A Holiday Gift from Me to You

As grounds begins to light up with the spirit of the holidays I was putting some thought into what I could give you all for the holiday season. I figured it might be a little difficult to send you each a string of lights that get placed around the rotunda this time of year, or the amazing holiday specials at Para Coffee, and inviting you each to cookie decorating on the lawn seemed like it might be a little more than I could tackle. Instead, I want to give you guys insight into the best website to ever exist on the Internet...yes, I said EVER...and yes, I meant it. So here you go...

I want you to rip this sucker up like you're 5 years old and Santa not only brought you a puppy but also the Batman action figure that all your friends had and was the one thing you needed to be invited to eat with the cool kids at lunch.

Don't take this gift lightly, it is as special as your siblings, your parents, and grandparents combined. In fact, we might even be able to throw your great grandparents and aunts and uncles into that mix.

Are you ready? Do you think you're ready?

Here it is! Lou's List!

Before I explain the joy behind Lou's List I want to introduce you to the coal that has been left in your stockings. That coal is the Student Information System, otherwise known as SIS and proof that you did something wrong this year that lead to Santa leaving you one thing of coal. If you have applied to UVa already or plan on applying this year you know what I am talking about. SIS is the place that applicants go to confirm the completion of their application as well as to receive their admissions decision. You aren't done with SIS after your acceptance though, SIS will haunt you for the remainder of your time at UVa. SIS is used to register for classes, check grades, confirm exam schedules, and some other thing that I have yet to discover. I will let you figure out the pains of SIS on your own rather than spend another 8 paragraphs describing the difficulties to you.

So Santa left you this coal, does this mean that you did something so bad that you won't be getting any other presents this year? No, no it does not. Hitting your brother and pulling your sisters hair were made up by sharing your cookie with your sister when she was crying and helping that old lady load groceries into her Buick (let's be honest...like all old people who grocery shop have Buicks). These acts are rewarded with Lou's List.

Lou's List allows ease for of access to courses that are available for the upcoming semester as well as the current semester and semesters past. It informs you who is teaching the class, where the class will be held, what time the class is, how many people are enrolled, how long the waitlist is, etc, etc. What makes this better than SIS...well pretty much everything!

I'll let you guys go ahead and explore these two sites in order to understand the advantages of Lou's List over SIS. Happy Holidays!

Fall on the Mall

Dear Readers,

Here's a snapshot of the greatest time of year at the University:

Crisp leaves crunch under your feet and fall from the trees as you walk to class.

The Lawn is sprinkled with piles of orange and red begging you to jump in them. 

Everything feels like the epitome of college. 

It's fall in Charlottesville, and its magical. 

Suddenly, you're inspired to explore a little more of Charlottesville. 

The Historic Downtown Charlottesville Mall

Just a short trolley ride from central grounds, the Historic Downtown Charlottesville Mall offers a look into the greater Charlottesville community. Ranked as one of the most successful and beautiful outdoor malls in America, the Downtown Mall is host to a number of activities that make for the perfect getaway anytime of year. 

At the end of the mall is the Downtown Pavilion, where anything from concerts to political rallies come for UVa students and Charlottesville community members to enjoy.

Pretty Lights performs at the Pavilion

UVA Students wait in line to hear the President speak Downtown

President Obama speaks at the Downtown Pavillion on the first day of classes

Clothing stores like Urban Outfitters, Jean Theory, Vintage Vixen, and Young Men's Shop are great for shopping, while unique independent bookstores provide peaceful spaces to study and explore whatever your heart desires.

The multi-level Urban Outfitters on the Mall

A quiet reading nook in "Read It Again, Sam" Used Bookstore

A collection of leather-bound books in Blue Whale Books 

Charity walks also happen on the Downtown Mall, bringing together UVa students and the Charlottesville community to fight for different causes together.

Alzheimer's Walk 2012 on the Downtown Mall

Community members and students alike participate

The Pre-Med club AMSA volunteers at the walk Downtown

Street performers sing, busk, and play jazz music, while A cappella groups and flash mobs often spring up and draw sizable crowds.

Great food is always available on the Mall too! From Italian to burgers and dessert, the Mall has it all, and just outside the main stretch of mall lies the greatest little building ever built: a building full of crepes.

Shrimp pesto pizza from Sal's Caffe Italia

The hub of the best crepes ever made on earth

Blue cheese burger from Citizen Burger Bar


Last, but certainly not least, the Downtown Mall offers one of UVa's great traditions, the Farmer's Market. Every Saturday from 7-12  the City Market offers fresh food and homemade products from local Charlottesville producers.

Handsewn children's clothing

Fresh veggies 

One-of-a-kind paintings 

One of many fresh and unique juices

Fall on the Historic Downtown Mall is one of the things I love most about my school. Charlottesville is such a unique and beautiful place to live and learn, and with so much going on at the Mall as well as on Grounds, there is never a dull moment.

Happy applying!

GO HOOS,

Emi 

A Walk to Class

There is nothing more beautiful than an autumn walk to class in Charlotteville. Whether it is from your dorm or apartment or even a sprint from a dining hall to the most remote building on grounds, there is nothing better than the colors on the trees, the crispness of the air, and the smell that invites you to take a deep breath and enjoy both the city and school you are apart of. 

I walk a gorgeous path everyday, I invite you to take the walk with me today!

This is right outside my house on Wertland Street. Wertland Street is a popular off grounds housing area for those who are 2nd-4th years. Just look at that tree! Even living in the city we still get the amazing colors of the country! 

Sorry this isn't the best picture but right down the street from my apartment is the Georgia O'Keeffe house. O'Keeffe used to spend summers in Charlottesville when she was a girl. So much history in this city! 

This is one of my favorite houses on the street. It's the football house. They keep their Christmas decorations up all year so if your ever in the mood for a little holiday spirit during the summer just drive down Wertland Street. 

A Corner. 

The Corner. 

The Corner has so many great shops and places to eat. Last year I would always head here whenever I was sick of dining hall food. Now that I'm not on a meal plan I eat at one of the many restaurants almost at least once a day. If you're visiting and not sure where you should stop for some classic Charlottesville cuisine just head to The Corner, there is no bad decision to be made when it comes The Corner. I'll give a shout out to Pigeon Hole on Elliewood, get their hashbrowns!

When you visit Charlottesville you HAVE (take note to the capitilized, bold, and underlined effects on the word have) to go to Bodo's. They have the best bagels you will ever eat. I don't think you've lived until you've had one of their bagels. It took all my will power not to stop their when I took this picture. 

Over on those steps were Navy women putting up the flags this morning. I later found out that was one of my friend's who is NROTC and she said she was so embarrassed that someone was taking a picture. 

TJ's Academical Village

One of The Lawn rooms. 4th years have the chance to live in these rooms, it is a true honor. From what I hear they don't have heat so that's why those logs are outside the room. 

The Rotunda!

There is always a lot going on at here at UVa. Today there were flags out in preparation for the last home football game against UNC on Thursday. Don't forget to watch on ESPN and support the Hoos!

Wilson Hall

Finally made it to lecture. 

Driving Down the Blue Ridge Parkway: Greek Getaway

      A few weekend ago, I decided to brave the outdoors and go for a scenic drive down Blue Ridge Parkway: the final destination? The Greek Getaway.
 
      I joined a sorority my first year spring. Coming from a Greek family, from mother to sister, aunts and even grandmother, I knew I wanted to try out Sorority rush. After a Christmas break of debating what outfit would best represent me, I entered the sphere of recruitment and found a sorority that fit me. Greek Life at UVa is rare. The tight knit community allows for activities, philanthropies, social events, and adventures that are hard to find amongst a large group. The 16 sororities and over 30 fraternities create a huge group of members that are all linked behind the idea of brotherhood and sisterhood. However, the diversity amongst sororities and fraternities is what I find so rare about the Greek Life at UVa. The activities range from Greek Getaway with Greek InterVarsity, a Christian group of approximately 30 people that meets on Wednesday nights, to Intramural sports, Greek Week Carnival, and trunk shoes. One of the most rewarding parts of joining a sorority for me has been the introduction of many new friends, particularly through Greek InterVarsity.
 

       As I continued to drive down Blue Ridge Parkway, listening to Christmas music, at an embarassingly early time in October, I saw a little house on a hill surrounded by fall trees and rolling hills. As I pulled up, I couldn't help but take in breaths of the fresh air and feel the anxiety of college courses, strict schedules, and deadlines leave me. This weekend, I can honestly say, was one of my favorites in my three years at school. The Greek Getaway was the getaway from life and anxiety that I needed. I joined my small group, composed of JMU and UVa students, to discuss topics from how we live our life to how we want to live our life. Although the discussions were rich and the company serene, the most amazing part of this weekend was the scenic, rolling, fall covered hills. The walks, the bonfires, and the act of just lying silently on dew covered grass were all pinpointed memories of a weekend I will never forget.