But this won't be long.
My town received its first snowfall of the season Sunday night. I received a text message from my supervisor that said, "It's snow! [insert very cute snowman picture here]."
I quickly looked outside, only to see that it was just raining. She lives in a different part of our town so I guess it was snowing there. Then as I was leaving to meet some friends for a dinner get-together I found my car covered in SNOW! Oh the whiteness!
Shocked, I just stood there - gawking. It was kind of like when I was a dwarf and my parents plopped me in the snow for the first time, and I just stood there. No wailing of the arms, screaming - NOTHING.
Then I took the following video while my car was warming up.
It was my first time driving in actual falling snow and I didn't like it. It felt like I was stepping in the twilight zone, literally, because all I could see were starbursts of snowflakes attacking my windshield. I was getting nauseas. I really tried to look past the snow, but that just didn't work.
I drove slowly, especially since I hadn't switched my tires to the snow ones yet. And made it home all in one piece.
The following morning, our town was coated with snow and it was, I admit, very beautiful. My supervisor didn't want me driving so she picked me up. I tested out the snow boots I bought - which work like a charm and I am loving them more and more. I find the fact that they are pink, just hilarious - no shame.
The day after, snow/ice had frozen on my car. Another new experience. I only had 10 minutes to spare before being late and quickly took off the snow with whatever I could find. Then I couldn't open my door! It was frozen shut. CRAP! So I pulled and pulled and kicked. And finally it opened.
And so, it's cold and winter has started a bit earlier this year. Many, many people here predict a harsh winter. Why do they tell me that? Just lie to me, pleaseeeee. It sucks to jump out of bed even more now and walk out into another unheated room of my apartment. I only have one heater.
I bitch and moan in the morning, but somehow make it out the door - all smiles - and ready to go.
But the lifesaver is definitely my kotatsu. I finally set it up. Everyone in Japan has a kotatsu, which is a small table that has a build in heater underneath. You put a thick futon over the table and a hard cover over that. Then turn it on and enjoy the comfort of the warmth being trapped underneath.
Japanese families practically live in this thing all winter long and I absolutely love it. I'm finding it hard to pry myself from it and soon the impression of my butt cheeks will be heavily embedded in my floor chair.
Mos def, need to import this to America with me.
Kotatsu (Courtesy of Wikipedia)[BTW] My co-workers laughed when they found out I took pictures of the snow. When translated they pretty much said, "... she has no idea what's in store for her."
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1 comments:
Ah Snow...fond memories of freezing my keister...but also alot of good times coming out of the cold to a warm shower and thick covers to make one melt in bed. Just remember to always dress for conditions outside and not where you are going. Ya never know when you may end up stranded in a snowbank somewhere.
Also, with freezing temps, always be certain your windshield wipers are unstuck before you turn them on...sometimes they do break. I either purposely lift them up off the windshield or ensure the vehicle is warmed up, the defroster has been blasting warm air to start melt the frost off the windshield.
Part of the winter wonderland is a snow angel...ensure you do at least one this year.
Also make certain you know how to operate that tokatsu or whatever that blanket-with-heater-over-coffee table looking thing is. If there's fire involved with that thing, you must ensure it's out before you leave for the day or hit the rack.
OK...can't wait to see you...I'm counting the days.
P.O.
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