It's early January and folks around my area have't been experiencing much of a winter yet. For the last month or so it's been in the mid 40s or even as high as 70 degrees. It's some strange weather. Just the other day, I was at my house in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and while cleaning some dishes, my roommate Kyle came in the house screaming, "It's snowing! It's snowing!" My other roommates and friends and I all bolted outside to finally get a taste of winter. It was a crisp 33 degrees outside and I loved it. Here are some reasons why I think winter is the best:

1. Snow. There are a lot of things I enjoy in life and a nice snowfall is one of them. It's even better when it sticks to the ground instead of just melting. Seeing trees and the surrounding landscapes covered with a nice blanket of snow is a wonderful, beautiful sight.

2. Snow days.Yup, these still exist in college. Just like back in elementary school, snow days mean one thing: no school and lots of fun. I can remember my days of going sledding down my neighborhood hills and having snowball fights with my friends too. After that, I'd go inside and my mom would have hot chocolate and warm blankets for me. Those were the days. Now, in college, snow days get taken up a notch. Not only do people go sledding, build snowmen, and have snowball fights, but they also get to sleep in, relax, and enjoy their day. Snow days are a wonderful thing.

3. A white Christmas. This is something that sadly didn't happen this year. On Christmas Day I think it was a cozy 50 degrees where I was in upstate New York. Not the kind of weather for snow. Having a white Christmas can make the holiday that much better.

4. Pond hockey. I think the italics speak for themselves in the fact that pond hockey is probably my favorite thing about winter. When it's finally cold enough, the ponds freeze over and the skates get laced up. Playing hockey how it was meant to be played is one of the greatest feelings. The crisp, cold air going in and out of your lungs, the echo of the sticks making contact with the pucks, and the purity of the game are what makes it so fun. Not much beats grabbing a few friends and heading out to play your own sort of Winter Classic.

5. Cold weather. Personally, I'm a cold-weather kind of guy. I could sleep with my bedroom windows open when it's the dead of winter and still feel great. Don't get me wrong, when it's really cold I close my windows so I don't freeze. There's just something about the cold weather that I love. Getting to wear hoodies, sweatpants, and winter hats is just one reason I love cold weather.

6. Hot chocolate. I'm not a coffee drinker, so a nice cup of hot cocoa is a great way to keep warm during the winter. I must say that Wawa has some of the best hot cocoa I've had. You'd be surprised where you can find a nice cup of it.

7. Fires. If you've got a fireplace, then I am extremely jealous of you. Sitting by the fireplace and just listening to the flames crackle and pop is so relaxing. Besides providing the relaxation factor, it keeps you warm! Hanging out by a fireplace during the winter months is a great thing.

8. Walking in the snow. One of my favorite sounds is the crunch of snow under my feet. I just think it's awesome but others might think that's weird. Either way, I love hearing the crunch of snow under my boots.

9. The NHL's Winter Classic. Since New Year's Day in 2008, the National Hockey League has played a game outdoors. This year's game featured the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Montreal won the game 5-1. The NHL's annual outdoor games are always a thing to look forward to especially when the weather is just right.

10. Each day brings us one day closer to summer. Once the snow starts to get dirty and everything gets muddy, people like me start to get tired of winter. Just know that for every day of winter there is one less day until the sun will constantly shine again, and summer will arrive bringing with it lots of fun activities. Each season has its own unique advantages, but my personal favorite is winter.

11. Winter break. Being home for the winter without having to worry about class assignments is a wonderful thing. You get to see your family and friends from home too. You enjoy being home. However, for some people it's different. Lots of people start to miss their college life and friends after the first couple of weeks of break. Winter break can be a plus or a minus or a mix of both.