When the last suitcase left my apartment the first Saturday morning of Spring Break, despite my staying put, I felt freer. I did not travel anywhere exciting during the recess, trading my passport for my student ID and my bathing suit for my work-shirt. A part of me wishes that I had decided to go to an exotic location for either a vacation or a volunteer experience, but I did exactly what I wanted and my wallet thanked me for it.
I stayed in Charlottesville during the break — working a lot and sleeping a ton. I had never been at the University when school was not in session and I must say that I truly enjoyed it here. I had the impression that the city shut down just because the school did, but this couldn’t be more false. The community was thriving and lively without the student influx.
I did notice the ease at which I walked around Grounds, ordered food and connected to the Internet, though. The only place on the Corner that seemed to close because of the break was a certain ice cream shop. I unfortunately found out about this horrible schedule when I had a 10:30 p.m. craving for chocolate with cookie dough and brownie.
The first weekend passed by relatively slowly, most likely because of a combination of missing friends and basking in my solitude. Monday and Tuesday were spent looking out the window at the snow that was piling up around Grounds. A break from the norm occurred when the fire alarm in Bice woke me up because of a small microwave fire on the first floor. The 15 or so residents left in the building all congregated outside in the snow, and I felt for the first time during break that school really was in a recess.
The break afforded me the chance to catch up on some much-needed sleep and exercise. I also got to see some friends, which was both nice and necessary because by Wednesday, waking up alone, going to bed alone and coming home to an empty apartment had lost all appeal.
I think the thing I enjoyed most about break was working. I worked more this past week than I probably ever have — my only real work experience has been at summer camps, which has never really been difficult. The strangest part about this past week was that I learned that my job is not difficult; in actuality, it is quite fun. I got to know many of my co-workers and admittedly had a blast at work. Yes, some of the days were longer than others and not every minute was exhilarating, but I did have a good time. Before the break, I dreaded going to work because time seemed to freeze as soon as I clocked in. But by the end of the break, I was wondering where the week had gone. From that Thursday through the end of break, the Aquatic & Fitness Center hosted a regional swim meet, which changed the dynamic of the facility and my job, but even this change did not make work difficult.
A warm front followed the cold one, and as of my writing this, we are back to the conditions of the tundra. I hate cold weather. The University is a much happier place when the weather is nice. I know that personally, I find myself in a chipper mood when I wake up to sunshine and can walk around at night with nothing but a T-shirt and shorts on. Boy, can I not wait for summer. Spring Break is like a tease for summer vacation, and if I had it my way, we would not come back from Spring Break until the fall.
This break allowed me the chance to recuperate and rejuvenate my mind and body. I was able to work and relax and appreciate both. I was able to get away from the University without ever really leaving school. We all need a break from the University sometimes; I just never imagined I would get it while remaining here. I never thought that I could enjoy being here when the people I love are not, but that is just what I needed to reaffirm my love for this place.
Ian’s column runs biweekly Thursdays. He can be reached at i.smith@cavalierdaily.com.
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