Week 0 - Jacqueline Malenke - The Beauty of Irvine (Example Blog Post)

To say that Irvine is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever lived in is an understatement. Sure, when you see Irvine at first glance you think manicured little houses in manicured little neighborhoods that aren't too lively. One of the biggest complaints I have heard about attending UC Irvine is that "there is nothing to do and it is SO boring!" However, I must disagree with both of these sentiments. While Irvine is filled with manicured little houses in manicured neighborhoods, the beauty surrounding the area is unmatched. The campus of UC Irvine alone is quite impeccable and peaceful. 

The video above is an example of the peacefulness that UCI has to offer. The breeze is gently flowing through the trees as the bright sunshine gleams through the leaves leaving gentle dancing shadows on the ground. It is so quiet, and you can feel the warmth emitting from this video. It feels comforting and calm; it feels like you can slow down and rest amongst the insanity of final papers and assignments, that you can breathe in the fresh, clean air and take a moment for yourself. 

Just outside of my apartment on campus every evening the sky sets ablaze. In the beginning hours of the setting sun, it is a soft and gentle mixture of colors with bright pinks and oranges mixed with the cold blue sky of the day slowly fading. You can see in the photo above the rush of darkness slowly encroaching into the daylight. It feels as if the peach colored clouds are a soft and fluffy blanket tucking the sun in for a good night's rest. 

Finally, on a walk around the University Hills behind campus, I was lucky enough to snap this photo of the entire city skyline ablaze with a red hot sunset and an intense blue sky above. It feels as if it is the beginning of the end of the day and now it is time for rest in the comfort of your home. If you are more of a night owl, however, it can be the beginning of an evening of adventure! The city lights begin popping on at random, it starts to become darker around you, and the only light is that of the fiery sunset slowly getting lower and lower until there is just a deep blue sky and dappled city lights surrounding you. 

At the end of it all, Irvine has so much more to offer than just tiny houses that are all the same. It has a comforting and warm breeze flowing through the trees, it has a blanket of peach colored clouds covering the sky, and it has a blazing sunset to send you off into the night.