By: Naomi
Lifestyle, The Weekend Edition, , , , , , , , , ,

The Weekend Edition: Virali

Every Monday, you will get to read a post by a twenty-something answering some questions about their weekend, how they balance financial needs and brunch needs, their favorite spots around town and whether everyone really experiences FOMO. If you want to be featured, email edition@anotherlongweekend.com

NAME, AGE, HOMETOWN & OCCUPATION:

Virali, 21, Nutley, NJ, Production Coordinator.

Source: The Fresh Exchange (featured photo as well)

WHAT WERE YOUR ORIGINAL PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND AS OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON? DID ANY FALL THROUGH?

I knew this weekend was going to be absolutely packed. One of my very good friends, Sara, took a bus down from Boston and came in Friday afternoon. I hadn’t seen her in about fourteen months, so I was definitely looking forward to spending some time together before she moves to Denver, CO. We met at Port Authority after I finished work and headed back to Jersey together. We spent most of Saturday together as well, after which she headed back into Manhattan before her bus to Boston. I then helped a cousin run some errands for another cousin’s baby shower on Sunday morning. I ended Saturday with a great meal with some family — we grabbed Mexican food for dinner and got ice cream for dessert at one of our favorite places, Applegate Farms in Montclair, NJ. Sunday was busiest of all, with a morning baby shower and a sweet sixteen in the evening. I was drained by Sunday night, but had gotten to spend some time with so many important people in my life, so worth it. 

HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU SPEND?

I spent about $45 this weekend.

Source: Vogue

WERE YOU HAPPY WITH HOW YOUR WEEKEND TURNED OUT? WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISHED YOU DID?

Definitely very happy. As I mentioned, I hadn’t seen my friend Sara in over a year and I really enjoyed our time together. We’re pretty good at keeping in touch with each other so there wasn’t too much catching up we needed to do, and we were able to spend our time just hanging out. I got to show her around my hometown and we ended our time together with bagels and coffee in the park.
Then the baby shower is something I’d been looking forward to quite some time. Going to school in DC meant being away from my family in New Jersey, and being able to not only be there on Sunday but also be involved with the prep work reminded me how much I missed being around everyone. The baby shower also involved some traditional Hindu rituals, and although I’m not a particularly religious person, getting to see and participate in some of the festivities reminded me how much my culture is important to me, how much I value our customs and celebrations and values. And let’s not forget who this party was really about — we’re all so excited for this baby to arrive!
The sweet sixteen was for a family friend, and it’s been about six years since I celebrated my own. I’ve kind of regretted having a sweet sixteen in the years since — I’ve joked about it being a waste of time and money, and of it causing more stress than it was worth. But getting to watch our family friend celebrate this milestone reminded me of the things I loved about my own. I teared up watching the father-daughter dance, and then my dad and I joined the other pairs on the dance floor. And when they opened up the dance floor to everyone, I made sure to join the aunties, too. I’d never miss the chance to get down to 90s Bollywood hits and trashy Top 40 tunes.

ANY FUN PLANS FOR NEXT WEEKEND?

Another reunion! I’m meeting a friend who I went to high school with, whose family has since moved to Boston. I haven’t seen her in three years so I’m definitely looking forward to getting dinner together.

Source: Tumblr

Your recommendation for the best spot on the weekends?

My bed. I need to catch up on sleep!

 

Be sure to follow Virali’s blog, One More Saturday, and her Instagram here! Check out The Weekend Edition every week to read all about the weekends of young millennials in the area! If you would like to be featured, email edition@anotherlongweekend.com