The COVID-19 pandemic is having far-reaching implications on many aspects of our lives – including where we work. As offices and other organizations across the country have closed, Mysha Lubke has found a way to make remote “work.”

How has the transition been to working at home? What have you noticed has been harder/easier?

It has definitely been easier to make sure I'm home for dinner and bedtime every night! Just before the "stay-at-home" orders and office and school closures, I was away at trial for two weeks. So, the introvert that I am, my plan upon my return to Austin was to work from my couch the remainder of that week and have all groceries and necessities delivered so I wouldn't have to leave home. But that plan sounds a little less exciting once the mayor orders everyone in the city to do so—indefinitely. Especially since I haven't been able to get groceries delivered or other necessary paper products.

Do you have any new 'co-workers' (roommates, partners, children, pets)?

I have a new full-time co-worker who rarely leaves my side, "helps" me type out emails, and joins for all Skype meetings, conference calls, and Zoom happy hours. Sadie is 13 months old, and while having a little one toddling around while you're trying to be productive has its challenges, I'm really grateful for this time with her. Especially at this stage where she notices the tiniest details and is curious about everything and makes you ponder important questions in life like: What do doodle bugs actually taste like? Just how many rocks can one baby hide in her chubby cheeks? Why is it so hilarious to fall down at the start of "Ring-a-round-the rosie" instead of waiting until the end? My husband, Michael, works full-time as well, but because he works in a lab, working from home isn't really an option for him. So now that our family is done with our quarantine, he has to head off to work in the mornings just as he used to. He returns to regale us with tales of deserted highways, abandoned work stations, and driving by lines of people not keeping a safe distance while waiting to get into the grocery store. With him going out and seeing those things, it's no surprise to me that he is making sure that we are prepared for anything. No groceries or necessary paper products; no problem! We now have a generator, a 50-lb bag of rice, and vats of honey, which has led to Google searches like: "recipes only rice and honey" and "home workout bag of rice instead of gym weights.

If you've taken on an 'teaching' role for your kids – what are some tips that have worked for you?

First-time mom here. So, I have no idea what I'm doing and we're just winging this thing. I should be the one asking for tips. Tips, anyone?

Sadie's nursery school does a "virtual class" for a half-hour two days a week, so at this point, Sadie is better at video conferencing than me and is the one doing the teaching.

Do you have a go-to activity to help you de-stress or relax?

Family bike rides! We've had a number of good weather days and it's nice to get outside. So, we get Sadie in her helmet and load her into her Bakfiets and do a few laps around the neighborhood to wave at neighbors while Sadie points out all the dogs and squirrels. It's pretty great seeing all of our neighbors out walking their dogs and playing with kids and the teddy bears our neighbors put in their windows to keep the kiddos entertained on walks. And, we stop by the "neighborhood zoo" at least daily—our neighbor keeps chickens (and three chicks just hatched!), a duck named Pickle, and a bunny in his yard. They're a big hit!

What are you binge watching or listening to now that you have time?

We haven't binged anything, but we did have to see what Tiger King was all about though it took us a couple weeks to get through it because of the aforementioned toddler. And our listening habits haven't changed since 13 months ago when listening habits, sleeping habits, just all the habits changed: Rockabye Baby! is on repeat, with hit albums like "Lullaby Renditions of Snoop Dogg," "Lullaby Renditions of Weezer," and the Lullaby Rendition of the Hamilton Soundtrack.

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