Winter Wonderland

I have to say that we’ve been having a proper winter this year. In fact, I think this is the best winter we’ve ever had so far. Our first winter here, according to most people I have spoken with, was one of the worst winters they’ve had in this country in the sense that it was not cold enough to turn rain into snow but it was really cold because of the wind and there were lots of rain which made it all too gray and depressing. Last year, it was better, less rain, lower temperature. The canals were even frozen in some instances which didn’t happen at all in our first winter here. As I normally say, as long as it doesn’t rain which is normally coupled with strong winds, I don’t mind cold at all.



Now, this year is a totally different story. Since winter kicked in, we’ve had very less rain, temperature that ranges between 3 degrees to minus 13 degrees Celsius, snow, frozen canals (for quite a while now!), fields that are covered in pure white, clean frost which is really breathtaking. In fact last weekend, when we took our friends for their last tour of the city before they go back to Dubai, we saw a lot of people skating in the canals. How exciting!

Oh, and I remember a couple of weeks back, I wondered how long it would take before the pond just outside our office freezes, apparently not too long. I took a picture of the frozen pond with my mobile phone and I was surprised to notice something different with the artwork in the middle of the pond. Since people can now walk in the middle of the pond, some very nice, concerned people climbed up the ladder and draped the man on top of the artwork with a robe so that he will get cold (hehe), only thing is he’s wearing a pink robe for the rest of us to see the entire day… if he only has feelings, that artwork must be so embarrassed right now!
(frozen pond right outside our office... the artwork is quite small but the guy on top of the artwork is wearing pink robe)

Hopefully that the winter we’re having now is an indication that we’ll also have a great spring and summer ahead. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Sun kissed

I love it when we get a sunny day during winter. It doesn’t mean that it’s warmer but at least it’s bright and lively. Such is the case today and it perked up the start of my day instantly. I didn’t thought it would be coz it was raining last night and when I left this morning to go to the gym, I had to be very cautious as I walk coz some parts of the pavement were covered with ice and it was very slippery. Oh well, that’s typical Dutch weather.

While I was walking through the hall in the office, I couldn’t help but stare out the window, it was really beautiful out there, the sun was reflecting on the pond that was just outside, the trees were golden brown as the light trickles through the branches. As I look at the trees lined outside, I can’t help but be amazed, just a couple of weeks ago, all these trees were teeming with leaves but today, not one of them is left. I wonder how much longer we have to wait to see the pond turn into to ice this year.


We don’t get a lot of days like this during this time of the year in this part of the world, so I’m really very thankful for moments like this when the weather is lovely and I’m inspired to take a moment and appreciate the beauty that is around me.

First snow fall of the season

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” - This is the song that keeps on playing in my head last Saturday as I stare out the window to our roof terrace covered with pure white, clean refreshing snow. Oh, I just love looking out on a street covered with snow, it’s so relaxing, so peaceful so serene. The only down side to the heavy snow fall over the weekend is, contrary to what the song in my head is saying, we did have to go some place and it was more difficult to drag myself out of our warm home to the biting cold outside. Thank God for thick coats and car heater.

This morning, on my way to the office, as I walk the cold streets of Amsterdam, the wind was blowing snow flakes that melt as soon as they touch my face or that cling to my coat. I don’t understand why, in spite of the fact that I was chilling to my bones, I enjoyed walking as the snow was moderately falling. Why snow is so fascinating, I can never tell, all I can say is that for me snow is more than just slivers of ice trickling down from the sky, for me they are little white flakes of magic.

Warm breeze & cool water: Perfect combination

When we were about to board the plane to Changi Airport, we had 5 degrees Celsius here in Amsterdam so anything warmer is like a breath of fresh air. The moment we landed, we started taking off jackets and sweats and started shoving them inside our luggage. A warm and humid air welcomed us as we stepped out of the airport.

After we dumped our bags in the hotel room, dinner was served in the hotel restaurant and right after that, the video committee (of which I am a part of) decided to meet before going out for a night cap beside the hotel pool. I could hardly keep my head in the very short meeting, the cool, blue water was like calling my name and asking me to take a dip. A made a mental note to wake up early the next morning to oblige and take refuge in the tempting blue pool to refresh myself from the humidity and heat. True to my promise, at exactly seven the following morning, I was in the pool area. Another great thing about Singapore weather is its warm enough to swim any time of the day (or night). Being very early on a Sunday morning, the pool area was so quiet so I and two other colleagues enjoyed the serenity and comfort of the pool all by ourselves.


From then on, one of the things that I looked forward to was the late night or early morning dates with the swimming pool. For me it was a workout which happens to be therapeutic at the same time. It also gave me an opportunity to lounge under the sun that I so miss, after all, he rarely shows himself here in Amsterdam (especially now it’s winter). Even after we moved to the new hotel, which by way also had a great pool area, I managed to squeeze in an hour of our very hectic last day to lounge in the pool.



(photo below was taken from my room on the 52nd floor before going down to take a dip on the pool)


I’m definitely going to miss lounging under the sun and dipping in the pool but for now I would have to make do with my long bubble baths during weekends at home until honey brings me to another holiday trip on the beach (or pool, i'm really not choosy).

Chilly!

I’m a skirt kind of gal. So in the morning when I want to dress up pretty quickly, my obvious choice of wardrobe would include a skirt. The same thing happened today. I wanted a fuzz free morning so without a second look, I grabbed a skirt that I seldom use and went on about the business of preparing myself for the day. Only after stepping out of the door have I realized what a big mistake I made. It was darn chilly outside and my skirt is thin, what saved me from the verge of hypothermia was my trusted warm boots and my comfy trench coat. It would have been fine if I have worn leg warmers, however, my sense of fashion hasn’t completely swayed to the new season yet. I think I’m still in the fall mode so I haven’t pulled my warmers out from their hiding places. I best do that very quickly.

On the way to the office, I noticed that grasses were covered in white. It must have hit below zero overnight and so the mist turned to ice. It’s lovely. I have always liked staring out the window to take in the beauty of a field covered in ice, it’s so clean, so fresh, so beautiful. And when winter is in full swing, there is no better site to behold than the canals turning into ice. Last year, I laughed so hard while I watched ducks (who normally swim on the canals) who couldn’t help but slip on the slippery of ice.

No wonder it was chilly, It was 2 degrees (Celsius) outside. Winter is here to stay!