Starting with March Madness! Last year March Madness started more than a week earlier than this year, so I wasn’t able to watch some of the earlier rounds due to school. Since the Spring break has perfectly aligned with earlier rounds (the most exciting ones), I can finally watch all the games at home. Last year was full of surprises in terms of the progression of teams. Purdue and Arizona ranked 1 and 2 respectfully, were both first-round exits and ruined many brackets (mine included). I had Arizona making it up to the Sweet 16, but Princeton unfortunately came to my ruin. However, it was fun to watch such a big upset, especially coming from an Ivy League team. Purdue was the other team that destroyed my bracket by losing to Fairleigh Dickinson in yet another big upset. Purdue continues to disappoint in big moments, so it was a learning lesson. This year, I will likely have Purdue losing in the second, at most third. UConn however led me to success with the bracket, winning the championship. They placed me at 93 thousand of the 20 million brackets, setting me in the 99.6 percentile to end the season. Needless to say, I hope this year will be just as exciting if not more than last year’s. While we all wish for a great bracket, I love the upsets and competitiveness so much more.
Another big to-do is spending time with friends. Hanging out with friends is one of my favorite pastime activities. Glad to say I have made some wonderful friends despite only being in Naperville since freshman year (the first year also didn’t count because of online schooling). Since my parents are likely going to move out of Illinois after I graduate, I won’t be heading to Naperville during my college breaks. Since my intended university is also far away from here, it only makes it harder to come back. While I definitely will see my friends during and after university, it makes it significantly harder. So before we all leave, I’d love to build on some lasting memories to look back to.
Cooking! There is nothing as soothing and warmth that comes with a good home-cooked meal. While I find myself eating so much fast food, especially since senior year with the off-campus privileges, I always prefer a nice home-cooked meal. Since sophomore year, I developed a sort of love for cooking. It started with baking a simple cake, to making tiramisu. From making a simple pasta to orange chicken. As much as I gained this sort of love for cooking, I haven’t necessarily delved deep into it, especially with the time I put in. I always save many recipes on Instagram, to use them as soon as I can, but never end up getting to them. Over the break, I want to spend some more time in the kitchen. I find myself eating Nashville hot chicken in many fast food places, I might as well give it a shot at home. A Crème Brûlée is a dessert I’ve always wanted to make but always put off because I never made the time. I would start with some easier dishes over the break and then build on my skills in the kitchen, and to develop my newfound passion.
There is one thing on this list I dread, AP exams. While I wish that I could be carefree about the exams and not study too much, the credits I could gain this year particularly would put me ahead in college. Most of us are unfortunately in this very predicament. If I don’t get to the actual studying part of the plan over break, I do want to make it a point to at least create a schedule on how and when I would study for each of my exams.
Last but not least; working out! I’ve had a very inconsistent schedule of working out ever since I began going to the gym. I skip a day because I procrastinated for a test, or another day because I got less sleep from procrastinating for a test or any 100 other reasons to do so. As soon as I finish this hectic week, I will follow through with a consistent schedule to head to the gym, whether it be before school or later in the evening.
I have to say I created quite an ambitious list of activities, but a feasible list.
Adi, I hope you do well in your bracket this year. Also, I am impressed that you find joy in cooking and I hope you continue to invest in that area because it is a great skill to have in life. To be able to cook a good meal.
Hey Adi,
I think all this stuff is super cool and I can actually relate to a lot of it. I unfortunately didn’t finish my bracket in time for march madness last year (the start always sneaks up on me) so I had to watch on the sidelines as my friends and family duked it out over prize and punishment. I did finish my bracket this year and I wish I could say I have confidence in it but unfortunately, It’s not looking so great. My final four are all still in though which is at least better than a couple people I know. I also really wish I had your affinity for cooking. I can’t cook anything for the life of me. Right now all I know how to make is scrambled eggs and a grilled cheese (by grilled cheese I mean two peices of toast with cheese in beetween).
Hey Adi! I’m glad to see that our spring break plans are much of the same thing. This is my second year doing a March Madness bracket and I must say that I’ve lost my mind both times now. I know this season just started, but Kentucky’s loss absolutely ruined me but I was at least happy to see that I got Yale’s upset right. Just like you, I hope to be spending a lot of time with my friends this break with many of us already committing to schools that are so far from each other. I also enjoy cooking even though I haven’t really been cooking as much recently. It’s been awhile, but I usually end up cooking the most during the summers and holidays. The weather is a huge factor for me, because I think cooking outdoors on a grill or some other kind of set-up is one of the best parts of summer. So, I’ll have to see what the situation looks like, but I look forward to cooking again soon!
Adi,
loved reading your post! It’s like riding the March Madness roller coaster with you – the thrills, the shocks, and oh, those bracket busters! I’m totally there for the ups and downs. And about hanging with friends before life sends you all over the place, it hits right in the feels. Gotta make those memories stick, right?
Your cooking adventures? Super relatable. There’s something special about ditching fast food for some kitchen magic. Starting with Nashville hot chicken and dreaming about Crème Brûlée? Yes, please!
Also, feeling you on the AP exam dread and the gym struggle. It’s like you’re telling my life story. But hey, balancing all that with the excitement of the games, friends, and food adventures? You’re doing awesome.
Thanks for sharing your plans and keeping it real. It’s a sweet reminder to enjoy the ride, mix in a bit of everything, and just go with it. Keep it up!
Frank
Hi Adi, I hope you have a good spring break. I didn’t make a bracket last year, but I tuned into some games, and there were many surprising upsets. This year too, it’s looking very unpredictable like it always is. I’m surprised there has never been a perfect bracket, although it is a very small chance, people can submit multiple brackets, and I think it is bound to happen eventually, maybe in the next year. So far this year, my bracket is looking decent, and I’m hoping to beat other people and have a solid result by the end. Also, you should let me try one of your foods that you bake. I didn’t know that you enjoy baking.
Hi Adi, it was great to hear about your spring break. Moreover, hearing your March Madness bracket failing both this and last year. I have to agree with you on the spirit of competitiveness that the bracket adds. Despite not really catching up other than just a few teams, it really is banter to create brackets and compare them. With multiple upsets with BYU leading the year off strong, I haven’t tended to my brackets as much but Purdue’s regime to number 1 still stands strong as of this comment. Other than that, it is nice to hear that you get to catch up with your friends and that you found a love for cooking and baking: I hope to see it soon. Thanks for the update.