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From bidet love to kids' pandemic drawings, read our Dear Diary stories from everyday Albertans

A Calgarian who is embracing the bidet. Kids who are drawing their isolation in pictures. A woman flashing back to being a newcomer from Nepal. Read the dozens of stories shared by everyday southern Albertans on life during the COVID-19 pandemic in CBC Calgary's Dear Diary series.

Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19

for CBC News · Posted: May 25, 2020 9:55 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 9, 2020

CBC Calgary wants to hear how you're living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Send in an entry and take part in our series, Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19. (Jenna Mclean)

A Calgarian who is embracing the bidet.

Kids who are drawing their isolation in pictures.

A woman flashing back to arriving as a newcomer from Nepal.

Read the dozens of stories shared by everyday southern Albertans on life during the COVID-19 pandemic in CBC Calgary's Dear Diary series.

And don't just read their stories — share your own. CBC Calgary wants to hear from you. How are you finding the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic? Have you gone for a haircut? Been to a restaurant? How will you spend your summer? Are you longing to get back to the office or do you love working from home? What will you miss as the world starts up again?

Click here to send in a page from your diary.

How this early childhood educator is creating memories with her son

Rekha Poudel presents her husband Buddhi Sapkota with the wall hanging she made with her son Rick during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Rekha Poudel)

Rekha Poudel tells the story of the art she made with her son during the pandemic, and how it is bringing her family closer together.

Why weathering the pandemic in the Middle East makes this Calgarian feel even more Canadian

Madeline Ell (CBC)

WATCH: Madeline Ell tells us about leaving Canada during a pandemic, what quarantine looks like in Abu Dhabi and why COVID-19 is making her feel more Canadian than ever.

Robots, late nights and lots of learning. The pandemic isn't slowing down this student

In this instalment of our series, Deary Diary: In a Time of COVID-19, Isabella Lopez Rivadeneira tells us about coding and building robots with her brother Isaac during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Paula Lopez Rivadeneira)

Isabella Lopez Rivadeneira tells us about coding and building robots during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No longer walking to Spain, this Calgarian takes her pilgrimage to the city streets

Carla Bolen Anderson was supposed to be hiking the Camino de Santiago this year, from France to Spain, to celebrate her 65th birthday. The COVID-19 pandemic forced her to postpone her trip, so instead she's hiking around Calgary. (Submitted by Carla Bolen Anderson)

Carla Bolen Anderson tells us about her postponed milestone-birthday trip, and how she's making the best of it by exploring parts of Calgary she's never seen before.

The connections this Calgary student is missing because of COVID-19

Student Sydney Horrock is featured in today's Dear Diary. (Sydney Horrock)

WATCH: Sydney Horrocks tells us about how she's spending her time, and the connections she's missing while not being at school every day.

Maternity leave during the pandemic, finding joy through dress-up

Diane Serani is on a maternity leave during the COVID-19 pandemic. She's filling some of her time doing photo shoots with her son Matteo. Here, Matteo poses for Easter, with his toys wearing masks. (Submitted by Diane Serani)

Diane Serani tells us about being on maternity leave during a pandemic, changed plans, and finding joy in her own personal tickle trunk.

For this family, healing comes in many forms

Sima Chowdhury (right) poses for a selfie in the hospital with her mother, Indra Chowdhury. In her entry for CBC Calgary's project Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19, Sima reflects on hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Sima Chowdhury)

Sima Chowdhury tells us about fighting to see her mother in hospital, who ultimately made the decision she would be better off at home.

How the pandemic reminds this Calgarian of what it's like being a newcomer to the city

Sharmila Ranabhat (centre) poses with her husband Suman, and her children Swyoyuja and Swaras. They've been spending lots of time together during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Sharmila Ranabhat)

Sharmila Ranabhat reflects on her time in isolation, the new hobby she's taken up, and how living through the pandemic reminds her of when she first arrived in Calgary.

'I long for the recent past'. Why this Pincher Creek teacher wants to see his students

Greg Freer is a teacher and assistant principal in Pincher Creek Alta.. In his diary entry, he tells us why he misses having students in his classroom. (Submitted by Greg Freer)

Educator Greg Freer tells us what he misses most about being in a classroom with his students.

Returning to old hobbies and learning new ones, this family gets creative

Sara Brodsky (right) and her daughter have taken up painting to keep busy during the pandemic (Submitted by Sara Brodsky)

Sara Brodsky shares how she is dealing with her anxiety during the pandemic.

How this retired teacher is connecting with her community one book at a time

Myrna Eichorn has built a free little library so the kids in her neighbourhood can get their hands on some new books during the pandemic. (Submitted by Myrna Eichorn)

Myrna Eichorn tells us how a small construction project is connecting her community.

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

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. (Submitted by Sharon Hinayo-Nolasco)

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.

The teenager finding inspiration from Mark Twain

(Alexia Sabau)

WATCH: Alexia Sabau shows us how Mark Twain is keeping her motivated to get things done.

Up for the challenge. The bucket list item this Calgarian is taking care of during COVID-19

Warren Smistad is using is time during the COVID-19 pandemic to pick away at something he’s wanted to learn for a long time. (Submitted by Warren Smistad)

Warren Smistad is picking away at something he's wanted to learn for a long time.

A man, his dog, and filling time during the COVID-19 pandemic

Marc Richea and his dog, Hudson, are spending a lot of time together during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Trevor Carter/D'Angelo Photography Studio)

Calgary's Marc Richea tells us how he's filling his days.

This Calgary mom is having all the feels when it comes to COVID-19

Angie Bailie poses with her family. She has been having lots of emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Angie Bailie)

Angie Bailie lists all the emotions she's feeling on a daily basis during the pandemic.

Driveway visits are nice, but this grandmother just wants a hug

In this instalment of our series, Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19, Kathi Lalonde from Millarville Alta. tells us how she’s connecting with her grandsons and the lessons she’s learning from them. (Submitted by Kathi Lalonde)

Kathi Lalonde has been teaching her grandsons school lessons over FaceTime, a new and positive experience for everyone involved. But she's looking forward to going back to regular grandparenting.

Chocolate cake for breakfast and cornflakes for dinner. How this family is coping

Amy Ostrowski shows how her family is singing, dancing and eating their way through the pandemic. (Amy Ostrowski)

WATCH: Lethbridge business owner Amy Ostrowski shows how her family is singing, dancing and eating their way through the pandemic.

Student ponders solitude, uncertainty and the oddity of belly buttons

In this installment of our series, Dear Diary: In the Time of COVID-19, Martin Al-Najar tells us about online classes, how he’s staying busy, and how trying to maintain a semblance of “normal” is actually moving him further away from it. (Submitted by Martin Al-Najar)

Martin Al-Najar tells us about online classes, staying busy and how trying to maintain a semblance of "normal" is actually moving him further from it.

Why COVID-19 is changing how this Calgarian pictures her future

Maria Gómez is graduating from the University of Calgary in 2020. For our ongoing series, Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19, she reflects on what it means to move on during a pandemic. (Submitted by: Maria Gómez)

Maria Gómez reflects on what it's like to be graduating university in the midst of a pandemic.

Transitioning to 'adulthood' during a pandemic? It's not great

Finishing high school and moving on to university is normally a time of excitement and celebration. In today’s instalment of our series, Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19, Rheya Patel tells us about the trepidation and uncertainty she’s facing instead. (Submitted by Rheya Patel)

Rheya Patel tells about the trepidation and uncertainty she's facing as she finishes high school and prepares for university in the midst of COVID-19.

How gardening is helping this retired nurse navigate the 'new normal'

Retired Registered Nurse, Barbara Barry sees the parallels between growing a garden and learning to navigate our new normal. (Submitted by: Barbara Barry)

Retired Registered Nurse, Barbara Barry sees the parallels between growing a garden and learning to navigate our new normal.

How this retired teacher is staying connected with her dad

Karen Pollock poses with her father, Richard Loesch. Karen has been learning to play the ukulele to make her father smile. (Submitted by: Karen Pollock)

Karen Pollock tells us about learning the ukulele and how it's helping her stay connected with her father.

I bought a bidet out of spite. I'm never going back

Sarah Miller ran out of toilet paper. When she couldn't find any at the stores, she says she bought a bidet out of spite. It's a decision she now calls 'life changing'. (Submitted by Sarah Miller)

Sarah Miller waited until the last minute to go buy toilet paper. When she couldn't find any, she made a decision that she says changed her life.

Online video chats are good, but nothing beats hanging out with friends

Marigold Mioc is filling her pandemic days with online group chats, but the 10-year-old still misses being able to spend time with her friends. (Submitted by Lily Ahonen)

Since schools closed 10-year-old Marigold Mioc has been busy with online groups, but she says she still misses being able to hang out with friends.

Calgary kids tell their pandemic stories through art

Students from Eugene Coste School in Calgary share how they have been spending their time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Above, Mia holds cards she's made to thank essential workers. (Eugene Coste School)

Students from Eugene Coste School share how they're spending their time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How I found the surprising joy of learning to live with uncertainty

Amanda Gómez is a linguistics student at the University of Calgary. In her diary entry she reflects on how learning to live with uncertainty is helping her through the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Amanda Gómez)

Amanda Gómez is a linguistics student at the University of Calgary. In her diary entry, she reflects on how learning to live with uncertainty is helping her through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why this Calgary student calls isolation the 'two-headed gift of time'

Ariana Revinc is a grade 11 student in Calgary. She says she`s growing as an artist during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Ariana Revnic)

Western Canada High School student Ariana Revnic says the pandemic has helped her see how important it is to be present in each moment, and not take anything for granted.

From workouts to working, how this teacher is staying flexible during the pandemic

Mélissa Morasse Malcom tries to get some work done with her daughter Lilianne on her lap. (Submitted by Mélissa Morasse Malcom)

From sun up to sun down, Mélissa Morasse Malcom tells us how she balances work and family during the pandemic.

She wanted to say thanks, and ended up getting the attention of a Hollywood star

Cyrstal Hancock created this chalk drawing in Brooks, Alta. She wanted to express her thanks to health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Cyrstal Hancock)

Armed with chalk, good weather and time, Cyrstal Hancock created a tribute to health-care workers that is getting a lot of attention, and inspired her to find a way to help other people share their own.

Why one educator 'got outta dodge' before distancing became a thing, and how it helps

Andrea Riquelme enjoys quiet walks with her dogs, Annie and Sully. She says she's been physically distancing for years and loves it. (Submitted by Andrea Riquelme)

Assistant principal Andrea Riquelme tells us about learning to love being socially and physically distant from others.

Ukulele, lots of food and other ways this Calgarian is dealing with isolation

Alex Kingcott is a small business owner in Calgary. (Submitted by Alex Kingcott)

WATCH: Calgary business owner Alex Kingcott shares how she is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the requirement to stay home.

How this self-styled homemaker is staying sane and entertaining the kids

Gizette Edis poses with her husband Jeremy, and their daughters Gemma and Nora. She says since starting self-isolation, life feels like it's changed drastically, and yet, hasn't changed at all. (Submitted by Gizette Edis)

Gizette Summer tells us how she's filling her days and keeping her kids entertained.

An ER doctor opens up on what keeps him coming to work each day

Eddy Lang is an emergency room doctor in Calgary. (Submitted by Kelly Johnston/University of Calgary)

Calgary ER doctor Eddy Lang reflects on how COVID-19 is playing out in our city's emergency rooms.

Why this professor is watching old hockey games

University of Calgary professor Steve Winters poses with his wife and daughter in October 2019. (Submitted by Steve Winters)

With no new sports to watch, U of C professor Steve Winters has taken to watching old games during the pandemic. And they're proving to be quite inspirational.

Why this Calgarian is cooking in a Hawaiian themed kitchen

Trudy Sales and her son Codey enjoy a Hawaiian vacation in their kitchen. (Submitted by Trudy Sales)

Trudy Sales' kids were struggling with the loss of routine because of COVID-19. So she took them on a Hawaiian vacation, in their kitchen.

Why this Calgarian thinks the whole world is on edge

Margie Holmes see similarities between the feelings that come up when you move away from your family, and how she feels now during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Margie Holmes)

Margie Holmes see similarities between the feelings that come up when you move away from your family, and how she feels now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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