You can find me in the c-store every Monday morning. In fact, any morning you will find me in the c-store... and afternoon... and probably again later for dinner.
For some, their freshman year is defined by their dorm room, their new best friends and their classes. I'm not saying that those things don't hold extreme value in my life, but there's just a few things about the c-store that will forever remind me of freshmen year.
The subs.
Sometimes I like to think about how many c-store subs I've devoured this year alone. Off the top of my head, I'd say over a hundred, at least. There's a sense comfort of getting in line and knowing exactly what you're going to get, and no matter what it is, it's going to taste like heaven. There's just something about the way the components of the sandwich intertwine and the fact that overworked college kids are making it for you. In fact, I will go far enough to say, you won't be able to recreate it anywhere else. I'll have my sub cut in half please, and oh, a little bit more avocado ranch.
The dining area.
Immediately after paying for your food with fake money (meal points) you step into what I like to call the best party venue at Indiana University. Without a doubt you'll see at least four kids you know, and that isn't an exaggeration. The c-store makes a great place for gossip because you get varying opinions; like from that kid in your W131 class or the fraternity boys you have your party with that night. No matter what, when you walk into the c-store you will see someone you know, and people you don't know, who you will become friends with. There's a kid who has seen me eat two meals a day there for this past semester, and I'm so blessed to have made that bond with him. The c-store creates some unbreakable bonds.
The fruit selection.
If strawberry day isn't the best freaking day of your week then please pause, reevaluate and continue reading. If you somehow get lucky and end up at the c-store on strawberry day, you've never experienced a more exhilarating feeling. In fact, strawberry day is more like strawberry hour because of how quickly they disappear. It's random, and it's unpredictable. One of my friends recalls the time when she came into the c-store from a long, hot walk up Fee Mountain after her Friday classes and to her surprise—strawberries! Honorable mention goes to grapes for just kind of being there always.
The Presentations.
Presentations will always hold a special place in my heart. For some bizarre reason if you are not craving a sub, you better pray the presentations are killing it that day. From Pastabilities to Wok This Way to the most beautiful french toast you will ever ingest, the c-store really does work hard on its presentations and their original and fun names. Even though you'll have to wait in a line that's the longest you've ever seen, you will embrace it, and you will get that presentation.
The Smart Water v. Dasani Debacle.
You can tell a lot about a person by which water they choose to buy. You can go with Smart Water which costs more meal points, but you get to drink out of an elitist bottle that is comparable to like Fiji Water or whatever. Or you can get Dasani which will definitely conserve those important meal points. Which type of person are you?
The Employees.
Definitely the most important part of the c-store are its employees: Mamadou, Oscar, Assitou, Janet and Gwen. These people hold a special place in my heart. They have seen me at my best, and they have seen me through my absolute worst, and no matter what, they will always have kind and supportive words to say to me that help me through my day. One of the last things you should do before you pack up your dorm room, hug your roommate and cry about the school year ending is thank these employees for being the best at their job and leaving a mark on your year.
Indiana University offers numerous clubs, activities and support systems throughout the school year. But my favorite thing about this year was sitting in the c-store at 8 a.m., after getting the first breakfast buddy of the day and planning what was yet to come.
Here's to you, c-store and here's to a great year.
