#jakeb

Elsa tapped the steering wheel of her car nervously as she waited at a red light on the way to the restaurant. Why she had let one of her teammates get her into this situation, she couldn’t for the life of her fathom. It was just a date on a dare, no big deal she told herself. Though her teammates certainly hadn’t been shy about trying to get her to actually commit to someone for a period longer than a few weeks, preferably showing her face to another person during daylight hours in addition to night time ones. It was that kind of meddling that made her wish she played an individual sport for a living. Sighing, she found street parking near the restaurant after a few minutes of searching, paid the meter and approached the dinner spot, a casual gastro pub and microbrewery with 50 local beers on tap. If all else fails, she thought, I can just get hammered. Nervously, Elsa glanced around the restaurant. No sign of her date yet, and she was five minutes late due to parking. He’s cute! You’ll love him, I promise! echoed through her head, taunting her over and over again. Yeah, he’s also almost 10 minutes late... screw it. Elsa took a seat at the bar, ordering some British Columbian IPA she’d never heard of. If she was getting stood up, you better believe she’d be coping by taking advantage of the said 50 beers on tap. It was then that she felt a tap on her shoulder. Swallowing awkwardly, she turned around. “Um, hi, I’m Elsa.”

“Seems like a cool guy. Probably’d smash if he was interested! I’m always down for an adventure!”

who spends hours putting up lights only to get tangled in them and storm off? Jake

who accidentally eats a whole box of christmas chocolates in one sitting? Both

who insists on watching the cheesy hallmark christmas movies? Aurora

who insists on playing nothing but michael buble in the few days running up to christmas? Aurora

who gets their presents wrapped at the mall so the other cant go snooping? Neither

who insists on making snow angels? Aurora

who put christmas outfits on all the pets? Both

do they go to family’s or have a quiet day in? Quiet day in

who insists on wearing matching ugly christmas jumpers? Aurora

who waits up until midnight to give the other their present? Jake

who insists on hand-made presents only one year? Jake

who puts mistletoe on every door frame? Jake, and it’s fresh too

who gets too drunk at the work christmas party and has to be picked up at 9:15pm? Aurora

who gets angry and almost tells kids that santa isnt real? Neither

The Open Seat

Study, Study, Study! It's midterm time here at APU, where the stress is high and the coffee is strong. Shown above are two of my go-to spots to study on campus. Although laser focus and little distraction while studying best prepares you to slay a test; everyone needs a break.

According to the Atlantic, an individual who takes timed study breaks is 13 percent more likely to be successful. So now I'm guessing you're thinking, "That's cool, Jake! But what does this have to do with "the open seat"?! I’m glad you asked! If you look closer to each photo, there's an open seat! Disclaimer: this open seat strategy has never failed here at APU (for me at least). 

Whether it be people I know or people I've never met, someone always takes the open seat. New conversations, new ideas, and laughs have accumulated through this open seat system. APU creates an atmosphere of conversation and community, an spirited atmosphere that exists no matter the season. 

This is my study break. Leaving an open seat is something that I've embraced and fell in love with. So if you ever see an open seat around campus.. I DARE you to take it! 

Love y'all,