So recently I stumbled upon an article called "39 Things You Can Do Today To Make Someone Feel A Little Less Alone" written by Shannon Rosenberg. Upon reading it, I decided to make one specific to my area... I know personally, last year I had a stigma about this small little town and the minimal opportunities for activity. Boy, was I wrong! I'm here to give you insight on what there is to do in little old New Wilmington. The article mentioned above lists a bunch of little things that you can utilize like writing notes to people, and texting them, and hugging them, and letting them cry on your shoulder but there are also some things that you might think, wait, I can't do that.

WRONG; you totally can.

Here are some things that New Wilmington has to offer.

1. "Take them to get a bowl of delicious, hot ramen"

You might be thinking, "What?! Gali, where am I gonna be getting ramen other than my microwave?" Well, my friends, right down the road on South Market Street is a place, a perhaps scandalous place known as "The Dirty Pickle." In the summer months, they serve mouthwatering options that can either be in the form of a sandwich or as sushi. Just recently, they switched from their sushi bar to a hot ramen bar for the colder months. Though, I have never had their ramen, I have purchased multiple sandwiches from their establishment and always left feeling perfectly content. I am always amazed by the flavor combinations.

2. "Bring them a wonderful puppy to hang out with."

Some of you may know, some of you may not. But the Health Center has a puppy named Leo every Thursday. He is the sweetest, cutest, loving dog in the world and he is sure to take your mind off of things. Missy, the head nurse, doesn't mind if you take him for a walk around campus either.

Maybe you live solely in your dorm or in Hoyt or in the Music Depo so you don't get the privilege of seeing all of the dogs going for walks... but tons of dogs are on campus lots of the time. Most of them are super friendly, don't be afraid to stop and converse with them... I mean their owner.

3. "Go on a long walk with them."

"There's nowhere to go," you say? Wellp, there's always the Bio Trail. Though, it can get muddy soI highly suggest wearing proper shoes such as boots. Or you could go for a nice walk around the lake.

Last year, my roommate walked to Sheetz... this I wouldn't specifically suggest or condone being that it took her 3 hours total but... you do you.

4. "Take them a slice of their favorite pizza."

I hope you all know that Pizza Joe's is literally just a hop skip and a jump away. While you may be sick of Pizza Joe's due to the amount of free pizza opportunities on campus, know that they have food choices other than pizza. This will probably ruin your life... but they have 'Cinna Stix' which are essentially just a pizza covered in cinnamon sugar and icing and cut into strips. Needless to say...

5. "Mail them a handwritten card."

The bookstore has cards that are already made for around $5. They also have an HUGE SELECTION of envelopes for around five cents and paper options and writing utensils such as, markers and colored pens. Let your creative juices fly, design your own card, it'll mean more and cost less!

You should know this, but maybe you don't, you CAN send things off-campus (and on-campus) from the Mail Room.

OR The Silk Road also has some pretty spiffy cards. Plus, the owner is super nice. You should check it out and talk to her!

Most of the other things on the list you can do regardless or you can't do unless you have a car, and I want to make this specific to Westminnie so here are some more ideas for ya.

6. Go to Mugsies.

Wow, my affinity for this place will probably continuously grow forever. This is definitely a perfect spot to sit and talk or sit and not talk, if you're anti-social like me. They have a myriad of options, from coffees to teas, from smoothies to hot apple cider. I've always been fascinated by their 'Redbull Smoothie,' if any of you try it, let me know your thoughts. (Don't even get me started on the food.) Sometimes, I'm overwhelmed by the amount of choices I have, (by no means a bad thing), but I'm never left feeling dissatisfied.

7. The Tavern

Okay so, The Tavern can be a bit pricey. But the sticky buns are cheap for how good they are. Have you ever gone to Eat 'n Park and got a meal that came with a sticky bun and a roll? My grandparents would get those meals all the time and split the sticky buns with my brother and I and I lived for it. Well, at the Tavern, most meals come with a sticky bun and man oh man are these good. SO GOOD. I will never look at an Eat 'n Park sticky bun the same. The first one I had was a spiritual experience. I have legitimately never met a person that did not like them. And if I did, I wouldn't even be mad because then I'd just steal it. You can get a dozen sticky buns for $9.95 which may seem like a lot but that's only .83 cents each versus buying one for $1.25. Trust me... I've done the math and made pro and cons lists. They're made fresh every day and so freaking worth it.

***If you sign up for emails from The Tavern, you get a coupon for a free sticky bun. So, now you have no excuse not to try them.

8. Explore.

Sometimes the best therapy is getting out and looking around. The little shops in this town are filled with things that you may never expect to find. I've discovered places that I never knew existed. Go, look around, at least once and take a friend to share the experience.