Snow, Snow Baby

As the huge embankments of snow melt into lakes, and as the sand and salt from the sidewalks acccumulate into crusty heaps inside our rooms, the rash of recent snowstorms has been testing the patience of even the most devoted winter aficionados.

Even the most intrepid of students seem to be brought low by the extreme condition this season. "I love New England weather, I really do, but this is too much. I'm getting out of here," said Massachusetts native Mellisa Gillis `96. Despite her love of her home state, Gillis has been so overwhelmed by the winter storms that she plans to flee to the Bahamas over her spring vacation.

Apparently Gillis is not alone in her desire to escape. February and March are normally busy travel times, but this season's snow has caused a veritable mass exodus of frigiphobic New Englanders. Cristina Fernandez, a travel agent at Thomas Cook Travel, said that this year has seen a marked increase in the number of people seeking to travel to the Caribbean or go on cruises. "They definitely call a lot more when the weather's cruddy," she said.

Unfortunately, Frenandez has not worked with the company long enough to be eligible for the same exotic warm weather vacations that her more experienced colleagues are entitled to. But the beleaguered agent said, she certainly would go if she could.

The increased amounts of snow have elicited curious reactions from Harvard students. Rebecca Kirshner `96 seemed initially dazed when questioned about her opinions concerning the weather, but when pressed for an answer, she nearly exploded.

"I love snow. It gives me the chance to take my new snow shoes out for a spin. Yes, yes, yes," insisted Kirshner. She then proceeded to attempt to convince this reporter that she had, in fact, dyed her hair platinum blond to match the winter landscape.

Krishner's roommate, Michelle Sullivan `96, responded to the question in a slightly more subdued fashion, saying only that the snowfall "makes her very sad."

According to Assistant Professor of Psychology Todd Heatherton, such reactions are in no way atypical. "It is normal to feel out of sorts" during the winter months, Heatherton said.

Beyond this mild depression, which is often exacerbated by the stresses of school and the like, some individual may be afficiated with a particular depression know as Seasonal Affective Disorder (a.k.a. SAD).

"In theory, this disorder is caused by the decrease in light [that occurs during the winter]," Heatherton said. "Studies have measured people's moods from season to season and found many to be feelings sad and dysphoric during winter." This might explain the peculiar winter phenomenon characterized by the urge to burrow deep within one's blankets and skip all classes in favor of watching soap operas.

When asked if he himself felt any of the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, Professor Heatherton said, "You'll have to ask me when I'm in a better mood."

Heatherton advises those feelings depressed to find a new attribution to link to the snow: "Be happy that we've broken the record for the most snowfall. That should cheer you up."

But not all students are overwhelmed by the cold that awaits them outside their doors. Some are actually able to find joy in the subzero temperatures and drifts higher than their heads.

Mark Roth '96 feels that the weather call to his heritage. "It makes me feel Nordic," says the half-Finnish Roth.