02.07.14 Special Issues: Valentines Day Guide

Special Section

theTrinitonian FEB.07.2014

25

Valentine’s Day I

The

ssue

(Tips for your aching, breaking heart)

San Antonio, Texas: The most romantic city in the U.S.?

Top 10 Most Romantic Cities in order:

According to a recent Amazon.com survery published by TIME magazine on Feb. 3, 2014, San Antonio is the most romantic city in the U.S. Cities were determined “romantic” based on the units of “sexy” products purchased per capita. Sexy products include relationship books, romance novels, romantic movies and music and items that promote sexual wellness.

San Antonio, Texas Seattle, Wash.

Knoxville, Tenn.

Miami, Fl. Alexandria, Va. Orlando, Fla. Vancouver, Wash.

Cincinnati, Ohio Spokane, Wash.

Dayton, Ohio

Find a date that fits you this Valentine’s Day

by Davis Mathis There are many different options for Valentine’s dates in San Antonio, but sometimes it helps to tailor the date to you and your valentine. Outings for your personality type, or your significant other’s, can help make the night extra special.

For the music lovers, you could go to Broadway Valentine without even having to leave campus.

The event takes place in Laurie Auditorium on

Valentine’s Day. There you can hear Broadway singers sing classic love songs.

If you are both athletic types and want to bond through sweat and sore muscles, then perhaps the Valentine’s Day Massacre put on by Bexar’s Crossfit is for you. It will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, and is designed for the beginner and intermediate Crossfit athlete. It’s also a good double date option because each Crossfit team has two men and two women.

For those of you looking

for more of a thrill and who want to force your valentine to cling to you, there are events for you as well. On Valentine’s Day, there is Valentine X at the 13th Floor Haunted House. What was supposed to be a romantic night out goes wrong and leaves you trembling in fear.

If you are looking for a more classic Valentine’s Day date, the Villa Finale has you covered. Their event “Isn’t it Romantic?” includes refreshments before the show and during

Annual Love Poem contest celebrates personal creativity The annual Love Poem Contest and Open Mic Night presented by the Trinity Review Literary Magazine is on Wednesday, Feb. 12 in Laurie Auditorium. The contest costs $5 to enter and will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. Trinity professors will be judging entries and selecting the winners.

After the poetry competition, the microphone will be open to anyone who chooses to share their work after having signed up for a time slot with the Review.

Students are able to bring any written material they would like to share with those attending, which can be read or presented

after the first hour of the event during the open-microphone portion of the evening.

The Review encourages material covering any subject, whether it be prose, poetry or a song. The open-mic event does not cost any money to enter, and will start at 9 p.m. In addition to food being provided at the event, there will be a cash bar where attendees who are 21 and older can buy wine and drinks. The money raised from entry fees will be given to the winning student at the end of the love poem contest. compiled by James Godfrey

the intermission while crooner Stan Wayne and his band perform many romantic songs for your listening pleasure.

Another event that has the classic meal involved is the Antigua Grill. This is a good choice if you want to $40$50 on dinner. It provides you with an elegant threecourse meal and live music.

Of course, creating your own date and finding your own ways to have fun are always options.

San Antonio has many great choices that are

accessible for college students, including the River Walk, surrounding parks and a plethora of restaurants. If all else fails and you’d rather stay in to avoid the Valentine’s Day rush, consider trying a new recipe, having a new drink and sitting back to enjoy the numerous romantic comedies that will, undoubtably, be flooding the television channels.

Davis Mathis is a first-year and is a reporter for the Pulse section.

Taylor Rubottom, senior, presents a love poem at last Spring’s poem contest.

photo by Sarah Cooper

26 theTrinitonian FEB.07.2014

Single?

by Kaileigh Phillips

Who says Valentine’s Day is just for couples? Defy Cupid and turn your holiday into an opportunity to revel in your ability to have fun with these ideas; no significant other needed.

For those looking to go out…

Love Sux Rather get a root canal than suffer through another Valentine’s Day? Well, bring your friends and celebrate Singles Awareness Day at Howl at the Moon with their 9th annual Love Sux party.

Exchange bad-date stories with your friends, sip on Howl’s signature “ExBoyfriend” cocktail and forget about the couples and their sappy relationships for a fun singles evening. While this is

Special Section

Here are some ideas for those left alone on the day of love.

the night to be single, it’s by no means an “I’m single pity party”. Couples who aren’t up for a Hallmark Valentine’s Day are welcome to join the Love Sux Party as well!

Specials for the night include $9.25 “Ex-boyfriends” and $7 “F-bombs”, as well as free admission with a mutilated picture of an ex-lover.

Habitat for Humanity Looking for something fun, meaningful and unique to do this Valentine’s Day? Tired of the no-date-on-Valentine’sDay blues or just want escape the tradition and try something new? Why not trade hearts and chocolates for hammers and nails by participating in the Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio’s special Valentine’s Day Singles build?

The event will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in

HFHSA’s Palo Alto Community.

Volunteers will participate in the construction of eight homes that are under construction in the neighborhood. Participation is free, but donations will gladly be accepted.

I can’t think of anything more meaningful (and yes, maybe even romantic) than helping a family in need achieve their dream of homeownership.

If you just happen to meet a new friend and the romantic in you still wants candles and chocolate, the build day will be over early enough to take advantage of more traditional Valentine’s Day activities. But then again, who’s to say what is tradition? This just might be a way to start a new one.

Coyote Ugly’s 7th Annual Bitter Bash Meet your valentine at singles’ night, or bring your date and let

the party atmosphere break the ice while you enjoy the laughs.

Who knows, Coyotes may even match you up with your valentine.

Laugh it up with your date, or drink your sorrows away…the bar is also offering to shred your ex’s picture for free that night!

Singles’ drink special is a love bite for $3. Couples’ drink special is a Kissing booth for $3, and achy-breaky heart shots will be served all night long.

For those looking to stay in…

Have a Secret Admirer Organize a Secret Admirers gifting sesh, à la Secret Santa.

You and a group of friends draw names and then deliver items like chocolates, flowers, and teddy bears to each other.

That way, everyone can have a valentine and celebrate the day by displaying love for their family and friends.

Movie Night with Friends Whether it’s George Clooney or Johnny Depp, spend the night with your ultimate celeb crush. Rent a handful of movies starring your celebrity crush and treat yourself to an eye-candy marathon.

But skip the sappy romance movies, dive straight into the comedy and horror films!

Party at Your Place!

Invite friends over for wine, appetizers, gossiping and good times. To mix it up, make it a theme party, like suggesting that everyone wear all pink (or black, if you caught the “Singles Awareness Day” bug) and create an iPod playlist with songs like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “Holding Out for a Hero.”

Kaileigh Phillips is a junior and a reporter for the sports section.

Faux-pas to avoid Top 6 Romantic Comedies this Valentine’s Day Risky Lady The 80s

A classic John Hughes film, feauturing a loveable best friend, the suave crush and the relatable, naive and angstfilled Molly Ringwald, who we all wish we were at 16.

Proof that love can exist anywhere, strong Julia Roberts falls for the wealthy, older Richard Gere, changing her circumstance and his view on life.

Long-Distnance

Nicolas Sparks

are together.

Everyone’s favorite 90’s couple Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan prove their love through the distance, and we hold onto every second of the two scenes they

Indie

Pregnant Maya Rudolph and adorable husband John Krasinski go on a home-finding mission crosscountry. Facing doubt and complications along the way, they eventually find themselves.

Honorable Mentions: “Dirty Dancing;” “Crazy, Stupid Love;” “13 Going on 30;” “You’ve Got Mail”

The chemistry is palpable between Gosling and McAdams as Nicolas Sparks brings you through a story of teenage lovers torn apart, only to reunite and somehow lose each other again.

Unsettled Ends Perfect couple Rachel McAdams and super-sexy Channing Tatum find themselves faced with tragedy when McAdams loses her memory, falling in and out of what they once had.

Movie cover photos courtesy of IMDb.com

by Cassie Watson

It’s that time of the year again where people prepare to show their significant other or a special someone how much they really care.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we will all undoubtedly witness a myriad of romantic gestures from those we know and those we vaguely recognize on our Facebook news feed.

Unfortunately, this day is saddled with romantic fauxpas, and we can see them from a mile away. Spontaneous and original date plans, genuine expressions of affection and love, thoughtful and creative gift ideas, an opportunity to be vulnerable with a significant other. All of them are old and tired traditions that only get done, redone and overdone every year on this love-centered day.

It’s about time our society begins to tear down these longstanding practices and consider some fresh ideas. So, before you go off and plan a totally perfect night that is unique to what only your loved one would appreciate, consider these faux-pas as things to avoid.

1. Red, Pink, White: Stick to these colors. Before getting into gift and date ideas, it should be firmly noted that all gifts, outfits and accessories should only consist of these three colors. Think of how thoughtful it looks to plan everything down to the color scheme. Pastel colors of any

kind are also acceptable.

2. A Gift of Flowers: What better way to show how you really feel than by cutting off the reproductive organs of a plant and giving said organs to someone you care for? That definitely sends the right message. And, in keeping with rule one, stick with red, pink or white.

3. Candy: It’s both economical and communicates your confidence in your loved one’s health. Why not splurge a little on such a special day as Valentine’s? Your pancreas can handle it. Taking a break from a well-balanced and healthy diet and gorging on candy is a good way to boost morale.

4. Wine and Dine (without the wine if under 21): Nothing says “I’m original” more than getting all dressed up (while sticking to the agreed-upon color scheme) and going out to eat at a fancy restaurant.

French or Italian cuisine is definitely the way to go.

Because this is so rarely done on Valentine’s Day, there’s no need to worry about making reservations. It’s likely that most restaurants will be almost empty.

So while everyone else around the country is planning an extravegant wine-filled, pinky flowers sort of date, try to place yourself amongst the trendy in regard to this day of love and try something new.

Cassie Watson is a sophomore and a reporter for the news section.

•

theTrinitonian

Special Section

FEB.07.2014

27

The Worst V-Day Date

by Alessa Hutter I used to love Valentine’s Day. Really, I did. But then I had my first (and only) boyfriend and my “I Love Valentine’s Day” cards quickly turned into “I Hate Valentine’s Day” cards. Sure, I had high expectations for my first nonsingle-lady Valentine’s Day, but ANYTHING would have been better than what I got.

My now-ex-boyfriend and I had been dating for about a month when heart-shaped candies and pink stuffed animals started filling up the stores. We were both in our first relationship, so we (mostly me) thought it would be nice to make it really special and sweet.

He called me about three days before Valentine’s Day asking if there was anything special I wanted to do. I suggested that we just go to a nice restaurant and then maybe see a movie of my choice (for once) or something like that. I understood that we had only been dating a month, so I didn’t expect anything really expensive, just something thoughtful.

I hung up the phone feeling pretty confident he would get right on it and we would have a great Valentine’s Day.

February 14 arrives and my boyfriend comes to pick me up. We get in the car and I ask where he made reservations.

“I didn’t make reservations,” he said. I’m slightly taken aback. Surely he is just joking.

I ask again. “No really, I didn’t make any. Was I supposed to?” I was speechless. There was no way we were going to find anywhere nice to eat at 7:00 on a Sunday night.

Especially on Valentine’s Day. So where do we go? Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

Now on any other day Five Guys is awesome, don’t get me wrong. But today was not a Five Guys day.

So we eat our burgers and I’m looking forward to the movie I chose. At least the night could still be saved.

We get to theater and I head for the express ticket line, assuming he has already paid for the tickets. When he doesn’t follow me I ask where he is going. “I haven’t bought the tickets yet,” he says. My jaw drops. I am livid. We get to the line and all of the tickets to my movie choice are sold out (who knew?!).

So what do I get to watch on Valentine’s Day? Not

“Valentine’s Day.” Not “Dear John” or “When in Rome” or even “Tooth Fairy.” All of which would have been decent feel-good romantic comedies for the occasion.

Instead, I get to see “The Book of Eli.” “The Book of Eli!!!”

Probably the worst movie to watch on Valentine’s Day. Ever.

To top everything off, I didn’t even get a gift, unless a cheezy and cheap stuffed animal counts.

Needless to say, our relationship did not last long enough for us to celebrate another holiday together.

Now, I’m not saying the terrible experience I had on Valentine’s Day was the number one reason I broke up with my ex-boyfriend, but it was definitely in the top ten.

So here’s a word of advice to all the couples out there: Never assume your significant other has made big plans, or any plans, for Valentine’s Day. Just do it yourself. I’d hate to see you stuck eating Five Guys and watching “The Book of Eli.” I mean, unless that’s your idea of romantic.

Alessa Hutter is a junior and a copy editor.

EVER

Some of our reccomended escape strategies include having a friend call for a “family emergency,” claiming illness due to the bad restaurant the two of you just dined at and, of course, the harsher option, telling the truth.

FEB.7.2014 28 theTrinitonian

Advertisement

Happy Valentine’s Day, Trinity!

Don’t forget to check us out in the upcoming housing guide!

5164 Broadway Street Alamo Heights, TX 78209 210.233.8430

ROSEMONT AT OLMOS PARK NEWLY RENOVATED 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENT HOMES

402 Holland Ave. San Antonio, TX•78212 ph.855.878.0770 r o s e m o n tat o l m o s pa r k . c o m

Miles <3 I love youuuu

To my beautiful Friendship knot family, you all are knottiest ladies I know ;)

Becs is the best suitemate and friend a girl could ask for!

Bailee Manzer, I think you are SO beautiful on the inside and out.

Please be my valentine?

-Your Big

Stephen Bovio, you rock my socks off.

- Your lover

KCK is the hottest trio of women I've ever seen.

To the goodest woman and nicest lady on campus, you have my heart for all eternity. Let's elope soon.

Dear Meghan Varner, you are the Leslie to my Ann, the fluffy to my puppy, and the warmth to my sunshine. I love you forever!

the Trinitonian

MK, you be lookin real nice after all of your workouts ;) can't wait to see you at GS!

Katherine Kroll, thanks for making the paper look amazing every week!

Leah from your Nacho

Evan & Chloe

Paige Lanford, you are a shining star in my life, and I love you lots!

Chloe and Meg I like you more than Pollock likes numbering his paintings.

Although I test your patience and love, I know that you are my soulmate. Here's to our life filled with adventure and books, good food and great sex, tattoos and late nights, always.

I love all of my purple ladies of Alpha Chi Lambda!

Kmart, Thanks for being the best! <3

To Tynan. I love you. -Chris Alexander

Aynav, You are the BEST and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Your heart makes mine happy.

The ladies of Beaver Creek make my heart melt like a bowl of cheese in the microwave. You are the bright yellow light in the kitchen of my chest. You are the warmth that the heater doesn't ever produce. You are the intelligent jokes commoners couldn't understand. You are the girls I call some of my closest friends.

Love Wall