Just when I thought I had a handle on the weather, it got ugly. Last week when I got back from California, it was about 50 degrees outside. Not exactly warm, but when you realize that when I left New York for Christmas it was 30 degrees, and when I left California it was 40 degrees, so this was a change for the better. I even went out my first night back with only a cardigan on! I knew it was a fluke, but I just didn’t expect what was to come.

On Monday of last week, I went to work wearing a long sleeved fitted t-shirt and a coat. No hat, no scarf, no gloves. And I was fine! I couldn’t believe it. I bragged to some of the people at work about how well I was adjusting. I talked about how when I was back in California, it was unseasonably cold, so I never had a chance to thaw out. While everyone seemed appreciative of my efforts, they all had a little smile. Each person was quick to point out, “Just wait, you haven’t seen anything yet.” I didn’t think anything could be worse than the blizzard I endured my first week here, so I just rolled my eyes at them all.

As the week went on, though, the weather got progressively colder. Still, I didn’t think it was too bad. I wore the comfy new scarf that Tara and George gave me, and I was sure to zip up my coat and wear a hat and gloves. Then, on Friday, it hit: the wind. Now, I don’t know about you, but the closest I had ever been to a wind chill before this weekend was a slight breeze when I was laying on the beach. This wind smacked you in the face. This wind knocked the air out of your lungs. This wind chilled you to the bone, mocking your jacket. It didn’t care how many layers you had on. The wind was Kryptonite, and everyone was Superman. On Saturday morning, I had on six layers and I was still so cold I wanted to die. When I woke up on Saturday, the temperature was zero. Zero degrees. And that WASN’T COUNTING THE WIND CHILL! Just awful, and it was like that all weekend.

I also heard something that I didn’t know was possible: there is such a thing as too cold to snow. Who knew? Not this California girl. I don’t like the snow when I am going to and from work, but I don’t mind it the rest of the time. Yet today, I was crossing my fingers, hoping that the snow would come. This is because when there is snow, there is a cloud cover, and clouds keep in warmth! Luckily, snow came early Monday morning, so yesterday and today it has been back to a reasonable 35-40 degrees. Until tomorrow, when the vicious chilling cycle starts again. It’s going to be a long winter.

I totally forgot to mention that my friend Brianne got engaged over the holidays! We had a pre-arranged lunch date for two days after Christmas, so when the time came we met at a nice little cafe near where our parents live. It had taken me a few minutes to find parking, so I was flustered when I ran in and met Brianne. We moved to get in line, and she said, “I have to show you something.” As I started to ask her what, she stuck out her left hand to show me the most gorgeous emerald cut ring! I opened my mouth to scream, caught it, and squealed while I jumped onto her. I still can’t believe she’s engaged! I am so happy. It seriously made my vacation. I love her and Derek, her fiancé (oh man, she has a FIANCE!), and I just couldn’t be happier. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I have to say, all of my friends who are married or engaged have the best person they could possibly be with, and I am so lucky to be able to witness the dating through the weddings (although, it does make me realize how far away I am…again). We are all so fortunate and blessed.

The cold is doing crazy things to me. Did I just say “blessed?” I’d better go get a Hot Toddy and put an end to that madness.