By Jen Lassen
Writer
To me, there’s nothing more frightening than haunted houses, scary movies or horror stories. However, this Halloween I had something scarier to deal with: the first ever Hallowinter. Although seeing the delicate white precipitation accumulate reminded me of winter break and Christmastime, I don’t know if I’m ready for a drawn-out arctic season filled with snowstorm after snowstorm.
When I woke up on Saturday morning to see flakes falling from the sky, I honestly could not believe my eyes. Snow? Before Halloween? It honestly felt apocalyptic. While this situation would fit perfectly into Twilight Zone theme characteristic of Halloween, I still couldn’t help but rub my eyes not once, but twice, to really grasp what was happening outside.
In a way, I’m somewhat confused by and almost frustrated with Mother Nature for making this happen. For those like me who shudder at the thought of bundling up each winter day and having to continuously deal with the cold, this little dose of snow hopefully does not foreshadow the entire winter.
I have yet to experience a winter at Bucknell, but I can only imagine what it will be like. Since I live downhill, I can picture myself slipping on the ice-covered pathways walking uphill to the library and my classes. If it’s snowing out, I certainly will not have the motivation to escape the warmth of my room; bundling myself up just to go to the gym or, inversely, the caf will be nightmarish. These sentiments, however drastic, will seemingly leave me to a state of solitary confinement when I’m used to roaming around campus each day: exercising, socializing and learning. I don’t know if I can handle this type of lifestyle change!
Some of you may think that I’m sounding a little too dramatic. Even though this Halloweekend snowstorm may have been just a freak incident—it certainly does not follow normal weather patterns of this area—I can’t help but think what’s going to come of our winter ahead. Will I be forced to stay in my dorm room for most of the day, only braving the elements to simply attend classes? Will each day bring snow, ice or bitter cold, making me nervous to even attend my classes? Although extreme, these are the thoughts I’m generating after watching students engage in a snowball fights this past weekend; it just doesn’t make sense.
I feel like October really stole December’s thunder. Snow should be saved for winter, which officially begins on Dec. 21 with the winter solstice. We should be able to enjoy October for its warm-yet-crisp weather, sunshine and cool air that’s characteristic of the few autumn months we’re granted each year. It’s a unique time: one that I love for the weather and the snow should wait until the cruel, short days winter truly sets in. Although Snowtober was epic, I’d rather wait until the months of December through February to confront snow and bitter temperatures, a time in which I’m forced to face nothing else. The down coats, heavy cable-knit sweaters and snow boots can wait; I just bought a new fall coat and don’t want that to go to waste!