The remainder of college was filled with excitement. Excitement for ending early-morning classes and saying goodbye to papers and exams for good. Excitement for upcoming celebrations, and gathering with family and friends. Bittersweet feelings for the many "lasts", but excitement for the many firsts we'd inevitably face in our future. Nerves and fear of the unknown, but excitement for creating our future.
As graduation quickly crept up on the Indiana University class of 2022, we used every day as an excuse to get that extra coffee with a friend, grab a drink with an old classmate, or take a professor out to lunch to show our appreciation. This post is dedicated to the last few weeks at school... and some moments not quite at school. Let's rewind back to my Nashville trip.
I spent a weekend in Nashville, TN with friends in April, and due to this being my third time in the country music capital, I made sure to check off any remaining bucket list food spots before I made my rounds back to my few favorite spots. This called for a trip to Hattie B's, famous for their hot chicken. I opted for the mild chicken (again, I don't do spice), but it was still quite tasty. Hattie B's was certainly a fantastic spot to go to, but I don't think I need to return; fried chicken isn't really my cup of tea. But still a fantastic experience.
As graduation came around, my friends and I enjoyed wine tastings at Oliver Winery, Wednesday night Trivia at a Bloomington favorite, The Tap, and even discovered new spots in our final days. Cardinal Spirits was one of those new spots, and I discovered the wild tonic cocktail (think: blueberry infused house-made vodka, muddled berries, and mint) that paired well with the house charcuterie board with cheeses, meats, house pickles, a 10-minute egg, herb cream, seasonal fruit, smoked salmon, and candied pecans.
And then all of a sudden, we woke up on May 6 and it was the day of our college graduation. My friends and I zipped up our gowns, affixed our decorated caps on our heads, and turned our tassels to signify that we made it. It was a bittersweet end to an incredible four years in college. Indiana University gave me the greatest friends and memories to last a lifetime. As for our celebrations, family and friends gathered in our small college house, we cut the cake, popped the bubbly, and danced the night away. Thank you, Bloomington. Until next time.
Ahh the memories. Great times and eats in Btown