QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins wrote, “It takes ten times as long to put yourself together as it does to fall apart.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats! Welcome to the first official Monday of the semester. Of course, it’s easy (and important) to enjoy this relatively mellow point in the semester, but it’s also really important to start building good habits early. Whether it’s your first year at Villanova or your last, building good habits in the beginning of the semester is easier than trying to start them during midterms or finals week.

So, whether it’s building a study routine, prioritizing self-care, practicing mindfulness, or getting acquainted with important resources you’ll need down the line, start early. You’ll thank yourself later.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, August 28

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Health Services Building 200 | 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, August 29

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

Wednesday, August 30

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

Thursday, August 31

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

Sunday, September 3

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

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Deval Parikh on Unsplash

Wednesday, Aug. 30, is Frankenstein Day. If you’re a sci-fi fan, you can celebrate this (obscure) holiday by consuming your favorite Frankenstein content, whether that’s Mary Shelley’s classic novel, the 1931 film, or an inspired re-imagining, like Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie.

This Thursday, Aug. 31, is Eat Outside Day. Whether you lay out a picnic blanket, take advantage of the Adirondack chairs around campus, or sit at a table on Falvey’s patio, today is a great excuse to enjoy the warm weather while it lasts and soak up some vitamin D.

Thursday is also National Trail Mix Day. Trail mix is the perfect on-the-go snack to grab as you’re getting into the swing of the semester. Plus, there are hundreds of varieties (especially if you mix your own). My personal favorite mix has cashews, almonds, peanuts, raisins, and M&Ms.

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

By Ethan Shea

Each year on Aug. 30, the world collectively comes together to celebrate one of the most influential novels of the past few centuries and the writer who brought the legendary monster to life. The book in question is Frankenstein, and its author is Mary Shelley. Shelley began writing Frankenstein when she was only 18 years of age, and the novel was subsequently published two years later. Surprisingly, the story came about in the midst of a friendly competition between Mary Shelley, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron. The three wanted to see who could write the best horror story, and in brief, Mary Shelley blew her competition away.

Frankenstein Day fittingly falls on the anniversary of Mary Shelley’s birthday on Aug. 30, 1797, so if you’d like to take part in this holiday’s festivities, drop by Falvey Memorial Library and grab a copy of the classic novel for yourself! In addition to the book, there are countless films featuring the undead monster we all know and love. Whether you decide to watch Frankenstein (1910), the original silent film, or something as new as Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie (2012), you’ll be paying homage to Shelley and her timeless story.

Ethan Shea is a first-year English Graduate Student at Villanova University and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Memorial Library.

By Jenna Renaud

Word of the Week: Frankenstein  

Did you know today, August 30, is National Frankenstein Day? In honor of the holiday, this week’s word is the monster himself, Frankenstein.  

According to Merriam-Webster, Frankenstein is, first, the title character in Mary W. Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and, second, “a monstrous creation especially a work or agency that ruins its originator.” However, in German the word translates to “stronghold of freemen,” most likely referring to various castles and battlements around the country that also carry the name. 

This Week at Falvey  

Monday, Aug. 30

Mindfulness Mondays / 1–1:30 PM / ZOOM / https://villanova.zoom.us/j/98337578849  

This Week in History 

September 02, 2013 – Swimming from Cuba to Florida 

Eight years ago this week, 64-year-old Diana Nyad becomes the first person to swim from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida without the use of a shark cage for protection. This was Nyad’s fifth attempt at the swim with her first attempt being in 1978. The marathon swimmer completed the 110-mile swim after nearly 53 hours in open water.

Jenna Renaud is a Graduate Assistant in Falvey Memorial Library and a graduate student in the Communication Department.