My First Winter, Is it Over Yet?

Although it is technically spring I am waiting like everyone else for it to actually arrive.

My first winter was not exactly fantastic. I keep being reassured by other city transplants that it does get better. I sure hope this is true because I wasn't so sure if I was going to make it.

I would describe myself as a positive person. I have a glass half full world view. I am not willing to let myself get down, but I have to say this winter was a big challenge for me. I think collectively "northerners" are maybe lying to themselves?  They can't possibly really enjoy winter.... can they? I think it is a defense mechanism. They are in denial because being north for the winter actually sucks. Yup I said it, winter in northern Ontario bites the big one.

Before anyone gets their knickers in a knot for me saying that, just think about it. Is it really enjoyable to be electrically shocked several times a day because the inside air of your home is so dry? Shock therapy used to be used for mental patients. Just saying. I had to buy a humidifier just so I could touch my kids again. I would also say it wasn't particularly enjoyable to be so cold that you get back spasms or TMJ from shivering. And as far as ice goes, it has its time and place like in a drink, but covering every driving and walking surface is not okay.  My knees are not happy with me from falling so many times this winter season. The list goes on and on. Bottom line winter is okay for a couple weeks, say around Christmas to be festive, but after that it could end as far as I'm concerned.

The other issue for me is how quiet it is. Yes I knew the island population dropped after the ferry season, but for a girl who used to get paid to talk, the fact that it is so dead quiet nearly killed me. I love people. I find people interesting. That is one of the reasons I have a degree in anthropology. I am not ashamed to admit though, that I had a few pity parties where I ate chocolate, and drank hot chocolate, then ate some more chocolate because I had a hard time dealing with the absence of people around me.

The other problem is the lack of activities. The only activities seemed to involve hockey and I am so not a hockey mom. Where my son used to play there was a bar/restaurant overlooking the arenas. I would sit with my nose in a book and glass of wine in my hand. My husband would yell at me to look up at critical points in the game, but really I couldn't care less about who won or loss. 

I know many Haw-eaters do not enjoy how busy the island gets for the tourist season, but I am actually looking forward to it. You can take the girl out of the city, but not the city out of the girl. I love being busy and having commotion around me, Being a "cit-idiot" is not insulting to me and yes I have heard people use the term in a negative way. I gladly accept that term because to me it means that I am adaptable. I came here by choice and am going to embrace that challenge. I think there has to be a happy medium between both worlds, and I am determined to find it. In the meantime I wait with bated breath for the first robin to announce the arrival of spring and the end of my winter exile.