Brrr... In my 24 years I don't think I've ever known a December to be quite this cold. Usually it's January and February that bring such freezing temperatures with them. If December is cold, it's typically just for a few days, but I think the entire month has been well below freezing with wind chills considered deadly.
I read on CBC that back home, southwestern Saskatchewan, that a number of records for Dec. 22 were shattered as Val Marie took to a temperature of -37.3C without wind chill.
Out east they're not having any more fun with winter in fact I think I'd rather take the biting cold as opposed to an ice storm which leaves thousands without power.
On Dec. 23, though Wayne Miscolzi, CBC weather specialist stated: "It's a brutal morning across most of Saskatchewan this a.m. ...The good news is we're gradually seeing the cold air move to the south and the east."
I guess this at least means we'll have a little bit of warmth, however, as I sit here writing this the back door is open for people to load papers and the sheer chill which is wafting in makes me think twice. But, what does it mean to be Canadian, if not to be able to handle a little cold snap during the winter.
As my hands turn, literally, purple outside this is what I tell myself: "I'm Canadian, I'm tough enough for this."
And for those of you who have had the opportunity to shake my hand, you know I'm not exaggerating when I say my hands turn purple and are quite cold.
They're cold year round and are simply worse in the winter with such extreme temperatures. It is usually the first thing that people react to though. Quite often older ladies will hang onto my hand and even try to help me warm them by rubbing my hands together within their own. They'll actually hold onto the one they shook then grab for the other, which I laugh at a little on the inside because these are usually strangers who offer this kind gesture. People I have never met before are those now holding my hands, I find it comical and yet extremely reminiscent of what it means to live in Saskatchewan.
They usually seem genuinely concerned and offer this kindness, which is somehow not weird though you would think it should be. I guess it just happens to me so often that it isn't weird; but, this is something that has happened to me only in Saskatchewan. Anywhere else I've been they've commented on my cold hands, but leave it at that.
Regardless of if they kindly try to warm up my hands or simply comment on the fact that they're cold, I smile and explain to everyone that my granny always told me and still does say that it means I have a warm heart. And therefore each time my hands are cold and people comment on it, my heart jumps as I remember my grandparents and my immediate family who I get to visit over my Christmas break, because as much as I like it here I miss them a lot. Even if they're only four and a half hours away, we're a close family and it's tough to always be away from them.
But, I digress. As I continually try to tell myself being cold isn't so bad, what really crosses my mind is that I should go stay with my aunt and uncle in Phoenix where it's warm as they've started going down there for the winters.
Now, I know I've somewhat complained about the cold and it's not that I don't like winter. I actually thoroughly enjoy the season. Give me snow, a snowmobile, and a -15C day and the season is one of my favourites. I also actually like the odd day, I stress that ODD day, when it's -35C because there's something invigorating about such cold air, but only on occasion.
So, being cold is being Canadian... after all we all live in igloos and its winter year round according to our stereotypes, right? And I guess that means I just have to suck up this cold weather, add an extra layer, and ignore the people who make fun of my thick, warm wool socks.
