It's BLIZZARD Part Two, and once again the University and greater Charlottesville area are covered in a rather thick layer of wondrous snow. I must admit that I have started to become almost numb to reports about lots of snow, having been disappointed far too many times in the past by overly zealous weathermen, who might lead you to believe a blizzard is imminent, when in reality you wake up the next day to sunny skies. It was thus a pleasant surprise to actually wake up on Saturday to a thick blanket of snow covering the ground. Many students were probably hopeful that this amount of snow would amount to at least a cancelled class or two on Monday, but, as most of us know, it takes much more than eight inches of snow for the University to cancel classes. Nevertheless, the snow was a much welcomed break from the stresses of school and a great way for students to interact with the local Charlottesville community.
This much snow is a huge event in the South, putting a halt to normal activities and causing nothing short of pandemonium, both on the roads and at the stores. People will empty the grocery store shelves of bread and milk even if the weathermen are calling for just a few inches, and most people will stay at home or walk places rather than drive. And while there may be some contention among many as to whether Virginia is a "Southern" state or where the line separating the North and the South should be drawn, it was still spectacular to see how the snow seemed to put our normal fast-paced lives on hold, if only for just a day. There were so many people out and about walking around just enjoying the snow, especially considering how cold it was. Because this much snow in Charlottesville is still somewhat of a rarity, it isn't seen as simply an inconvenience, but also as a wonder. It was great to see townspeople and University students alike enjoying the snow around town. The Lawn was filled with people playing snow football, making snow angels, and taking pictures. People were out walking their dogs, who seemed to be having just as much fun playing in the snow as the students. Students and locals alike were sledding on makeshift sleds of laundry baskets at many different locations around town. In fact very few people were actually sledding on legitimate sleds. People were using everything from baking sheets to even Natty Light boxes. (Actually simply sitting on a trash bag works surprisingly well.) For one day, everyone was a small child again, enjoying all the fun the snow had to offer. Homework and other chores could wait; it was time to frolic in the snow!
The great snowfall could also not have come at a better time. We are constantly being inundated with bad news about the economy, the political divisiveness not only in Washington but throughout the entire country, and the prospect of not finding a job for next year and being forced to move back in with our parents. Not only that, but it was a somewhat rare opportunity for students to casually interact with people from the community, whom they might not normally meet. The people have their own story to tell and are, for the most part, generally very friendly. The snow was able to bring out the inner child in all of us from ages one to ninety. It was a chance to enjoy one of life's simple pleasures and just be silly. But, alas, all good things must come to an end, and now it is back to the grindstone. We must return to our normal lives of studying, writing papers, and trying to find a job. But at least for one day we could cast aside our worries and just enjoy getting some fresh air, being outside and all of the fun that playing in the snow has to offer.
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