QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Siege and Storm, Leigh Bardugo wrote, “When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats! Sometimes it’s hard to overcome your own doubts. It’s easy to underestimate yourself, making a lot of things seem impossible for you. But when we say impossible, we actually mean improbable, and unlike impossibilities, you can always beat the odds no matter how stacked against you they might be.

My advice: don’t let your doubts stop you from going for it, whatever “it” is for you, just because it’s improbable.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, November 6

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Tuesday, November 7

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, November 8

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Thursday, November 9

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Friday, November 10

2023 Undergraduate Research Symposium at Villanova University | 1-4 p.m. | Villanova Room, Connelly Center | Free & Open to the Public

Intersectional Reflections Kickoff Dinner Discussion | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Room 10A, Garey Hall | Free & Open to Graduate Students | Refreshments Served | Register Here

Match Research Program for First Year Students Application Deadline | 11:59 p.m. | More Information Available Here

Sunday, November 12

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

As you might be aware, this week boasts two major holidays: Election Day on this Tuesday, Nov. 7, and Veterans Day on this Saturday, Nov. 11. Although those are both important holidays, here are some fun holidays you can celebrate this week:

Photo by Manny Becerra on Unsplash

If you’re in the mood for some good eats, today, Nov. 6, is National Nachos Day. Whether it’s Taco Bell, some microwaved cheese on some tortilla chips, or loaded nachos from your go-to spot, today is the day to enjoy this delicious Tex-Mex staple.

As mentioned above, this Tuesday, Nov. 7, is Election Day. Although it’s not a “big” election, voting in your local elections can actually have a bigger impact on your everyday life than you might realize. In fact, as the ACLU points out, with a State Supreme Court seat on the ballot this year in Pennsylvania, this election is pivotal in deciding the rights of all Pennsylvanians, including your fellow Villanovans. Not sure who is running? Check out Vote411 to learn more about who will be on your ballot and what they stand for. If you’re registered to vote at Villanova, visit Let’s Vote Nova’s page to find your Villanova-specific polling stations and other important voting information for Villanova students. You can also check out last year’s Weekends Recs on the Pennsylvania Midterm Elections to explore the importance of voting.

Got a sweet tooth? This Saturday, Nov. 11, is also National Sundae Day. I know ice cream and cold weather aren’t typically enjoyed together, but you can still savor the sweet taste of an ice cream sundae from the comfort of the warm indoors.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy wrote, “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”

Papers and exams are accumulating. Regardless of what your workload entails, it’s easy for many of us to fall into the trap of hyper-analyzing every mistake we make and feel disappointed when we fall short of our expectations, expectations that are not always realistic. Try to remember that success is not synonymous with perfection. In fact, successful people fail, all the time. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: Give yourself some grace. You deserve it. And above all, strive for greatness and fulfillment, not perfection.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, November 7

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, and Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Tuesday, November 8

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, November 9

Fall 2022 Falvey Forum Workshop: Extracting Tables from PDFs with Tabula | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Villanova Community | Register Here

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Art of War: Illustrated and Military Maps of the Twentieth Century Exhibit Talk and Reception | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Public | Light Refreshments Served

Alice Dailey’s How to Do Things with Dead People: History, Technology, and Temporality from Shakespeare to Warhol, a Conversation and Celebration | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Room 205 | Virtual Option | Free & Open to Villanova Community

Thursday, November 10

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Friday, November 11

Fall 2022 Graduate Research Symposium | 1:00 p.m. | The Cinema and the Art Gallery, Connelly Center | Free & Open to the Public | Refreshments Served

Villanova Gaming Society Meeting | 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Public

Sunday, November 13

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 3-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by cottonbro

Tuesday, Nov. 8, is Election Day. It may not be the most fun holiday to celebrate, but it is arguably one of the most important. Regardless of your political affiliation, voting is one of the most pivotal foundations of our society. Feeling unprepared and unsure of the candidates on your ballot? Check out Vote411 to learn more about who will be on your ballot and what they stand for (or check out this Weekends Recs on the Pennsylvania Midterm Elections for more helpful links). Feeling cynical, like your vote doesn’t matter? If our votes didn’t matter, why would they, historically and currently, try to limit people’s voting rights (including People of Color, women, incarcerated people and those with felony records, working class people, etc.)? While they get less attention and are treated as less important, state and local elections can actually have huge impacts on our daily lives. Celebrate by voting. Visit Let’s Vote Nova’s page to find your Villanova-specific polling stations and other important voting information for Villanova students.

Friday, Nov. 11, is Pocky Day. Pocky, for those who may not be familiar, is a Japanese chocolate-covered biscuit stick treat that, although I may be biased, is absolutely delicious (and a great movie snack). Celebrate today by picking up some Pocky (I always get mine from Five Below) or, if you’re feeling creative, by recreating your own. While I do enjoy the original chocolate flavor, my best friend absolutely swears by the cookie and cream flavor.

In addition to being my birthday (not to toot my own horn), Saturday, Nov. 12, is National Happy Hour Day. If you’re over the age of 21, you can celebrate by (responsibly) enjoying some drinks with your friends, because, hey, it’s happy hour everywhere (today at least). I will be celebrating the holiday with my closest friends for whom I am endlessly grateful.

Annie Stockmal is a graduate student in the Communication Department and graduate assistant in Falvey Library.