QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Gandalf said, “I have found that it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love.”

As the weather progressively gets colder and as the semester falls into the cycle of papers and exams, feelings of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and even depression may begin to flare up, in you or in the people that you care about. Even though you might feel you’re too busy or too tired, we, as humans, need connection.

Try to reach out to and check in with someone you care about. You could ask them how they’re doing, make plans to spend some time with them, or even simply send them a TikTok that reminded you of them. You never know how much your small deed might mean to someone (and, in the process, it could help reduce some of your own stress).

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, November 14

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 15

2022 Outstanding Faculty Research Award Lecture featuring Dr. Lauren Shohet on “Drama and Civility: James Shirley in the Age of Charles III” | 1:00 p.m. | Room 205 | Free & Open to the Public | Light Refreshments Served

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

Fall 2022 Film & Philosophy Series: Agnès Varda’s Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962) | 5:30 p.m. | Room 415 | Free & Open to Villanova Community | Refreshments Served

Wednesday, November 16

Fall 2022 Falvey Forum Workshop: Creating Data Visualizations in R for Beginners | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Villanova Community | Register Here

The Waste Land’s 100th Birthday Party | 4:00-5:30 p.m. | Room 205 | Free & Open to Villanova Community | Light Refreshments Served

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

Thursday, November 17

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

Friday, November 18

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

Sunday, November 20

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

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Today is Loosen up, Lighten up Day. Although it’s definitely easier said than done (especially on a Monday during the second-half of the semester), today is a day for doing something makes you happy and relieves some stress. Simply taking the time to watch something that makes you laugh, to read something that interests you, to spend time with your favorite people, or even to go outside and enjoy nature can all help lighten your stress load. If you need some help loosening up, join us for a weekly Mindfulness Monday session at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Tomorrow, Nov. 15, is National Drummer Day. Although they sometimes get picked on for not being “real” musicians, in my personal opinion, a good drummer can make or break a band or, at the very least, have the capacity to completely change the vibe of a song. Celebrate by listening to some of your favorite drummers and percussionists. Some of my personal favorites include John Bonham of Led Zeppelin (of course), Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Dave Grohl of Nirvana, and Mike Fuentes of Pierce the Veil.

National Play Monopoly Day is this Saturday, Nov. 19. If you have 2 (or more) hours of downtime, find yourself a board, or your game console of choice, and play a game of Monopoly. Although I’m more of a Scrabble girl myself (not particularly a very good one, but still), a game of Monopoly every once in a while is a great way to have fun (or start passionate yet inconsequential fights) with some friends.

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