Student SPHere 2008-09

With two exams this week, I am feeling particularly grateful for my Spring Break. Tom and I headed to Tampa, FL for three days of rest and relaxation. It was beautiful, exactly what I wanted.

We spent our days at the park and beach about a mile from our hotel, reading and picnicking and enjoying the warm air. The trees and other flora were amazing-- it's so exciting for this Midwestern girl to see oranges growing in a public park! And of course, palm trees, that universal symbol of tropical destinations, were everywhere.

We stayed away from lavish restaurant meals, but we did dig on some delicious cheap Cuban food one night at La Teresita, including Tampa's own Cuban sandwich. In normal life, I'm a vegetarian (ovo-lacto, meaning I eat dairy and eggs), but on vacation, I usually make an exception in order to try the local specialties.

Tampa's historical Ybor City was a center of cigar manufacture in the 1900's. Cuban immigrants working in those factories are credited with this sandwich's invention: ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on some fantastic Cuban bread. Credit also goes to the Italian-American workers inspired the addition of Genoa salami. It was delicious!

Now, the trip seems like a very lovely dream, as I study for my Bayes midterm (Tues) and Spatial midterm (Thurs). It's going to be a serious week, but I am glad to get them both over with.