J110 Photo Essay

A peek into my life during the COVID-19 pandemic

I’ve realized through documenting my life this past week that acts of food are dominant forces in my life. Food is present or associated in almost every critical moment and has become increasingly apparent during the pandemic. The photos I have taken this past week intend to show the different ways food interacts with my life — as a practical function, a moment of peace, a link to a next task, an interest/hobby, and a way of community.

A spoon digs into a bowl of yogurt with an assortment of toppings on the morning of July 20, 2021 in El Monte, Calif. I like to start my day with a light but enjoyable breakfast. (left) (Flora G. Huynh / J110) A cup is being rinsed on the morning of July 20, 2021 in El Monte, Calif. Doing dishes offers a surprising calmness before embarking on a long day in front of the screen. (right) (Flora G. Huynh / J110)

Two laptops sit on top of a bed, with one screen depicting a zoom class meeting and the other showing an open Adobe Illustrator file on July 15, 2021 in El Monte, Calif. After breakfast, I attend my summer classes on zoom. I also work for the Daily Californian (DC), so on some days, I multitask through multiple screens in order to attend class and finish a design assignment for DC. The bulk of the day is spent here in this position. (Flora G. Huynh / J110)

Two cookbooks lie open as I read through them at home in El Monte, Calif. on July 21, 2021. The top cookbook is “Dessert Person” by Claire Saffitz, and the bottom one is “Double Awesome Chines Food” by Andrew, Irene, and Margaret Li. I often spend my free time absorbing food-related content, such as cookbooks, as a way to learn more about my interests in food and identity. (left) (Flora G. Huynh / J110) I sit in front of my kitchen oven in El Monte, Calif., watching as the cookies inside bake on July 15, 2021. Another way I spend my free time is testing recipes. I have recently delved into the rabbit-hole of cookies and have been recipe testing a lot lately. (middle) (Flora G. Huynh / J110) Two drinks and a takeout container of food from Bopomofo Cafe in San Gabriel, Calif. sit on an outdoor table on July 23, 2021. On times that I do get to hang out with my friends in-person, food from local places are always a go-to. (right) (Flora G. Huynh / J110)

A hand shucks and cleans corn in front of a sink in El Monte, Calif. in preparation for dinner on July 14, 2021. My mom is the main cook of the family, so I like to watch her in the kitchen to learn more about food. (left) (Flora G. Huynh / J110) My cousin eats dinner on the dinner table in El Monte, Calif on July 20, 2021. Most people in the household gather when dinner is ready. (right) (Flora G. Huynh / J110)

I eat a cheese quesadilla in my room late at night as I watch the show Saturday Night Live on my laptop in El Monte, Calif. on July 20, 2021. I like to end my days by spending my time enjoying a piece of entertainment. (Flora G. Huynh / J110)