My Winter Wonderland!

You need to understand:  I have spent my entire life living in areas where snowfall is rare, almost unheard of.  I would see it on the news, in old Christmas movies, and in other people's vacation photos.  Occasionally I would be lucky enough to see some sporadic flakes descending from above, but those moments were always few and very far between.  So when Mr Weather dares hint about possible snow, I get so excited.

For the last few years I have been living right on the east coast.  Hurricanes we get, snow we don't.  But this winter has been an exception.  I got to see an almost White Christmas, and that was amazing. I tend to think of it as a belayed Christmas gift from God.  A few weeks later, on the first day of classes, I woke up to a surprise snow that shut down the school system (God's surprise present to me).  Both of these occurances of winter weather left less than 3 inches of snow, but that didn't matter to me.  I saw snow!

I thought all this was amazing and wonderful, but it was nothing compared to what visited the coast this past weekend!  I was cautiously informed by Mr Weather that there was a small possibility of a "dusting" to occur late Saturday afternoon.  Imagine my surprise and joy when, at 10am Saturday morning, tiny white flakes began floating down from the sky.  How pretty they were!  I sat by the window and enjoyed them while I could, because I was told they wouldn't be dancing for me for long. 

Not only did they keep falling, they came down heavier and faster.  The lithe dancers turned into hardy runners and raced each other to the ground.  Within hours I huddled under my electric blanket as I drank in the sight of a complete white-out beyond my dining room windows.  Poor Mr Weather was so confused.  By the end of the day it had finally stopped falling.  What was predicted to be a light dusting had left over 6 inches on my porch!

Now I know some of you do not like the snow, but I love it!  I love the look of a brand new white blanket covering my muddy, rutted yard and stately Snowmen guarding my driveway.  The smell of the snow, crisp and fresh and clean, enraptures my senses.  The sound of snow, however, is my favorite thing.  Snow is quiet, muffling out the chaotic sounds of the world and leaving a calming peacefulness in its wake.  For a few moments I forget about the worries of life.  Everything is new.  Everything is clean.  Everything is quiet.  Everything is perfect.

Frozen Inside and Out

I am an addict, but I do not have a problem.  Admitting that I have a problem would entail lableing my frequent trips to Starbucks as detrimental, and we all know they are not.  There can be absolutely nothing adverse about the happiness waiting right inside the entryway for me.  I can also quit whenever I want to.  I just don't want to.

This past week I began my second year as a full-time college student, complete with a night class located 45 minutes from my home.  Getting there was not an issue.  It is a relatively easy drive and I had my own personal mix of Owl City to accompany me.  Staying awake through the class, however, was the issue.  It was a chilly 26 degrees outside, not taking into effect the biting wind.  So naturally, those in charge of the thermostat felt the need to overcompensate for the frigidness outside by roasting us alive inside.  In less than two minutes my coat and scarf had come off, and I was bemoaning my winter clothing.  For the next two and a half hours I vainly struggled to stay awake and focused on Governmental and Non-Profit Accounting.  Yes, is it exactly as stimulating as it sounds.

By the time the class was over I did not know what I was going to do.  I was hot, tired, and my brain hurt.  How would I ever make that late night drive home through the now dark and deer-infested roads?  With a smile on my weary face I exited the oven and walked out into the freezer,got into my car and headed to the Target; for the Target alone held my only hope:  a Starbucks!

Shivering, I walked up to the counter and placed my order.  "I realize that it is less than 30 degrees outside, but I NEED a Grande Java Chip Frappuccino, please" I said through chattering teeth to the barista.  Amazingly, she didn't laugh out loud at me like I thought she would.  And in less than five minutes later I was returning to the bitter cold with my frozen coffee drink clenched in my bare hands.  No, I do not have a problem.

Now I know that one is supposed to have a hot drink when it is so cold outside.  The heat from a hot coffee  or a hot chocolate warms a person from the inside out.  But that was not what I wanted.  "Besides," I said to my dear friend the Frapp, "if I had something hot inside it would make me confused on the outside.  Better to be cold both without and within, as it requires much less thought."  I needed the concentration to drive myself home.

I slowly enjoyed my Frapp all the way home that night, and thankfully saw no deer waiting to attack me.  I credit the Java Chips with scaring them off.  Java Chips usually terrify any living creature at night, except me.  Yes, I can quit whenever I want to.  I just don't want to.

To the Victor goes the Frap!

Come, friends and celebrate with me.  Raise your frappuccino cups in victory, for I have conquered my adversary!  After having spent the last day in a fierce battle for supremacy, I have won.  My enemy was deceptively sneaky, and there were times when I thought I would lose the fight. It didn't help that I was unprepared for the battle and had never suspected that an ambush was lying in wait behind a seemingly easy problem.   That problem:  assembling an office desk.

Sure, it looked easy on the box.  A very simple desk, with the most advanced piece being a pull-out drawer for a keyboard and mouse.  It was much heavier than I had perceived it to be, but after I had arraigned to have it deposited into the space I would be assembling it in I thought the rest of the project would be a chunk of brownie (I don't like cake).  And the instructions insisted it would only take an hour and a half.  How hard could it be?

Never believe the lie of the instructions!  Especially when they state how easy something is to put together.  They trick you into believing them, and then they have you doubting your sanity and threatening extreme violence against an inanimate object.  After studying the pre-assembly instructions (seriously, everything is in the pre-assembly stage until it is finished, right?) I was left in a state of utter confusion.  Why weren't the screws called screws?  Where is part number 7?  What direction is FRONT really supposed to be facing?  And there is no such thing as the pre-attached plastic anchors in parts 3, 6, 7, and 4!

It was right after the second interruption of my now two hour fight that I almost threw my hands up in surrender.  I had become distracted and had glued a whole section on facing the opposite direction ( I blame that on my unexpected visitor) and the temptation to collapse into despair almost overwhelmed me.  But then I remembered who I am.  I am Samantha!  I am a smart, highly educated woman!  I fear no computer desk!  It shall not defeat me!  I attacked the assorted parts and pieces with renewed vigor, and they bowed to my will.  After another hour of gluing and assembling, I stood back and basked in my glory:  my desk was complete.  In ten minutes I had wrestled it against the wall I had chosen and had placed all my equipment onto it. I held my head up high, my proud gaze critically sweeping over my accomplishment.  It looked great!

The desk chair, which had remained in its box the entire duration of my epic battle, must have realized that resistance was futile.  Within five minutes I was sitting on it adjusting the hiegth.  I was Queen Samantha, sitting on my majestic throne regally surveying my hard won kingdom. 

After striving so long and hard, I deserved a reward.  And that Grande Java Chip Frappuccino hit the spot.  Bring on the next challenge!