Portland Part Three

Sunday morning we returned to Pullman. The drive was long and Mother Nature apparently hates Washtucna. Snow/hail/sleet caused the car in front of us to spin off the road. Dan and Victor pushed the car back onto the road and the young driver followed behind us until the Colfax turn off. The rest of the highway 26 had similar bursts of awfulness followed by completely normal stretches.

We made it to Pullman in time for budget and worked to put out Monday's paper. After a couple hours at work, Pullman looked like it was December, not March.

I was going to take photos from my phone to document the trip, but I forgot. All I got was a photo of a dirty van at a rest stop, Victor driving, and a blurry train. I failed to get a photo of a sign for the town Rufus.

Snow in March

That's right. It's snowing.

I will post updates from spring break and my first week back after I get the bluetooth set up on my phone. The posts won't be complete without the photos I have stored there.

However, I had to share that it is snowing outside. It was nice enough this morning that Victor didn't wear a coat when he came to campus, but then, coming back with dinner from the newly opened dining center, we got snowflakes in our sandwiches.

Mother Nature has issues.

Rejection

I am rejecting winter. I'm sick of it and I'm pretending it doesn't exist anymore. When I told my father this he said "let me know how that works out for ya." Thus far, it's working. Thus far, it hasn't rained. Thus far, I've only been uncomfortably cold twice.

How am I rejecting winter? I'm cutting down my clothing layers from three to two and every morning I think about wearing flip flops. I've also started to wear t-shirts that are visible to others. I'm betting it rains tomorrow.

Song of the Day

"Anticipation" by Carly Simon. I'm going home on Friday and I can't wait. The anticipation is making me CRAZY! The anticipation of my upcoming chemistry exam is also making me crazy, not to mention the anticipation of the sunny weather that seems to be taking its sweet ol' time getting here. Perfect song for today, for my life basically.

Sorry about the psychedelic colors. It's the only good one I could find.

Superior Footing

Campus pathways are icy. Slipping and falling is common. I have fallen once. Today, as I was walking from class to the newsroom, I was behind a guy wearing tennis shoes. He started slipping as he tried to walk up the hill and couldn't catch his footing. He slipped down and had to choose a different path. I walked up where he couldn't in my hiking boots and it made me happy to know my footwear was superior. I felt like I had triumphed.

I've decided this story illustrates a not so pleasant aspect of my character.

Snow Day 2

Campus will be closed tomorrow too and this time I won't have to work. I actually did fit in a little bit of play time today though.

Snow Day

We have yet to determine when was the last time the university cancelled classes, but it was at least a decade ago. All week was spent trudging through snow but today it finally became too much. Campus was closed at 10 a.m. The newsroom is currently staffed by five, those of us who could make it in. The rest of the staff is covering their respective locations however so it's like we have mini bureaus. I don't know if I'll have any time to play in the snow, but at least I don't have to go to class.

Old Man Winter

There is too much snow, and it is only increasing as time goes on. I have short legs. It is not easy stepping over three foot snow drifts and the snow being blown in my face, is just not nice. Review of my classes this semester to follow later in the day if I do not slip and fall to my death.*


*You may think I'm being overly dramatic, but you haven't seen this build up of snow and ice.

Haiku Round 2

Another day of extreme weather calls for another Haiku. Imagine adding a night of rain to six inches of built up snow.

Now the rain comes down
Slush on the ground, inches deep
Weather is unkind

Don't worry, my next post will not be about the weather.

Winter Haiku*

Snow falls from the sky
A white blanket on the ground
I stay warm inside

I felt inspired watching snow flurries through the newsroom windows. There has been snow on the ground in Pullman since I returned after Thanksgiving. The roads are maintained fairly well, but I almost got stuck in a parking lot yesterday.

Moments after I finished the Haiku, the editor walked in dripping wet. She even pulled snow out of her pockets. I was inspired a second time.

Attacked by winter
Travelers come dripping wet
Warm ice slicks the floor

*Disclaimer: I am not a poet. I don't have the right kind of creative talent for it. I always just feel like I'm trying to imitate poetry, so I rarely write it. As a child, I was however, very fond of Haiku and wrote many of them. They're simple and easy enough to be one of the few forms of poetry to which I will contribute.

October

Doesn't it smell like October? I love this time of year. Truthfully, I love all parts of the year. Except for that transition between winter and spring when it's just soggy all the time. I especially enjoy autumn. I love walking outside and feeling the warm air with the slight breeze, seeing the leaves tumbling around, and smelling the damp ground and coming rain. I love when it's cold and dry, but knowing it could rain at any second. I love starting to wear my sweaters and scarves again. I love being warm and cozy in my room and listening to the roaring wind and trickling rain outside. I love knowing that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but I still have a little time before my mom's birthday. I love going to the pumpkin patch with my sister and grandparents. I love that my mom starts to make her amazing soups. I love apple cider and hot chocolate at night when it's too late to drink coffee. I love it all.

Listening to the rain

One of my favorite activities is to sit on my bed, crack open my window, and listen to the wind and the rain. To some it may be boring, but I love it. It gives me time to think and enjoy the quiet as I do so often.

Earlier this morning the wind was howling and the autumn leaves were tumbling along the ground and now the rain is drip dropping and I am loving it as I sit here, warm and comfy. I hate it in the summer where it doesn't belong, but in the autumn when it smells like October and I have reading to do it is lovely.

I love being in the Pacific Northwest. Don't you?

A Cold Day

It is quite cold out this morning. This did not matter to some.

Girl 1: Tank top and T-shirt with a mini skirt and flip flops.

Me: Long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and a sweater.


Girl 1: Shivering and covered in goosebumps.

Me: Perfectly comfortable.

A summer and day of things learned

I arrived in Pullman yesterday, but my newspaper training has kept me exceedingly busy, and as much as I would have liked to, I can't blog and drive at the same time. I'm about to be late for the ice cream social (fun stuff, I know, but the ice cream is from Ferdinand's), but I shall still attempt to give a quick update.

Things I gained from making plywood all summer:

1) Some money in savings to pay for anything my scholarship doesn't cover.
2) I was able to purchase several new skirts and a few pairs of shoes to add to my closet.
3) A gigantic callous on my right thumb. (I like showing it off to people.)
4) More tolerance for long boring stretches of time. The drive over didn't seem as bad as I remember being in the past. (Although the first half of the drive is a story all in itself which should come at a later date.)
5) The knowledge that money won't be enough to make up for doing a job you hate. I can't imagine working at the plant for more than a few months at a time.

Things I learned in my first day on campus as a sophomore:

1) Single rooms are much better than double rooms.
2) Trying to put your bed on bed-risers all by yourself, is a bad idea.
3) It's not any easier leaving home for your second year, but the first couple days back at school are a lot easier.
4) Pullman/Eastern Washington is hot! (And not in the ridiculous Paris Hilton sense.)
5) In a newsroom, when one says "that line seems too bold," it is important to ask if they are talking about font.

A Good Day

Any day where you can spend an hour or two sitting outside in the sun and reading Pride and Prejudice, is a good day.

I had a good day.

I only hope tomorrow doesn't become a not so good day because of sunburn.

Joys of Pullman

When one is pushed off a sidewalk by the force of wind alone, one knows he/she is in Pullman.


Later

The day began with strong winds, but was bright and sunny. By mid-afternoon the wind had not subsided and the sky was clouded over by ominous grey clouds. Then it rained. Then it hailed. There was thunder. Weather in Pullman changes quickly and is unpredictable.

More Sunshine

If I thought yesterday was pleasant, than today is magnificent. It's probably a good 15 degrees warmer than it was yesterday. I am able to wear a skirt and short sleeves outside without being chilled. And as I have no allergies, unlike my poor counterpart, I am happily enjoying the warmest day Pullman has seen in months. I hope your days are as lovely.

Sunshine

I have become a believer in the idea that weather really can affect one's mood. On a Tuesday a couple weeks ago, the student body in Pullman awoke to see snow falling from the sky. Snow. In late March. Needless to say, rather than being pleased as many often are by snow, students became resentful and rather negative. The first thing to come up in every conversation that day was, "Did you see the snow this morning?" Followed by the response, "Yes, I couldn't believe it. It was horrible." The two conversers would then share a frown and go on about their business rather grumpily.

I bring all this up only because today is a sunny beautiful day. In the weeks since that fateful Tuesday there have been several beautiful sunny days, but they have also all been unbearably cold. For the first time in a while, it is sunny today and quite mild. People are happy and birds are singing. It's quite enjoyable and has made my day all the more pleasant. Now if only I would hear about whether I shall be news editor next semester, all would be well with the world.