Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
December 3, 2023

Leisure

Leisure is the section where we highlight the intriguing, exciting and all-around fun events and activities happening in Baltimore over the weekend.

COURTESY OF MINGYUAN SONG Song ran the Shamrock 5k in Baltimore this past Sunday.

Running in a sea of green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

By MINGYUAN SONG | March 17, 2023

Hopefully, it is not boring to see my name on yet another piece about a running event because, this time, there is a celebratory twist!  Growing up as an immigrant and coming from the West Coast, St. Patrick’s Day usually meant cluelessly going to school and getting pinched on the arm for my lack of green apparel. That’s where the holiday ended for me. So, this past Sunday, the Shamrock 5K and St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Baltimore was the first time I’d seen this festival in its full glory. Honestly, I was quite excited for it — I’d heard it’s a big deal on the East Coast. 

JOHN D'CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR If you're staying in Baltimore next week, check out these fun events around the area!

Events this break (March 17 – 26)

By LEISURE EDITOR | March 16, 2023

Congratulations, Blue Jays — you made it to spring break! For those of you leaving Baltimore, safe travels! If you’re sticking around, however, check out these events happening in the area. 

COURTESY OF ROWAN LIU The entrance to the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station is located near the George Washington University Hospital.

A guide to D.C.'s Foggy Bottom neighborhood

By ROWAN LIU | March 14, 2023

Mist rolled over the marshy east bank of the Potomac River into the low-lying swampland that would become the neighborhood of Foggy Bottom. As an intern in Foggy Bottom this spring, I have the privilege of exploring one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington D.C.

COURTESY OF MICHELLE LIMPE From sweet to savory, Spoons offers a variety of delicious brunch options.

Make Spoons your next brunch stop!

By MICHELLE LIMPE and MOLLY GAHAGEN | March 9, 2023

Last weekend, craving some brunch, a group of News-Letter editors traveled down to Spoons in Federal Hill. Only a 20-minute drive or 30-minute bus ride from the Homewood Campus, the spot presents a convenient opportunity to get off campus and have brunch with friends to start off the weekend.

PUBLIC DOMAIN Song and Wang recommend Sherwood Gardens as a beautiful destination for your run.

Tips and tricks for getting into running around Baltimore

By JULIA WANG and MINGYUAN SONG | March 7, 2023

Running can be intimidating, especially when you’re in a new place, but it doesn’t have to be! If you want to explore Charm City to its fullest, you have to escape the “Hopkins bubble.” To us, there is no better way to do that than in a pair of running shoes and with a few good friends. 

JOHN D'CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR Take a break from studying to check out these events in Baltimore this weekend!

Events this weekend (March 3 – 5)

By LEISURE EDITOR | March 2, 2023

With midterms picking up, it’s important to take some time this weekend to relax and recharge! Check out these events if you’re in need of an entertaining study break. 

COURTESY OF EMMA ANDERSSON Andersson ordered the Pho Vegetables at Mona's Super Noodle. 

Make sure to check out Mona's Super Noodle in Hampden

By EMMA ANDERSSON | March 1, 2023

After a minor Blue Jay Shuttle confusion, my friend and I arrived at Mona’s Super Noodle just in time for our 7:30 p.m. reservation. It was a Thursday night and every table was taken, save for ours — a good sign. The hostess graciously welcomed us, sat us at the open high-top table and left us to ponder over the menu. 

COURTESY OF YANA MULANI AND SHIRLENE JOHN Mulani and John describe a weekly ritual that has come to be very important to their group of friends.

Family Dinner night: found family and healthy rituals

By YANA MULANI and SHIRLENE JOHN | February 23, 2023

Picture the AMR II communal kitchen: there’s three-day old leftovers in the fridge (not ours), a dirty pot in the sink (also not ours), freshmen flitting in and out to warm up ramen (couldn’t be us) and, finally, seven girls sitting at the table. We all just wanted to try Shirlene’s pasta. 

COURTESY OF THE MUSUEM CLUB AT HOPKINS The Museum Club at Hopkins will be hosting a day trip to Washington D.C. in the spring. 

Explore the museum scene in and around Baltimore

By LEELA GEBO and JIAYI LI | February 21, 2023

For people looking for off-campus activities, visiting museums is a great way to explore the city. When many think of museums, the first kind that may come to mind are art museums. Baltimore definitely has a plethora of those — whether you want to stick close to campus and check out the ever-changing exhibits at the Baltimore Museum of Art or explore the Walters Museum in Mount Vernon, Baltimore’s art scene is not lacking. 

PUBLIC DOMAIN Romantic love isn't the only kind of love to be celebrating this Valentine's Day!

Guide to a non-romantic Valentine's Day

By EMMA ANDERSSON | February 9, 2023

It can only mean one thing when CVS reveals its overwhelming stock of heart-shaped chocolate boxes and multicolored rose bouquets: Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Though we tend to associate Feb. 14 with romantic love, the holiday actually encourages the celebration of love in all of its forms: platonic love, familial love and self-love, to name a few.

JOHN D'CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR Whether you are more excited for Valentine's Day or the Super Bowl, here are some events to help you enjoy mid-February!

Events this weekend (Feb. 10 – 12)

By LEISURE EDITOR | February 9, 2023

Happy early Valentine’s Day, Blue Jays! Whether you plan on celebrating with a significant other, best friends or have a solo, self-love weekend, here are some activities you and your loved ones can do this weekend to get in the Valentine’s Day spirit.

PUBLIC DOMAIN Check out these Blue Jay-recommended spots this Valentine's Day!

Dinner and dessert inspiration for this Valentine's Day!

By LEELA GEBO | February 8, 2023

Whether you are planning on celebrating Valentine’s Day with a significant other or with friends, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Feb. 14 is rapidly approaching! If you’re still in need of Valentine’s Day plans, you’re in the right place. 

PUBLIC DOMAN Narvekar offers tips on how to stick to your New Year's resolutions beyond the month of January.

New year, new (and sustainable!) goals

By TANVI NARVEKAR | February 3, 2023

It’s February, and, as always, some of us are feeling behind on last month’s New Year’s resolutions. Change is hard to make, and it’s an accomplishment to even want to make a change in the first place. Going on social media and seeing everyone else’s goals adds pressure to making the “right” goals or wanting change fast. 

PUBLIC DOMAIN Trying to read more this semester? Andersson recommends these books.

I read 142 books last year so you don’t have to.

By EMMA ANDERSSON | January 29, 2023

It goes without saying that Hopkins students are busy — and I don’t mean nine-to-five busy, but rather a breed of busy that translates into an overcrowded, color-coded Google calendar with few breaks penciled in. So, as dreamy as an afternoon curled up with a book may sound, finding those spare moments of leisure is hard, and picking out a good book only eats into that already-scarce time.

COURTESY OF EMI GONZALEZ Gonzalez shares tips and tricks for making your dorm room an enjoyable space to hang out in.

Settling in: how to make your dorm room feel like a home

By EMI GONZALEZ | January 27, 2023

Winter break ended this past weekend, forcing us to say goodbye to our families and hometowns. It was time to go back to school. Yet for me, I found myself saying to my parents that I’m excited to go home. Home. I called Hopkins my home. Though classmates cringe at themselves when they accidentally refer to our University as “home,“ I openly embrace this vocabulary.

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