In the Words of my Mother

Perhaps I am being redundant given Daiva's last post, but Spring has quite clearly come to Worcester with full force. The beautiful seventy-plus-degree weather coinciding with the actual vernal equinox yesterday was the perfect way to let everyone know that Spring is here.

Spring is really a lovely time of year (my personal second favorite). The flowers are in bloom. Guys break out their shorts, while girl step out in sun dresses. Everyone crowds the green with their frisbees and blankets. Even professors seem to want to enjoy the season and have a tendancy to let class out the slightest bit early on nice days. While Spring may be wonderful, I also find it is the hardest season for me to stay focused. This week, I have had a very hard time concentrating upon my homework. Why do accounting problems when it is so gorgeous outside?! Do I really want to read more Bryant poems instead of going for a mid-afternoon walk?

When I was in elementary school, I lived in an oval-shaped cul-de-sac called Heather Circle. The neighborhood was filled a lot of kids my age, and we all used to play Thirty Scatters, a version of hide-and-seek when the weather was nice. Everyday, I would sprint off the bus just itching to go outside and play, but my mother would always say, "Spring isn't due to be finished until summer. Your homework is due tomorrow." I find I am reminding myself of her words would more and more often.

So I guess what I am saying is that although it is wonderful and spring-y out, your homework still needs to be done, and we still have half a semester left. I am not saying don't enjoy those almost-perfect moments basking in the springtime air; just make sure you don't forget that it isn't break already.

Here Comes the Sun!

Spring is slowly but surely making its way to Worcester. The past week has been gorgeous, even if today is breaking the lovely pattern. And this weekend is St. Patrick’s Day, which means the campus students will soon be decked out in green. I am so exited for flip flops and dresses and sitting on the green, I am on the edge of my seat with anticipation. I know there is still a bit of a wait ahead of me, but still. Warm weather is so close I can almost feel it.

With Spring coming I can’t help but notice the damage on the trees around campus again. Especially because one of my closest friends is in a class that is actually making a plan on how to replant campus and also plan what to do with the aging trees. In around 20 years the big gorgeous trees around campus are going to be gone because they are so old now. So there is a lot of planning to be done on how we want the campus to look. It’s a fascinating idea and the students in the class are doing an amazing job. They just held a forum discussing ideas with students and I was amazed at all the work they are doing. Already with all the renovations to campus in the next two years Clark will look very different, but then to think your favorite “thinking” tree might be gone too.. I was feeling a bit sentimental, but also exited about coming back in 10 years and seeing a whole new Clark University.

The English department is also buzzing with activity. The flowers and spring decorations are up, so come visit! Everything is colorful and bright! The professors are running around with projects and ideas. Professor Neuman has a speech coming up on March 26th at 4pm in Lurie. It is sponsored by the Women’s and Gender Studies and will be great. Professor Kasmer is presenting in next week’s Colloquium as well as speaking at a library in Holden next Thursday. Such a busy bee! Us work studies are organizing for the summer, getting ready for spring fling, and generally enjoying the energetic environment.