QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou wrote, “Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you just wait.”

Life’s what you make it—yes, technically I’m also quoting Hannah Montana, but it’s poignant. If we don’t put in the effort and the heart, the outcome will rarely astound us.

Yet, when you put your heart and soul into what you’re passionate about, you might be surprised by how much you can achieve. So, don’t be afraid to put your heart into what you do. You might just end up reaping the benefits.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, April 15

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

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

Tuesday, April 16

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

Wednesday, April 17

2024 St. Catherine of Siena Research Award Symposium | 10-11:30 a.m. | Room 205 | Free & Open to the Public

Overdose Reversal Training | 12-1:30 p.m. | Room 132, Driscoll Hall | Free & Open to Students, Faculty, & Staff

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

Africana Studies Presents the Annual Ida B. Wells Lecture | 5 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Villanova Community

Thursday, April 18

Center for Speaking and Presentation/The Learners’ Studio | 12-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Spring 2024 Digital Seeds Speaker Series: Mapping the Margins: Gay Travel Guides & the Promise of Digital History | 4-5 p.m. | Virtual | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to the Public | Register Here

Friday, April 19

2024 Concept Recognition Ceremony | 2-3:30 p.m. | Connelly Center Cinema (Panel) & Grad Center Student Lounge, Vasey Hall (Reception) | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to the Public | Livestream Here

Sunday, April 21

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

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Tina Dawson on Unsplash

Tomorrow, April 16, is National Librarians Day, a day celebrating librarians (which we’ve got plenty of here at Falvey). Of course, we’d like to celebrate our wonderful librarians and all the wonderful work they do to facilitate quality scholarship at Villanova. It’s also prime time for paper writing right now, so if you want to take advantage of Falvey’s invaluable resources, you can find our subject librarians here.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth (or just like fruit), Wednesday, April 17 is National Banana Day. Bananas are a surprisingly divisive fruit, with debates not only about liking them altogether but also when to eat them—when they’re greenish, bright yellow, or more brown. Personally, I like them yellow with brown speckles. Regardless of your preferences, if you’re a fan of this potassium-rich fruit, enjoy a banana today, or, if you’re in the mood for baking, make some banana bread or banana nut muffins.

Sunday, April 21, is National Tea Day. Tea is a very versatile drink with countless options to choose from, whether you’re in the mood for a cold glass of sweet tea for a pick-me-up on a hot day or a warm cup of chamomile tea to help yourself relax after a stressful day. If you’re a tea drinker, today’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a nice cup of tea.

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

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent said, “The night is darkest just before the dawn, and I promise you, the dawn is coming.”

Happy Last Day of Classes, Wildcats! As the final day of classes, today foreshadows the impending wave of finals, a week full of late nights, term papers, cram study sessions, stress, exams, and caffeine, lots of caffeine. In my experience, finals week is a collective experience of equal parts togetherness and misery (unless you’re the Hermione Granger type, I suppose). We’re all in this together, but we all wish it was over.

Today also marks a little over a week until winter break, a whole month where you’re not required to sit through another lecture or work through another lab. So, Wildcats, the dawn is coming. Good luck!

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, December 12

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, December 13

Stress-Less Healthy Happy Hour with Pals for Life | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Room 205 | Free

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

Fall 2022 Film & Philosophy Series: François Truffaut’s Day for Night (La nuit américaine) (1973) | 5:30 p.m. | Room 415 | Free & Open to Villanova Community | Refreshments Served

Wednesday, December 14

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

Thursday, December 15

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

Sunday, December 18

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

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Katie Azi on Unsplash

Today, Dec. 12, is Gingerbread House Day. Although this is a December tradition that I have never partaken in, gingerbread houses make festive (and delicious) decor for the holiday season. If you have the time, the space, and most importantly, the patience, decorate your very own gingerbread house for the holidays. Or, if you’re not the decorating type, visit Peddler’s Village for their Gingerbread Competition and Display. The displays features some truly amazing gingerbread house designs, and there’s also plenty of places to eat delicious food and to get some last-minute holiday shopping done.

If you’re looking for something sweet that’s perfect for the cold winter weather, tomorrow, Dec. 13, is National Cocoa Day. With the cold weather settling in, tomorrow is the perfect day for a nice piping cup of hot cocoa to stay warm and satisfy your sweet tooth. Celebrate with a cup of your favorite hot chocolate, whether it’s home-made or from a coffee-shop. Although I am typically a Dunkin’ loyalist, Starbucks’ hot chocolate is amazing.

Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV

Not quite satisfied with hot chocolate? International Tea Day is this Thursday, Dec. 15, a perfect way to survive finals season. Whether you need to push through a study session with some black tea, wake up refreshed with some green tea, or de-stress with chamomile after a grueling exam, celebrate with a nice cup of tea.

Friday, Dec. 16, is National Ugly Sweater Day, a holiday tradition equal parts endearing, ridiculous, and comfortable. You can celebrate the occasion by wearing an ugly holiday sweater. If you don’t have one, thrift stores and Walmart are both great places to go. And, if you’re really in the spirit, you could host an ugly holiday sweater party with your friends.

Sunday, Dec. 18, marks the beginning of Hanukkah. For any Jewish readers, I hope your week is full of light, family, delicious oil-fried foods, and gelt (the monetary kind or the chocolate kind).

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