Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
November 21, 2024

Leisure

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



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

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.

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

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.


COURTESY OF JIWON LIM 
From scavenger hunts to live music, check out these activities in Baltimore this weekend!

Events this weekend (Jan. 27 — 29)

Welcome back, Blue Jays! Congratulations on finishing your first week of classes! It’s been a while since we were all together in Baltimore — take this weekend to reconnect with the city at these great events. 


COURTESY OF TANVI NARVEKAR
Narvekar suggests the best study settings for finishing up your semester's work, including local cafe Bird in Hand.

The best study destinations for finals

Happy finals season! If you’re like me, you’ve probably been spending most of your day studying or working on papers. For me, where I work really matters. I try to work in my room as little as possible, simply because I get tired and distracted. As a senior, I think I know all the best study spots by now.


COURTESY OF EMI GONZALEZ
Gonzalez explores the Baltimore Christmas Village, which satiated her nostalgia for the Christmas market of her childhood.

Experience the holiday magic of the Baltimore Christmas Village

It’s my first holiday season away from home, and I had been feeling homesick for the Christmas Village. Back in Philadelphia, my family and I would sleigh off to Love Park in Center City every year to explore the shops, food and activities of the German-inspired Christmas Village. Despite the finals, papers and long car rides impeding my way before break, the Baltimore Christmas Village at the Inner Harbor gave me the taste of home that I was missing. 


JOHN D'CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR
Keep the holiday fun going all weekend long with markets, festivals and bar crawls happening this weekend!

Events this weekend (Dec. 9 – 11)

You’ve finally made it to the end, Blue Jays! Congratulations on another semester well done. Before you hunker down for finals, check out some of these exciting holiday events. Whether you need to do some gift shopping or bar crawling, there’s plenty to explore.


COURTESY OF TANVI NARVEKAR
Narvekar reviews her top picks for winter drinks in the Baltimore and D.C. area, highlighting the beverages that allowed holiday flavors to shine the brightest.

The best specialty holiday drinks to warm you this winter

When it comes to coffee, I will take any opportunity to try new flavors. It’s not even the caffeine I care about, I just love the taste. Usually, my go-to order will be an iced coffee with oat milk and some brown sugar from Brody cafe (only $1.75 if you bring your own mug!).


COURTESY OF MICHELLE LIMPE
Limpe praises the nutritious and delicious dishes at Café Filí in the Mount Vernon neighborhood.

For stunning Mediterranean fare, dine at Café Filí

When my friends and I were surveying the Mount Vernon area for potential brunch spots, we happened upon Café Filí. Just a quick JHMI ride to Mount Vernon and a brisk five-minute walk to the restaurant, Café Filí is a convenient and valuable location that will satisfy your cravings for Mediterranean food. 


JOHN D'CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR
Maras takes a closer look at what it means to be a "food city" and whether Baltimore has obtained such a status.

Is Baltimore a food city?

Read any major listicle about the top “food cities” in the U.S. and you will seldom find Baltimore in the conversation, let alone even in the top 25. As a somewhat biased party who has tried, loved and written about a whole bunch of restaurants in Baltimore, I’m frustrated by this exclusion. 


JOHN D'CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR
Take full advantage of the holiday season with the many festive occasions happening this weekend.

Events this weekend (Dec. 1 – 4)

I hope you had a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving break, Blue Jays! While we might be in the home stretch of the semester, we’re also luckily in the holiday season. Check out one of the many delightful holiday events happening as we ring in December. 


COURTESY OF LAURA WADSTEN
Wadsten discusses all things plant care with a local authority on the subject.

A beginner's plant parent guide

We’ve all seen photos on Pinterest and Instagram and are probably guilty of the trend ourselves. Houseplants, both living and faux, have taken over our window sills and social media feeds — and for good reason. Studies suggest indoor plants can have positive effects on mental health and productivity. Plus the vibes are undeniably good. Who wouldn’t want to live in a jungle or at least bring a little life to a dark, generic dorm room?


COURTESY OF VICKY ZHU
For Zhu, food has become a vital way to remain connected to her home since moving to the U.S.

Transforming instant noodles for a taste of home

Growing up, I was spoiled by my grandma’s homemade Chinese cuisine, a concoction of traditional Chinese ingredients and her own ingenious tweaks. I am convinced that her magic cuisines have satiated the microbiome of my stomach so much that I will forever crave for and associate that savory with family and happiness.


JOHN D'CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR
If you're sticking around for the weekend before Thanksgiving, our Leisure Editor has some great events for you to kick off your break!

Events this weekend (Nov. 18 – 20)

Happy Thanksgiving break, Blue Jays! You’re so close to finishing your semester! I hope you have some exciting plans for the break, but if you’re sticking around for this weekend, I’ve got some great events for you.


COURTESY OF GRETA MARAS
Maras and Park offer a comprehensive look at some of the most notable KBBQ offerings in the Baltimore area.

The great KBBQ conquest: Which spot is best?

Korean Barbecue (KBBQ) emerged as a popular dining option in the past decade, especially in cities with high concentrations of Korean Americans and Korean immigrants. Restaurants provide raw meat — typically sliced thin — for you to cook yourself on a grill inserted in the table. 


COURTESY OF MOLLY GAHAGEN AND MICHELLE LIMPE
Gahagen and Limpe were enchanted by their experience at “I Want Your Midnights: A Taylor Swift Dance Party,” which celebrated the pop queen's many musical marvels.

Meet us at midnight at the Taylor Swift Dance Party

If you haven’t been living in a labyrinth, you probably know that Taylor Swift recently announced her Eras Tour, with fans eagerly anticipating her return to the stage after four new albums and two re-recorded studio albums. Our love of Swift is nothing new, as both of us are longtime fans. While we, along with every other fan, are vying for the chance to live out our wildest dreams, we know that tour tickets will likely be untouchable. 


JOHN D'CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR
The holiday season is starting to roll in, so get festive with these awesome events this weekend!

Events this weekend (Nov. 11 – 13)

While it certainly hasn’t felt like it lately, fall in Baltimore is ramping up as we quickly approach the holiday season! Check out these exciting events before you leave for Thanksgiving break.


COURTESY OF GRETA MARAS
Our Leisure Editor explains some of the recent new initiatives she's undertaking to bolster the Leisure section.

Connect with the Leisure section in new ways

In my time as the Leisure Editor, I have had so much fun continuously discovering Baltimore through the eyes of my writers and my own new experiences. I relish the opportunity to celebrate Baltimore in any way that I can because it is such a wonderful city.