Post winter break: it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. While us students are now on the other side of the “hump” so to speak, we have yet to embark full-speed down the mountain of school on the metaphorical path to summer. The trail is not an easy one—it is laden with switchbacks and ankle-twisters, meant to break you before you can rebuild yourself and finally emerge on the other side. Miraculously, there is a week of break that can be dedicated to renewal and revitalization. Not everyone is going to some random exotic island with their cousins, however, so if you’re feeling like…

Neat-ture

Nature is neat. Driving without a destination might seem frivolous, but there is nothing quite like driving down the G.W. Parkway on a warm, sunny day, blasting music with the windows down. (This is not a country song.) Those who do not want to pick a destination can journey on, but those who do can stop at Gravelly Point to throw a frisbee around while the planes fly over—and maybe pretend like they are on one.  

If you’re itching to get some exercise, you can walk/run/bike/scooter/hoverboard on the Mt. Vernon Trail, which runs parallel to the Parkway and has a great view of the Potomac on the opposite side. This is not necessarily a reassurance that you won’t get run over by a large squad of professional cyclers for using that last idea. Stretching 18 miles long, the trail is just a short walk from the Rosslyn Metro Stations, Arlington Cemetery, and Ronald Reagan National Airport.

For the more adventurous types, or for a much-needed escape from Arlington, the Shenandoah National Park is located along the Blue Ridge Mountains about an hour and a half away and has some great, challenging spots for hiking and exploring, including the well-known Old Rag Mountain.

Being Scholarly

In the highly unlikely event that you feel like dusting out the ol’ brain cobwebs that tend to form after watching hours of endless Vine loops in your bed, head downtown to the Supreme Court to watch an oral argument. Some interesting cases scheduled to argue over the break include Taylor v. United States, which involves a man who was part of a gang in Roanoke, VA that frequently robbed drug dealers—a somewhat clever tactic, as drug dealers are less likely to report that they are missing twenty grams of marijuana to the police. The argument at hand, which will take place on March 22, is whether the government needs concrete proof that the robberies of drug dealers is an “inherent economic enterprise” and does affect interstate commerce. Head to http://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/visitorsguidetooralargument.aspx for more information on courtroom seating and a general explanation of the court’s layout.

If that’s not quite up your alley, the Smithsonian Institutes are guaranteed to be a good time. I would suggest the Renwick Gallery to see some sick 3D crafts, but judging from social media I’m going to assume that the majority of people reading this have already been—if not, go check it out.

If you’re interested in the numerous social, political and cultural changes occurring in the contemporary Middle East,  there is an exhibit opening at the Sackler Gallery (also a Smithsonian gallery) on March 19 known as “Symbolic Cities: the Work of Ahmed Mater.” Mater, a physician and artist, was born in Saudi Arabia and has created visual and aural documentaries that depict the country’s economic and urban transformations.  

Dancing

We are fortunate enough to live at the epicenter of concert venues. Not suggesting you have to see all of these artists, but here’s a list of gigs that happen to miraculously fall during our break. Bring your grillz to see Pusha T at the 9:30 Club on March 23, but leave them at home for Vance Joy, who will be performing there March 25-26. Although tickets for the latter are sold out, you can purchase them on ticketmaster.com for the reasonable price of several limbs. On March 22, those who are still stuck in the pop-punk scene of the mid-2000s can see We the Kings at the Baltimore Soundstage (remember “Check Yes Juliet?”), or, opt to see Rihanna instead, who will be performing at the Verizon Center that same day. She’s truly the definition of “slay” if there ever was one. Lastly, for the few of you who are over 18, Tiësto will be playing at Echostage March 25-26.

While these are all hopefully somewhat fun and productive things to do, if worst comes to worst, just lay out a towel in your backyard, pull out the Banana Boat tanning oil/sunscreen-that-really-isn’t-sunscreen SPF 4, grab a good book, and pretend like you’re lying on soft sand instead of dry, yellow grass. On a serious note, enjoy the time spent at home and remember that there are far worse places you could be.