Winter

Come stand with me by this window.
It's the same window from the flats me and my family used to stay in while we're in the US.

It's winter.
So scoot closer.
The room is cold, but be careful, this heater in front of the window is getting hot.

Can you see outside the window?

Uh-huh, everything looks dry and dead.
It's a good thing we can't see coldness, because it's 10 times colder on the other side of this window.

The ground outside is barren.
Green grass that were once there are either turning brown with the soil, or gone, as if they know winter does not welcome them.

What's left of the big oak tree is only it's strong trunk and bare branches. The only green you can see from here are the greens from the 3 tall pine trees outside. They parade their lush green coat of needle leaves with pride. This is their only time in the year the pine tress get to outshine the other tress.

How long have we been staring out of this window? Sky is getting dark. Glance at the clock on the wall, it only shows 5.30pm. How could that be? Impossible! Look back at the scene outside, light from the sun is fading, it looks more like it's 7pm. Glance back at the wall clock, yup, 5.31pm.

Winter has the ability to shorten daylight time. I was amazed too the first time I found out about this.
Let's head to the living room. There's nothing much to view from this window anymore.

Here you go, a big mug of hot chocolate. Look at all the white marshmallows floating on it. Bobbing up and down as you move.

I know this room isn't as warm as the bedroom, sorry about that. Too bad flats aren't allowed to have a fireplace, or we'll be enjoying some nice crackling fire by now.

Hop on the couch. It's warm enough. Are your toes cold? Here. Take this blanket. I know it's not the nicest colour combination, but it's the most comfortable blanket during the winter.
Wrap the blanket around yourself like this. That's right, make yourself into a ball with the blanket. Hold the mug properly, now. Don't tip it. Now sit down.

There we go, all comfy now. Feel contented? Ah yes, how could I forget. I'll play some Frank Sinatra Christmas songs to lighten up the atmosphere.

Let his soothing voice coo you to sleep on your first winter night.

Hey.

Are you awake?

Hey.

Wake up.

C'mon now! Rub that sleep off your eyes. It's 7.30am and I've got something to show you!

Hurry! C'mere! By the window, yes the same one we looked out yesterday. You know the way, now walk. Don't stumble, sleepy head.


Look outside!
It's a glorious scene, isn't it?

Take a minute to catch your breath.

The barren brown, dry ground you saw yesterday is no more.
It's covered with a thick, pure, white, lovely coat of winter snow.

The top part of the pine trees are covered in snow. The slides of the playground are also coated in white fluffy snow. You can see icicles growing from the edge of the roof! Some longer then the others. Ah, we can see the coldness now.
From this window, I bet you feel like you're looking outside to the inside a real life huge fridge eh? heh.

Careful, I know it's a breathtaking sight, but don't lean to close to the heater, it's still there, you know.
That's one of the wonders of winter. The first snowfall. It must've snowed last night while you were snoozing off on the couch.

How do you feel?
I felt like the most beautiful sights greeted me when I saw the first snow coated ground. Almost magical. I wanted to reach out and grab the snow on the ground.

Hmm... I can't let you go out... No, you need at least 3 layers of clothing before stepping outside. Or the frostbites will get you.

But that, my friend, is another story.