Let it snow
Joe Guintu
freshman
From that glorious moment when I received my acceptance letter to Notre Dame, people have frequently told me, "Wow, it's going to be cold there." Coming from Southern California, the cold winter was something I was really looking forward to. Each morning, I had awoken to the warmth of the sun beating on my face. I was ready for change and something new and exciting — even adventurous for an Angelino.
I was even looking forward to maybe experiencing a football game with the field covered in snow like the Oakland-New England football game. That it would not snow during the football season I came to accept. I thought to myself that maybe October was too early for it to snow. Then the native midwesterners told me that I was in for a treat. They told me that when I got back from fall break, snow should be there or should be coming in a few weeks. So I waited and it did not come. And then these experts told me that there has to be snow by Thanksgiving. And then I waited again and it failed to appear. And people were saying that it's almost Christmas, and it hasn't even snowed yet.
That's when I realized it — the South Bend winters that people claim Notre Dame struggles through are really a farce. Albeit it did snow one day before winter break, that was nothing in comparison to some of the stories people were trying to scare me with. Apparently, when we left for winter break, a huge snowstorm came through South Bend. Coincidence? I think not. I actually think the storm didn't actually happen. Again, we got back from break, and it was cooler than Southern California, and the winter even hinted at fulfilling its prophecy, but failed again miserably.
Now, again, I am waking up to the warmth of the sun on my face — but in South Bend. Is this supposed to happen? Apparently not. It is January, the time of the year where winters are supposed to be fierce and in full force in Indiana. I am forced to conclude that the South Bend winters are not really that bad.
I don't know if I am supposed jump on the bandwagon and preach to next year's incoming freshmen how cold it is here or tell them the truth that the myth that is the South Bend winter is really non-existent.
Joe Guintu
freshman
Fisher Hall
Jan. 26, 2002
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, January 28, 2002
