I love going to the mail room. During the semester, I tend to check my mail every day. This, however, is usually an exercise in futility. After my eleven o'clock class, I walk by the student union and I start wondering, What if someone sent me mail? Once I think that, the temptation is just too strong and I have to go check. At least ninety-five percent of the time, the exercise then ends in disappointment. I did not get mail and I walk away discouraged.
But I always go back. Some days, I've been known to check more than once.
I'm not sure why I have this compulsion. Part of it is undoubtedly because, way back when I was a freshman, my friends and I occasionally sent each other letters. (Then we got lazy.) Part of it is because there are times when the college sends students important papers. Last October it was because I suddenly developed the paranoid notion that my absentee ballot application hadn't gone through so I wouldn't be able to vote. Mostly, though, I think I just like the thrill of the chase.
Since it's Winter Term right now, I've slacked off a little bit on my mail checking routine because the inflow of mail is even less than normal. The only thing I've gotten so far was a book. Admittedly, it was a very good YA book that I'm very happy to have received, but one book doesn't make up for all the empty mailbox days I've had.
This depression is further compounded by the fact that I'm waiting for a really big package to arrive: a drum and a drum stand for CSA's lion dance troupe. We ordered the drum at the end of last semester, and since then I've been anticipating the arrival of this giant package with my name on it. Transporting it from the mail room is going to be a very exciting event.
Unfortunately, it hasn't shown up yet. The new lion, which we ordered later, has already arrived. It's gorgeous, but it didn't come to my mailbox, so the sense of satisfaction isn't quite the same.
Nevertheless, I will continue staring hopefully into my mailbox every other day, waiting for that blue slip that tells me a package has arrived.
