It’s 10:30 p.m. on a Sunday night and I begin the countdown until the 11 o’clock news. Here I sit, paralyzed in front of the TV, hoping beyond all hope with my fellow peers around New England united by the want, nay, the need for snow.

Snow days are one of the most anticipated things that a student looks forward to. Most of us look forward to it because we have homework unfinished or a test that has gone unstudied for. Others aren’t in approval of mornings and thus are simply content to sleep in a few extra hours. As the minutes go by, the homework that I have left incomplete gnaws at me and I begin to worry that there is no snow on the way; that I’ve been abandoned, my hopes shattered. I can’t bear it as the news comes on and I hear, “Details on the storm headed our way coming up, but first this news.” My heart screams inside my chest, “Just get on with it already!!!! I NEED SNOW!!!” The weatherman appears and my heart races as he says, “The storm is gaining steam as it heads north towards us…more after this break.”

Again, I die inside with the suspense of it all. As the pointless commercials of products that I don’t need and shows that I don’t watch pass by I can only think of the worst outcome: No snow. Back comes the weatherman. He talks of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and other places that don’t matter to me at this point in time. I imagine the countless students who are relieved and comforted that they have no school tomorrow whilst I continue to suffer at the cruel hands of Suspense and Uncertainty. Finally, he begins to talk of the forecast and how the storm is approaching. Now the blessed announcement comes, “I expect 10-18 inches of snow inland. The commute into work will be rather slippery so take it slow and I don’t expect many schools to be open.”

I’m satisfied for now, knowing that it’s on its way. I can sleep somewhat certain knowing that Snow is coming; that it will rescue me from the undone homework. Then, I lie awake in bed and its 4:30 a.m. I look out my window and it is dark. I wonder, “Is it snowing or was it a cruel joke?” Minutes feel like hours as the 5 o’clock news rolls around. I jump out of bed and run down the stairs feeling like a kid at Christmas. I turn on the TV and watch the never ending cancellations go by; waiting, just waiting. YESSSSS!!!!! The TV is now my favorite appliance. It tells me what I desperately need to know; NO SCHOOL!

Here I sit writing this article at 10:30 a.m. Monday morning NOT in school, but at home sitting in blessed relief with my fellow peers around New England. And now, I better go finish my homework ?