Winter weather means way too much time spent inside. Minutes seem to stretch into hours, and hours into days, and the icy slush and blistering cold begin to look inviting. Should the call to play in the outdoor winter wonderland be loud enough, get out there and take advantage of what the season has to offer. Here are some ideas for enjoying the cold and some for warming up afterwards, both close to home and a little further out:
Chill out - Play a game of football on the main Quad (or Frisbee, snowman-building or just chucking snow at people): A few inches of fresh snow make falls to the ground a little less painful, and make everyday games a little more interesting. Plus, it's completely free and involves no form of public transportation, which can be less than reliable in bad weather.
Warm up - Kick it with a cup of chai at the Davenport: This oft forgot student-run coffee shop has a hip and cozy vibe like no other place on campus. In fact, nestled deep in one of the Dav's leather couches, it's easy to forget you are only in the SIS building. The menu has a full selection of coffee drinks and teas, and yummy vegan cookies and muffins, and offers an alternative to giant corporate chains. The prices are reasonable, and they take EagleBuck$, so you can sip your chai without using "real money."
Chill out - Go sledding on the hill in front of Wesley Theological Seminary: Yes, there really is a Seminary behind AU. Believe it or not, the giant hill on Massachusetts Avenue isn't there solely for sledding. So grab something to use as a sled (rumor is that TDR trays are great for this) and get to know the neighborhood a little better. Again, this won't cost a dime, and its super close to home. Freshman Matt Kent was on the hill last week after the first snow, using a misappropriated cafeteria tray for a sled. "Those things slide mighty good. You just have to get your feet up so they don't drag," he said. "Wiping out is the best part of sledding. The best one for me was when two friends and I shared a sled. We got turned around and flipped pretty early in the hill, and we proceeded to slide down. Sadly, I was at the back of the sled, so when got flipped, I was getting the full effect of the hill."
Warm up - Grab a white chocolate mocha at Starbuck's: After already wandering off campus for sledding, walk a little further and hit the classic coffee standby. To escape the Tenleytown monotony and add some excitement, the New Mexico location is a great pick, and for some reason seems a little classier. A drink here will set you back a few more dollars than the Davenport, but that's to be expected from a store with a branch on every corner in the country.
Chill out - Go ice skating in the sculpture garden at the National Gallery: It takes a little more motivation to get downtown, but the skating is definitely worth it. The rink is only open for the winter season, which makes it extra special. The scenery is beautiful as well. Skating for as long as you want and a pair of snazzy rental skates costs $8.50. The rink is located at Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue, and is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.- 11p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sophomore Sara Bularzik has been to the rink several times with friends. "It's really beautiful because you are surrounded by the archives buildings and a bunch of sculptures. At night they have lights all around the rink," she said. "The people are all just out there for fun, so you don't feel dumb if you can't skate. It's a major touristy rink, also. One time I went and it was 'full' because it is so popular."
Warm up - Try some tea at Tryst Coffeehouse, 2459 18th St. NW Tryst is the way trendy place to be, smack in the middle of Adams Morgan. The bar-coffeehouse-lounge hybrid serves drinks of all kinds, stiff, hot or cold, breakfast all day, and late-night snacks too. Bring your laptop and hop on free wireless. If you can deal with noise, get homework done as well. The Tryst experience isn't cheap, so be prepared to shell out some cash.
