I'm not from the Midwest. I'm from the Middle East where it is warm and happy. The Midwest is a frozen tundra and frankly, I can't handle it. Someone help me. Here are all of my thoughts this cold and bitter winter.
1. Wow, it’s 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit), I’m starting to get pretty cold
Having grown up in the Middle East, this is the coldest it would get. I remember wearing several layers at this point, as it would cross my threshold for the amount of cold I could handle. When I moved to Illinois for University, the minute I reached this point, I’d already be huddled up in sweaters and hoodies, complaining to people about the cold weather. Little did I know that this was only the beginning.
2. Huh, 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit), I think I can handle this
At this point, I’m wearing my big coat and I’m embracing the cold weather. It’s not so bad, I think, and I go on with my day
3. Wow, 0 C (32 F), so this is what it feels like to be freezing
It’s cold...Actually no, it’s freezing. Gloves are necessary. I need my gloves. What if I get frostbite? Does that actually happen?
4. SNOW
The first time it snowed, I was absolutely mesmerized. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen snow before, but I’ve never had to live through it and experience the daily motions that go with walking in the snow. I felt like I was in a Winter Wonderland.
5. SLUSH
Welp, to my dismay, the beautiful, white snow did not last long, as muddy slush began to fill the streets and take over every single sidewalk and street. And to think that it only takes one day for this magical moment to disappear forever. Until next time snow.
6. I never even knew it could get this low
“It’s not even that cold”, says every single Midwestern as I’m struggling to zip up my parka in -13 Celsius (-8.6 F) weather. “Just wait until it gets to negative Fahrenheit”. This is the worst possible sentence I could hear at this moment.
7. Well, the wind is killing my face
I mean, if the wind didn’t exist, it could be -20 Celsius (-4 F) and I would be completely fine. The wind is the true enemy in this situation.
8. Think ‘Heat’, Think ‘Desert’, Think ‘Beach’
I say to myself as I’m walking in -20 Celsius weather (-4 F) with 5 layers, snow boots, gloves, a hat, and a scarf. It’s no longer all fun and games, but instead, it’s a war. Me against the cold. Who will win? Only time will tell. All the while I'm saying this with my phone in my hand and my touch screen gloves, taking pictures of the Quad and the trees because of how beautiful it all is.
