I grew up outside of Vancouver, BC where our winters required no more than a light fall coat. I think that is my threshold - a light wool fall coat is the most that I could possibly need to be equipped for winter. I was in in for a real shock when I first moved to Toronto. I was even diagnosed for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) my second winter here and started "light therapy." I still have one of those lights that I turn on every now and again and pretend it's a real sun. Somehow it doesn't quite have the same effect.
Anyhow these days I am feeling the winter crunch again. I really do want to hibernate until April (conveniently when my last semester is finished) and come out when the ice thaws, the snow is gone, and there are signs of life once again. I am just not cut out for these harsh winter seasons. And being that this is my last semester in school and thus far the last thing that is tying me down to Toronto winters, I really hope this is my last one here.
I joke with many of my friends about moving south, to the States where the winters are more moderate (most recently in love with LA). But I am not really joking, I am kind of waiting for my escape. I am armed with dual citizenship, a Social Security Number, and a big reason (to get out of Canadian winters). I still don't entirely know what my future holds post-graduation. But I do know that I will be doing my best to orient my life so that I can spend the majority of my winters in warmer pastures than Hog Town.
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Me too, Lisa. That's why there needs to be more dinner parties, crafting, and snuggling in the cold months.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Australia, so I'm in the same boat. On another related note, I suffered from SAD as well! Still do...these next few months are so depressing, seriously. Get me out!
ReplyDeleteIn this part of the US, just southeast of Toronto across the big lake, I always thought SAD was just being grumpy, still do, especially during this time of year. I think a good 12 hours of sleep is a deterent for the blues, sundown to sun-up that should be your hibernating time, it works for me.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, the only thing that works for me is either to go away to the Bahamas for a week,, but if you can't afford that,, 15 minutes in a tanning bed will give u just the vitamin D dose you need to lift up those winter blues,, that's my 2 cents!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, too :( I'm all up for moving to San Diego, they have over 250 sunny days in a year, unbelievable. And I hate how Toronto has no real spring weather, it snows in April and then you turn on your AC in May :(
ReplyDeleteI spent two winters in Vancouver, and they were far more depressing than Toronto's! The first one in particular (1998-1999) was very brutal, with about only 24 total hours of sunshine between November and January, a record, and frequent torrential, cold rain. Now that was justification for SAD.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I'm from Québec City, so I'm also familiar with the "typical" Canadian winter. I would say that I would take Vancouver's winter over Toronto's on the long term, but the first winter there, getting used to the humidity penetrating your bones even though it's 8 degrees, was probably the coldest winter in my life. The next winter there was noticeably more comfortable, as I had become a "West Coast lizard", as I like to call it, being used to live in the 10 to 25'C temperature range that characterizes Vancouver, with people calling 12 degrees "warm weather" and having coffee on a patio in January :]
Come to Texas ;) I've never lived in a cold cold place. I love winter though :)
ReplyDeleteOh I know! BURRR I'm so not looking forward to January and February!
ReplyDeleteAnon- crafting :). That makes me very happy, but it's been too long since I have indulged. Goal over holidays is to organize crafting/art/sewing supplies.
ReplyDeleteKavisolo - I never knew you grew up in Australia. Then for sure you feel my pain!
Torry - 12 hours of sleep! I feel guilty about my 9 hours already. SAD is much different than being grumpy. Can have really harsh effects on people.
Rachelle - Bahamas, I wish! Tanning beds do sound good but I still always fret about carcinogenic properties and energy consumption. I know I hope I get over it too!
Dejana - that's why everyone loves that city!
Frandroid- somehow the lack of sun and rain in BC didn't bother me - it was the snow and cold that got me going. Having said that 12 degrees is too chill for me to be chilling on any patio ...
Liz- That would be neat, I have never made it there before!
Tania- I know they are the WORST. Okay breathing now.