these happy days

In my last semester at UMass, I've begun to realize the weight of this being the end of my undergraduate career. Being in college is a great and unique time; we're allowed to run all over the place like children, hanging out with our friends all the time while occasionally doing homework (sometimes homework time > friend time...but only until you're done with the exam/paper). Lately, I've been taking a little bit of a different approach, as my 20 credits take up a lot of my time. As I continue to flow into my second month of my last semester of undergrad, I'm realizing the absolutely amazing resources that are available to me (and perhaps you) at UMass as a student and in the Pioneer Valley. Like...

1. There are lectures by esteemed intellectuals within the five college system going on ALL THE TIME. I can only speak for UMass, but I know that I've been filling up spare hours with talks by interesting people who have something important to say all over campus. Lately, I've been able to attend FREE talks by Noam Chomsky, Alex Morse (the 23 year old mayor of Holyoke), Madeleine Kunin (Vermont's first female governor), and I've got plenty more lined up. How do you find good talks that you might be interested in? Keep your eyes peeled. Message boards are all over campus, and though they look littered, some have some pretty cool messages to share. Also, check out the Five Colleges Event Calendar.

2. There's so much great yoga here! From the free stuff (for students) at the Rec Center, where I teach, to Northampton yoga studios like Karuna and Shiva Shakti, you can learn a lot about your body and the way it can move by people who know what they're talking about.

3. The great outdoors. Um, hello, have you seen the trees lately? I won't lie, I squeal in excitement a little bit when I see great patches of fiery tree goodness (especially on solo roadtrips). The colors that appear in the fall are so beautiful they make my jaw drop on the ground (I'm a huge fan of tie dye). Next time you see a bright red tree, pull off a leaf and look at it! Marvel at its beauty.

 ...While you're in the outdoors, go on a hike (Mount Holyoke Range, anyone?). Or check out the Leverett Peace Pagoda. Or just go walk around and explore in the woods!


4. Farms and farmer's markets galore! Gather up some friends and go get your hands dirty at a farm! We are so lucky to have so many in this area, and I bet each one of them could use your capable hands for a couple of hours. If not, go support them at a farmer's market! Butternut squash? Yummmm (stay tuned for squashy recipes and more foodie things).

5. Friend time and alone time. Friends are the best the best the best. They make you laugh (which is one of the best things you can do for your body, mind and spirit), they offer you shoulders when your'e sad and hugs when you need one, and they just all around rock. Being surrounded by good people probably is the most important thing in my life right now. I predict good people always will be of utmost importance to me, but it won't be as easy to go and knock on your friend's door later on down the road. I'm loving the roomie love.
But alone time is good too. I'm thankful for my quiet room and yoga practice, and those little encounters that happen when you're alone that wouldn't necessarily happen if you weren't.

Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. Therefore, each moment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a succession of such moments and to live each, is to succeed.  

-Corita Kent