Spring in the Quad

Dare I say it?  OK, I’m going for it: Spring is here!

These last few days in Seattle have been gorgeous with ample sunshine and fluffy white clouds drifting though clear blue skies.  Where the heck am I?  We usually don’t see this weather consistently until after July 4^th, but our dreary winter seems to be behind us now, so no complaints.  (I hope I didn’t just jinx the supposedly gorgeous upcoming weekend by talking about the sun…)

Anyhow, to take advantage of the lovely sunsets (and the fact that it’s spring break,) DH and I went to visit the old stomping grounds yesterday evening to see if we could catch the blooming cherry blossoms in the Quad at the University of Washington.

Our timing was perfect and we were not disappointed.

Here’s a lovely cherry blossom song to pair with some photos below:

Back when I was a student, I always thought spring was the most beautiful (albeit not necessarily the most productive) quarter on campus.  And even now, I still find it ironic that the cherry blossoms always seem to reach full bloom while most students are away on spring break.

But I’ll take it and chalk it up to yet another perk for Seattle residents.  I know the Quad isn’t exactly Kyoto or even Washington DC, but it’s still quite magical.  Part of the magic is the temporal nature of the blossoms, as they only bloom for about a week or so before dusting the ground as white and pink petal snow.

I’ll be honest since DH and I both found ourselves waxing nostalgic as we were taking in the scene at the Quad last night.  I thought about how we probably unknowingly passed each other many times all those years ago between classes—back in the grunge heyday of Doc Martens and over-sized plaid flannel.  We were simply one of the thousands of undergrads who didn’t know of each other.  Not surprising to those of you who attended a large state school, but I still find it kind of amazing that we happened to find each other so many years later.

Intellectually, I know I’m older.  But sometimes I don’t really feel like a real grown up—which in my book, is a good thing most of the time.  It’s only when I see the current undergraduate students on campus and realize how painfully young and innocent they all look that I really start to feel my age.  Did I ever look like that, with the fresh-faced starry-eyed look?  How long ago was it?

And since we’re indulging in nostalgia today, here’s a favorite that takes me straight back to college.  Yes, I’m dated, but I’m OK with that.  I’m embracing it.

Short post today because I’m hoping that you’re not in front of your computer but outside enjoying the gorgeous sunny spring day!  And if you happen to be in the Seattle area this weekend, consider checking out the cherry blossoms in the Quad.

Oh, and bring your camera.  You won’t be disappointed.

Happy Friday!

“One of the many things nobody ever tells you about middle age is that it’s such a nice change from being young.”

William Feather

“I will never be an old man. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.”

Francis Bacon

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

Mark Twain