Cold Day

Today, Wednesday November 12, has been the coldest day of the week so far. My hands are freezing, I can not feel them at all. I do not want to know how cold the winter is going to be this year. Just like last week, I see girls everywhere wearing their UGG boots. People are know wearing big jackets and I see that some are even wearing gloves. There are the occasional people that are wearing flip flops and shorts; I do not understand how they can be wearing that at this time of year; I know that is part of American culture.

I arrive at my field cite, and the warm air and laughter welcomes me in. I order a hot coffee to warm myself up; the hot cup feels good in my hands, and I hold it with both hands until they both warm up a little bit. Today, the place is not very full and all the people are inside, there is no one sitting outside in the tables. I see that the majority of the people have ordered coffee. Everyone is cold and are enjoying something warm. There are seven groups of people inside, all enjoying a coffee and their breakfast.

There is one particular group composed of three girls and they do not have much of a conversation going around. They say a few sentences and answer one another and then stay quiet until someone brings something else up. The three of them are engulfed in the conversation each of them are having on their phones. They keep answering texts, and sending photos on snapchat. It is funny seeing them do their "duck" faces, and all other weird faces they do. I do not understand how people can like that stuff. They look like retards doing those faces, and it is sad that these days that is all people do. Snapchat, Facebook and texting has taken away the face-to-face conversations we can enjoy with people. What is the point of eating or drinking coffee with you friends if you are just going to spend your time on the phone texting and taking pictures? It is frustrating when you are with friends and all they do is be on their phones.

I move on to another group and this group is composed of two girls and a guy. Unlike the other group, they are having a conversation with one another, but they occasionally check their phones as if they want time to go faster. Again, people can not seem to stay out of their phones.

The third group that I observe is the complete opposite from the past two groups of people. I recognize the three girls that were here last week. One of them ordered a coffee,another one ate a burrito, and the third one did not eat at all. I noticed that this girls did not have their phones out; one of them checked their phone to know what time it was, and I heard her telling the other two what time it was. They must have another class, and are just keeping track of their time. They were having an interesting conversation; I overheard them talking about their boyfriends and also some family problems that one of them was having. They had all their attention focused on the girl who was talking, and they showed their sympathy and their support. They were bilingual, easily changing from Spanish to English. I can relate to them because I am also bilingual and I can talk both languages fluently and change from one to another without notice.

I moved toward the back part of the cafeteria; the part where people go to study and do homework. Seven people were there doing their homework and reading their textbooks. Nothing unusual was going on there.