I'll go right ahead and claim insanity.

Sodexo has such a negative connotation, it's infallible to even think that someone would spend an entire article praising and appreciating its mere, some might say, mediocre existence,right?

Yet, here I am.

From the plain-Jane-student perspective, it is easy to say that Sodexo pretty much sucks and granted the fact that I haven't been a Sodexo dining regular: I guess my point of view might be slightly tainted. Fair enough, let's put that out there.

Nonetheless, here's why Sodexo is something I look forward to throughout my day:

My debate is quite simple actually, to start off with, I'M POOR.

Admittedly, I always feel slight conviction when I say this because every time I do, I hear my mom's voice with her heavy Spanish accent, in my head: Keila! Don't say that, you're a child of God! YOU ARE BLESS!"

To be fair, Mom is right.. but still, as college students, we all know the struggle is so tangible that it hurts. Amen? Amen

That being said: here is how being penny-less ties into the wonder that is Sodexo: You know how people say that a majority of our generation lives paycheck-to-paycheck. OK: THAT IS A JOKE. I don't know about everyone else... but at this point in my life, I don't even have the privilege to say I live paycheck-to-paycheck, due to the fact that 99.9% of my paycheck goes to bills. This doesn't include groceries, gas, the basic essentials that sustain human life, you know?

So, while a good majority of those that occupy the dining hall, complain that Sodexo is gross and that the meals they serve there shouldn't be considered food, I thoroughly enjoy it. I don't mean the food is like mana from heaven. In fact, yes... it's mediocre, at best, it's either under-seasoned or the veggies in the fried rice are still thawing out (YUM)... but, it could be worse.

When I'm down to the moral decision of whether or not to spend my last $30.00 on take out for the next few days; I know I have the trusty, slightly crusty, dining hall to turn to.

When I am too tired to drive around town looking for a place to eat, Sodexo will be there. Thawing out or not.

The soda fountain, coffee station will quench my thirst and the adequate food stations will hold me over until my insides ask for yet more nourishment later.

Sodexo, you're the light at the end of the tunnel after a long morning where I have yet to have breakfast, coffee or even a simple glass of water and my account is on the verge of going negative.

You're the light at the end of exhausting split shifts in between classes. You're the light at the end of my tunnel when I COULD spend eight dollars at Chipotle but decide to eat fake Mexican food instead because you help me realize those eight bucks could go towards gas in my tank.

Sodexo, you never leave. Even though most of the student body wishes you would but they don't get you like I do. You meet my needs. You're not the best, but you're not the worst... Now I wish that those that complain about you, would realize how fortunate they are to have you when they have no food in their pantry or loose change for a Micky D's fry.

If you're reading this, you probably think we deserve better and you're probably right... but this is what we have for now.

So just shut up, count your blessings and eat your food.