As I mentioned over at "What Now", it has always amused me that so many Universities in northern climes call it "spring break" and have a "spring semester" that begins in January.
On the other hand, here in Chapel Hill, spring break comes in between the daffodils and azaleas. Much more civilized, don't you think? 
Right now, in my yard and neighborhood, the daffodils, forsythia, cherry trees, camellias, periwinkle, tulip magnolias, and ornamental pear trees are all full bloom. The Carolina jasmine, wisteria, rhododendron, azaleas and dogwoods are getting ready to pop their buds and strut their stuff. Jealous yet?
If so, stick your tounge out at me in July and August, when I'm either hibernating in air-conditioning or submerged in pools that have gotten too warm for swimming laps.
BTW - this would be a great time of year for a blogger meet-up in my fragrant neck of the flowering woods.
It's just cruel to remind those of us in frozen lands about things like flowers and summer, because, really, I have doubts every winter that Persephone's really coming up again out of Hades!
Posted by: Bardiac | March 06, 2006 at 07:21 AM
Don't worry Bardiac, you can taunt me this summer when I'm in Hades for four months.
Posted by: academic coach | March 06, 2006 at 11:28 AM
I am trying to convince myself that cold and humid is spring coming on here. The birds and trees think so, anyway, and that makes everyone crazy enough. Campuses are funny places. If it is over fifty degrees, suddenly all 18-21 year-olds are body builders and pop divas.
Posted by: Edie | March 06, 2006 at 02:23 PM
You're so right, Edie. It used to make me lol to see students at UMich wear shorts and camis when the weather got above 50.
And I always felt sorry for the students at the end of the school year -- they had to leave for home just as the cherry trees began to bloom.
Posted by: academic coach | March 07, 2006 at 08:03 AM
Oh, you make me very envious of your earlier Spring... I can't wait for next month when we can finally see some color, then for May when everything's finally green again!
(well, I have to admit that I have several crocuses blooming in my front garden, but that's all :)
Posted by: Lilian | March 08, 2006 at 12:22 AM