Snowmageddon 2010

50 inches in Baltimore. A porch collapsing in Delaware. A snowball fight on the National Mall. Snowmen in the Sunken Gardens! I never thought I would see a real snowstorm in Williamsburg (in fact, I came south from New Jersey for promises of warm weather!)-  but in the past two weeks, I have seen three snowstorms! Year after year, my friends at other schools call me with news of sledding outside their dorms on cafeteria trays, walking to class in six inches of snow, and enjoying a day off from class. Finally, this winter in Williamsburg is the same way!

Here at Phonathon, we love snow! (Rain, on the other hand, is a completely different story- read Landon's "Just Another Day at Phonathon" blog to find out why) In the calling room, the feeling reflects the same snow-induced moods found through the rest of campus. The prospect of snow elicits excitement, rapid talking, and exclamations of the most recent weather updates. On the phones, callers gasp as they gossip and speculate about snow totals with College alumni living in other parts on the country. Off the phones, callers talk about the pajamas-inside-out trick and other elementary school regimens that ensured snowfall.

When the snow finally comes, it is great to see fellow callers, supervisors, and students running through the Sunken Gardens launching snowballs at each other and slip sliding across the snow and ice. All across campus, the William & Mary community is united by the weather and shares a blanket of frozen euphoria- it's one of those days that you're just proud to be part of the Tribe. Finally, when the snow stops falling and we realize how cold we really are, the shrieks of joy stop and the grumbles begin. Some of us head to Aromas to warm up with a steaming cup of coffee but the majority head home to put on a pair of dry socks and cuddle under a warm blanket.

We all know that Monday morning will come too soon, bringing with it a cold walk to class through ankle deep slush and across icy brick paths. But even though our boots have started to leak and we lost our mittens in an epic snow battle, we are satisfied with our memories and stories of Snowmageddon 2010.