The wonder year

The weather’s been acting kind of weird, there was snowfall the other day, and then the temperatures really soared up to the 60s. It was even in the 70s one day, and it’s now November!
Anyways, the snowfall took me back 5 years, a wide-eyed student at Temple University, Philadelphia.
With dreams of a better career (than my previous one as assistant producer at a small TV production firm), such as an anchor job at CNN; learning everything there is to know about media, and improving the quality of Indian television were just some of the easier things on my agenda.
Dazed and confused through my first semester, I was just beginning to learn the ropes I was confident I would master.
Also, coming from a place where the average yearly temperature is 83F, even Fall was getting to be too cold.
Our [media and film] department was in the basement, perhaps to ignite the depression and moodiness that would make for better student films! So, out of the basement after a long day, I peer outside to see something weird, like a white sandstorm— it really took me a couple of seconds to realize it was snow.
A couple of students near me muttered and got ready to brave the snow, hoping they could get home before it got worse.
I just stood there; simply feeling one emotion— wonder. Is this what ‘wonderful’ really meant, and not when someone finished an assigned task, announces a weekend plan, or gets married?
I got out in the snow, fully prepared to be hit by the weight of the snow— I suppose I equated it with a hailstorm or something. I was pleasantly surprised by its weightlessness. Weightless, beautiful and pure—what better metaphor for life itself? Not to forget, fleeting!
After getting drenched, (is that even right usage?) in the snow, I made my way to the subway station, to begin my long ride home, but with a smile on my face.
That winter came and went quickly, and though I didn’t have to shovel, felt the strain that the winter put on people’s backs.
The first semester went by, and the second seemed to be looming in front of me. I wasn't quite sure of what to do, and what direction to take, when stories of visa horrors and the dotcom bust hit me. Suddenly, I learnt that media was not a hotspot for visas, and that CNN would probably not employ me as an anchor!
Winter seemed bleaker, but I trudged on. Long story short, I am not an anchor on CNN now, nor have I learnt everything there is about media. I think I’m doing alright, though.
Since that day, though, the first snowfall of every season makes me smile, reflecting an emotion felt five years ago- pure wonder.

M

PS: Looked for ‘wonder’ at the Grand Canyon—nada!