Since retiring from Bell Labs after 25 years in Math Research, we moved to Whidbey Island where I volunteer in high school math classes & coach Math Olympiad tams. In a typical week, I was within 6' of over 100 students!
So COVID was a HUGE adjustment for me. I would have never imagined "surviving" two years of isolation.
But the upside is that I earned that my 30 hours/week of volunteering had taken away from my private life. I was able to watch Netflix, read some books, catch up on some overdue project, spend more time with my wife and or dog. What a revelation!
After COVID, I decided to find a balance. I resigned from two nonprofit boards, cut the number of math classes I visit visit in half. And kept my work with advanced math kids level.
This was the best decision I could have made. And all thanks to COVID.
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Clyde Monma
Retired Math Researcher
Clinton WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-13-2023 09:36
From: Irvin Lustig
Subject: Fun Post - looking for the positive
I've been working from home for close to 30 years. So when the lockdown began, my work life initially didn't change that much.
But there was one big change, which was less travel. And I realized that occasional business travel is good to do when you are always working from home. Some reasons:
- Time away from your spouse is healthy for your marriage. As the old saying goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder."
- It's mentally healthy to use your analytics skills outside your home. When you travel for business, that naturally occurs. We had a client that allowed a visit to their facility in January, 2021, and I came home feeling energized because I was doing my job outside my house for the first time in 10 months.
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-Irv Lustig
Optimization Principal
Princeton Consultants
Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2023 09:49
From: Jill Capello
Subject: Fun Post - looking for the positive
Hello!
The last 2 years have been far from ordinary. So many changes and so many unknowns. However, are you able to come up with something positive from this stressful time? I enjoyed how much less driving we had to do!
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Jill Capello
Membership Associate
INFORMS
Catonsville MD
jcapello@informs.org
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