Sundays

Caitlin H.

March 7, 2010 - 8:39 PM

Today is Sunday. For many college students (including myself) Sunday is often a day of completing all the assignments for Monday that didn't get done on Saturday. Sundays are okay; often not fantastic, but they're still the weekend so they're still pretty darn exciting.

This particular Sunday I seemed to feel slightly blue. I wasn't sad, but I wasn't energetic - lost in the grey area in between would be a good way to describe it. The natural medicine to prescribe was a bike ride. From my apartment I rode to the Autzen footbridge, and since the weather was nice I decided to sit on a bench to pass the time. I found myself watching some ducks in the river as they dove their head down looking for food. I'll admit, the child in me still delights seeing a duck butt up in the air while the little feet are churning a mile a minute just below the surface. Before long a Great Blue Heron flew in and majestically moved along some rocks in the river looking for food.

"Humans are funny," I thought. How good would life be if I were a bird? I wouldn't do homework or complete assignments. Instead maybe I'd spend my days at the river. I would be at one with nature and collect my food from the source, rather than a store. I would be knowledgeable, but in a different kind of way. In the moment those ducks sure seemed to be living the good life.

As I sat on the bench imagining my life as different species in the riverfront ecosystem, along came a graduate student from one of my classes crossing the bridge. Five minutes later a professor from the geography department crossed with his dog. And when I looked again a Planning, Public Policy and Management professor passed with her dog. I'll admit, there is certainly something to say about community here. The interaction pulled me out of my stupor and got me thinking all the ways our human community here is wonderful, even if it is structured so differently from any other species around.

Eventually a friend joined me and together had a bit of a late morning/early-afternoon adventure. We rode along the river to the ‘duck ponds,' taking time to investigate the opening magnolia tree blossoms. Stops were made to take photos with the "Track Town USA" mural visible to drivers as they cross the river towards downtown Eugene. I laughed at a biker towing his rather large dog in a child's cart behind him. We passed more friends and even a few friendly strangers who were willing to share a "hello" and give a wave. The Owen Rose Garden is hardly in bloom yet, but a few trees and flowers were making an appearance, which was worth stopping by to have a quick look. And before we knew it we crossed the river again and were at the Valley River Center mall. It always amazes me that I can travel all the way to a major shopping center from my home and only cross two streets. I love being along the river.

From there our ‘short' adventure became more of an all day activity. I went into the mall to get a drink of water, and then decided to buy a new rain jacket. By then it was lunchtime, then dessert time...you get the idea. One thing led to another and nearly my whole day was spent with my bike. I just couldn't bring myself to go home, go inside, and do work. Instead I went home, grabbed my laptop and a few books, and went back out to the river, found a bench and worked there.

Sunday is a lovely day. I had a wonderful time today. And so many times I found myself thinking, "I love this city."