Tag: Giordano’s

Free

Free

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If there is one thing a college student likes to hear, it is the word “free“.  Free is great, especially for penny-pinching, savings-savvy college students looking to get through the year by tapping into free meals offered all over campus.  Thus I have create a list of things going on at Welcome Week at WTC this August, highlighting the “free“.

August 22: Pizza Wars is a popular Loyola event where Loyola students have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Chicago-style pizza.  Pizzerias participating include Giodano’s, Connie’s, Go Roma, Pizzeria Uno and Pizano’s.  Pizza is free and good times are guaranteed.

August 23: Trolley Tours is a free chance to see the beautiful city of Chicago while on a historically popular trolley. Learn information about Chicago you never knew, and then use it to impress your friends and family next time they are here for a visit.

August 26: “The Avengers,” the summer blockbuster hit, will be screened in the Lawson Center parking lot for all Loyola students.  This begs only one question: Who wouldn’t want to see a free outdoor movie while enjoying free Garrett’s Popcorn?

August 27: Trailblazer Reception is a great opportunity for incoming Loyola transfer students to come enjoy the WTC campus while meeting staff and faculty from Loyola.  This is a great way for transfer students to meet other students here at Loyola while enjoying free food and drinks.

August 30: Block Party is the grand finale of the WTC welcome week events.  Hosted at Rush and Pearson (next to Corboy, Terry Student Center and the Communication School), the block party features many fun activities, such as free henna tattoos, Michael Jackson Experience on Wii and free caricature paintings.  Plenty of free food and local treats will also be provided.  What Loyola student does not like free food?

Like I said before, there are many enjoyable events that WTC plans at no expense to Loyola students.  I certainly hope students will come down here and appreciate all of the great opportunities to engage the Water Tower Campus and their free enjoyment.  But if not, it’s just more free food for me.

Surprise!

Surprise!

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Last Friday night, after a long shift babysitting, I was exhausted from the week and was glad to finally have the chance to lay down and watch some TV. I was in my friends apartment watching “The Grinch” when all of a sudden I had people jumping on me!

It turned out to be three of my best friends from home who came to Chicago to surprise me for my birthday! I had no idea they were coming so when I realized who it was that was jumping on me I was pretty much speechless. It was great timing because another friend, Tyler, was in town for a Skrillex concert. And his dad has an awesome apartment right down on Michigan Ave where we got to hang out Friday night. His dad’s apartment is on the 13th floor and has a balcony! Being in the middle of downtown Chicago on a balcony at night is an amazing experience. All of the lights and city noises made me feel like I was in a movie. I loved it!

I wasn’t sure how my friends managed to surprise me, but apparently they had been in contact with my roommate for weeks. Even though they all go to different colleges they were able to meet up in Michigan City, Indiana and take the Metra all the way into the city for only $8.50! My roommate even told them how to take the ‘L’ up to Loyola. Once they got downtown, they easily made it to my room without me ever expecting it.

Saturday we woke up and went downtown to shop. We ate at a great food court in the Water Tower mall called Food Life for lunch and had Giordano’s pizza for dinner. Yum!

The best part about our Saturday shopping trip was that I got to see the Occupy Chicago protesters for the first time. I have to be honest, they were not as big and noticeable as I expected them to be. I did not even see them until my friend pointed them out as we walked by. Their message Saturday was that “Occupy Chicago stands behind Egypt.” Even though they were not the big presence I was expecting, it was still cool to see protesters for such a big movement in person.

The Occupy Chicago movement on Saturday, November 12

Getting around the city with my friends was so easy with Chicago’s public transportation. I had the season pass (called the Upass) that Loyola provides for their students. And my friends each paid under $15 for a weekend pass. Once we had our passes in hand we were off to explore and conquer the city.

It was a great weekend. With the holiday parade this just around the corner and Thanksgiving break next week, it is shaping up to be a great November.