Freshmen at Large - Stephanie

Thanksgiving is only a few days away, and I can hardly stand it. Why? Is it because I am dying to get home to hang out with old high school friends, sleep in my own bed or take advantage of the “Day After Thanksgiving” sales? No way. I am incredibly psyched because for the first time since August 18th, I am going to be able to enjoy an endless home-cooked meal along with several choice (not to mention homemade) desserts. Heck yes. No more greasy pizza, store-bought french fries or 3-day old salad bars. I’m going to have turkey, not a deep-fried piece of steak or an undercooked hamburger. I am going to have sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans on top.
Being a freshman pretty much guarantees sub-par dining. Don’t get me wrong, I love Sbisa and the Underground, but first of all, I live off-campus, so eating there is not a common event. I live in an off-campus dorm, and to be honest, we do have an awesome little café, but one little café can satisfy you for only so long. I would go to Sbisa occasionally, if it weren’t for the fact that every time I eat there I have to refuel my Aggie Bucks account. I might as well just go to an actual restaurant if I’m spending that kind of money. Usually I wind up just going to Pita Pit, which is my absolute favorite restaurant in College Station. However, as deceptive as the name “Pita Pit” may be, it’s a pretty expensive place. But come on, I’m paying for quality.
On nights when my friends and I are out late, places like Whataburger, Taco Cabana and The Kettle are popular places to end the evening. What wraps up a night of intense dancing like a 2 a.m. taquito? Gross. Every time I give into the temptation, I want to gag myself. Did I actually just inhale a fast food specialty at a completely ridiculous hour of the night? What am I doing to myself? It is during these times that I look at my food consumption in disgust. Did I really eat pizza twice today? Not only do I need some nutrition, I need some variety.
So this Thanksgiving, I know what I’m thankful for: the home-cooked, non-greasy, semi-nutritious, variety-abounding, flavor-explosive, indigestion-inducing Thanksgiving meal that I will be devouring in full at my grandparents’ house. What a beautiful holiday.