Winter Term Too Soon

David R.

January 5, 2010 - 3:00 PM

Whenever classes start for the winter term, I always find myself wondering, "What happened to winter break?" December flew by like it always does, and Oregon's late start in the fall is finally starting to catch up, as many of my friends from home don't start again for a few weeks. With the typical clouds looming over Eugene, many Oregon students are still talking about one other cloud that was rather unexpected: The Ducks' defeat in the Rose Bowl. As fun as it would have been to be a student at the University of Oregon after a victory, many are finding a silver lining in the fact that we even made it that far, and had the opportunity to play on such a grand stage.

It is always somewhat difficult to make the transition, once again, from relaxing at home to having to now prepare for another round of classes. Although I spent a great deal of time working during the break, it was nice to be at home, relaxing, not having to worry about the stresses of school work. Even though it was nice to lounge around, I missed Eugene, and it has been good to see all the companions I haven't seen in a few weeks.

Although the winter term tends to be the gloomiest in terms of the weather, there are a couple of things that more than make up for it. In a few weeks, I will going to the Sun River Resort in Bend, Oregon, as a part of my fraternity's annual winter term getaway. This weekend can't come soon enough. It serves as a great break from the grind of classes, and allows everyone to get out and enjoy the winter wonderland that rarely makes its way down to Eugene.

Many Oregon students have spent the last couple of months tightly wrapped around the Ducks football team. Because of the team's success, not enough attention has been given to the Ducks' Men's Basketball team, that is currently making a tear through the Pacific 10. At the end of last season, it was a matter of whether or not the team would be capable of preventing another rough season like the one that had just ended. Remembering what it felt like to be at the bottom of the Pac 10 all season, this year's team has taken it upon itself to right the wrongs of last year. Over the course of the break, the Ducks went on the road and defeated the Washington State Cougars, and well as the Huskies from Washington. Last year, the Ducks struggled with these two schools on the road, as well as at home in their own MacArthur Court. At the beginning of the season, no one would have expected us to beat either of these two teams away from Eugene. The Ducks are in the midst of an outstanding turnaround from last season, and it will be interesting to see how long they can keep it up.

It's nice to be back in my second home again, and I'm looking forward to another winter term in the heart of Duck country.