Check-In with Casey Zhang

Where are you quarantining? And who are you with?

I moved into my boyfriend’s apartment right as the lockdown was announced so we’re posted up here in Brooklyn with our dog Charlie.

Cooking / baking right now

We’ve been avoiding crowds by getting our groceries at Sunrise Mart (the relatively secluded location in industry city) and we’ve been experimenting a lot with Japanese ingredients. We’ve made Japanese curry (this recipe with this curry roux), salmon handrolls (this recipe with this sushi rice), and ramen.

Shows you’re watching right now

Terrace House, a PBS documentary series on NYC, and Westworld (even though it keeps getting worse and worse and we hate the new season)

Movie you watched last

I’ve been revisiting a lot of 90’s teen movies: 10 Things I Hate about You, Reality Bites, Center Stage, looking for more to stream

Movies on your list

I really want to see the live-action Mulan, but it looks like it won’t be released on Disney+ anytime soon

Any good books?

Remodelista’s “The Organized Home” for learning how to better organize a 500 square foot space for two people 

Rituals or routines keeping you sane

Still working on getting dressed every day but: 

• Making the bed and journaling in the morning (both things I never used to do)

• Yoga and lots of stretching in the afternoon

• Taking extended breaks from social media

• A daily 5pm (sometimes 4pm) cocktail

Anything new you’ve done with your newfound time?

Making the bed and journaling are new. Outside of that, we’ve been going to our studio space to work occasionally, and I’ve been shooting some still life personal projects there. 

When this is over, what’s the first thing you’re doing?

I would love to be able to take a trip somewhere far away from our apartment.

When this is over, who’s the first person you’re seeing?

My therapist. Also my hairstylist Yoko at Salon Shizen.

What are you never going to take for granted again?

Leaving the apartment without feeling paranoid.