After living in Minnesota my entire life, I will never be able to fully prepare for the cold...especially when the adjustment period is less than two weeks. Last Wednesday I sat outside in a long-sleeve T-shirt to study and was actually sweating! The following Friday, it snowed.

First of all, those twelve days of autumn definitely do not allow time for all of the classic fall activities. I never got to carve a pumpkin. If I tried now, my fingers would probably freeze to the pumpkin's insides. Those haunted corn mazes seemed exciting before--when my toes were actually warm. Although going apple-picking would be a cute idea, I think at this point I will stick to the warmth of my bed and a mug of hot apple cider.

Instead of skipping along the sidewalk from one crunchy leaf to another, I have already had my first ice-slip of the year. While flying in the air for a microsecond was thrilling, the landing was far less exciting. And the subsequent “crunch” sounded a little different than a leaf and a lot more concerning.

I have pulled out my bin of wool socks, ugly sweaters and chunky scarves. The season of cramped buses and coat-filled lectures is upon us. Yes, the same coats that make you sweat instantly upon walking into any heated space. You are drenched by the time you rip off the last of your thirteen layers that still don’t keep you warm outside.

For all the poor college students, houses become frigid caves because turning on heat costs way too much money. Besides, do you really need those fingers? You find yourself, once again, wearing multiple pairs of sweatpants and mittens indoors.

It is time to start mentally preparing for the bruised tailbones that result from falling on black ice and the literal collisions with other people because your face is buried deep in your scarf. Stock up on your tissues and lotion because that constant runny nose and dry throat, dry hands and dry eyes are all right around the corner. Don't forget the chapstick.

While I insult winter, I suppose it does have its merits. Nothing can match walking outside to that first snowfall. The snow delicately rests on the once-bare tree branches. You softly catch the descending snowflakes and observe each one--just to ensure their uniqueness. You smugly anticipate your friend's eruption of laughter when you surprise her with a snowball to the back. It erupts into a full-scale battle--10 minutes of dodging flying snow with tears of joy frozen to your cheeks.So maybe Minnesota’s winters are not all wind-burns and numb ears--there is beauty buried beneath the mounds of snow. It just, perhaps, comes a little too quickly each year. Minnesota, I love you, but please return fall for another few weeks. Maybe, just maybe, I will be ready for the winter by then.

Sincerely, a cold citizen.