I was recently given a very nice, very large golf umbrella as a "thank you" for being an RA. It's wonderful. I can walk in the rain, and I stay dry! Much better than the tiny umbrellas I've used in the past.
Of course, in order to stay dry, I must actually carry it to class. Today, I did not. There was sun shine this morning and since I do not check the weather, only the temperature, I was unaware of the weather I was in for today.
I left German to walk back to my dorm (across campus) in rain and, what is that, oh yeah, HAIL! I haven't walked in hail since Italy, and it wasn't fun then either. Of course, I'm also walking in my chacos, which are sandals, so my toes are freezing as well. Hail is getting under foot, in hair, and down the back of my shirt. By the time I got back to my room, I looked like a cold drowned rat.
Now I remember why I always had a little umbrella. I could leave it in my backpack for those crazy days that start with sun and end with rain. Wasn't fully effective, but provided some protection at least.
Ah well. I'm safe, changed and blow-dried now. At least there aren't any tornadoes associated with this storm. I can curl up with a book in complete safety. I love these kinds of days... as long as I have an umbrella or no where to go.