From the break between semesters to a January snow day back on campus and everything in between, saying hello to spring is as bittersweet as the goodbye to winter.
Ophelia Lu, Deputy Photography Editor
This winter break, I traveled to Japan with my family. I spent several days in Kyoto visiting temples and shrines. Luckily, it was not peak tourism season. The city was beautiful and quiet, waiting for its first snow. Kyoto’s undisturbed tranquility pulled me into its stories. As I stood in these sacred places, I could almost hear echoes of the past, carried to us in waves of the gentle breeze.
Alex Brodeur, Music Correspondent
Among the many exciting things that happened this winter, I was able to attend and experience a number of events near Vanderbilt and my hometown. While in Nashville, I attended Kacey Musgraves’ and Kelsea Ballerini’s concerts at Bridgestone Arena, experienced my second snow day at Vanderbilt and attended the opening of an exhibition at the Curb Center. During my time off, I traveled home to New Jersey and visited New York City a few times, where I attended a Broadway show with my parents. I also performed at the Birmingham Bowl as a member of the marching band and watched Vanderbilt defeat Georgia Tech. During the long weekend in January, I traveled up to Boston to visit family to celebrate a belated Christmas with them. Overall, it has been a very eventful winter season!
Isabella Bautista, Senior Staffer
I spent winter break exploring Christmas attractions in New York City, admiring famous art at the Museum of Modern Art and appreciating nature at Pennsylvania’s Longwood Gardens. Since returning to Nashville for the spring semester, I’ve also had the pleasure of capturing magnificent subjects like snowfall over Zeppos Tower and one very adorable feline at The Catio Cat Lounge.
Jo Anderson, Staff Photographer
The first Friday back from winter break, Vanderbilt graced its students with a snow day. Students slept in, made snowmen and generally had a good time in the nearly six inches of snow. I, on the other hand, went photo-hunting.
Ashton Dadlani, Staff Photographer
I spent my winter break bundling up with some high school classmates in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Between late night video gaming, deep conversations over Brassica and meeting up with my high school girlfriend, I had a very restful and relaxing break.
Ashley Hofflander, Staff Photographer
I spent winter break in Las Vegas and California. I spent time with family, friends and my dog Fonzi while celebrating the holiday season! I went to hockey games and hiked with friends. I also enjoyed the Nashville snow day.
Sriya Kalala, Staff Photographer
My winter break was full of travel, between visiting my cousin at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, attending an engagement event in Sarasota, going on a family trip to Nassau and Bimini in the Bahamas and finally going home to Iowa! Overall, it was an exciting and memorable winter break filled with family time, new experiences and a chance to recharge before diving back into the spring semester!
Royce Yang, Staff Photographer
This winter break, as the festive air lingered, echoes of yuletide cheer resonated softly amidst the gentle cadence of routine in the cozy confines of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Between the holiday hustle, nature provided a convenient setting for contemplative strolls and the occasional daydream about far-off lands, though the furthest excursion concluded promptly on the other side of town. Despite the resumption of school thereafter, I carved out spare moments to indulge in plane-spotting at Nashville International Airport. There, the roar of engines accompanied the dance of landing gears to build a world of wonder, where each takeoff was a fleeting escape, a story awaiting beyond the clouds, even if my own feet remained firmly on the ground.
Shayna Kar, Staff Writer and Photographer
Over winter break, my family and I explored the beautiful landscapes of Australia and New Zealand. Our travels encompassed breathtaking beaches, cliffs, fjords, mountains and more. One of my favorites from the trip was taking a boat through the fjords in Milford Sound, New Zealand, where it rains nearly 200 days out of the year!
Jocelyn Ni, Staff Writer and Photographer
Over winter break, I simply stayed home, which, as a Nashville native, wasn’t far. I mainly explored some local nature spots and neighborhoods. I took hikes or biked through the woods along Stones River, as well as had bites with friends or family around town. It was a nice, relaxing time.
Diana Kawafha, Staffer-in-Training
I spent the beginning of my winter break solo traveling in New York City. I spent a few days exploring different areas of the city. I got to see many mesmerizing buildings, such as Radio City. After New York, I traveled to Maryland for a week. There, I saw my first snowfall of the winter season. Once I came back to campus, I attended my very first Predators game.
Sophie Warner, Staffer-in-Training
I spent my winter break visiting family in Wyoming, where I enjoyed Nordic skiing and making cookies with my little cousin. It was great to spend time outside and reconnect with family. Snow in Nashville was a welcome surprise the first week back! It definitely helped smooth over the transition from winter break to spring semester.
