Summer early afternoon at Columbus

It's a hot early afternoon for late May. The lazy sun is poring its heat everywhere. Occasional breeze brings a stream of warm air that make me realize it is summer in Ohio, not spring in Wisconsin. Classes are over at Ohio State University (OSU), but final examinations are coming up the following week. Trying to familiarize myself with the city, I took a stroll through the heart of campus.

Laziness seems to be the tone on this Saturday. Even the frat neighborhood is tranquil. Perhaps people partied a little too hard last night before they finally realize they have to study. One house had a beer pong table with a few cups out in the front porch, and another table inside of the house with red cups lined up in a line. Few guys are laying shirtless on the front yard a few houses down.

Once I entered the campus area, the mood changed. Red-bricked, clear glass buildings, paved curvy roads, green soccer fields all contribute to a college campus feel that is lacking at many modern day universities. As I walk under the shades provided by hundred-year-old trees, smell the aroma of blooming flowers, and look at the colorful landscape, I realize I was a part of nature within an intellectual community.

Then it comes to the people. It's not uncommon to see pairs of students in their T-shirt and shorts to walk around campus, girls in bikini laying on a beach towel on a huge grass field taking on the sun, and guys throwing around a football or frisbee. A family of five taking a slow-paced joy bike ride passes me gradually over the side road. The children are up ahead, youngest first, while parents watches from behind on their adult sized bikes. Far up on the platform at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center, a cluster of students are hosting some sort of event as their voices carry away around the campus.

After walking mindlessly for over an hour, I found myself at the oval mall. That's what I would call a stereotypical college campus. Some reading under the trees; other couples laying under the warm sunlight. Small number of students, perhaps a student group, are sitting in a circle discussing what seems like serious matters. Even dogs are enjoying this early summer afternoon, although she wishes to be off from the leash set by her owner and run free with the other cute puppy who's playing with her. And then, there is this Asian with backpack wearing full warm-ups walking towards High Street, the main entertainment street.

Back to the frat neighborhood through High Street, the city seems to be live again. People strolling on the street to restaurants for lunch, or breakfast for some. One guy carrying books march towards the library with a sense of displeasure on his face. A cute girl with sunglasses on is walking her dog, who seems to hint the unbearable heat with his tounge out, swinging profusely. That's when I saw my apartment building and swiftly strided to my room to jot down what I've seen.