Baby, It's F#$&^ Cold Outside

November 8, 2009

When I first arrived, the weather was amazing. It was almost equivalent to our NY end-of-summer weather because I was wearing short sleeves and could afford to go without a jacket. This phenomenon, if you will, is called “Indian Summer.” To me, Indian Summer is mother nature giving you false hope about the future climate. Fortunately, I’ve lived in DC for 4 years so I’m used to fickle weather. When Indian Summer was over, that’s when I felt the cool, brisk autumn weather. It was lovely and refreshing. So lovely and refreshing that I said, “I need to buy an autumn coat!”

So last month (early October), I went shopping for a cute autumn jacket at a local mall called “Park House.” A mall is a mall is a mall, no matter where in the world. That is because a woman is a woman is a woman. Period. And as a woman who went for one jacket, I came back with two. The irony--I went to a store named “The New Yorker” that is operated by a German company. For an American, it is expensive to shop for decent-quality clothes in Russia. It’s the truth--and it’s not because I’m cheap. I was eating gretchka and borscht for awhile.

Within the next few weeks, the days got significantly shorter and the weather got increasingly colder. By the end of the month, it was freezing temperature (about 30 degrees Fahrenheit). Silly me, I only wore my two coats for a few weeks. Right now, the temperature is equivalent to our winter…and it’s only fall. The nights get to -5 degrees Celsius. So far, I’m surviving because I go from my flat, walk a few minutes to transportation, and go to another building. But I can really feel those few minutes outside. Friends, I don’t think I will make it through the winter.

In the last week of October, I saw ice on the streets. By Halloween, we had our first snow fall (I know some of you in the States have already had snow). I didn’t mind the snow at first because it was big, soft, and fluffy. And fresh snow makes the city look pretty. Fresh snow doesn’t stay fresh for long, you know. In Argentina, the winter was pretty cold, but I managed with a light jacket…I was in denial about the cold. Here, I’ve worn my winter coat--rated for -30 degrees Fahrenheit--a few times, but I want to acclimate my body to the cold. When I can’t stand it anymore is when I will freeze in my winter coat.

Still, I see some girls on the street wearing leggings and mini skirts. They look cold. Cute, but cold. Therefore, they look stupid. I’m not making judgments--I’ve looked stupid for the sake of looking cute before.

When there is a problem, you naturally search for a solution, yes? My options:
- Sit by the radiator
- Drink tea
- Eat lots of soup …or I just eat for a higher caloric intake (calories = heat energy, it’s basic science)
- Find another warm body (I live with 5 other people)
- Vodka (or other tender spirits)
- Wear really warm, wool socks and mittens made by babushkas
- Earmuffs (I haven’t seen anyone else wear them, but I’m rocking it)

Send warm thoughts, please. It’s faster than the post.

(Internet problems still make posting pictures a pain in the butt...I will update with pictures...some time)