Dear SOS,
My parents have been so generous in funding my
college education, but my dad said that since he's already paying so much for school, he's cutting off my monthly allowance. I'll be limited to my meal plan and about 100 points, but no cash.
The problem is, I'm starting to get involved with this girl from my calc class, and I want to show her that I care. How can I do this while still staying within my points-specific budget?
Sincerely,
Panicked Points User
Dear Panicked,
While I'm not sure what stage of the relationship you're in (have you solely exchanged derivation techniques, or have you had a chance to lie tangent to her curves?), there are plenty of ways to show your math class maiden that you've got game. All you'll need to flash is a little identification - a Tufts I.D. card, that is. Refer below to find your proper stage in the dating chronology:
Stage 1: Flirtation. Don't set foot in the campus bookstore - you haven't gotten to the gift-giving stage yet, even if she did make some offhand comment about needing a new protractor.
In this stage, the goal is to spend some more time with your calc chick beyond those 50-minute class periods. Try suggesting a Hodgdon run right after class - and when that extra granola bar puts her balance $0.40 over, step in with that trusty I.D. card and offer to pay for the difference. You'll be moving up to Stage 2 in no time!
Stage 2: Dating. Just as a forewarning, this stage can really make a dent in your Points Plus plan, so I'd either a) go into a state of semi-starvation (especially if she's into the Pete Doherty, waif-like look) or b) dining hall mode (where at least two meals per day occur at Dewick) in order to prepare for the ensuing point deduction.
The options here are almost limitless: Do you want to take your girl to dinner and a movie? Not an issue, because the campus-based Film Series (which just recently included epic date movies "Superbad" and "Knocked Up") has a Saturday night viewing that starts at 9:30 p.m., meaning that you can have a little canoodling time after a 7:00 p.m. dinner.
In terms of romance-conducive, points-accepting off-campus restaurants, Andrea's and Espresso are great date night options. But seeing as most restaurants only accept points for delivery orders, I'd opt for Café de Cr??pe, so you two can split a sultry chocolate-strawberry cr??pe covered in whipped cream while looking into each others eyes from across the Haskell lounge tables (or wherever you've chosen to dine).
If you're looking for somewhere more exotic, check out TuftsLife.com for some cool concert ideas (i.e. the RAWK-infused Saves the Day concert next Wednesday in Dewick) or go the VIP route and take her to a lecture or celeb comedy shows.
Does she like sports? There's a basketball game this Saturday. If she's more of the city type, let the clubbin' come to her, and bring her to club Hotung on Thursday night.
One last word to the wise: I'd leave "The Vagina Monologues" out of the running for date options.
Stage 3: Anniversaries. I prefer to call this stage "Bookstore Bonanza." Your calc teacher would be able to tell you that the limit does not exist for possible points-purchased presents at this location.
Look for chocolates (I'm almost positive there's a Godiva corner lurking somewhere on the first floor), a romantic read or even a vintage Tufts hoodie to replace that one of yours she always borrows and "forgets" to give back.
And hey, they even sell protractors.
Contact Charlotte to get advice for all your problems at Charlotte.Steinway@tufts.edu.
