It's almost 2008. To anyone in my class, that number is simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.
I've been spending a lot of time thinking about the things I'd have done differently at Tufts. Thankfully, my regrets are few and mostly involve papers I never got the chance to edit or classes I won't get to take.
I'm the sort of person who sees the box of chocolates as half full, and I like to turn my regrets into resolutions for next year. Below are my hopes for eating great in 2008:
Resolution One: Stop ordering delivery after midnight. This one sounds healthy, but it's really not. It just means I'm going to get off my lazy butt and go to the grocery store more often to stock my kitchen with things I actually like.
I don't understand why, come 2 a.m. on Friday night, my friends all simultaneously want some chewy, greasy bread covered in watery tomato sauce and processed cheese. Maybe it's good marketing, but honestly, why support a mediocre business just because it's the only game in town that's open?
I would much rather pick my own foods to splurge on. With a little planning, I could have Gouda and crackers, whole-wheat toaster waffles or pita and baba ghanoush-delicious things that don't take any prep work.
And maybe you'll disagree with me, but if you're chasing down your late night snack with Natty Light, it's not worth the effort. In that case, I think it's time to rethink your beverage selection.
Resolution Two: No excuses, go out more. Whether it's off the couch, a trip to Davis, or getting into Boston, it's so easy there's no reason not to do it. What's that you say? Too expensive? No more than that $9.95 pizza special you ordered last night!
Freshman year, it was a major undertaking to get people off campus. I wanted to see Somerville and Cambridge, and find interesting neighborhoods to get lost in, but if the Joey wasn't running, there was no hope. I wanted to eat somewhere new, but it always ended up being the Cheesecake Factory or Dick's Last Resort.
Eventually, though, the more I dragged people onto the T with me, the less of an ordeal it became. So maybe you think there's nowhere to go. Just read on.
Resolution Three: Use Yelp.com more. All right, it was time I gave in and shared. I love Yelp, and I want to hoard its awesome power like it's the last Mint Milano. It's a free site that allows members to post reviews about the places they patronize, whether they're restaurants, services or stores. You can look at factors like price ranges and T access, or see if they accept credit cards. It often gives their phone numbers and Web site links, and has a handy Google Maps application.
There are active Yelp.com posters in almost every town in the United States, so I love to use it when I travel. Had I known about this when I first came to Boston, I wouldn't have wasted any time in chain restaurants, and I would have been able to explore with a little more preparation.
A word of warning: I find that restaurant reviews by laypeople tend toward the negative; diners are more likely to talk about a bad experience than to recall a particularly good one. A great dining experience should appear effortless on the restaurant's part, so it's easy to forget the skill that goes into the service. Yelpers are usually pretty good about this and fair in their observations.
When it comes to food, I never want to settle, and hopefully, I won't have to next year. Especially not for pizza.
Kate Peck is a senior majoring in English. She can be reached atkatherine.peck@tufts.edu.
