A Bronx Snow Day

AMAZING.

I was tempted to just define this entry using the one word, but I figured it wouldn't paint a very descriptive picture, so I will begin to try to captivate the "amazingness" of the activities of today.

First off. New York is a funny place when it comes to weather- especially in the city. We all had found out about our joyous day off yesterday- a full day before our day off and before it had even started snowing. Because the incredibly accurate weather people had predicted a winter storm of around ten inches, people immediately began to prepare. Schools were closed, supermarkets were mass pandemonium, and all began to frantically complete last minute errands. Naturally, being from Colorado, I found this little charade incredibly entertaining. I mean, I've seen the frantic errand running and stock pilling of canned foods before, but that's in preparation for several FEET of snow. Also, normally our schools only close the morning after it's snowed, and Mother Nature has proven she was feisty enough to give us enough snow that our snowblowers show signs of incompetence. However, regardless of the "over-preparation," I was ecstatic about the probability of snow and our very certain day off.

After completing the majority of the traditional Snow Day Checklist- hot chocolate drinking, cookie baking, sleeping in, and movie watching- there was one last thing to check off my list: playing in the snow.

As my roommates and I ventured outside, we found the Bronx transformed. A gentle white layer had blanketed our streets, further illuminating the glow inside the apartment windows, and

the usual fast pace of Fordham Road had slowed. However, the most surprising scene was how many people had ventured outside their homes and into the snow covered park across the street. Families, friends, and strangers alike came together to c

elebrate this day off by participating in the traditions of playing in the snow. An incredible joyous spirit could be felt in the air- reminding me of the same spirit I felt as a kid going to Toboggan Hill- a rather large hill in my hometown where students gathered to sled and play.

A group a boys had formed a game of snow football. Children jumped from mound to mound and made snow angels in the snow. Nearby, a few kids had begun to form the outlines of a snowman. My roommates and I became inspired......

Arising from our skills acquired during years spent in the snow catching suburbs, a SIX FOOT tall snowman was built. Lacking the proper materials, we build his face, hair, a

nd buttons from things we found in the park, making him our "nature snowman." We named him Dwight, please don't ask me why. We were very proud of him- especially when masses of people began to ask if they could take their picture with him. The four of us together had built the new celebrity of Fordham road.

But alas, as our hands began to harden, our clothes began to soak through, and our faces began to form icicles, we thought it wise to call our outside adventure a day and returned back into our unusually warm apartment. Satisfied with our accomplishments for the day and our completed Snow Day checklist, we retired to our living room, and all I can say is......I can't wait for the next one.

Hope all of you are staying warm this winter season! Many Blessings!