It’s that time of year again: the first week of school.
For some, this signifies an unwelcome kick back into lectures and
exams. For others, it recalls the overwhelming excitement that comes
with organizing fresh school supplies. And for others still, the start
of school means an opportunity to see old friends and make new ones.
But just as the start of each elementary school year was marked by that
awkward photo opportunity in the front yard, the start of college each
fall is marked by big cardboard moving boxes. Whether you’re returning
to UCSD for your sixth — and hopefully final — year or you’re a
not-yet-so-jaded freshman, chances are that between buying books and
mingling with friends, you’ll spend these next few days unpacking.
I’ve already navigated the car-packing, heavy-shit-carrying,
deep-cleaning, goodbye-saying chaos of moving six times. And if there’s
one thing I’ve learned — well, other than don’t try to hide a dog in a
no-pets apartment — it’s to invest in a foam mattress pad. No
seriously, living on campus likely means a decade-old dorm bed. And if
you’ve recently moved off campus, you’re probably like me and opted for
the cheapest thing available. A foam pad transforms either of these
into an instant naptime sanctuary.)
But aside from that, I’ve also learned of a magical little slice of
Sweden, right here in San Diego. I’d never had the IKEA experience
before moving down to college, but woah — was I in for a treat. With
countless, colorful showrooms to wander through, its own restaurant and
products all named things like Fritz, Norden and Ektorp, the one-stop
Swedish furniture shop is eerily similar to an amusement park.
The gilded entrance of yellow and blue leads shoppers up a flight of
stairs to the second floor and beginning of the Swedish tour. Shoppers
take in rows upon rows of kitchen tables, beds and couches in larger
themed areas — each lined with ornamental example rooms — as they wind
through a neatly-decorated adventure maze. (Think of waiting in line
for Space Mountain or the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland.)
But the fun has only just begun! Once you’ve made it through the
top-floor labyrinth and around to the second flight of stairs, you
might be a little overwhelmed, so take a moment to collect yourself and
grab some authentic Swedish cuisine at the mid-way restaurant.
When you’re done, it’s time to move down to the bottom floor where the
hands-on part of your IKEA experience really begins. The lower level of
the store is similar to the top in its adventure-maze-like setup. But
instead of just looking at all the pretty decor possibilities, now you
get to rifle through everything you didn’t even know you needed until
you saw it. Bins of closet and desk organizers, floppy-rubber ice cube
trays, fake flowers, eight-legged octopus hangers and more — the
chatchkies are endless!
And just as you reach the end of that awesome home-accessory jungle,
you’re in for one more treat: the furniture pickup warehouse. Remember
all those themed rooms you traveled through way back on the top floor?
Now it’s time to go get the boxed and dissembled versions of your
favorite furniture to take home. (Think of those cute souvenir shops
that line Disneyland’s Main Street.)
IKEA even provides special carts to help transport your new boxes to the cashier station and out to your car.
As you make your way to the exit, sighing happily after a long and
exhausting day of fun, you pass once more by a few small racks of
Swedish candy — mjolkchoklad yay! — and discount goodies, just for good
measure.
Although the IKEA experience is a unique one that every person should
have, beware: This house-wares superstore can be as terrifying as it is
awesome. IKEA is brilliant because it isn’t an amusement park; it’s a
store. And what might seem like an adventure maze is actually a clever,
and sometimes intimidating, marketing scheme to lead customers past
every item, when all they might need is a lamp.
All I’m saying is: As the school year begins and you settle into your
new college digs — perhaps setting out upon your very own IKEA
adventure — may you be armed with strength of mind and a good foam
mattress pad.