Hecker is a first-year magazines and writing double major and can be contacted at [email protected]
With only one quarter of the school year remaining, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel: summer. Though summer always looks pretty good, spring isn’t too bad either. We can all wear shorts in March this year not because we ran out of clean pants to wear, but because the weather demands it.
Shorts and flip-flops are not the only things we can look forward to this spring. The Drake wildlife is also returning. How nice is it to see a ladybug crawling across your study table in the library? It is also just delightful when the wildlife finds its way into your dorm room.
There I was the other night, quietly enjoying a nice episode of “Two Broke Girls,” when something moved on my carpet. I know it had been a while since I last vacuumed, but whatever substances are on my carpet should not be mobile. Upon further inspection, I discovered that the movements were those belonging to a six-legged creature. Needless to say, I elicited a yelp that I’m not exactly proud of. With the help of a conveniently located flip-flop (they’re not just footwear anymore), I dispatched the poor creature. If you find similar wildlife in your rooms, I recommend the flip-flop as the weapon of choice. Perhaps you’re a more humane person and will relocate the creature to the great outdoors. If this is the case, I commend you. Personally, I’ll stick to the scream and squash method.
Once you’ve enjoyed an encounter with the fauna Drake has to offer, I’d recommend soaking in the beauty of its flora. Upon my return from spring break, I was amazed to find so many things growing. Apparently, prairie grass is not the only plant life around campus. Daffodils, hyacinths and tulips are brightening up flowerbeds all over Drake. Even some of the trees are starting to bud. I don’t know about the rest of you, but my walks to class have become more pleasant thanks to some springtime plants.
Since the benches and tables have not all returned yet, it may be difficult to find a study spot where you can get a little sun. Quite a few people have already begun toting blankets onto the lawn and soaking up some vitamin D. Hey, it’s a cheaper and healthier alternative to tanning at Sunsation. Just remember to slap on some sunscreen before you head outside for an extended period of time. In case you don’t like to get your hands all greasy from the lotion, I suggest tracking down a crush or significant other to apply it for you. With any luck, they may even end up joining your tanning party.
After getting some color in your cheeks to prevent people from referring to you as “Casper,” perhaps you should engage in other outdoor activities. Anything for an excuse to put off homework a little longer, right? There’s usually some Frisbee flinging happening on Helmick. If I had any hand-eye coordination, I would probably be out there, too. Alas, I will leave this one to those of you who can actually gauge the distance between the Frisbee and your hand and successfully catch it.
There’s still plenty of time before the madness of finals week sets in to squeeze in some appreciation of spring. Don’t just hunker down in your dorm for the next five weeks or so. I encourage all of you to get out and bask in the gorgeous weather we’ve been having. Chances are that you’ll thank me later if vitamin D does help to increase lifespan.
