No Place Like a Second Home

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

DH and I have been talking about going on a honeymoon for what seems like forever. Fast forward a year, and we're still at the same spot in the planning stage as back then (!) Sigh. What we are able to make decisions on are short trips, preferably to places we've been to before. So I guess our recent trip to Charlottesville fills that void until we go someplace more exciting.

UVA was our home away from home for four years, so it holds a special place in our hearts. There are a few spots we make a point to stop at every time we visit, which includes Bodo's Bagels, a dining hall, and more Bodo's. Sadly, dining hall hours are irregular in the summer, but I did manage to eat enough bagels to last me until the next visit. I'll never tire of their smoked turkey on an everything bagel [photo below]. We even brought some back with us for lunch the next day. Bagels for three consecutive days? No complaints here.

Bodo's Bagels' smoked turkey on an everything bagel

I love walking through campus -- the red brick and colonial style architecture set in a leafy environment is perfection in my eyes. I'm biased of course, so take that with a grain of salt. Holy moly, have there been changes recently. After huffing and puffing up hills, I found my first year dorm:
Balz-Dobie dorm
...or rather, the gargantuan monstrosity that replaced it:
new Alderman dorms
Good bye suite-style walk-ups with no AC. I attribute all the climbing walking up hills plus four flights of stairs everyday as the reason I never gained the Freshman 15. We caught the construction in mid-phase, so not all the 60s-era dorms were demolished yet. For comparison, the dorms that we lived in our first year (actually DH's):
old Alderman dorms
I suppose it's time some buildings were modernized. Lucky first-year kids of today living like kings with their AC, elevators, and laundry facility in each building. What they don't know is that accommodations go downhill from here, muahaha.

Other photos around Grounds...
In the Nood
[Photo above]: Speaking of modernization, a new eatery that's part of (?) a dining hall. I'd like to steal all the decor for my home, please.
Pavilion
E-School
[Photo above]: Thumbs up (literally) to the E-School! ...as if my nerdiness isn't apparent enough.
Thomas Jefferson
[Photo above]: Fun fact: DH went to a high school named after TJ, went to a college founded by TJ, and now works at a building named TJ. I'm a wee bit jealous of the bromance he's got going on with Tommy.
Pavilion
[Outfit details]: sunglasses: Walmart (similar) / necklace: gift from aunt (similar) / dress: J.Crew Jules (similar) / belt: J.Crew (similar) / bag: H&M (similar) / shoes: LOFT (sold here)

There was one low point during our trip, when I dropped my camera onto concrete. <Insert multiple expletives> My heart dropped as it landed with a sickening thud. I expected scratches and banged up corners, but surprisingly the lens looked to be ok and the screen was uncracked. Unfortunately I couldn't turn the camera back on (hence the lack of variety in photos), so I resigned myself to upgrading the body once I came home. Somehow, some way, I figured out that a battery replacement was all I needed -- the body was in better shape than initially thought. Hallelujah! Camera incident aside, it was nice to get away for a weekend, eat good food, reminisce, relax, and just spend time together. See you next time, Charlottesville!
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15 comments

  1. Ahhh, Bodos! I totally miss it. The bagels here just don't have the same taste and feel. Maybe it's the fact that I'm no longer a starving college student! And beautiful photos, so sorry to hear about the camera incident...

    It looks like your husband and I may have gone to the same high school! And we definitely went to the same college :) What a small small world! What year was he if you don't mind asking? I'm so curious if our paths have somehow crossed!

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    1. He's class of '01, so I think you guys just missed one another? It is indeed a small world. I bet we have mutual friends in common given how so many TJers ended up at UVA and/or are still in the area.

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  2. Replies
    1. YES. I haven't met anyone who had something bad to say about Bodo's.

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  3. Didn't realize you guys went to UVA. Hokie here! ;) I live in PA now but actually going to VA for a visit tomorrow and stopping by C'ville on Sat. where I grew up. Def planning a stop by Bodo's. It's been YEARS!

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    1. Ahh, the enemy! Jk, jk. So jealous you grew up in Cville with Bodo's. I hope you have a great time visiting home!

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  4. i've never been to Charlottesville but have always been meaning to go. UVA looks so pretty and that bagel shop is definitely calling my name!

    I'm glad to hear your camera incident wasn't that bad. that kind of stuff gives me the jitters too.

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    1. Southern VA definitely has its charm. Vineyards, bed & breakfasts, history on its side, I could go on and on. I do recommend a drive through if you're ever in the area!

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  5. WoW...Balz!!!!! I used to live there too. Cannot believe the change. Like you, that hill climb really did helped me with curbing the Freshman 15. Haha I remember encouragement chalk writings on the steps walking up that hill..."Almost there!", "Just a few more steps!"

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    1. I remember those writings too! Those were the days :) Balz-Dobie is no longer the king of the hill. Kellogg (I think is the name?) now sits atop.

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  6. awww that last picture is too cute! Did you take that on a tripod?!! That's impressive work.

    I was at my five-year college reunion earlier this summer and man was it a shock to embrace all of the changes my school had undergone in the last few years. sigh.

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    Replies
    1. Haha we did bust out the tripod! DH was all confused when I told him to turn around to pose, and didn't want to at first, but I'm always right, he liked the photo in the end :)

      Isn't it weird how all these changes happen after we graduate? I could've sworn there were no drastic changes the four years I was there.

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    2. So true! In my four-years most major projects were new constructions built on the periphery of the campus so the changes were less obvious. :)

      p.s. loving your new AT dress and the thorough review...

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  7. You look so proud in all these pics...love it! The engineering building was a common hangout for me in college since EE was my husband's major.

    Bummer about the camera. :/

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    1. Haha it's easy to be happy because Cville brings back a lot of good memories :)

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