#tomskitchen

After three days of near-constant shivering and extra layers, I have developed a theory. Around the time it got freezing (by London terms, of course), two of my favorite Chicagoans arrived. There is absolutely no way those are independent events. Or maybe I'm just really cold. 

I remember meeting some other study abroad students who asked, "Why in the world would you leave sunny California for this?" "This" referred to London's sometimes gloomy October weather, which had provided a lovely, brisk fall. Little did these people know that my real weather sacrifice was leaving the standard 72 and sunny southern California to brave hail, snow--you name it--in the best city in the world. Chicago is probably my favorite place, but its one flaw is the weather. But hey, it builds character, right?

Today, I decided the best way to prepare myself for Evanston's negative degree windchill and other weather unpleasantries is to lighten up. Not just my attitude, but excessive layering. So, as I walked around in my sweater and peacoat, it became abundantly clear how unappreciative Londoners are during the winter. Just outside good ol' 2B is a sea of giant down jackets, scarves, gloves--the whole shebang.

I hate to write a blog post entirely about weather, but it is fascinating to me. At school, I have grown accustomed to wearing so much clothing that you are nearly unrecognizable to passersby. But the second I get to Newport, I cannot tolerate a temperature less than 70. Here, my threshold is certainly being tested, as it lies somewhere in the middle of "I am prepared to die while waiting for the Frostbite Express" and "Pass the sunscreen and my sunnies, please." People living here definitely seem to be living their own polar vortex, but they really don't understand how good they have it. 

The lack of Vitamin D has no doubt affected this Californian, but the extreme cold of Chicago and dreariness of London have changed my perceptions and tolerance of horrible weather. And while I believe that character building occurs as the thermometer drops and am very sad to see my Chicagoans return west, I hope they take the cold weather with them.