Today's weather here in the area certainly brought back memories of undergrad. Today's weather took a turn for the chilly side. I happened to look at one of the huge digital thermometers at the Ted, where it was a very cool 59 degrees out today. Plus the skies were gray and it got a little rainy today.
It was very poignant to me today as the skin on my cheeks kissed the brisk, cool wind. The first thought through my head, was, "Damn! I need a jacket!" And then it suddenly occurred to me. Something is not right. The cool weather was something that I welcomed, and something that I longed to see (or feel rather). I love it when the cool weather begins to set in. But as I said earlier, something just wasn't right. I felt a touch out of place. I felt like I needed to be in Asheville again.
I have several memories, fond memories of walking from class, and seeing that golden sun pour from the open sky, drenching the crimson and golden maple leaves on the quad. I would just walk, and breathe in the cool air, and bask in the glory of the sun. It was amazing.
Then there are times, where it would be around 7. I would be walking across campus to the theatre for rehearsal for the upcoming show. There would hardly be anyone on the quad, because not many people stayed on on the quad when it cooled off. (Spring is a different story though). Again, the sun would be setting, bleeding through those crimson and golden leaves, and casting Ramsey Library in perfect and warm golden-yellow light. I would be bundled up in a sweater and most likely a scarf. Keeping to myself, I would walk, looking down mostly at the fallen leaves. The leave were so abundant that sometimes, you couldn't even see the grass. And sometimes, you could come across one of those really dry leaves. These were leaves I loved to step on, just so I could hear the crunch. This was a sign to me that fall was here, and winter was coming.
Maybe it's because I'm a fan of colder weather. Maybe it's because there's a part of me that longs to be back in Asheville. Maybe its a little of both. Needless to say, I had a bit of a flash back today about something I miss at the good ole days at UNCA. Being a little heartsick, I went on with the rest of the chilly day, knowing that someday, somehow, I'll be back.
One day.
It's not the cold that reminds me of UNCA so much as t's the sun. It's the way it feels on your face, the way it settles into your skin and body. And it's the way the grass feels under the sun, not hot at all but actually cool and refreshing, and how wonderful it feels underneath you as you stare up at the sky all day, refusing to move, even though you know damn well you're supposed to be in class.
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