With the start of the new school year and the influx of fresh WOWies, it’s easy for the older students to reminisce about the “good old days” of living on campus, getting lost on their way to class, working Starbucks into their meal plans and *sniffle* taking those late night trips to VGs.
For any unfortunate first years who have never gotten the chance to know the beauty of getting a breakfast burrito or a waffle after a late night out with friends, us upperclassmen feel very sorry for you. Eating at VGs for your first year at Cal Poly was truly a rite of passage (even if you eventually grew to have a love-hate relationship with the place).
However, as Chaucer said, “All good things must come to an end.” VGs was retired and demolished this summer, though its legacy lives on forever in our hearts. Without further adieu, here are the 5 times you mourned for VGs.
1. Driving past the graveyard of the place you used to love.
The demolition site is hard to even look at, and many (metaphorical and literal) tears have been shed on the way to class.
2. Waking up in the morning and actually having to cook your own breakfast.
The agony! When you get out of bed and realize you can’t just go to VGs and get a breakfast scramble, your heart physically aches. You may try to recreate one in your own kitchen, but it will never be quite the same.
3. Craving random menu items.
It’s the middle of the day and you’re getting out of class and for some strange reason you start craving “strips chicken” (it has probably happened more times than you’d like to admit). Your stomach is growling, your heart is aching, and you just can’t make yourself eat anything else. There is no replacement for the strips-chicken-shaped hole in your heart.
4. Looking through your old photos from your first year.
You’re seeing all these WOWies on campus, and you feel like reminiscing through all your old pictures and videos from your time as a first year. While swiping through your memories, you happen to stumble upon a photo of you and some friends making weird faces in front of Cagie Moon’s and you feel a pang of regret shoot straight to your heart – regret that you didn’t cherish it while it lasted. If only…
5. Worrying about (and failing at) actually budgeting your own money for food.
As you pull out your wallet to pay for groceries at your store of choice, you miss the simple days of having pre-made food at your disposal as part of an assigned meal plan. Having that money already set aside was a luxury that you only just now appreciate. VGs was most likely your favorite place to spend those allotted dollars, since it offered a variety of options and was open until a conveniently late hour.
Whatever the reason, it’s completely normal to mourn for VGs. Just know there are many people going through the same period of sadness. You are not alone in your struggles.
Rest in peace, VGs, may your legacy stand the test of time.