Winter is way better than we remember it being
As a first-year student starting their semester, only twice have I experienced snowfall—as in, waking up to snow on the ground and all around campus. Walking to and from classes, I never felt this excited about snowfall since I was a kid.
During the time that I have lived in Rochester, I’ve found that I’ve had a love-hate relationship with winter. It would always be too cold, too windy, or simply just too ugly-looking outside. The gray slush mixed with the gray skies always really puts me in a “gray mood.” The only times I really looked forward to winter was during the extended breaks and obviously the holidays. Other than that, I didn’t really enjoy the winter season; that is, until I moved here during my freshman year at SUNY Geneseo.
I didn’t know what to expect as far as what the winter season would look like. I remember the first snowfall like it was yesterday—Nov. 15 was the first day that I saw what Geneseo snow looked like. It wasn’t too windy, and it wasn’t overbearing or hazardous to walk through; it was calm, welcoming, and pretty to look at. I woke up excited to see the snow, which I never thought I’d feel.
Between walking to and from classes, and to and from the dining halls, I always stopped and looked at the snow—at how pretty it was, how shiny and glistening. Even better was the fact that I felt like a kid again. I never really felt this way before, as I feel that my high school life was way too fast for me, and I never got to stop and smell the roses, or in this case stop and watch the snowfall. I felt a sense of joy, and laughter, walking through the snow and trying to catch snowflakes on my tongue. It was so fun and childish, and it was just something that gave me a great sense of euphoria in a way that I still feel. It’s almost as if it was ripped straight from a movie.
Nov. 30 was the next day that I witnessed snowfall in Geneseo. I was planning to walk to Main Street to an event that I was going to. I was initially worried about having to walk from my dorm through the snow and to Main Street. But before I went out those doors, I got my coat. I got my hat. I got my little outfit for the event, and I also put in my earbuds and turned on my music playlist. That right there was the best decision that I ever made.
The snow inspired me to tap into my creativity and create a playlist for the season that not only mixes with the holidays, but also reminds me of the lovely snow and chilly weather. Whenever I am heading to an event, or just need a boost of happiness, I always listen to music, specifically self-made playlists. I’ve been working on putting together a playlist for the holidays/winter season. I’ve never thought of creating a holiday playlist, mostly because I feel that if I did, I wouldn’t really ever use it or listen to it any other day of the year besides the holidays.
With a mixture of spirit-lifting, cheerful songs to the delightfully delicate snow falling to the ground, I generally felt that I was in a coming-of-age movie. The snowy weather created a spark in my soul and made me feel like a kid again—like a little kid who used to be so excited for what life has in store for them all those years ago, now all grown up as an adult living a life that they have always wanted.
Through my first semester in college, I feel that SUNY Geneseo really has taught me a lesson in slowing down to enjoy life. Initially, being tangled in work has kept me from enjoying nature at its sweetest, but I am glad that I’m finally doing just that.