Second Semester Explore Columbus

For our “Explore Columbus” adventure, my mentee, Meranda, and I went to try a relatively new ice cream shop with one other ACES mentor/mentee pair. The ice cream shop is called “Shake No Eight” and is located only a few minute walk passed Smith-Steeb Hall on N High St. “Shake No Eight” has milkshakes that is loaded with rich toppings, coffees, teas, frozen yogurt, and other desserts.

The mentor out of the pair we hung out with, Emilee, is my house roommate right off of campus. We have both been interested in trying this dessert place for awhile and thought it would be the perfect spot to go with our mentees. We, as well as our mentees, had heard great things about “Shake No Eight,” but none of us had ever been there ourselves. I am a dessert fiend, and I was dying to try out some new ice cream that would satisfy my sweet tooth, even though I am lactose intolerant.

Funny story, the only reason Emilee and I found out about the dessert shop was through a video someone made on TikTok. Both of us had never heard of it, little did we know it was only a walk down the street from us. I talked to some of my friends to see if they knew about it. Not only did they know what it was, they had been there already and thought it was delicious! First, I felt crazy for not paying attention enough that it was there, but I was simultaneously excited since it was a new place available for me to try.

Emilee and I live about a 30 minute walk from “Shake No Eight,” so we decided it would be best to walk there to meet both of our mentees instead of taking a car and risk paying for parking. To our benefit, walking also saves us a drive through the hectic High Street traffic with lots of people and construction to look out for.

Emilee, Meranda, and I all arrived around the same time to “Shake No Eight” but the line for the store was out the door. It took a good chunk of time to step foot in the building to order. Thankfully Emilee’s mentee was already inside saving a table for us. Since us three knew we were going to have to wait awhile, we thought it would be a good idea to figure out what we wanted ahead of time instead of waiting last minute and holding up the line when we get inside. Therefore, while we were standing in line, we all looked up their menu in order to decide what we wanted to order. Meranda and I ordered their s’mores milkshake that was topped with graham crackers, roasted marshmallows, and chocolate. It was delectable! I hadn’t had a milkshake in years, so this definitely hit the spot.

As we all sat at the table to drink/eat our desserts, both mentor and mentee pairs conducted the second semester interview to kill two birds with one stone. Emilee and her mentee went first and then I asked Meranda the questions that I had previously chosen for her and which I was curious to know more about.

After our interviews, we talked more about our personal lives and I really enjoyed catching up with all of them. Emilee and our mentees were bonding over how they were looking forward to going home soon for the two day break from classes. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to go home because I had to stay for work that is in town.

I loved realizing how much we all have clearly grown as people from the beginning of the year, despite Covid-19 trying to get in the way of that. We stayed talking for a few hours and all agreed we have to go back to “Shake No Eight” together sometime. There are too many desserts we still need to try and we would definitely recommend this place to friends!

Once our hang out at the dessert restaurant was over, we all had our own individual plans for the rest of our Friday evening. Emilee and I walked back to our house because we had plans with our roommates, while both of our mentees walked back to the dorms together. Meranda kept me updated over text with her plans and to make sure she was safe!

Although the ice cream date was a blast, it was definitely a bitter-sweet moment. That night it finally hit me how fast this year went. It seems like it was only yesterday that I got introduced to the ACES freshmen, the mentees. I was also sad it was going to be our last hang out for the year and we wouldn’t be able to see each other until the fall. Luckily, technology these days allows us to stay in contact as much as we want. I am so thankful I chose to be apart of the mentor and mentee program in ACES because it allowed me to meet new friends and be a helpful source for my mentee in her college life.