Just another Sunset

By now it should be common knowledge, not to say a cliché, that college is overwhelming sometimes. Often we have a whole lot of homework to do, midterms to study for, and some of us also work, which means it can very easily get out of hand and become a stressful situation. However, and I do believe it is a skill, we need to find ways to slow down and take a break from our routines. Trust me, though, this is not at all difficult when you live in Santa Barbara.

 

I know people here who practice all sorts of sports on and off campus, hang out with friends, go to club meetings, yoga, and I’ve even seen a group of students who get together and meditate once or twice a week. It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as it works.

I come from a big city in Brazil that is somewhat far from the cost and, growing up, I would rarely be able to see the ocean, and I definitely did not have sunsets nearly as beautiful as the ones Santa Barbara provides me with. Thus, I believe this is the reason behind my passion for the sea, and why I seem to never get tired of the breathtaking views here. That said, sunsets in southern California are often characterized by a spectrum ranging from a bright blue above our heads, to a blood-like red that is only noticeable as our gaze descends down the horizon. And this is how I relax. I sometimes take the long way home, which implies in having music blasting on my headphones (usually some Rock’n’roll) as I walk by the beach, go to the pier, and only then do I walk up State Street toward my apartment. But, hey, that is what works for me.