I'm an American locked down in Paris, where police patrol the streets and people cheer hospital workers from their windows. Here's how I prepared for weeks inside - and why I'm thankful our government has taken control.

Because I work mostly in food, eating and cooking are huge parts of my life. I started a visual food diary for my Tumblr and I realized I would get tired really fast of the elaborate meals I was trying to prepare for every meal.

A lot of people have started recipe tutorials, including Chef Massimo Bottura, and it made me feel bad when the videos used ingredients I didn't have. I decided I would try simpler meals to make my life just a bit less stressful, and go full out when I really needed it. So, at lunch, I settled for spaghetti bolognese with pasta from a box and sauce from a jar. Sometimes it's the simple and easy meals that feel, and taste, best.

Curious, I asked on Instagram and Facebook how grocery stores were looking around Paris, and was happy to hear that most of them were being well stocked. Everyone out there working outside right now, from the delivery men to garbage collectors to cashiers to hospital staff, are truly the ones keeping life going.

I've noticed I'm trying to communicate better with my partner to avoid any pointless arguments, to use my resources wisely, and to show gratitude for even the smallest things.

I pulled out all my LeParfait jars from the cupboards to store food, making sure they last longer as I don't want to be running to the store, even if it is located only 50 meters away. I looked up how to properly store canned vegetables (in a sealed container, placed at the back of the fridge) and herbs, things I should probably have known. I even found myself staring at a jar of oats, amazed at how versatile and nutritious it is.

We kept the windows open all day because we wanted to hear the birds singing and around meal times; it was comforting to hear the sound of neighbors going through their cutlery. It's only the beginning of lockdown, but I feel more aware, and I hope this new sense of awareness stays with me forever.

Feeling stiff from sitting all day, I attempted to do a work out using my trainer Anatole's lockdown exercise video. My partner went out to do some high intensity sprints on our street; according to his iPhone, he moved a total of 2.6 kilometers (1.61 miles) today. I've only moved 0.29 kilometers (0.18 miles): I'll try to do better tomorrow. If I'm going to survive this, I'll need a routine.

At 8 p.m. on Thursday, I faintly heard people clapping and cheering. It's the French people's way of thanking everyone in hospitals who are working around the clock.

Sadly, I saw dozens of videos and photos of Parisians enjoying the warm weather outdoors today, from teens playing basketball to families near the parks, as the death count reaches 460 Friday. I hope solidarity is better tomorrow.

Italy has been trying to warn the rest of Europe for weeks about what was to come if we didn't take the pandemic seriously. Now we're looking at the United States from France, just hoping they step up to act. We'll only get through this if we all take this seriously.

I'll be playing my part from my tiny Parisian apartment, sharing my thoughts on my Tumblr and appreciating life from my window.