So, it's been a really long time since I last blogged but the circumstances of the last week just made me type my experiences onto this blog. Once more, the people of Arkansas whom I've come to admire so much since I've arrived here made me contemplate about differences in our cultures and habits. Once more I've realized that translating words from one language to another in many cases is insufficient as it will most definitely lead to a loss of culturally-specific associations with those terms.
The words "snow" and "snow day" are some nice examples here. Arkansas is not famous for its snowy weather conditions, so people here are not really used to it (to say the least). Compare: In Germany, heavy snow storms with one or two feet of snow might occur frequently during winter time. People might get angry about late public transportation, having to free their cars from ice and snow, as well as the pavements in front of their houses. However, life is more than likely to go on as usual - people go to work, children attend school etc. - and the snowy weather is probably nothing more than a lame conversation starter and an opener for the local news reports. In Fort Smith, however, PEOPLE JUST FREAK OUT ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INCH OF SNOW (sorry, caps-lock). After two weeks of this semester, we've already enjoyed two snow days. Yes, snow days. For those of you who might wonder what a so-called snow day is: schools and colleges close on a snow day. Entirely. A reminder: This hasn't happened to me at all during the 16 years of school and college in Germnay. You might also wonder: What incredible amount of snow must have fallen to make schools close? Well, this is where it gets odd. There was about one inch of snow, not even covering the ground entirely. Yes, not a meter or two, an inch! Since I know most of you will think I am exaggerating here and I am using sarcasm to make my point ("Look at Janni, that's what he always does. Can't he be serious for once? I'm not believing a word he says!"), take a look at the following 'evidence':
This is how the university announced the cancellation of all classes in the following e-mails:
* January 10: UAFS day and evening classes are cancelled on Monday, January 10, 2011 due to weather conditions.
* January 20: UAFS will close at 11am today (1/20) due to weather conditions. 11am and later classes are cancelled. UAFS is closed for non-essential staff beginning at 11am.
(Sorry, the university had public announcements on its internet page, but seems to have deleted them after the respective dates.)
Also, take a look at the following pictures I took on one of the snow days from my apartment on campus:
This is how the local newspaper, the Fort Smith Times Record (for many reasons a really questionable type of newspaper, but this is another issue)covered the 'weather chaos.'
After all, no matter how ridiculous or exaggerated this panic might appear, I've got to admit that I could get used to this mentality. Seriously, those snow days kick ass, especially when they happen to be on a Monday right after the weekend. By the way, rumor has it that it might snow again soon. I hope it does. And I certainly wouldn't mind another 'snow day'.
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