All the Freebies are Killing Me

So it senior week, and all my friends are desperately trying to do senior things before GW kicks them out for good. First of all, being a senior means that for some reason GW keeps trying to feed you. And I'm all, "No GW. I don't want any free food. I'm tired of free food. I can't even keep up with all the freebies. Let me spend my own money." Hahaha.

No but seriously, as a college student, you will come to realize that your world will often revolve around freebies. The scenario works like this: student groups are all, "Come hear about how we can bring water to some village in Botswana," and students are like "Mhhh no." Or, a department will be like, "Come hear about this archaelogical dig in an obscure part of Egypt that is really ultimately connected to nothing!" And students are understandibly like "Mhh probably not." But if there are food/drinks involved, students will come listen to just about anything. I've had to go to some pretty awful events in the name of a slice of pizza. The trade-off? Sometimes you end up at events you would never go to and you learn about organizations you might not have had the chance to be exposed to otherwise. The org gets publicity and you get pizza. And when you're in the middle of finals...or broke because you know you shouldn't have gone to Starbucks everyday last week, you NEED free pizza.

So here are some reasons why Ekiria won't be spending any money on food this week:

May 10th
Senior Class BBQ & Movie
6-8 pm • Marvin Center 3rd Floor Terrace- BBQ

Grad Student Night
8-10 pm • Black Finn •1620 I Street, NW


May 11th
Back to Mount Vernon Reunion Reception
2-4pm • Post Hall @ Mount Vernon Campus

Senior Night
6-8pm • McFadden’s, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

May 13th
Zero Year Reunion
8:30-11pm • Nick’s Riverside Grille • 3050 K Street, NW

Since I'm a Senior and I'm not graduating this semester (I'm gonna be a SUPER SENIOR) I kinda of get to take advantage of everything. Here's the list of things the Student Activities Center compiled of last-minute things for seniors to do before they leave:

Top 10 Things To Do in D.C. Before You Graduate!!!
1. Take your binoculars to the National Cathedral and find…Darth Vader? After you view the impressionable stained glass windows and beautiful architecture within the cathedral, make your way outside and search for the infamous villain sculpted into the northwest tower of the Cathedral. It is a must see sight!
2. Take a trip down historic U Street; get your last half-smoke or burger from Ben’s Chili Bowl. (Limited amount of Ben’s Chili Bowl gift cards will be available beginning May 7, 2010 in the SAC office, Marvin Center Room 427, through SASS and the City)
3. Spend a nice evening in Old Town, Alexandria. Catch a local spotlight band on Thursday evenings at the Torpedo Factory (check website for performances) or visit George Washington’s Masonic Memorial. Before you leave, make sure to get a scrumptious sundae or scoop of ice cream from Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream. (Limited amount of vouchers will be available beginning May 7, 2010 in the SAC office, Marvin Center Room 427, through SASS and the City)
4. Need to get out of the concrete jungle? Join GW TRAiLS on May 2nd as they take the last trip of the year paddling down the Potomac River and enjoying the beautiful spring weather. (Sign up in the SAC office, Marvin Center 427, through TRAiLS)
5. Discover a Speakeasy – Have you ever noticed the random unmarked door between Marvin Bistro & Bar and Jin Lounge on U Street? Do you know where the blue light is on King Street? There is good reason for the confusion and secrecy! You’re not supposed to find a speakeasy unless you’re told how to! Wait a second…what IS a speakeasy? Click on the following link to PX Lounge on King Street (http://www.restauranteve.com/eamonns/PX/index.html) or call The Gibson on U Street (202) 232-2156 for more information on how to get in to these exclusive venues.
6. Don’t miss the opportunity to see two of the most desired art exhibits in the country which are currently on display at the Phillips Collection. Georgia O’Keefe’s Abstraction was deemed a top 10 exhibition of 2010 by Time magazine and Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party is widely accepted as one of the most important impressionist works of art. Phillips spices it up a bit on May 6th for “Phillips After 5” where there will be free food, a cash bar, and live music. (http://www.phillipscollection.org/).
7. Let a Ford’s Theatre guide take you through Washington, D.C. on a historic walking tour that revisits and reexamines the sites and clues from the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy or check out Little Shop of Horrors, one of the most popular musicals of all time. For more information (http://www.fordstheatre.org/home/performances-events/history-foot-walking-tours)
8. If you haven’t seen the monuments at night, take advantage of the great weather and check out some of those “hidden” monuments like the FDR Memorial or the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which the Washingtonian says seems “to come to life at night.”
9. The Hotel Tabbard Inn can make your Sunday special with one of the most popular brunches in the District. Some menu items include fresh fried donuts, house-smoked salmon, and toasted pecan waffles. Can’t wake up in time to make it to brunch? No worries! You can wait until later and enjoy a wonderful evening of live jazz and cocktails. (http://www.tabardinn.com/)
10. Salsa dancing is the in thing. Lima Restaurant + Lounge is a great Monday night venue that hosts free salsa lessons from 9 PM-11 PM. The DJ shows up and helps you finish the night strong with a hot Latin-flavored mix. (http://www.limarestaurant.com/site.html)

And SAC provides giftcards for seniors to do all these things. I've done most of them, but who wouldn't do them twice, especially for free?

'Til Next Time

Ekiria