A is for Advice
Prompt 2.34 Directions for a First-year Student; Photograph and text; Thursday, Oct. 24
Dear Future Hokie,
Welcome to Virginia Tech! The campus might seem big at first, but don’t be afraid to explore. Take the buses; they’re free, reliable, and can take you almost anywhere on campus. Every corner here is worth sightseeing at least once. My favorite spot is the Torgesen Bridge, quiet and calm, perfect for studying or just sitting. Walk across the Drillfield on a sunny day and feel the wind. Visit Hahn Horticulture Garden when you need peace. Enjoy it all; these small walks make Tech feel like home. (90)
B is for Bend
Prompt 2.17 Desire Paths; Photograph and Text; Monday, Nov. 3
The path up the hill beside Durham Hall is where I walk every day. Instead of following the paved walkway, I take the dirt line across the grass because the designated route is always crowded when classes end. Too many students choose the same shortcut, and over time, it has carved a visible strip through the lawn. I think desire paths exist because people prefer what feels direct and simple, even when the grass is wet, even if it means stepping off the official route for just a few seconds. (90)
C for Campus
Prompt 2.01 Campus Map of the Imagination; Sketch and text; Wednesday, Oct. 29
This imagined campus map represents how I see Virginia Tech. The routes drawn in red mark the familiar paths between classrooms, bus stops, and buildings I visit weekly. The crosshatched areas are places I have never been. These halls are places that remain unfamiliar, with no personal connection or story yet attached to them. In my mind, campus forms a rectangle centered on the Drillfield, surrounded by buildings, parking lots, and bus loops. Beyond the edge lies uncertainty and curiosity, the parts of campus that still wait to be explored. (90)
D is for Duck Pond
Prompt 2.19 Duck Pond; Photograph and text; Friday, Sept. 26
One Friday afternoon, after a heavy rain, I wandered to the Duck Pond, where a wooden bridge spanned a narrow stream flowing into the lake. The water was choppy, constantly rippling, interrupted by fishing lines and the padding of ducks softly. Damp air hung over wet grass, and reeds along the bank swayed softly in the breeze. I noticed how the water seemed alive, reflecting both sky and motion. There were fewer people than usual, perhaps deterred by the gray light. The pond lived up to its quiet, reflective reputation. (90)
E is for Evolution
Prompt 2.18 A Wish for Something to be Different; Photograph and text; Friday, Nov. 14
Taking a walk from Duck Pond toward the Mining and Minerals Engineering Research Facility, I passed people biking, running, and walking just like me. The view was incredible, quiet and peaceful, especially the sunset settling behind the farm. But the road itself was far from perfect. The pavement was uneven, scattered with holes that made each step feel uncertain. Halfway through the walk, the path disappeared entirely, forcing everyone onto rough ground. I wished the route matched its beautiful surroundings, smooth and safe for anyone who wanted to enjoy it. (90)
F is for Flânerie
Prompt 3.02 Flânerie; Photograph and Text; Sunday, Nov. 9
I walked alone around my neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon, following the idea of the flâneur — the quiet observer who wanders without rushing and notices whatever appears. I did not know how long I had been walking until I saw the sun beginning to set. I realized that almost every time I walk, every time I stop to take a photo, it always seems to be during sunset, that soft moment where everything turns warm and beautiful. Leaves fell in spirals, brushing the sidewalk. A bus passed me again and again, looping through its usual route. I put on my headphones, letting the music fade into the background of my steps. The slower I walked, the more details surfaced: the color of the sky shifting, the houses, the rhythm of distant traffic. It reminded me of tản bộ in Vietnamese culture, an aimless stroll. I used to walk like that with my friends, wandering around the park at night after extra classes, then sitting on a hill to talk until late. Wandering without purpose made the familiar feel strangely new. (180)
G for Gym
Prompt 2.18 A Wish for Something to be Different; Photograph and text; Friday, Oct. 31
The gym is always one of the most popular places on campus, right beside clubs or parties, especially in college, where staying active feels more like a lifestyle choice than a class requirement. Unfortunately, Virginia Tech’s gyms are among my least favorite places because of how crowded they are. Sometimes, I just want to work out and end up waiting fifteen minutes for each machine. The growing student population makes it harder to find space. Spring 2025 was my first semester here, and I could still manage to find a spot at McComas or War Memorial. By fall, it became impossible with too many students and little room. I started noticing how much busier the campus has become with crowded roads, slower buses, and my favorite study spot at Torgersen Bridge filled with people. I wish the university would slow its expansion and focus on improving existing facilities before adding more students. Expanding the gyms or opening new ones could make a big difference. There are days when I just want to exercise without waiting in line or feeling rushed. (180)
H is for Hahn Horticulture Garden
Prompt 2.21 Blacksburg’s Best Walk; Photograph, video, and text; Wednesday, Oct. 1
Among all the corners of campus, Hahn Horticulture Garden was the most recommended place by my friends and teaching assistants. Perhaps because I visited during the rainy season, the garden was more muted than expected; gray clouds rolled overhead, and cool winds blew across, carrying the smell of wet soil. Like at the Duck Pond, I was drawn to a small wooden bridge crossing a narrow stream. I cannot say exactly why, but the bridges there were poetic, subtle colors against the wider garden landscape. Water flowing over stones added to the tranquility, a gentle rhythm that washed away the exhaustion of a long Wednesday of classes. I sat in a lounge chair and watched rabbits stare at me, then hop into the grass. Their brief appearance added a sense of liveliness, as if the garden itself welcomed visitors in fleeting, quiet ways. Yet the garden was colored with sadness. In October, its palette was subdued, and the tulips—my favorite flower—were absent. The scene, hushed and reflective, felt restorative and wistful, a reminder that beauty often carries silence with it. (180)
I is for Illuminance
Prompt 3.14 Star Gazing; Photograph and text; Monday, Nov. 17
Walking at night feels different from any daytime walk. I moved slowly under the open sky, looking upward more than ahead, letting the stars guide my pace. The darkness made everything quieter, softer, almost suspended, while the faint glow above brightened the cold air. Streetlights faded behind me, and I paused near an open patch of grass where the sky felt widest. With my eyes lifted toward the stars, familiar paths looked new, changed by the simple illuminance of night. (90)
J is for Journey
Prompt 3.21 Design Your Own Walking Ritual; Photograph and text; Monday, Sept. 15
For this ritual, I decided to walk through buildings I already knew, not rushing to class but moving slowly, looking carefully for things I had missed all semester. I treated each hallway as a familiar path made new by attention. I passed classrooms, labs, and open spaces without finding anything unusual until I reached Goodwin Hall. When I stepped into the atrium and looked up, I finally saw it, the massive machine overhead, housing a Rolls-Royce jet engine. This small ritual just reminded me to notice what has always been there. (90)
K is for Kinetic
Prompt 3.09 Sound Archive; Photograph and text; Monday, Dec. 01
During a ten-minute walk around the NCB building, I focused only on sound. The space feels open and airy, with its central staircase and glass-walled classrooms. I couldn’t hear what was happening inside the rooms, but voices from the hall echoed clearly from the upper floors. Footsteps overlapped, blending with quiet conversations and the soft hum of ventilation. Even without stopping, I could hear how sound traveled lightly through the building, drifting in layered patterns, steady like distant breaths surrounding me, creating a shifting, kinetic rhythm that shaped the walk. (90)
L is for Layers
Prompt 3.12 Five Senses; Photograph and text; Saturday, Nov. 22
During Thanksgiving break, I walked through downtown Charlotte. Night had settled, yet the sky was still a deep blue instead of black. Around me, the city felt ready for Christmas: lights glowing, music drifting from shops, the smell of food in the cool air. I noticed a banner for the Thanksgiving Eve Parade, still hanging above the street. If I do this walk again, I would go before sunset for a brighter view or later when the sky is fully dark, to feel the city more clearly in another layer. (90)
M is for Morning
Prompt 2.32 Shortest Walk; Photograph and text; Friday, Oct. 4
Alarm rings.
Wake up, reach phone.
Scroll messages, check time.
Pull blanket aside slowly.
Finally rise from bed.
Feet touch cold floor.
Walk to bathroom quietly.
Wash face, brush teeth.
Grab towel, dry quickly.
Turn toward bedroom door.
Door creaks as opened.
Shuffle forward, slow steps.
Walk to kitchen softly.
Open cupboard, take tumbler.
Pour water, make coffee.
Kitchen smells warm, inviting.
Sip coffee, morning calm.
Return back to room.
Change clothes for day.
Apply makeup, adjust hair.
Decide school or home.
No class? Stay inside.
Start studying, focus now. (90)
N for Nightfall
Prompt 2.03 Overhead at Time of Day; Photographs and text; Friday, Oct. 4
Walking from the Data and Decision Sciences Building towards McComas during my favorite time of day—sunset—I paused to watch the sky. The sun slipped behind trees, buildings, and the far end of the road and sank steadily out of sight. The sky changed gradually, its color vivid and warm, shifting from bright daytime blue into glowing ribbons of yellow and orange stretched long across the horizon. The rooftops and branches caught the light, softening into shadow. The scene marked both the day’s quiet farewell and the calm arrival of evening. (90)
O is for Organize
Prompt 2.23 The things you carry; Photograph and text; Tuesday, Oct. 7
Unpacking my backpack reveals a map of student life: iPad and MacBook for class notes and assignments, their charging cords beside them; a water bottle, calculator, and wallet; pens, pencils, and a highlighter for quick annotations; AirPods and headphones for focus; and small comforts like hand wipes and lipstick, or sometimes an umbrella for rainy days. Together, they outline the routines that build each day, from classes to study sessions. These items travel with me constantly, collecting the weight of hours and habits, carrying small pieces of each day’s story. (90)
P is for Pause
Prompt 2.05 A Good Bench; Photograph and text; Thursday, Nov. 6
Stressful weeks, tons of homework, multiple tests, too many events. I took a walk around Duck Pond on a Thursday when everything was finally done. I felt tired, empty, and drained; I kept walking and found a bench to sit on. What a relief to just sit there and let my mind wander without worrying about anything. The weather was nice, the air cool, the wind blowing gently as if carrying my stress away. The sky was so blue, soft clouds drifting slowly, peaceful, quiet, and full of calm energy. (90)
Q is for Quickness
Prompt 2.22 Stairs versus Elevator; Photograph and Text; Monday, Nov. 17
Every Monday and Wednesday morning, I have an 8 a.m. class in Whittemore Hall, and I usually arrive on campus at 7:55. I am always rushing, so waiting for the elevator feels impossible. Instead, I take the stairs every time. I run up them while checking the time, breathing heavily by the second floor but still pushing through. This habit came from pure urgency, not fitness. One day, I tried the elevator instead, and it made me so frustrated. The stairs, at least, let me control the pace. (90)
R for Raising
Prompt 2.04 Overheard, Less Context; Audio and text; Monday, Nov. 10
I cannot tell how long this construction has been here. This is my second semester, and it has never stopped. The noise is constant: excavators grinding, cranes shifting, engines vibrating. Sometimes it becomes inconvenient when trucks enter and workers block the road while I am trying to hurry to class. Even without seeing it, I can hear and guess what is happening. The sounds of clanking metal and the sound of the engine moving create a strange chorus, meaning nothing until context makes it clear they are simply slowly building. (90)
S for Shoes
Prompt 2.02 Shoe Portraits, Shoe Memories; Video and text; Thu, Oct. 16
One of my favorite shoes ever—Nike Air Force 1s. I have owned three pairs so far, and I had to throw away two because the soles were completely worn out. I can’t even count how many miles they’ve carried me, but each pair lasted about four years. I wore them every single day to class, to hangouts, to walks around campus. They were part of almost everything I did. I love how they look: basic, comfortable, and timeless. My first pair was a mid-top; I liked how sporty it felt, even if it took longer to put on. The second pair was a low-top, easier to slip into and match with anything. I have been wearing Nike AF1s since high school, almost seven years now. My third pair was a birthday gift from a friend back in my home country. We don’t keep in touch anymore. I kept the shoes in my closet for three years and only decided to wear them recently after my old pair was ruined. They still look clean and feel just as comfortable as ever. (180)
T is for Trail
Prompt 2.35 Go For A Hike; Video and text; Saturday, Oct. 25
Tallulah Gorge State Park was a long, beautiful hike surrounded by trees glowing yellow, orange, and red. The trail led to a tall waterfall, its sound soft against the cool mountain air. From the top, the view was incredible, wide and peaceful. Later that day, I visited Anna Ruby Falls Trail for a shorter, peaceful walk. It was shaded and calm, and the air felt cooler and fresher than before. Fall is my favorite season, when the weather feels perfect, peaceful, and everything seems calm, colorful, and beautifully alive everywhere. (90)
U is for Unbend
Prompt 2.05 A Good Bench; Photograph and text; Thursday, Nov. 6
I used to spend hours at Torgersen Bridge, but this semester, it is always crowded, and finding a seat feels impossible. After moving to a new apartment and taking a different bus route, I realized the Data and Decision Sciences Building fit me best. It has multiple study rooms that are almost always full, but there will always be a bench for me to rest. It is quiet here, and the sunset view through the windows is incredible. Sitting there helps me slow down, unbend my thoughts, and simply breathe. (90)
V is for Vision
Prompt 2.33 Campus Reimagined; Sketch and text; Saturday, Nov 29.
In imagining a future Virginia Tech, I pictured wider walking paths across the Drillfield, so students no longer crowd into narrow lanes during class transitions. I added shaded seating areas under solar-paneled canopies and rooftop gardens where people could study or rest. The bus stops have larger shelters, and the bike lanes are separated from pedestrian paths to keep everyone safer. In my sketch, campus feels calmer and more connected, designed for people who walk every day. A futurescape like this makes walking easier and encourages everyone to slow down and enjoy the place we share. (90)
W for Walk
Prompt 3.01 Reflective Preparatory Writing; Photograph and text; Wednesday, Oct. 23
I usually take the bus to school and walk around campus between classes, mostly because I have to. When the weather is nice and I have extra time, I walk just to relax and clear my thoughts. Hiking feels different; it makes me feel productive and gives me a reason to move, especially in beautiful places. I often walk alone to think, but sometimes with friends to chat and express feelings. I walk fast on campus or when heading home, but slow down elsewhere to enjoy the surroundings and quiet. (90)
X is for Xmas
Prompt 3.16 Non-Commercial Walk; Photograph and text; Friday, Nov. 28
Online shopping has replaced most of my in-person trips, but Black Friday still carries its own energy. Everyone seemed to be preparing for Christmas, and the mall was packed, maybe because it was the weekend after Thanksgiving. I did not expect so many people, especially since everything is on sale online. As I walked, just to look and suddenly feel the holiday mood, I noticed something funny: it was 6 p.m., someone had parked their car in the tree-planting area. The chaos and excitement made the season feel real. (90)
Y is for Yonder
Prompt 2.03 Overhead at Time of Day; Photograph and text; Wednesday, Nov. 19
A long day at school. On the walk home from the bus stop, I stopped to look at the sky and take in the scene in quiet, thoughtful silence that evening. At that moment, I realized how fast time has passed. Blacksburg always feels calm yet slightly sad at the end of the day, maybe because of its weather. I first arrived here in February when everything was dark and cold. I left for the summer and returned in September to a brief warmth that faded quickly into fall again. (90)
Z is for Zero Waste
Prompt 2.24 A Meditation on Garbage; Photograph and text; Sunday, Nov. 30
Reading the prompt, I wondered whether I had ever really noticed trash on campus, so I started walking and paying closer attention. I began at McBryde, passed Newman Library, continued toward Owens, crossed the Drillfield, and ended at Hitt Hall. I expected to find litter near the food courts, but surprisingly, I did not see any trash along the way. The campus seemed clean, neat, and the seating areas all looked clean. Next time, I will try another route through the dorm areas to see if there is any difference. (90)