So...cold...
It is very, very cold. It doesn't help that I'm sitting here, post-shower, willing my cold, wet hair to dry. It does help that I'm completely dressed in sweats and knee socks with a big feather comforter on top. I'm amazed at how cold it gets in Sydney. Before we left for Darwin (just a few days before Easter) it was still warm, so warm in fact that we were still sleeping with a fan on. As soon as we got back from the Northern Territory, the autumn chill had set in and it's only gotten worse since. Yesterday slammed in with icy breezes. Australians assume that because I'm from Seattle I should be able to handle the cold better, but it's the same problem I ran into while in South America--no central heating!
In Seattle, I'd begin the day in my heated apartment. Next I would brave the cold to my car, and the heater was usually up and running by the time I hit the Aurora bridge. Gloves were employed only during the transition, then quickly lost in the clutter of my car. Once at work, I would hop out of my car and into the low temperatures for ten seconds and then I was inside where, once again, the building was heated. I have conferred with natives of Ireland and Switzerland and it's agreed--quasi-cold weather without central heating is colder than genuinely cold weather where people are prepared. It's almost the same as snow in Seattle. I grew up with snow and therefore learned how to drive in the snow. This usually involves studded tires or chains--one must be prepared for the elements--and accelerating and braking slowly. Common sense. When I moved to Seattle, I was happy about the lack of snow, though on the rare occasion that snow did hit, the chaos was frightening to witness. No preparation in terms of tires, which is understandable because why would people have studded tires or chains when it only snows maybe two times per year? But the speeding up and slowing down with caution didn't sink in very well... I also remember watching the news and seeing a driver in their trendy little SUV trying to drive in the snow, which only resulted in spinning tires and a quick accumulation of impacted snow and ice under the tires. I watched with glee as the newsperson finally gave up their documentary-style filming and went to show the person how to use the four wheel drive their vehicle was built to use.
People in Sydney, though it's freezing, still like to dress as though it's warm. There is still an abundance of short-skirted girls (though to be honest, they do a pretty good job of wearing stockings, but less for the warmth I think and more because of the style factor) and sandals and thongs. I see t-shirts without jackets fairly frequently and I've even seen guys wearing shorts. It is not the weather for that attire!
I am chilled to the bone at the moment. Must employ heaters...and you know, I hardly brought any sweaters to Sydney because I imagined more warmth year-round. Getting the most out of the sun here is still manageable, though. The couch on our back porch has perfect positioning for the morning sun. With the breezes blocked on all sides, you're left with the scorching sun burning down. Last winter, as I wiled away my unemployed days, I spent much time sitting on that couch reading while being heated by the sun, usually with a cup of tea at my side. It's easier to appreciate the unemployed days when I'm employed. :)
Work is fine. I could tell you a thing or two about how I disagree with most of the fundraising strategies employed in this office, but at least most of the people are nice.
Those are my ramblings for the moment. I have some pictures to post but I'll have to get them off Marcus's mom's camera first. I temporarily misplaced mine, but I'll put up some fun pictures soon.
In Seattle, I'd begin the day in my heated apartment. Next I would brave the cold to my car, and the heater was usually up and running by the time I hit the Aurora bridge. Gloves were employed only during the transition, then quickly lost in the clutter of my car. Once at work, I would hop out of my car and into the low temperatures for ten seconds and then I was inside where, once again, the building was heated. I have conferred with natives of Ireland and Switzerland and it's agreed--quasi-cold weather without central heating is colder than genuinely cold weather where people are prepared. It's almost the same as snow in Seattle. I grew up with snow and therefore learned how to drive in the snow. This usually involves studded tires or chains--one must be prepared for the elements--and accelerating and braking slowly. Common sense. When I moved to Seattle, I was happy about the lack of snow, though on the rare occasion that snow did hit, the chaos was frightening to witness. No preparation in terms of tires, which is understandable because why would people have studded tires or chains when it only snows maybe two times per year? But the speeding up and slowing down with caution didn't sink in very well... I also remember watching the news and seeing a driver in their trendy little SUV trying to drive in the snow, which only resulted in spinning tires and a quick accumulation of impacted snow and ice under the tires. I watched with glee as the newsperson finally gave up their documentary-style filming and went to show the person how to use the four wheel drive their vehicle was built to use.
People in Sydney, though it's freezing, still like to dress as though it's warm. There is still an abundance of short-skirted girls (though to be honest, they do a pretty good job of wearing stockings, but less for the warmth I think and more because of the style factor) and sandals and thongs. I see t-shirts without jackets fairly frequently and I've even seen guys wearing shorts. It is not the weather for that attire!
I am chilled to the bone at the moment. Must employ heaters...and you know, I hardly brought any sweaters to Sydney because I imagined more warmth year-round. Getting the most out of the sun here is still manageable, though. The couch on our back porch has perfect positioning for the morning sun. With the breezes blocked on all sides, you're left with the scorching sun burning down. Last winter, as I wiled away my unemployed days, I spent much time sitting on that couch reading while being heated by the sun, usually with a cup of tea at my side. It's easier to appreciate the unemployed days when I'm employed. :)
Work is fine. I could tell you a thing or two about how I disagree with most of the fundraising strategies employed in this office, but at least most of the people are nice.
Those are my ramblings for the moment. I have some pictures to post but I'll have to get them off Marcus's mom's camera first. I temporarily misplaced mine, but I'll put up some fun pictures soon.
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