Winter Update

From a yearlong Alaska resident: "I thought I'd have gotten used to the coldness after my first Winter but I'm very wrong about that."

Driving a forward wheel-drive is not ideal for a reckless driver who is self-diagnosed with a case of road rage. I just want to get that Subaru outback and press on gas as I turn. The road sucks here, it really does. When the road gets so icy and dirty- the lanes disappear and we make up our own lanes. Uhm. Northern Lights Street has four lane but it'll become three soon. 

We went on a pub crawl last weekend and we only walked outside for five minutes to get from a bar to another in 20-something degrees weather. I was wearing my snow boots, northface down jacket, and my jeans. Before we were halfway, I realized I couldn't feel my butt. It was freezing cold, really really cold. By time we arrived into other bar, I told my friends that I better have earned myself a some kind of sticker "I'm a true Alaskan because I walked out in 20-something degree weather outside for five minutes." But then I forgot that there are way colder places out. There are people who work in colder climate and in longer period of time. There are people who choose to compete in iron dog and Iditarod competition during one of bitterest times in the Winter. Also there are people who has lived in Alaska way longer than I have! So, clearly with that thought- I dropped this whole wishful thinking of earning that Alaskan sticker. 

     We were in the midst of being halfway there to next bar. 
       (blurriness due to the photographer shivering!)

Enjoying my glass of Midnight Sun's Sockeye Red IPA: being a goody 2 shoes: DRINKING LOCALLY!

Last week I got a bit sick and a friend came in with a 12 pack of Sprite, we did not have any room in the fridge. At first I couldn't figure where else to refrigate those cans but then I had the "aha" moment. It is COLD out and there's unlimited source of freezer outside! (with discretion of others stealing) I placed the pack outside for about 2 hours and it froze. I opened and drank a slurpee. The temperature is going down. It really is, Alaskans meant business when they say "Winter."

The good news is, it'll get much colder but it should snow more- making colder days more bearable. I miss the 30's weather already. The daylight is cutting down already but I have not been affected by it yet. The sun goes down around 4:25ish as of now. I'm on my second week of Vitamin D intake, no difference yet but it has helped me with my sleep schedule. Alaskans truly know how to decorate around the climate, Holidays lights are up so early and it look really pretty! I still enjoy hot drinks way more.