The Campus Multitasker

Morning – The Draft That Refuses to Be Finished 

The short story was supposed to be finished last night, but this Kendall college student has spent another twenty minutes trying to fix a conversation between two fictional characters.

At Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus, the morning begins in the Learning Commons, where the student opens a laptop and returns to a piece of creative writing that's almost ready for feedback.

The goal is to polish the story enough to consider submitting it to Miambiance, the campus's student-produced literary and arts magazine.

A few sentences get rewritten, some unnecessary dialogue disappears, and one paragraph that sounded brilliant yesterday suddenly makes very little sense.

Before closing the laptop, the student reads through the latest draft and highlights a few sections to discuss with another writer later in the day.

There's still room for improvement, but at least the characters are finally having a conversation that sounds like something real people would say.

Midday – Art Between Assignments    

With the morning's writing session finished, the student heads to Building M to explore the ACCESS Art Exhibit at Kendall Campus.

The gallery offers a chance to spend time with visual art instead of staring at another document full of unfinished sentences.

Moving between displays, they study different techniques and exhibition information and note a few pieces that stand out.

One artwork offers an interesting idea for describing a character's surroundings, while another brings up questions that could work their way into a future story.

It's a much-needed change of pace, especially when creative writing becomes a little too much about correcting commas.

After spending some time in the gallery, the student heads out with fresh ideas and a few notes to revisit later.

Afternoon – The Story Gets a Second Opinion 

The next stop is a campus study area, where the student meets a classmate who's agreed to exchange feedback on their creative writing.

They swap drafts, read through the stories, and discuss which scenes work well and which ones need more explanation.

The classmate points out a confusing transition, while the student notices that a character in the other story seems to disappear halfway through the plot.

Neither observation is particularly flattering, but both help improve their writing.

After discussing possible changes, they spend time revising their work and considering which pieces might be suitable for a future Miambiance submission.

By the end of the session, the student has a clearer direction for the story and a reminder that even good writing usually needs another pair of eyes.

Evening – The Campus Has a Soundtrack 

With the day's assignments and revisions finished, the student heads to a scheduled music performance at Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus.

The campus hosts concerts and other cultural programs throughout the academic year, offering students a chance to enjoy performances without a trip to Downtown Miami.

Tonight's program features student musicians, so there are familiar faces onstage and classmates scattered throughout the audience.

As the performance begins, the student settles in and enjoys an evening that doesn't require editing dialogue or explaining a character's motivation.

There's also something encouraging about watching other students share work they've spent weeks practicing.

Once the concert ends, it's time to head home, with tomorrow's assignments waiting and a few new creative ideas probably joining them.

The Disc Golf Regular

Early Morning – Choosing the Disc That Won't Betray You 

The weather looks promising for a round of disc golf, so this Kendall resident makes a very important decision before leaving home: which discs deserve a spot in the bag.

A few favorites are already packed, including a putter, several midrange discs, and drivers for longer shots.

After checking the equipment and filling a water bottle, the resident heads to Kendall Indian Hammocks Park to practice before meeting the other players.

In a suitable open area, they make a few controlled throws to warm up the arms and work on accuracy.

One disc flies exactly where intended, while another takes a less convincing route, which is probably a good reason to keep practicing.

With the warm-up finished, the resident gathers the discs and heads toward the course.

Morning – The Trees Have Entered the Competition   

At Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, the resident meets a few local disc golfers for a planned round on one of the park's wooded courses.

The park has three 18-hole disc golf layouts, giving regular players different challenges depending on the course they choose.

On some holes, the main challenge is throwing far enough, while others ask for careful aim to get through the trees without losing too much distance.

The resident studies the opening between two trunks, chooses a disc, and throws a promising one until it hits a branch.

Everyone laughs before moving on, especially since nobody in the group is completely innocent of making the same mistake.

Between holes, players compare strategies, discuss their recent rounds, and keep score as they work their way through the course.

By the final basket, there's plenty to discuss about what went well and which shots are probably best forgotten.

Afternoon – The Other Side of Indian Hammocks  

After spending the morning trying to get discs through the trees, the resident decides to explore a different part of Kendall Indian Hammocks Park.

The park includes a hardwood hammock nature preserve, where approved trails provide a closer look at the native vegetation that once covered much more of South Florida.

Without a disc golf score to worry about, there's time to notice the dense tree canopy, smaller plants, and changes in the landscape along the path.

The resident takes a few photos and enjoys the shade, which is especially welcome after several hours outdoors.

It's easy to spend time at Indian Hammocks for its sports facilities without paying much attention to the natural areas surrounding them.

After the walk, the resident heads home to clean up and get ready to meet the group again later.

Evening – A Plate Worth Sharing   

The disc golf crew has agreed to meet at Chifa Du Kang on Kendall Drive, where dinner offers another reason to gather after the round.

Known for its Chinese-Peruvian cuisine, the restaurant serves dishes that reflect the culinary traditions created when Chinese cooking techniques became part of Peruvian food culture.

The group looks through the menu, considers dishes such as arroz chaufa and other chifa favorites, and decides what everyone wants to order.

Once the food arrives, the conversation returns to the morning's game, including the shot that hit a tree despite having what its owner insists was a perfect trajectory.

Between bites, they compare scores, discuss future rounds, and set tentative plans to play again.

It's a good ending to the day, with plenty of food, familiar company, and absolutely no trees getting in the way of dinner.

The Movie-Night Insider

Late Morning – The Movie Starts Before the Audience Arrives  

Most people show up at a theater just before their movie starts, but this Kendall resident's shift at Regal Bistro begins well before the next crowd settles into their seats.

Located at The Falls, the renovated dine-in cinema has reclining seats and food service, which means employees have more to coordinate than tickets and popcorn.

At the start of the shift, the resident checks the screening schedule, reviews assigned guest-service duties, and helps make sure the work area is ready.

There are questions about showtimes, seating arrangements, or where guests should go when they arrive.

After checking the necessary details with coworkers, the resident takes a position and prepares for the first wave of moviegoers.

The trailers might not have started yet, but the workday certainly has.

Midday – Popcorn Has Some Serious Competition  

As the theater gets busier, the resident helps guests with ticketing, directions, and questions about Regal Bistro's dine-in service.

Some visitors know exactly what they want, while others need time to decide between traditional movie snacks and the theater's expanded food options.

The resident answers questions, helps guests to the appropriate service areas, and coordinates with coworkers when something needs attention.

A guest might ask about seat locations, another may ask for help finding the correct auditorium, and someone else might be deciding what to order as the screening time approaches.

It's a job that requires patience, especially when several people need assistance at once.

Once the crowd has settled, the resident gets ready for the next showtime, because the work continues long after the first movie begins.

Afternoon – A Break Among the Waterfalls  

When the scheduled break finally arrives, the resident steps outside Regal Bistro for some fresh air and a short walk through The Falls.

The shopping center's open-air design includes tropical landscaping, winding walkways, and waterfall features that have long been part of its identity.

After several hours working indoors, the change of scenery is welcome, even if South Florida's afternoon heat makes finding shade a priority.

The resident picks up something quick to eat from a food spot at the center before finding a comfortable place to sit.

There's enough time to check messages, enjoy lunch, and watch shoppers move between stores without needing to join them.

Once the break is over, it's back to the cinema for the remaining shift.

After Work – From Movie Screens to Arcade Machines  

After spending the day helping other people enjoy their entertainment, the resident is ready for a little fun of their own.

A friend is waiting at Arcade Time Entertainment, also at The Falls, where the evening's plans involve games instead of movie screenings.

The two browse the arcade floor, try a few familiar games, and discover some newer machines worth playing.

A racing game brings out a competitive side neither friend is particularly interested in admitting, especially after one wins the first round by a comfortable margin.

They move between games, compare scores, and take a break for something to eat before deciding whether another rematch is necessary.

By the time they finish, the resident has spent nearly the entire day at The Falls, although working at a cinema and losing an arcade race are two very different experiences.

THE BIGGER PICTURE OF LIFE IN KENDALL

What do these three different routines tell us about Kendall? 

Kendall has a reputation as a place where Miami goes to run errands, and anyone who's spent a Saturday on Kendall Drive understands why.

With shopping centers, restaurants, schools, offices, and residential communities spread across the area, much of daily life revolves around getting from one place to another.

The convenience is useful, especially when a grocery store, a doctor's appointment, and a favorite restaurant might all be within a short drive.

Unfortunately, a short distance doesn't always mean a quick trip, and traffic along Kendall Drive, US 1, and the surrounding major roads can make even simple plans take longer than expected.

That dependence on driving is one of the area's biggest drawbacks, especially for residents who would prefer to walk or use public transportation for everyday activities.

But focusing only on traffic and shopping plazas misses the smaller communities that have developed around Kendall's colleges, recreational facilities, and local businesses.

Its cultural mix also plays an important part, with Latin American influences evident in everyday conversations, restaurant menus, and businesses serving longtime residents and newcomers.

Meanwhile, places like Miami Dade College and Kendall Indian Hammocks Park give people opportunities to meet others through shared interests without depending entirely on nightlife or commercial entertainment.

It's easy to love a suburb where you can find people serious about student publishing, disc golf, or arcade games without having to travel to one of Miami's trendier neighborhoods.

Of course, Kendall doesn't offer the waterfront scenery of Miami Beach or the walkable nightlife of Brickell, and its sprawling layout won't win everyone over.

What it does offer is an established community with a broad range of services, residential choices, and places where people can build familiar routines.

That practicality is part of why residents keep choosing the area, even as rising housing costs and traffic create challenges for both longtime households and newcomers.

Perhaps Kendall's biggest strength is that its everyday places have become gathering spots for people who might otherwise have little reason to meet.

And while someone passing through may see another busy intersection or shopping center, people who spend their days in Kendall know there's a lot more happening behind those familiar signs.

Kendall might never make getting across town particularly exciting, but it gives residents plenty of reasons to make the trip.