She steps gently onto the ice. The crowd watches excited to see what type of stunts she has in her routine. Will she land a triple toe loop today they wonder? One foot in front of the other slowly at first then gaining speed. With confidence she moves to the middle of the ice rink. But wait, there’s inconsistency in the ice. She starts losing her balance and her arms, which were once gracefully at her sides, are now wind milling. The crowd’s gaze tightens and most hold their breath in anticipation. It’s to late for them to save her though, not that they would anyway (the truth is, everyone loves to see someone else fall.) The girl aborts the wind milling effort and moves to plan B, trying to reach the ice rink guard railing. But it looks so far away and although her legs are moving quite rapidly in a Michael Jackson dancing fashion the actual distance she’s covered is little.

Some of you avid readers may believe I’m giving a play by play to one of the many figure skating competitions, but I’m not. I’m actually describing my walk to class via the Schneider ice rink. If you haven’t walked on it you should give it a try. It has made many legends, those brave enough to run and slide across it leaving amazement on my face as though I were a small child on Christmas day. But it has also humiliated many this year. I have great sympathy for those who have fallen on the Schneider ice rink. Especially if you were coming home from a hard day of class and were proud of yourself for not falling on the slippery side walks. You look up and see your building, maybe even your window, forty feet away. Then out of the blue the ice seems to sneak up under your feet and fling you towards the ground. Now you can really see your bedroom window, from a horizontal position that is.

Why is it when I look out the window in the morning I see snow. I know it’s winter but it doesn’t have to snow. It can be winter in Carbondale without the weather being winter-like. I left home to get away from the snow. Is it following me? I was assured Carbondale was a warm place, even tropical if you will. I was lured into my college selection believing that I would be forever basking in the warm Carbondale sun. Like I would if I was vacationing on some beautiful island lets say Barbados. Instead I feel like one of those scientists that decided to research Antarctica. I want to be here but I’m so, so cold. Yes, call me dramatic, but I am comparing Carbondale, Illinois to Antarctica.

Advertisement

Yesterday two of my good friends Kasey and Laura were online shopping for swimming suits. Kasey, I’m sorry to be the one who has to tell you this, but it’s never getting warm again. Face it girls, we live in tundra-like conditions. Better get back online and start shopping for snow shoes and a sled dog team or at the bear minimal, enough hot chocolate to thaw yourselves after class. Maybe E-bay will have some good deals.

All in all I was tricked. This is a conspiracy and I know the government had some part in it; they always do. This harsh weather in Carbondale (my supposed Barbados) can be defiantly linked to the side effects of global warming. I don’t care why it is how it is – I just want T-shirt weather.

Because although I do love to skate, I want nothing to do with the snow or the Schneider ice rink which is crushing egos (and perhaps even bones) everyday. I haven’t fallen once this year but I fear my time will come. As much as I laugh at others who slip and fall (silently in my head – never out loud) there has to be one piece of ice on campus with my name on it.

There’s not supposed to be ice in Barbados.

If I May appears every other Thursday. Shanita is a freshman in journalism. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Egyptian.