I used to hate winter. I’ve always found it to be too cold and dark, and I would much rather be outside when the weather is warm. That being said, I’ve also always had a soft spot for the first real snow of the year. You know, when you wake up and your room is somehow blindingly bright inside because of the light being reflected off the ground, and you can just tell that something magical has happened overnight, even before you open your shades? Yeah. That’s the best.
This year—although there have been a few flurries here and there—the first big storm of the year came right after Thanksgiving break. Earlier this week, Obies across campus awoke to see nearly four inches of perfectly packable precipitation, layered on everything the eye could see. And the festivities ensued!
From rampaging snowball fights to ambitious sculpture building, campus was generally filled with childlike wonder. (Especially from the first-years who grew up in California. It’s always so fun to watch them experience snow for the first time!) That day, in my choreography class, we got to spend the entirety of class listening to ice sliding off the slanted roof of Warner Center, which I always think sounds like reindeer landing. Despite the freezing temperatures, people across campus seemed quite willing to spend time outside to enjoy the beauty of the snow. In fact, it has stayed cold enough this week that the snow has stayed on the ground all week, which has given all of the finals-season chaos a special type of cheer that it wouldn’t otherwise. I’ve really enjoyed walking across campus and seeing all of the cute little snowpeople that everyone has built.
Aside from the daytime snow activities, there have also been various after-dark adventures. One such adventure has been sledding on Mount Oberlin, which unfortunately resulted in a broken collarbone—despite its short stature, Mount Oberlin is actually quite exhilarating for a sled ride. Other than the one injury though, I have heard great reviews of the slopes. Also, last night, just past 11pm, a few brave members of Harkness Co-op embarked on our monthly full-moon jellyfish parade, where we sing songs and dance dances to celebrate the passing of another month. Because of the shockingly cold weather, this month’s parade featured two large cooking pots full of hot beverages— one with apple cider and the other with hot chocolate. The evening also included a beautiful performance of Billie Holiday’s “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Oberlin’s folk and jazz a-cappella group, Round Midnight. What a delight!
Some other non-snow related highlights of this week have included decorating the non-denominational holiday tree in Hark’s lounge, holing up in the Warner dance nook (read: pillow corner) to get work done, and adding a fourth throw blanket to my bed to stay warm. I am also still keeping (almost) all of my house plants alive, a task that always feels more impressive when the plants outside are well and truly dead. So, I guess what I’m saying is winter isn’t really that bad after all... as long as you’re at Oberlin to celebrate it!
