Snow isn't fun

It was snowing last week and I was quite thrilled to be watching it from inside. It's everything that we were taught to enjoy right? Snow = Christmas = fun and jolly good time.

Except snow in November is wild. It is freak weather. It's literally still autumn. Climate change is real, guys. And I was used to being told that CHRISTMAS IS HARAM because I'm also Muslim. So I don't celebrate Christmas. Plus I grew up in Singapore where the only seasons are durian, hot, and rainy (or all three together) so this was all new and uncomfortable to me.

UNCOMFORTABLE!!!

I hate the cold. Never been a fan. Whenever it got too hot in Singapore, I'd turn on the air-con to cool down a room, but turn it off a couple of hours later. I'd maintain the temperature using a ceiling fan.

Whenever it dropped below 26°C, I would quickly scramble for a light jacket or cardigan to keep me warm. When I had an office job, I always had a blazer hanging on the back of my chair in case it got too cold.

Life can take you places you never dreamed of, sometimes. Like this. I thought when I moved to France, I'd settle in the south of France, along the mediterranean coast, enjoying freshly caught fishes for lunch and temperatures that won't go below zero.

But then, BAM! God was like, no, I will give you something you need. And you have no choice but to accept the cards you're dealt with.

My card happens to be a mediterranean man who was born and raised in the north of France. Mediterranean also, right?

Thing is, I know that we humans are adaptable. And given my age and health conditions, it's still relatively easy for me to adapt. But coming from 30°C weather to 16°C when I first came almost 2 months ago and then -1°C last week, it was all too quick for me to adapt!

But I'm also grateful for the internet, and to my friends who have made the move from South East Asia to the northern hemisphere because they gave me some advice. Here they are, plus some of my experiences so far:

Putting on the whole outfit before going out

The multiple layers, coats and scarves, all that jazz. Put them on for a couple of minutes, pace around the house then put on your shoes. This helped me to increase my body temperature, getting my body used to the warmth and essentially helps to trap heat under those layers. It worked so well that at some point I was sweating while in the cold (probably also from all the walking).

Lots of movement

I used to hate exercising. Singapore's really hot and humid so just being outside the house will make you sweat. It's worse to exercise. You get all sticky and sweaty and it's gross. I guess that's also why a lot of people enjoyed going to the gym. Free air-conditioning and you get your exercise done with a degree of comfort (ironic, because the whole point of movement is to challenge yourself).

But I enjoy exercising a lot more these days because it warms my body up and I don't sweat. I asked my husband if that's the reason why he can't sit still. He said yeah, because you will feel the cold when you sit down a lot. My favourite exercise channel is BodyFit By Bagus because he caters to ibu-ibu and I feel like I've fallen into that category.

Hot shower and Hot tea

I love taking a hot shower especially before I go to sleep. I hate feeling cold before going to bed because then I'm shivering so much, I can't fall asleep. Taking a hot shower helps to calm the muscles and unclogs the nose. Hot tea is great too, because other than increasing body temperature and getting comfortable, it helps my brain to calm down, signalling that it's time to sleep.

A good thermos tumbler

Speaking of hot tea, I love my thermos tumbler. It keeps my drinks hot for quite a while. I never really wanted one because I didn't really care for hot drinks back then. But not here. My husband got some from an event as merchandise, and gave them to me. Funnily enough as someone who grew up here, he doesn't really care about hot beverages unless we are in a cafe or before we go to bed. He likes his water plain and regular. I, on the other hand, loooove hot beverages now. I've made lattes and hot tea and long blacks in that thermos tumbler. AND IT TUMBLES without leaking!

Moisturise moisturise moisturise

Drinking lots of water is a non-negotiable. Even if it means you constantly need to pee. It hydrates your skin and keeps you from getting panas dalam (inside hot). But it's equally important to moisturise your digits, your face and your lips. Basically anything that isn't covered. Anything that is exposed to the cold air and wind, will dry out and crack. Even if you're drinking a lot, you'll still need creams and lip balms. Reapply often especially after washing hands and mouth.

Warm packs

My sister gave me all her leftover warm packs from her trip to Japan at the end of last year/start of the year. I've only used it once so far when I had backaches. But I imagine they'll be useful later on when it's much colder in (actual) winter. They were useful for me in South Korea in 2017 when the temperatures were below freezing. I stuffed them into my gloves and boots.

Despite everything, I know I'll be okay. I'm blessed with a roof over my head, a heating system, food in my fridge, and a working espresso machine that has been so useful because ain't no way I'm heading out to a cafe in this weather.

I can't wait to go back to Singapore and complain about how hot it is. 😃