#WFH Diaries: Jennifer Alvarez of the Miami Heat
As quarantines continue across much of the world, we're checking in with creative people to see how they're handling the WFH situation. Below, we chat with Jennifer Alvarez, top creative marketer at the Miami Heat.
Give us a one-line bio of yourself.
Mom. VP of creative and digital marketing for the Miami Heat. That's enough.
Where are you living right now, and who's with you?
I'm living with my husband, David, and our two children in our three-bedroom home in Miami. My daughter, Violet, is in kindergarten, and my son, Apollo, is in preschool.
What's your work situation like at the moment, and how are you moving ahead during the crisis?
I've adjusted technically to WFH, but I'm still defining my physical space to fit the new situation. I just purchased a desk, so I'm not working on the dining room table and getting interrupted by snack requests or a scooter or tricycle mishap.
Describe your socializing strategy.
I'm in a couple group chats with friends, and we stay in constant communication, sending each other funny TikToks and tweets. We talk more now that we're all on lockdown than we did when it was business as usual. We make dates for web calls and happy hours to connect and catch up. I think the emphasis for friends to connect more often is a giant silver lining of the pandemic.
How are you dealing with childcare?
My husband and I tag-team childcare and homeschooling responsibilities. When I have a Teams meeting, then he knows that he's on, and vice versa. The days are very long, between my calls, my daughter's class meetings and schoolwork, keeping my 3-year-old son busy, feeding, cleaning, feeding, cleaning, etc.
What are you reading?
Twitter, mostly. In my downtime, I'm reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle. I'm also reading the Hamilton book. I love reading about the creative process and thought behind the production. I'm already singing the songs nonstop, so I figured I would just double down.
What are you watching?
I'm am barreling through shows. Of course, I finished the typical lockdown binge diet of Tiger King and Ozark. I'm catching up on Run and Killing Eve—both Phoebe Waller-Bridge productions because she's the GOAT.
What are you listening to?
Hamilton, Beck's Hyperspace and the new Fiona Apple Fetch the Bolt Cutters.
How are you staying fit?
I've started an online workout program and exercise every day in my home. Other than that, my backyard has become quite the spot for very competitive games of ladder toss with my daughter.
Have you taken up a hobby?
I've started painting with watercolors. My first paintings were a series of Muppets, but I've now graduated to replicating some Mary Blair artwork. I have always found it to be whimsical and fun, and that's precisely the kind of energy I need right now.
Any tips for getting necessities?
I'm a big fan of all the contactless shopping options that have become available. Even better when you can find a place that will just place your goods in your trunk!
An awkward moment since all this started.
During the first week of WFH, I was at my mom's house and on a Teams call. She didn't realize I was on video, so she walked right into the frame in her pajamas. I thought I caught it in time, but nope.
An aha! moment since all this started.
I never thought I could like WFH, but I do. I certainly miss the social aspect of an office, but I find that it's easier to focus and get a lot done at home.
What's your theory on how this is going to play out?
I have no idea, but I do think the days of traditionally working in the office five days a week are over. Our company is finding that not only are we getting by WFH, but some areas are even thriving.
