Remember those “this is your brain on drugs” commercials from the nineties, the ones that showed someone cracking an egg and frying it on the sidewalk? That was more or less how my brain felt week before last. That was my brain working through papers, exams and a midterm…all on an average of four hours of sleep per night. Needless to say, I was ready for spring break.
I went home with my friend Mallory, who lives in Tennessee. I practically exploded out of class on Friday - the thought of not having to focus on anything besides eating junk food and sleeping for an entire week was almost too much to handle. The drive really wasn’t bad (probably because I rode along instead of actually driving). We set up a good pattern for the week by eating dinner and falling asleep immediately after arriving at Mal’s house.
Dear Mallory, thank you for driving me for 9 hours in one day 
Over the next few days, Mallory used me as an excuse to participate in all the cheesy tourist activities that native Tennesseans tend to scoff at (slash I wanted to do all of it anyway and had an amazing time). We visited Opry Mills Hotel, saw the Grand Ole Opry, shopped at Opry Mills Mall, and took a stroll through Centennial Park. Each visit was appropriately documented by means of goofy photos, most of which featured the two of us flashing toothy grins and exaggerated thumbs-up. The hotel was the most impressive. It’s like a gigantic green house – there are gardens, shops, and restaurants everywhere. Mal said they go all-out with decorations at Christmas time. Based on how nice it looks the other eleven months of the year, I bet it’s really something to talk in December.
one of the many indoor waterfalls at Opry Mills Hotel
On Tuesday, Mal took me to her family’s farm. The purpose of the trip was to see Frodo, her aunt’s miniature horse. He was quite cute and said ‘hello’ by chomping me quickly on the toe. That afternoon, we ate lunch with her dad and Granny and the next morning, we drove to East Tennessee where I met her mom’s mother. The two of them were very nice, and her mom’s mom made some incredible macaroni and cheese. Since we were close(ish), we visited the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, where we met up with some of Mal’s friends. The campus was huge and not at all what I had expected. It seemed like everyone we talked to enjoyed attending, but I certainly couldn’t see myself going to school somewhere so spread out and gigantic.
Frodo prepping for the bite. Notice how cute I think it is that he’s licking my leg…haha oops.
UT Knoxville
I woke up on Saturday excited for the Brad Paisley concert that evenign, but disappointed that my break was almost over. To tell you the truth, I hadn’t even heard of Brad Paisley before Mallory’s dad bought us the tickets (though apparently I have a friend who could be his twin). The concert was awesome and instilled in me an instant appreciation for country music…particularly Paisley’s. The two of us wore cowboy boots and I donned a rodeo belt buckle my uncle had given me just for the occasion.
I’m back at school now, obviously, and getting ready for a what’s going to be busy second half of the semester. Have a great week and thanks to everyone who bought me food or let me stay with them over break!
