I have been home for about a week now and it has been a pleasant experience so far -- I have gotten to see my family and share many laughs with them! My family resides in Florida and the weather has been very nice here as the season changes to spring. However, being back in Florida has also led me to reminisce on my past two years at Oberlin and think about my favorite things to do while I’m there. The more I thought about it the more I felt that this would be a perfect post for my blog, so here is a shortlist of my five favorite things to do at Oberlin!
Seeing Movies at the Apollo
From a young age, I have always really been into movies. I love movies like Scarface and American Gangster. Denzel Washington is my favorite actor and I have seen almost every one of his films. During my first semester at Oberlin, I had the opportunity to take a cinema studies class that focused on film in New Zealand. It was very interesting as the teacher explained all of the various forms of film techniques and camera angles and how this affects the audience 's perception of what is going on in the film.
Naturally, when I first came to Oberlin, I was intrigued by the Apollo Theatre in town. My friends were telling me that it was a smaller old-style theater that played two of the latest movies every week. On top of that, it was affordable! It just cost a couple of dollars to see a film. Hearing all of these positive things about it, I had to go see for myself. I was not disappointed as the main screening room is large, like a regular theater, but the building itself is small and brings you back in time, fortunately without sacrificing movie quality. When only two movies are playing at a theater it makes the one you watch all the more important and you invest in it more. You don’t think about the movie you could have been watching three rooms down, you invest completely in the movie that is on the screen. I have seen many movies at the Apollo Theatre, and it has definitely become one of my favorite things to do on campus. If you get a chance to go, don’t forget to order popcorn and a drink!
Playing Basketball at the Shanks Health and Wellness Center
If you have read my bio or read some of my previous blog posts you know that I am an athlete. This means that I spend a lot of time at the athletic center. After a long day of studying, I often find enjoyment in just being in the weight room and working out. One low-pressure activity that I enjoy doing is going to the basketball courts at the athletic center and just shooting around either by myself or with a friend. I don’t play basketball competitively at the college but, growing up, I would play a lot of basketball just for fun. Now, shooting basketball is almost a therapeutic activity for me. I would definitely suggest finding a low-pressure activity that you can do just to get your mind off of things whenever you are stressed out. I don’t go to the courts often, but when I do I’m not going to leave until I make my last shot.
Experiencing the Oberlin Landscape
Oberlin is a very scenic town. In the morning, you might see wild deer on the south side of campus and, if it's not too cloudy, a beautiful sunrise. In the winter, you might see a snowfall that looks like tiny crystals coming down from the sky. Personally, my favorite seasons at Oberlin are in the fall and spring when it is still warm out. It is always nice to go on a walk at Oberlin and just leave your bookbag at your dorm. Being surrounded by nature can be a freeing experience. Many students like to walk down to “the Arb," a lake surrounded by trees about a 15-minute walk from campus. When it comes to me, though, I just enjoy being outside. Whether that’s on the south side of campus, the north quad, or in Tappan Square, every part of Oberlin has something that will amaze you. Throughout campus Oberlin has wonderful natural landscaping, making every part of campus beautiful. No matter where you are, you always feel like you're walking through nature. I am still waiting to see my first albino squirrel, though, and hope one runs by me next year.
Enjoying a Date Night at Bingo
Another one of my favorite things to do in Oberlin is going out to dinner with my girlfriend at the local Chinese restaurant Bingo. Some of my favorite dishes there are the sesame chicken, Mongolian beef, and their pepper steak. My girlfriend has a love for the Hunan shrimp, though, and orders it every time. The owner of Bingo is a very friendly, hardworking woman named Ping, and it is a delight to see her every time we go to the restaurant. The restaurant has nice velvet booths and soothing music played in the background. The service is extremely quick and the food is always mouth-wateringly delicious. The food is also affordable, as you get soup, an appetizer, and a meal for only ten dollars. Make sure you make a trip to Bingo -- I guarantee you’ll enjoy it!
Chicken Tender Night
Every Wednesday Oberlin makes chicken tenders and vegan chicken nuggets for Fourth Meal, which is an extra meal for students between 9:00-11:30 P.M. Most people take their meals to the Rathskeller which is a cozy dining area. While Oberlin makes food for Fourth Meal every day of the week, chicken tender night has a special place in my heart. Music is DJ’d by Allan, who is an employee for Campus Dining Services and brings so much positivity to Oberlin. Every time I see Allan he always has a big smile on his face and a positive comment to make. The atmosphere of chicken tender night is filled with laughs and smiles as everyone is enjoying a great study break and a filling meal. Once you get to Oberlin, I promise you will love chicken tender night.
If you made it this far you can tell I enjoy many different activities at Oberlin and could write for days about my favorite things to do. Comment below if you want a part two to this blog and let me know what your favorite thing to do at Oberlin is. If you are an incoming student, comment what you are most looking forward to!
