OVER winter break I came to a horrible (and expensive) realization. I, Amy Leonard, am an addict. My drug of choice? Espresso.

My first few days home were met with a horrible new feeling — withdrawal. It wasn’t until I had my first post-exam latte that I began to realize that without this magical substance, I might cease to exist.

Diving back into the semester, I have yet to wean myself of this habit. If the Daily Grind weren’t so conveniently located, perhaps I would be able to have more self-control.

Although my addiction is unfortunate and pricey, I depend on espresso to get me through my day. From class to clubs, the daily stressors of the average Carolina student can pile up fast. Check out our story about the task that tolls roughly 350 UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate seniors each year: the Honors thesis.

If you’d like to take a break from the norm, turn to pg. 11 to read up on some UNC-CH students with off-the-wall talents. Could your quiet classmate secretly be a magician? What about a fire breather? You never know.

For a taste of what’s going on outside of Chapel Hill, catch up with our newest columnist, Will Bryant, as he embarks upon his spring semester in Ecuador.

So whatever it is that keeps you going during the day, we’re glad you’ve taken a break to check out our February issue. And if you see me awkwardly lingering outside the Daily Grind anytime soon, please be understanding. I have a problem.