First Week Of Spring (I hope I'm not jinxing it!)

Does anyone else smell Spring in the air yet? Or feel it in the sunshine on their skin and the wind blowing through their hair? Maybe I am a little early stating this, but I think Spring has finally made its way to snowy snowy Worcester. The Birds are chirping the students are out and about and I am ready to welcome the warmth back into my life and hide my winter boots in the back of my closet.

I already hapilly deposited my big winter coat on my bed and switched into a much more stylish and appropriate leather jacket. (ok maybe stylish is my own personal opinion...) My hot coffee has also been replaced with an iced latte. Spring is HERE!

But as I am a senior, spring brings another feeling into the forefront my my mind. Or lots of other feelings. Yes I have written blogs about this before, but come one, I have two monts left at Clark. What else would I be thinking about but that? Realizing that I am getting to the point where I can count the days left easily is  terrifying. And sad. Time to push forward with the job and appartment hunt I think. If only I had no homework.

But lets move on from that thougt before I get too panicked. Lets see.... What could distract me from the pounding in my heart and shortened breathing that signal a panick attack? With Spring brightening my moom I think I can continue on my Clarkie love list. Ahh yes, thats better. A much more pleasant thought.  I think I stopped at number 12. So here we go...

13. I love the random art that students will put around campus. Like that red door next to the library? What's that about? I never get them, but I think they are great.
14. I love when professor bring dogs to class. (Have you seen professor Elliotts puppy?)
15. I love that one tree near the holocaust building that blooms such pretty petals. Which reminds me I am grateful that when they redid Wright they took out the smelly trees. Seriously when they bloomed that whole area smelled like ... things I should probably not say here.
16. One of the things I will miss most after leaving Clark is the English department Spring Fling.
17. The Masquerade. Its a great dance. And an excuse to dress up like a spy this year, who does not like that?
18. <-------THIS.
19. Those random psych department research projects that make students do random things around the AC. Always hilarious.
20. The Clark Quiddich team. I have never gone to a game and really want to. The practices are so much fun to watch. They brighten my day.


Ok I suppose that's enough for now.
Enjoy this lovely Spring Day!

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.

Spring Semester Woes and Other Random Thoughts

Has anyone noticed that Spring Semester always goes by in a blink of an eye? Not that Fall semester doesn’t, but in my case Spring semester doesn’t really start before it’s over. Now we are a week from Spring break and after Spring break it feels like 2 weeks and then finals. Scary thing time! And as a Junior I am feeling t his rush of time more than ever. In around two months I’m a senior. And as a senior I have to start thinking about real life. That puts a lot more pressure on this summer. I not only need a job, I need a “fancy dancy” internship to put on my resume. Not only does it have to sound good, but after 3 years of school I want something that would show me what a real “corporate” environment would be like. I mean maybe it’s me, but I feel like all this knowledge that our professors instill in us, has not prepared me at all for finding a job, keeping one, knowing what to do at this job. No pressure though theoretical summer internship. You don’t have to teach me everything; just you know… most things.

Ok so enough complaining. It’s really just exiting. And as the sun shines down on the campus nothing seems too bad. I mean who can be sad when you can wear just a light jacket in February. Oh Global warming you might be bad for the environment, but you are oh so good for my mood. And on this Thursday afternoon with the weekend just around the corner there are not many things that can make me sad.

The English Department is also buzzing with activity. The writing contest deadlines are coming up and students keep dropping off one impressive piece after another. Department Colloquia are also moving along at a great speed. The presentations have been exceptional. The faculty is busy planning next semester, getting ready for finals, but the sun has elevated everyone’s moods. People are smiling and looking for any excuse to take a walk outside. It’s a fun place to be. We’re about to redecorate Anderson House for Spring with colorful flowers and new signs. Come visit after Spring Break and see Anderson House decked out in its Spring Finest!

My advice to myself is to enjoy Spring Semester while it lasts. Treasure every sunshine moment and spend days outside. Have fun, but be productive, as my mom would say. I’m going out to take a walk now with my new favorite band “Iron and Wine” playing.