student life

I’m writing this post from the Northeast Regional Amtrak train, en route from Charlottesville to Washington DC. Every year, UVA designates a Monday and a Tuesday in early October as “Reading Days” – days when no classes are held – and most students take advantage of this short break and go home for the long weekend.

I didn’t realize how much I was looking forward to heading home until I bought my ticket, an act that turned a long weekend into a mini-vacation. Sure, I still plan to “review and regroup” for my classes,  retaking notes and studying for my imminent midterms, but I’ll also visit the Baltimore Farmers Market, go shopping, and spend some time with my family before returning to Charlottesville.

My roommate and I started off the weekend right by declaring Friday a no-schoolwork evening and heading downtown. We ate dessert first at The Flat, a cute little creperie on the downtown mall. We split the special – a delicious concoction of cooked apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and honey wrapped in a vegan crepe. They also have delicious coffee.

Then we walked the downtown mall in search of some light fare, and ended up at a diner. Afterwards, we took the trolley back to the corner and watched a few episodes of the Gilmore Girls (we’re on season 3 of our marathon to finish the entire series) before hitting up Archs for some German Chocolate Cake frozen yogurt. I’ll miss Arch’s over break! The Coffee Royale flavor is heavenly, especially when swirled with a chocolatey flavor.

Back at the apartment we finished up the night with a viewing of You’ve Got Mail (a girl’s night staple) and finally at 1am we headed to bed. It was a great night and we definitely missed the third member of our trio, who headed home on Thursday. Lucky!

Here’s to a weekend of home-cooked food (vegetarian lasagna, anyone?) and relaxation!

Today my roommate and I agreed that we needed to study sans interruption, and therefore a trip to the library was in order. We went to OHill for brunch, then headed out to the Fine Arts library – which was empty, quiet, and, most importantly, air conditioned. Four hours later, we were ready for lunch, and also ready to warm up outside.

It being Saturday, we thought we’d head to Revolutionary Soup (which is closed on Sundays for some ungodly reason). But no. Closed for Foxfields. Luckily Lemongrass was open, and so we had spicy thai food instead – A good portion of which is now in our refridgerator. Then it was time for Ritas and sitting in the gardens by the lawn. Not very good for studying, but good for relaxing.

As our suitemates trickle in, exhausted and sweaty, from Foxfields, I have to say I’m happy to have not gone.