My Weekend: An In-tents Beach Adventure

Hello friends! I hope you’ve been having a relaxing beginning to your year. I know I have!

Just kidding. I got three midterms this week so Aarya may be dead by the time you read this. On a happier note, though, I went camping this weekend!

“No way? That’s so environmental; where’d you go?”

Yeah, way! We went to San Onofre Beach, which you may know from that timeless Beach Boys song or from nuclear station there, aptly named SONGS.

I planned the Environmental Student Assembly’s executive board’s retreat there, which was a lot of work but also definitely worth it. The waves are great, there, so if anyone is into surfing, I would suggest checking it out. Hang 10.

“What’d you do in ESA?”

Excellent question, imagined conversation partner. ESA is the Environmental Student Assembly. We put on events and programs to raise awareness about environmental issues and sustainability. It also includes some of the best people I’ve ever met. It’s amazing how finding a group of like-minded people can change your college experience, giving you a send of belonging and helping you nurture a passion. Within ESA, I am the Director of Internal Membership, which means I make sure everyone who is a part of the club is included and, yes, feels like they belong and their voices are heard. I also put on a retreat for the executive board every semester, which is the previously mentioned camping trip.

“Wow, how fun. What did you do at the retreat?”

We retreated! Okay but to be real: the first day, we went to the beach, made s’mores (try them with Reese’s for a little extra pizzaz), worked on bonding and building relationships. The next day we made breakfast, did more character-building activities, explored a little, and (once again) went to the beach. It was a tough retreat to plan, but I’m glad I did it, because I learned a new skill. And that’s what growing up is all about, right? Sorry, that got philosophical.

“Do you have pictures of this beach?”

Yes.