To the relief of lonely hearts and hapless coupled men everywhere, another Valentine's Day has come and gone.
It may not be November, but it certainly feels like election time on Grounds. With elections for Honor, University Judiciary Committee, Student Council and other offices right around the corner, many students running for office have been attempting to catch the student body's attention by campaigning -- and it seems that methods of advertising oneself are almost as numerous as the amount of people running for positions. Chalking, fliers, e-mails, talking to students in person, Facebook groups and more -- the list is endless.
I know Valentine's Day was last week, but I missed it. This was no accident, as every year I struggle to forget about the holiday.
Charlottesville is, geographically, far from New Orleans, and the University provides a far different atmosphere from Tulane University. So when the University opened its arms to those who were forced to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina, many Tulane students found themselves in a very unfamiliar environment. Despite the fact that Tulane has reopened its doors and most students have returned to the same dorms they were forced to leave only a few hours after moving in, there are some who didn't go back to New Orleans. Those, such as second-year College student Grace Allstrom, decided they liked being at the University so much that they transferred here permanently. "I had considered transferring from Tulane anyway -- there were a lot of things I didn't like about it," Allstrom said.
As much as I love life at the University, there are times when my routine gets a little too predictable.
What happens when something as low-tech as hiking gets crossed with a high-tech satellite system?
Last December, a new "John's" opened on the corner, presenting University students with an alternative option to Little John's New York Deli. Jimmy John's gourmet sandwich shop offers similar menu choices including eight-inch subs and giant club sandwiches, as well as snacks such as chips and cookies. However, some University students said Jimmy John's restaurant atmosphere is significantly different from Little John's. Jimmy John's "is really cramped -- it doesn't have the same social environment," first-year College student Calder Telep said. Telep said there were hardly any tables to sit at, and the shop caters more to a takeout crowd. Telep also compared Jimmy John's to Subway, noting that customers get to choose their sub toppings choices more than they do at Little John's. Although Telep said a benefit of Jimmy John's was the ease of getting a vegetarian meal, "there weren't chips with it, which was a downer," she said. When comparing Jimmy John's and Little John's, some students spoke of the custom of going to Little John's after a night out. "I feel like it's just one of those corner places like the White Spot," second-year College student Dick Leary said.
First there was a snowstorm urging University students to hit the slopes of Wintergreen. Then Valentine's Day colored the Grounds pink, red and every shade in between.
Every Tuesday students in the Air Force ROTC program don one of their distinguishing uniforms. Whether wearing service blues or combat fatigues, cadets are an eye-catching sight walking on the Lawn, eating in a dining hall or sitting in the front row of a lecture. What may not be so obvious from their appearance is that each week fourth-year College student Katrina Foley-Schultz is responsible for deciding which uniform her fellow AFROTC students will wear.
Well, now that Singles Awareness Day has passed (or Valentine's Day, as it is known by couples everywhere) and we've all had time to reflect on our singledom, some people might be looking to change their status quos. I've got a tidbit of information that demystifies the secret that I hear the guys here at the University complain about all the time: Where are all the girls?
The words immediately caught my eye when I entered the room. It wasn't a penetrating gaze -- just the kind of casual head-swivel you throw in the direction of a tinted car window to check your reflection.
As celebrities and their partners dance across the television screen, a group of University students twirl around the rooms of the Aquatic & Fitness Center: the Ballroom Dance Club. On the popular television show "Dancing With the Stars," 10 celebrities -- including rapper Master P, football player Jerry Rice and ex-98 Degrees member Drew Lachey -- paired up with 10 professional dancers to perform glitzy, rhinestone-studded ballroom dance routines.
Life never fails to amaze me. Numerous times over the course of this year, I have paused to reflect on how fortunate I am to be a fourth year at our beloved University.
In the beginning of February, a major Danish newspaper printed cartoons editorializing the religion of Islam.
After this weekend's winter storm, I'm completely convinced that snow is the ultimate in procrastination devices.
I have always wondered what constitutes an appropriate Valentine's Day activity. Ever since I saw an episode of "Full House" where Uncle Jesse rents a hot air balloon for Becky in an attempt to rekindle their marriage, I've wondered, "Is this what Valentine's Day is all about -- hot air balloons, roses and John Stamos?" Luckily, it has been my experience that Valentine's Day only includes one of those things.
Imagine walking to class Valentine's Day morning -- backpack slung over the shoulder, talking on a cell phone, thinking that this is going to be yet another run-of-the-mill Feb.
Cell phones seem to be a constant issue for many University students, whether it involves pacing around their rooms trying to get reception or walking down Rugby Road looking for the phone they misplaced the night before. Because Charlottesville is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, wireless reception in the area can be of very poor quality for many cellular subscribers.
I'm going to tell you guys something you should know by now but probably don't pay attention to. When women say they don't want anything for their birthday, Valentine's, Christmas or your anniversary, chances are she is trying to act, or even legitimately be, the cool, laid-back girl she thinks you'd appreciate.
In Observatory Hill Dining Hall, next to a window overlooking a field of melting snow, first-year Engineering student Eric Pankey sat in passionate discussion with a group of companions. The topic of so much interest was not a new academic discovery or even the adventures of the previous evening's basketball game -- Pankey was describing the perils of a snowball fight. "This girl chased me down," Pankey said, adding that, despite his attempts, he could not keep from getting pelted in the face. "I'm pretty violent," Pankey said with a laugh, but, ultimately, he had to surrender. Students get excited over the special occasion of snow, first-year College student Colin Page explained. "It doesn't happen very often," Page said, while "you can go to the gym or go outside and throw a football any time you want." Elsewhere on Grounds, third-year College student Darius Nabors was also narrating a snow-filled story. Nabors walked down the street describing to his friends his experience perfecting a new snowball technique. Nabors said he would throw them at the branches of magnolia trees so that the snow they were collecting would fall down on people. "They wouldn't know what happened," Nabors said.
