Find me on the CUC bus! (On our way back from a band trip).

The life of a college student can seem alluring and exciting, but scary too. Here's a little survey I put together so you know exactly how boring (I mean, exciting!) the average college student's life really is.


What college do you go to?
Columbia Union College.
What state is it in (or country)?
It's in Maryland, but only 5 miles or so from downtown DC.
Is it a city college or rural?
Very much a city college!
What is your major?
Public relations with a minor in print journalism.
Do you live on campus?
No. But I lived on campus my freshman year.
What year are you?
I'm a junior now, but I'll be a senior second semester of this year.
Is your college crazy expensive?
Well, CUC is a private college so it is pricey, but there are lots of scholarships available if you work hard and keep your grades up in high school.
Are you paying for it on your own?
No, I get scholarships and pay off the remaining balance (which isn't a scary amount at all) with a private bank loan.
How's the food?
The food is okay; it's not gourmet dining, but it's definitely a notch above some other college food I've had.
How many students go there?
It's a small school. There's less than 1,000 undergrads.
What's your mascot?
A Pioneer! I don't know how they thought of that one, considering our school is in Maryland...not exactly pioneer territory!
How's your football team?
We don't have one.
How's your basketball team?
They are pretty good; they work really hard. CUC is proud of them, simply because we are the only Adventist college playing NCAA basketball, so that's an important distinction.
Ever been to a play?
I've been to a couple plays sponsored by departments here on campus. My literature class went to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream" last semester downtown. It was wonderful!
What do you usually do on the weekend?
I catch up on my sleep that I lost during the week! No, I like to do all sorts of different things. Search out new restaurants, shop, relax and read, or go home to my parent's house in Virginia every now and then.
When does your next break start?
We have a midterm break at the end of October, but the orchestra (NEYE) is traveling to New England.
How many times this semester have you pulled an all-nighter?
None yet! Thank god...
How many credits are you taking this semester?
I'm taking five classes, plus band and orchestra.
Who's your favorite professor/teacher?
I could never choose, I really love all my professors. And I promise I'm not trying to suck up: the professors in my departments are really great.
Who's your least favorite professor/teacher?
I don't have one this year. I'm quite serious!
Don't you miss having snow days?
Miss snow days?! We still get snow days! It's Maryland! These people run for cover when there's flurries!
Do you miss home?
Yes. Because I'm in the city all the time, it's a treat to be able to go home and get away from the smog and traffic.
Do you miss your pet(s) more, or your parents?
My parents, of couse!
If you have siblings, are you the last to leave for college?
No, I was the first to leave, but now my sister is attending CUC with me.
How often do you talk to your family?
At least once a day.
If you have a roommate, are they annoying?
My sister is my roommate! She's not annoying.
Do you have any fishes?
No, I have a dog, though (see post below).
How are the dorms?
The dorms at CUC are just regular dorms.
How much video games do you play?
Not too many, but my boyfriend definitely does!
How much TV do you watch?
Hardly any.
Do you like college better than high school?
Yes, much!
Where do you and your friends go for a night out?
Anywhere we want! That's the joy of living in the city.
How many colleges did you apply to?
Only one; my parents really wanted me to attend to CUC so I'd be close to home.
Was the college you're at your first choice?
I originally wanted to attend UVA (University of Virginia), but my parents felt strongly that I should be at an Adventist institution at least for my first year of college. I liked CUC after my first year, and decided to stay!
What do you do after classes?
I try and recover and prepare for the next day.
Do you like to go out or prefer to stay in?
It depends on how busy my week has been. But, going out in DC is always fun. I also love going to downtown Silver Spring.
Are you involved in campus life outside of classes?
Yes, it's hard NOT to be involved at CUC.
How many times have you had PB&J already this week?
None, I don't like PB&J.
Walk, bike, or drive to campus?
Drive.
Dorms, apartment, or house?
Apartment.
Average visits to Starbucks in a week:
At least two or three.
Number of t-shirts you own with your school's name on them:
A couple, for work.
Favorite memory of college so far:
That's a toss-up between meeting my boyfriend and winning three awards last year at the Communication Banquet.
What do you least enjoy about college?
I'd love to get nine hours of sleep a night, but that's just not in the stars when you're in college.
Best thing about college?
Knowing that once you graduate you'll be completely, 100% prepared for your career. And meeting friends is a great side benefit too. :)

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See that photo to the right? That's me in my "Jena 6" button that my co-worker Sam Moreno and a few other students created earlier today.

For those of you in less cosmopolitan cities, or at less diverse schools, the Jena 6 protests currently taking place in a small town in Louisiana may not affect you, or even move you to action.

Not so at CUC! With the help of mobilizing tools such as Facebook and Myspace, numerous CUC students turned out today in the requisitory all-black clothing showing their support for the Jena 6.

If you haven't heard the details about the Jena 6, here's a quick re-cap:

Last September at the local public high school in Jena, La., some black students "dared" to sit under a tree that was usually a gathering place for white students only. The day after the black students sat there, someone hung three nooses from a branch in the tree.

The situation quickly escalated with tensions between the two groups of students, and in November, an arsonist torched the school.

But, on December 4 of last year, a white student was beaten and knocked unconscious by black students. That's when the real trouble began for the town of Jena. The victim of the assault was treated at a hospital and released after two hours.

Police arrested six black teens who attended the school. They were initially charged with attempted murder, but that charge was reduced to battery for all but one of the students after the backlash and outrage from the black community (among others).

The one black teen whose charge was not reduced was convicted of aggravated second-degree battery and faced up to 15 years in jail. A state appeals court, however, threw out the conviction last week, saying that the student had been unfairly tried as a result. So, although the teen could technically be out of jail on bail, he can't post the amount needed. Therefore, he is waiting in jail while his prosecutors form an appeal to the state appeals court that threw out the conviction.

The problem with the situation is this: none of the white students received similar charges.

It's my personal belief that the situation has escalated out of the control, thanks to some famous, colorful figures like the Rev. Al Sharpton, who has had no problem stirring the flames of the protests.

But, the facts remain, and that is that there is a possibility that a state located in the Deep South of the United States is once again facing national attention for a gross action of racism against black students.

It's not surprising to me that CUC would take up the Jena 6 as a campus-wide cause, as our campus is so diverse and relatively devoid of overt racism. There aren't any "black" or "white" trees on this campus. I'm proud of CUC for coming together--faculty and students alike--to show solidarity against a situation that could have become very real on this campus. Very real indeed, if not for the focus on CUC's Christian mission and for the priorities and goals of the students to look beyond petty problems to how to service the greater good for themselves and others.

So, if you haven't heard about the Jena 6, read up a little bit on it and let me know what you think.

If you've heard about the problems taking place in Jena, La., let me know what you think of the situation.

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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Well, shock of all shocks, I'm actually Canadian-American. Before I get too involved with the explanation, I must first say that no, I've never lived in Canada. But, because my parents are both Canadian, and because I was born in New York, not Canada, I'm able to have dual citizenship (i.e. two passports, etc.). And, although I've never lived in Canada, I've visited so often, I might as well live there.

Now that I've put in that disclaimer, I want to explain my background a bit further, because saying that I'm Canadian is a little like saying, "I'm American." Being American could mean nearly anything, and thus, that's not really an adequate description.

I've actually got a complicated make-up of genes: I'm 50% Scandinavian, 25% German and 25% Irish/Scottish (they liked to mix it up, apparently). In fact, I'm descended from Norwegian royalty. Exciting, no?

I'm extremely proud of my Canadian heritage, as most Canadians are. While Americans feel silly (or redneck) about wearing an American flag shirt (except on the Fourth of July, maybe), Canadians love wearing apparel plastered with their flag and/or hockey emblems. Roots, a Canadian apparel and accessories store, has enormous worldwide and national popularity. Imagine if there was a store called Roots in the U.S. that made U.S. flag shirts and shirts with vintage football logos! They'd go out of business in less than 6 months. Canadians are much more open about their patriotism, which is refreshing.

One of the most stereotypically Canadian things is ice hockey. And it's stereotypical for a good reason: ice hockey is a huge sport in that country. I've grown up with my very-Canadian father yelling and throwing punches in the air while watching hockey games on TV. Occasionally our family goes to NHL games, and it's the same thing there too. Rowdy, loud fun.

My father is thrilled that I'm at CUC, because now he has a legitimate excuse to come up to DC and see hockey games. Our home is about two hours away from CUC, so under the blanket excuse of being able to see me (and now my sister) at school, he will able to see more NHL games at Verizon Center this season.

The Washington Capitals is the Washington, D.C. NHL franchise team. They have exciting, young players, and although they aren't the most winningest team in the NHL, their fans pretend not to notice. Hockey is slowly catching on in D.C., and it's exciting to go to games and listen to the screaming fans all around.

Be sure to catch a Caps game once their season starts in October of this year. Personally, I want to go to the Caps versus Toronto Maple Leafs game on October 29! Gotta represent the "mother land."

Any sports teams from your home town/country that you like to follow?

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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I was thrilled this weekend when I woke up to the cool, humidity-free weather that the DC area was treated during the past few days. It felt so strange to dig through my closet for a jacket or scarf, and it was also weird to put some actual shoes on, instead of sandals or flip-flops. But, before I sound like I'm complaining, let me assure you...autumn is my absolute favorite time of year. I couldn't be more thrilled to see summer evaporate and take its sweaty days and humid evenings with it.

I think that where I grew up has a lot to do with the way I feel about fall/autumn. Speaking of the fall/autumn thing, I have no idea which is correct. Is it fall? Is it autumn? Does it matter?

Ah, okay. I checked Wikipedia. Fall is the North American slang term for "autumn," which is derived from the French word "automne."

But I digress. Fall (I suppose I should stay consistently North American here) was my favorite season growing up, simply because I lived in the most beautiful states in the U.S. for when fall rolled around. New York (upstate) and Massachusetts are at their most lovely during the fall season (winter is another story), and I adored when the weather got a little chilly and the air got crisp and clear. Massachusetts around fall was especially great: trips to the coast promised clear, blue skies, and the leaves started changing into dozens of different colors.

But, perhaps the best part about fall in New York, Massachusetts and even, yes, Virginia (where my family now lives) was the seasonal fruit. Aside from the obvious pumpkin picking, there were two other fruits that stood out: apples and cranberries.

Cranberry bogs are a huge crop for northern states in the U.S., but especially Massachusetts. Cranberry bogs are extremely pretty to look at, as they flooded in the fall around harvest time and the berries float on top of the water. I had many fun field trips to cranberry bogs in my formative years. See below.

Apple orchards were another exciting fall activity when I was young, living in New York, Massachusetts and then in Virginia, where we moved when I was 9. Apple orchards aren't what you might think: these orchards/farms put on huge productions come fall, complete with hay rides, pick-your-own deals, small restaurants on site, gift shops, etc.

When I was in eighth grade in Virginia, my tiny class of seven people (I went to an Adventist elementary school, okay?!) picked apples during the fall to raise money for our class trip. This sounds like a great activity for overactive 14-year-olds, but placing hard-working teens in an orchard filled with delicious Fuji apples was probably not the smartest of fundraisers. Nearly everyone got sick that evening from eating, on average, 6 or 7 apples apiece. We did pick a lot though: we just ate quite a bit too.

Now that I'm in Maryland, I long for the nostalgic apple picking, pumpkin searching, cranberry bog watching of my younger years. Luckily, with a bit research, I have uncovered the perfect spot in which to take a day on the weekend:

Baugher Apple Orchard and Packing House, in Westminster, Md., offers wagon rides, hayrides, "Fall Fun Days," and the holy grail: apple picking. They provide containers for you, and you can ride on their wagons to the field to do your picking.

Oh, oh, and the best part about Baugher's Apple Orchard? They have a "homestyle food" restaurant. The menu sounds pretty spectacular (lots of calories and carbs, just like Virginia's "homestyle" culinary delights). And, if you aren't in the mood for a full meal, their bakery offers dozens-and I mean dozens-of types of pies. Personally, I think the black raspberry and blackberry pies sound pretty delicious, and uhh, the butterscotch cream pie sounds like heart-attack-on-a-plate.

Anyone want to come with me on a road trip?

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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Two blogs in one day--I'm on a roll! Usually I wouldn't try and be this ambitious, not with all the other work I have to do, but I just checked the DC weather forecast and I absolutely must share my favorite spot immediately!

I am severely in love with the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Located right beside the National Gallery of Art, and across the street from the National Archives, the Sculpture Garden is a little hint of Paris right-smack in the middle of DC.

And, because of the excellent DC weather forecast I mentioned above, there will not be a time this summer more spectacular than this next week (sunny, highs in the 70's) to go downtown and see the garden.

The photo accompanying this post is me, sitting on the edge of the Sculpture Garden fountain.

There are some great things about the Sculpture Garden, my favorite being the amazing and interesting collection of sculptures scattered throughout the nature-like space. My favorite sculptures are Moondog by Tony Smith, Spider by Louise Bourgeois, and Roy Lichtenstein's House I. Lichtenstein's sculpture is probably my absolute favorite out of the three, though, and you must observe the sculpture while walking by it on the sidewalk to get the full effect of the piece.

As you can see from the photo, the reflecting pool and fountain is a magnet for tourists and weary adventurers such as myself, as you can sit on the edge and place your feet in the fountain, if you so desire. I usually forgo the actually placing of my extremities in the water, but to each their own, I suppose!

The Pavilion Café is an adorable, French bistro/cafe-like space right beside the fountain. There's indoor and outdoor seating, but go as soon as possible to take advantage of the outdoor tables.

Oh, and another neat thing? The Sculpture Garden is host to "Jazz in the Garden," a great opportunity to relax and hear some music in a prime DC spot. I would highly recommend Jazz in the Garden as a unique, exciting date idea...so, if you're sick of Chipotle and the movies, Jazz in the Garden is free (!), and you are encouraged to bring a blanket. You can also bring your own picnic food, just no alcoholic beverages (duh!) or coolers.

Here's the upcoming Jazz in the Garden schedule:

September 14
US Navy Band Commodores
Music of New York and Broadway from the 1920s and 1930s
Presented in honor of Edward Hopper
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
September 15
Sean Jones Quintet
Presented in connection with the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival
1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
September 21
US Navy Band Commodores
Music of New York and Broadway from the 1920s and 1930s
Presented in honor of Edward Hopper
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
September 28
Bruno Nasta, jazz violinist, and ensemble
Contemporary and traditional jazz violin
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

I personally want to go see the US Navy Commodores tomorrow evening, but we'll have to see if my boyfriend is going to be off work that early or not. If I don't get to the Sculpture Garden tomorrow, I can always catch the concert again on the 21st!

P.S. They turn the fountain into a skating rink once the weather gets cold. Another excellent date idea! You can thank me later.

P.P.S. The nearest Metro stops are Judiciary Square on the Red Line, Archives on the Yellow/Green Lines, and Smithsonian on the Blue/Orange Lines.

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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I have a love/hate relationship with the flute. As for the piccolo, well, that's usually only hate. I've played the flute since I was 9, making it almost 12 years since I picked up the instrument.

I play flute and piccolo in the CUC Concert Winds or "the band," and I also play in the New England Youth Ensemble, or "NEYE." NEYE is CUC's resident orchestra.

Before you get too excited--and I know you are excited to read this--you have to realize something: I'm not a music major. I don't have to be good at the flute anymore! In high school, I was principal flute and a part of three organizations and there was enormous pressure to improve and to play well. I practiced for what seemed like interminable periods of time. But, the thing is, I loved playing the flute then. It was a huge--and fun--part of my life.

My thoughts towards the flute have changed somewhat. Now that I know what I want to do in my life (PR, not music), my flute playing has taken a backseat to my other academic priorities. Although I still love to play the flute, I often feel irritation and (sometimes) anger that I have to keep my playing at such a high level. And for what? Well, partly the music scholarship I receive at CUC, but a lot of it is commitment to the organizations. Because I started out in them at CUC, it's not so easy to just step away and bow out. I'm pretty much stuck.

Every now and then, I get a hint of the way I used to feel when I played the flute in high school. I adore playing Christmas music with the band; that's always exciting. And, when I played a world premiere of a piece that had numerous piccolo solos with the NEYE at Carnegie Hall about a year ago, that was exciting...and really scary, too. Another great performance was the NEYE at the Loma Linda University Church. We played Dr. Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse's Oratorio, "The Vision of the Apocalypse." Dr. Rittenhouse is our conductor. She has owned and conducted the NEYE for decades, having started the orchestra at Atlantic Union College, and then moved it to Columbia Union College.

My teacher, Venita Jones, an extremely accomplished flute player who studied under Julius Baker, helps to remind me why I still continue to work hard at playing the flute and piccolo. My lessons with her help me to realize that there is still so much I can learn, and that playing the flute is fun and rewarding, no matter how busy and stressed I get from band and the NEYE.

My only hope for playing the flute is that when I'm 40 and married with children, that I can still drag out my flute and sit down and play some Bach or Mozart or the dreaded Berbiguer etudes.

What musical instruments do you play, and do you want to keep playing either casually or professionally during college/post-college?

If you have any questions about the band or the NEYE, feel free to ask!

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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I promised in my blog yesterday that I'd post a picture of Molly soon, so here she is. Here's a short definition of the Papillon breed from Wikipedia.com:

"The Papillon is a small dog breed with distinctive large, fringed ears that earned it its name, the French word for butterfly. The Papillon is believed to be one of the oldest of the toy breeds. Though known to be reserved with strangers, these dogs can also be protective of a human family member, and are good alarm dogs while still affectionate to those they know. Papillons are very athletic, enjoying running or chasing, but usually enjoy staying indoors."

Here's the thing about Molly: she is a little, oh, how do I put it? Overly attached to me. She follows me everywhere. In the bathroom, in the shower, from room to room, under my feet in the kitchen. You get the idea. If I even look at the front door, she's standing beside her leash. Heaven forbid I leave her behind! And, if I'm stupid enough to try and sneak away, beware to all who are left with her...she goes "completely psychotic," as my boyfriend so aptly put it.

Molly was a gift from said boyfriend for our one-year anniversary, and although I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking care of Molly when she was a puppy, it's grown into a comfortable existence. She curls up on my pillow at night beside me, and the house-breaking thing is coming along...usually.

There are some crazy facts about Papillons that I didn't know about:

- King Henry II allegedly spent upwards of 100,000 crowns on his papillons.
- Marie Antoinette owned a Papillon, as well as Madame de Pompadour and Henry III, who had a very strong devotion to the breed.
- Actress Autumn Reeser of The O.C. owns a Papillon named Gatsby after the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- Christina Aguilera owns two Papillon dogs, Chewy and Stinky.

Apparently, I've got the same great taste as Marie Antoinette and King Henry II. That's good...right?

Well, the point of this post is that there are some things in my life that I can't remember not having. Like Molly, for instance. It's strange for me to think about a time in my life when I didn't have her around, welcoming me home and helping me relax at the end of a stressful day.

It's weird how sometimes you take things for granted, forgetting about how bad off you were, or how different things used to be. I guess it's that whole "grass is greener" analogy. Sometimes you don't know how good you have it until what you have is gone.

But, lucky for me, Molly's not leaving my side for many, many years to come...literally. I can't go to the bathroom without her following me in!

And, I promise; no more gratuitious dog posts. :)

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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Sometimes the stress of my responsibilities overwhelms me. Today is one of those days. I have an enormous list of things to do, and you know what? Not one of them is concerning a class. It's all extra-curricular responsibilities that I must take care of. I've always been a strong advocate of keeping yourself busy in school, but I think I've finally taken it to the extreme!

Luckily, I have relaxation down to a fine-tuned technique. I've always been an overachiever. Getting a "B" for me is the equivalent of a national disaster...at least, that's how it was for me in high school. I'm sure every parent would say they'd love their child to be like that, but trust me, sometimes the cons outweigh the pros. I'd be obsessive about perfection, and studying to a point where I knew all the material for my classes backwards and forwards and sideways and any other way you can imagine. I knew my stuff, but the stress of keeping up to such a demanding schedule made me want to take college a little slower.

Well, obviously that didn't happen.

But, like I said, I know exactly what I need to do to keep myself on track so my brain doesn't explode from the pressures of responsibility weighing down on me.

Here's what I like to do:

1. Exercise regularly. I do cardio one morning and yoga or pilates the next so I get a balanced workout. Yoga really helps me sleep at night too...if you find yourself tossing and turning, try doing yoga for about 15 minutes each night before you get into bed and I promise you'll notice a huge difference.
2. Eat. This may seem obvious--everyone needs to eat--but sometimes, if I get busy enough, I'll either forget, or take on incredibly erratic eating patterns. That isn't good for me, or good for my stress. Eating regular meals, or several small healthy snacks throughout the day is better.
3. Read a book. I love, love, love to read. I'll read nearly anything you put in front of me, and I really won't stop. I get narrow-minded in the presence of a book...people talking to me, the phone ringing...it all goes away. Reading truly relaxes me.
4. Get a pet. My dog Molly does wonders for my mood and for my stress. She's constantly happy--and constantly happy to see me. If I start feeling the irritations of life in general getting to me, just playing with Molly improves my outlook instantly. I'll post a picture of her soon.
5. And my all time favorite stress-reliever: popcorn. Air-popped popcorn (read: not the kind you pop in the microwave) is a healthy, delicious, stress-relieving snack. With a hint of salt, popcorn can accompany you during all sorts of stressful times: over finals, while writing papers, having serious conversations with your friends, while watching "Grey's Anatomy"...popcorn is always there for you.

Do you have any suggestions for relaxing and keeping stress at bay? I'd love to hear them...midterms will be here before you know it!

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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It's every student's worst nightmare: you've worked for four long, hard years in college, only to discover that you hate--absolutely hate--the career path that your major determined for you. Imagine sitting in classes, toiling over homework for long hours, only to find out that hey, nursing really isn't something you enjoy after all!

I had a lot of trouble deciding which major I would pursue during my senior year of high school. I've always been more of a creative/artsy person than a math/science guru, so naturally, I wasn't contemplating biology or chemistry or anything crazy like that. I, in the end, grativated most towards being an English major. And then, while doing some research on the Princeton Review website, realized that there would be many more opportunities available to me if I chose a second major.

So, when I arrived at CUC, I declared a double major in English and communications with an emphasis in public relations. Both these majors were, in theory, perfect for me. I love to read and write and share my opinion (obviously!), and I'd like to think I have fairly competent creative skills in the areas that my majors are involved with, such as advertising.

At the end of my sophomore year at CUC, I had to take the first course associated with my English major called ENGL 245 -- Critical Approaches to Literature. This sounds a little hard, but it's English, so it can't be too bad, right?

Wrong. ENGL 245 was the hardest class I've ever--EVER--taken in my life. It wasn't "memorize-all-the-bones-in-the-body-for-A&P" hard, but more of a "If I try to cram any more information in my head, it's going to explode. No, really."

ENGL 245 is the true test of an English major, and yes, I passed and did quite well in the class, considering how daunting it seemed on that first day. But ENGL 245 showed me more than how to work hard for your "A"--that class showed me that really, I didn't want to sit and talk about literary theories. What I wanted to do was write and research and read. That new line of thinking dragged me over to my familiar stomping grounds at the Communication Department, where I spoke with former professor Dr. Stacy Spaulding about switching my English major to a print journalism minor. After I did the appropriate paperwork and signed up for my new classes for the following semester, I was thrilled.

Lucky for me, I found out what I really wanted to do--PR, not "PR & English"--just in time. I had just completed most of my generals, and was beginning my core class track, so luckily I didn't lose any valuable time--or credit hours.

I love the classes I'm in this semester, by the way. I'm taking Persuasion and Propaganda, News Media History, Intro to Intercultural Communication and a few others. I love the critical thinking and research that goes into each class, and it's exciting to learn for me. There's nothing more fulfilling than choosing what you want to do, and finding out you love it.

To find out more about potential majors and the careers that you can begin with your diploma in hand, here's a few websites to check out:
1. The Princeton Review
2. Mymajors.com
- By the way, I just took the major-planning quiz on Mymajors.com, and this is what they recommended as majors for me:
Classical Studies
Film, Cinema and Video
Journalism
Public Communications
Theatre
Pretty good, right? I highly recommend Mymajors.com to help you filter out exactly what you would be interested in for the long term.
3. Collegeboard

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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Of all the restaurants in Downtown Silver Spring, my favorite (although this was an exceedingly hard decision) is Thai at Silver Spring.

I've always had a weakness for Thai food. In my hometown in Virginia, my high school friends and I would literally be drawn to the local Taste of Thai restaurant like moths to a flame. Garden rolls and red curry and sweet-and-sour tofu...everything was fair game.

When I came to CUC, I began a search for a great Thai restaurant right away. Although I (mistakenly) believed that nothing would compare to my beloved Taste of Thai, I soon realized that living in the city had some great advantages...I could eat almost any kind of food I wanted, whenever and wherever I wanted.

Luckily, Thai at Silver Spring is mere miles from CUC's campus. From my apartment, it takes about 7 minutes by car to get there. Montgomery County RideOn bus lines also run right to Silver Spring, and the Silver Spring Metro stop (on the red line) is about a block from the restaurant.

Here's what I recommend getting there:

- The chicken satay is so delicious that my once-vegetarian boyfriend caved and ate some. He's now quite the carnivore.
- The mixed vegetables soup and the seaweed soup are great choices for vegetarians.
- And for a main course, my boyfriend is a die-hard chicken with cashew nuts lover, and I have to admit...it's really, really good. I usually get either red curry with chicken or tofu, or panang curry with tofu. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to eat meat, and I don't mind tofu.

Do you have any favorite restaurants in the DC area? I'll check them out and let you know how I like them here on my blog!

P.S. Check out some scrumptious panang curry in the photo to the right.

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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See that photo to the right? That's my Metro stop. Okay, well, not mine exactly, but the Takoma station is where CUC is located and is closest to my apartment.

The Takoma Metro station is actually pretty great, especially if you are a casual Metro rider. There's a Savory Cafe outpost right next to the station (try the Iced Mocha), and the bus lines run straight from the station past the CUC campus. A short walk from the station are some great sandwich shops and a few vintage clothing stores.

But, okay, I'm making the Metro sound idyllic. I'll be honest: when I had to get my butt on the red line every day, all summer to go to my internship, I definitely developed the killer instinct. I became the typical commuter, growling if a family of tourists got in my way. Heaven forbid I be 10 seconds slower scurrying up the escalator! Not that! You get the idea.

After three months of daily pushing and shoving on the Metro, I couldn't wait to go back to school. My car sat in the parking lot like a holy grail, taunting me with its quiet, solitary alternative to public transportation. On the last day of my internship, I kid you not, my heart skipped a beat when I stepped off the Metro car.

So, fast forward three weeks to yesterday. My sister, my boyfriend's sister and I were going downtown because my sister and I had some research to do for school projects. Our obvious mode of transportation was the Metro, but I was secretly dreading the experience. As we purchased our One-Day Passes (a better deal than simply getting a farecard if you are going to explore and sightsee throughout the day), I felt a little bit of my old commuter irritation flaring up. What's this? I couldn't use my automated Smartrip card? As a commuter, you live and you die by your Smartrip card to pay your Metro fare, and only Metro amateurs use passes or farecards. But, there I was, holding a One-Day Pass. Sigh.

But, something happened as soon as I was riding up the escalator in my well-known Takoma station: I was actually feeling nostalgic! As I stepped on the train, I felt comfortable and familiar and I reveled in the old (nasty) smells and the dated colors of the train upholstery.

There's just some things about DC you love to hate...but that you really learn to like and appreciate in the end. Metro is one of them.

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog

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