Cold Changes

I tried to capture the sparkling sun on this, but didn't quite get it

I've said before that I love this village, but now there is snow on the ground. Snow on the ground! It's not going anywhere for at least 6 months, and it makes me so happy! You know what snow means: hot cocoa, warm layers, snowball fights and snow angels. What a wonderful time of the year in the Great White North. Everything is so pure and clean and white. Even the air smells and feels fresh and clean and cold. The snow being here changes so very much.

It changes the kids. Now they can do more and play more, which is kind of funny, because anywhere else I've been the colder it gets outside the less time you spend outdoors. However, here the colder it gets means there are more opportunities to do different things.

It changes travel through the villages. I had a few students who were supposed to go to a wrestling tournament in another village, but because of the snow falling they were unable to do so. This is the time of year you can literally begin to feel trapped like you can't escape, because the weather will trap you here.

It changes our mailing system. Two days without getting any mail, not because nothing was being sent, but because the planes couldn't bring in the plane due to the weather. Now is when you really have to worry about how long things are going to take to arrive at our site.

It changes my mood. I've always loved snow, despite the popular opinion amongst my family that  snow = awfulness. However I love cold, crisp air. It gets under my skin and makes me want to dance. I can't help it. When the weather is cold, I just smile. I love the cold weather. I always have.

Beauty that is ice

The last thing the weather changes is the functions within our houses. Now that the weather is cold, it is more likely that we will lose water or have power outages. Fortunately we have ways of keeping the school up and running, but I have heard of several instances throughout the villages of school being cancelled due to no water or electricity. hopefully, we won't have many problems like that.


I love the snow, the cold, and the people and feel of this village. I can't help but feel at home here, like I've been trying to make it here for years and have finally succeeded. I'm  thankful for this wonderful place I can call home, and although I don't think I will stay here forever, I know that this is the place I want to be right now.