Mount Pleasant Magazine July/August 2020

168 www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.MountPleasantHomes.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com facetime W e’re spending a little time with some of our neighbors to help you get to know them better. Get to knowus better by liking us on Facebook at facebook.com/MountPleasantMagazine. If you want to appear in Facetime or to suggest someone you find interesting, please email the name and contact information (email and/or phone number) to editor@MountPleasantMagazine.com. Our East Cooper Neighbors facetime Eric Lavender Job: Co-owner (with my wife, Sabrina) of Charleston Pirate Tours and Island Paradise Balloon Art. Now that businesses are reopening, what have you missed the most? Working! Doing tours and making balloon art for kids. I miss playing guitar at church, and I miss eating out. How would you describe your level of confidence with getting back to “normal?” I’m confident we will get back to normal, but I’m not confident about when. Once a vaccine is available, I believe we’ll truly be back to“normal.” How has this experience changed you? I haven’t changed, but my behavior has changed because of safety guidelines. I’ve become more aware of my surroundings to make sure that I don’t get too close to anyone. Going to the grocery store is quite the adventure now. Amber Blair Reown Job: Financial Relationship Specialist at Regions Bank. Now that businesses are reopening, what have you missed the most? Mostly, I have missed the normalcy of my day-to-day life — the smallest task has become such a task to fulfill. How would you describe your level of confidence with getting back to “normal?” I would describe my level of confidence as in between. As long as everyone follows the recommended guidelines to protect themselves and others, I feel as though we will make it through. How has this experience changed you? This pandemic has definitely had me on edge, but it helped me to appreciate the little things in life, such as being home and spending time with family. I ‘ve also realized things can change quickly, so I’ve become more aware and appreciative of life itself. E.C. Setser Job: Gifted and talented teacher at Charles Pinckney Elementary School. Now that businesses are reopening, what have you missed the most? Meeting friends or family for drinks and dinner. How would you describe your level of confidence with getting back to “normal?” I feel like every day we gain a little more normalcy. My confidence is very high that we will return. I hope to see my students in August! How has this experience changed you? I realized that I really love teaching because I’ve missed my students like crazy. Seeing them over Zoom just isn’t the same. I have really enjoyed this“reset”to our lives and spending time with my busy teenagers, who would normally be on the go. Kristy Lysik Job: Executive Recruiter, Nonprofit Services. Now that businesses are reopening, what have you missed the most? I have missed the date nights at our favorite downtown restaurants. We haven’t ventured back out, but I am eager. I have also missed our rec center sports. My children are still young, but it was exciting to get started with soccer and swimming and meeting new families. How would you describe your level of confidence with getting back to “normal?” I’m moving cautiously forward. I think it will be a while before we are able to use the word“normal”again, but I am confident opening back up is the right move for now. How has this experience changed you? I’m a working mom, and trying to balance everything can be tough. In March, I was moving 1,000 miles a minute, but in a blink, work and school came to a full stop. I felt devastated by this, not to mention the grief of what others were going through. I shifted my energy into this unexpected time with my 4- and 5-year-olds. We built a garden, wrote stories, had Zoom cooking lessons with grandparents, played and invented games and sent snail mail.