My last day of Summer and I am on Campus already

A few days ago I felt fall close in. It was like suddenly the air had an edge that wasn't there before and the summer heat became less pronounced. And now, the Summer holiday is slipping away. I am sitting in the Business Library at the UofA in those black leather couches with my feet perched on the table. Outside the window the grass is still green and at first glance it seems that there is no sign of fall yet. But then a group of first years walk by with thier parents in tow looking at class schedules and poorly printed campus maps and suddenly I realize that the hint of gold on the trees is not warm sunlight but rather the first signs of summer coming to an end. I need to borrow my dad's digital (if he will let it out of his sight). I always intend to get fall shots of campus but in the past two years, I acted upon my intentions slower than the speed of the somewhat-winter closing in.

I like this time of year. I get to feel really productive (getting my book list, finalizing my schedule, realizing by fluke that my back-to-back classes are in the same building, and finding used textbooks) while not doing any real work. And I don't really mind the first years. I enjoy watching them and thinking of all that they don't know yet as they naively prance around campus not yet aware that what you wear just doesn't matter the same way here as it did in High School. Just wait until midterms come around:)

Tents are set up already for orientation next week and for once, I will be on the delivering end (rather than recieving end) of the activities. It should be fun. My theory is is that most of the fun of WOW is for the volunteers and that is why WOW is so successful. We have hundreds of volunteers for a reason and it isn't becuase this University has more resume-padders than other institutions. It is because WOW is FUN. Furthermore, the jovial mood of the Volunteers combined with the excitement of first years makes for a catalyzed situation that somehow works really well. It is hard for another institution to replicate but I think it is worth figuring out and attempting. This whole train of thought leads me to point out that it is not monetary reward that makes a Volunteer effective. As such, it is inappropriate to pay Councillors (for those of you who know what I am talking about).

The sunlight is calling out to me and I am craving a walk accross campus. As such, I am going to get off of this computer and outside. Plus, I need to get check that my Bicycle is still locked up at SUB (its not particlarily pretty nor impressive but you never know with those crazy bike thieves;)).