing and join some contests, or just do it for the love of the community, like the Inside Voices Project from CBC Kids and CBC Music.

Virtual inspiring webinars like 1Girl help me explore and gain knowledge, and, when I miss the runways and pageants I used to do, I wear my four-inches heels! Yay!

Regardless of how we cope with this pandemic, we all become unique and I see kindness soars! Please spend more time with your family.

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