F is for Food Lion
I would have thought it would have become boring by now, but I never get tired of my daily walk. My walk is something I try to do every day, my destination being Food Lion. My trips to Food Lion have become consistent; I stop by every day. It offers me security, not having to worry about where my next meal is coming from. Even though my bank account suffers, I call it a healthy addiction. If I knew I was stocked with groceries at home, I would try to limit my spending. That being said, I would never leave empty-handed. My walk typically occurs at night, right before the store closes. Something about going at night, when I am one of the only shoppers, creates a sense of mystery. This habit originally began in the beginning of the semester, after my dad left me with some money. I had gone to get all of my regular groceries, things I repurchased because I knew I enjoyed them. Just as I was about to enter the checkoutline, I picked up an unfamiliar item. Cashew butter. It was something I had never tried before, curiosity got the best of me, and I ended up buying it. It is now one of my favorite things to get from Food Lion. The thrill I got from trying something new and actually enjoying it was addicting. It made me change my perspective on life in general. Teaching me that new experiences can be exciting and something to look forward to. Food Lion has become a personal symbol of growth and routine, a positive reminder. (270)
Figure 1 – Food Lion Blacksburg. Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
U is for Union
S’mores, but I think they have become a social icon in this day and age. And I just have to accept it. I think the marshmallows are too sweet for the chocolate and graham crackers. But I can’t like everything about this long life we’re living, so honestly I just make the best of it and try to enjoy what I can of the s’mores culture. And that is the chocolate, especially if it’s Hershey’s dark chocolate. I would never want to walk this far for s’mores, but my club, MENASA (Middle Eastern North African Student Association), was hosting a bonfire at the Union on a Monday. This picture was before anybody came, but the weather was so nice and the sky was beautiful. All of that before it got dark and people started coming, because there is no timing like Arab timing. I decided I was going to eat some dark chocolate even though I was trying to eat healthy. I definitely made the best of it. I love walking to the Union, but only if I get dark chocolate. (180)
Figure 2 – The Union Blacksburg courtyard. Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
B is for Basketball
Basketball is definitely not my favorite sport; I prefer soccer. I played soccer growing up and during high school. I’ve loved it for the longest time, but I play basketball more now. I really like the pickup culture on campus. Everybody gets to play, and no one is judged if they aren’t as good as others. This motivated me to get better even though I was probably the worst on the courts. Now I am decent, and I love getting in a basketball game. I love walking to this court. (90)
Figure 3 – Basketball court, Pheasant Run Ct. Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
E is for Entering
Entering my house the very first time was unsettling. Every time I look at it, I think about the first time I got here, excited but overwhelmed. I was excited to have a house with my close friends and experience college with them. But something has always bothered me since I came to college. Life didn’t feel serious. I didn’t have someone behind me. The moment I walk through that door, I’m on my own. My parents would help me with housework. They came a few weekends ago. I was really happy. But outside this door is where I said bye to them as well. Living alone helped me realize that I love my parents and I would love to live with them again. I have to learn to be independent. I always remember how much I need my parents. But I make the most out of it when I’m not with them. Like occasionally calling and joking with my dad, cooking in the kitchen and showing my mom on FaceTime. I did not love walking away from my parents. (180)
Figure 4 – Outside the door of my house. Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
C is for Campus
Campus walks at night are the best; it’s all silence, and nothing is there to bother me. Just me and the glowing lights. With the beautiful Hokie Stone staring at me. The walk from the gym at night all the way to the bus stop is honestly my form of therapy. It made me realize how much I like this town and everything in it, especially that Hokie Stone. On the bus I’ll just sit in some more silence, hoping one day I’ll build my house out of Hokie stone. (90)
Figure 5 – Maroon on Virginia Tech campus Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
M is for Mensasa
Last week, I walked down the street to Maryam’s house, the president of Menasa, the club I am on the board for. It wasn’t far, considering it’s right down Patrick Henry, where I live. That street has become a sentiment. As every time I walk down, I plan Mensa events with other members of the board. It bonds us together. This time around we were meeting to make Dolma, a Middle Eastern dish. I was reminded of the street of my grandma’s house, before I would eat my favorite meal. (90)
Figure 6 – Rolling Dolma for Menasa Event Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
S is for Scooter
I know this project is about walking, but sometimes I get tired of walking all my trails on campus. My favorite one is when I am literally right behind Pamplin on the other side, but I have to go all the way around Derring just to park my scooter. I love driving it fast, maneuvering through people, then realizing later that’s probably not a good idea. I’m probably not ready for a car. But taking care of the scooter and fixing it definitely taught me some important things about cars. (90)
Figure 7- Scooter tracking app Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
T is for Turner’s
Down from Goodwin, I always find myself at Turner’s. Since I don’t have a dining plan anymore, I don’t go to the dining halls often anymore. One of my cousins came to visit me and tour the school (he’s a senior in high school). So I took him to the Qdoba in Turner’s, and he loved it. Not as much as me, though; I love getting extra pickled green peppers. Turner’s, with Qdoba, in my opinion, is the best hall. The most consistent place to go when missing campus food. (90)
Figure 8 – Qdoba bowl. Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
G is for Goodwin
Living in Slusher Hall, everything was mildly close. But Goodwin was a different story. Walking there now feels like a movie from the past. That walk was longer than I expected at first. But honestly, I would sometimes make it long on purpose and reminisce on the beginning of my Virginia Tech journey. All the memories of my first engineering class were coming back and reminding me that I enjoyed walking to Goodwin, even when I had to run all the way to my dorm to get the group presentation. (90)
Figure 9—This is my engineering class in Goodwin during instrument performances. Original photograph, Freddy Karras.
W is for War Memorial
After finishing my classes I often feel the burden of stress. In order to alleviate that stress, I turn to the gym. The War Memorial has always been an impressive sight. As I walk through the drill field, I take in the sun and the gentle breeze. I feel my body relax, my mind beginning to think of the exercises I would aim to complete at the gym. I leave the academic pressure in the back of my mind and think of the stability offered to me by the War Memorial. (90)
Figure 10—This is a locker in the gym that I always use. Original photograph, Freddy Karras.