Cold Again

After being spoiled for about a week or two with unseasonably mild weather, we are back in reality here in Durham. By mild, I mean mid 40s to even low 50s with occasional rain. Still much colder than Santa Cruz, or winter break in Pasadena, but not too bad for a hardened traveler like myself (I can't even type this with a straight face).

Yesterday evening I had a lecture at 4:15pm (around sunset here) and made the 20 minute walk to class in the same amount of clothing I'd been wearing for the previous couple weeks. I had just a longsleeve t-shirt, a light track jacket and jeans. Well, I was FREEZING. By the time I realized how cold it was, it was too late to go back and change, so I had to tough it out. I practically ran back from the lecture when it ended- not because I was in hurry, but to stay warm!

This morning was even worse. It was another of the increasingly common mornings where I fleetingly wished I'd chosen to study abroad somewhere tropical or in the Caribbean.



Though of course, I don't really mean it. Hot tea wouldn't be as nice on the beach.

The weather here is not normally too bad, at least compared to the American Midwest or something. The only times I really get cold are my fault. Before this morning, I could usually blame myself for failing to wear enough warm clothes every time I felt uncomfortably cold. As long as I dressed warm enough for the current conditions, I was normally fine.

But this morning that changed. I knew it was going to be really cold. I had shrewdly looked on weather.com before I went to my 9:00AM lecture (basically cheating), and it said the feel like temperature was 24 degrees. I believed it too, after last night. I bundled up in all the warm clothes I had, no matter how ridiculous I felt. I wore long underwear, jeans, my boots, a long sleeve shirt, a sweater, my giant puffy jacket, a fuzzy hat and my best gloves. I was pretty sure I was overdressing, and I would be sweaty by the time I reached my lecture. Surely it wasn't too cold.

I was only outside for a few minutes before I realized it was not just cold, but COLD. I was literally painfully cold the entire walk to lecture, I couldn't believe it. The strong wind felt like it was blowing off the north pole. I was worried my face was going to freeze in place.

If it doesn't get warmer soon, I'll have to dress like this next time I go outside:



All for now,

Gabe

Cancelled Football Matches

When I played soccer recreationally at Santa Cruz, I was always disappointed by rain affecting our games. Even when it drizzled, practices and games would be called off. I couldn't believe it. I could not wait until next year, to play in England where I thought they never cancelled games due to weather. Well, I was wrong.

We have already had 6 or 7 matches canceled so far this year. It's not that the athletes are afraid to play in a bit of rain, but the groundskeepers are incredibly protective of their fields. If it rains too much leading up the match, it will be cancelled. If it rains the day of the match, it will certainly be cancelled. Snow and ice also lead to cancellation. The worst part is that we don't usually find out until an hour so before kickoff if the match is on or not.

We have one fixture (Mildert C's [us] vs. Castle C's) that is surely jinxed. It has been scheduled literally 6 times, and postponed every time. We have only played 4 matches this whole season though we should have probably played twice as many.

Today we were scheduled to finally make up our match against Castle C, and I was optimistic we would finally get to play. It hadn't rained in a couple days, and the forecast for today was good. The match was scheduled for 11:00AM. I went to bed early last night, woke up at 8:00 AM this morning and opened my curtains to a beautiful sunny looking morning. Sure the lake was frozen over, but everything looked dry. Surely we were finally going to play. I got dressed in my entire uniform and warm up suit, and headed into breakfast. In the middle of a hearty pre-game breakfast with the rest of the team, I got the dreaded text message. I knew their was only person who could be texting me this early...

"Sorry Lads, just got word that the match is cancelled!! I can't believe it! Pitches are frozen solid... Supposedly! -Rothers"

It was our football captain, and once again we would not be playing Castle C. It's usually not too bad when matches are canceled, because the weather gives hints and it's not too surprising. When the ground is covered in snow, you get the idea that you're not going to play. Today was different, because I really didn't see any obvious indications in the weather.

The worst part about canceled matches is the mental aspect. It's bad enough that you have to go to bed early, get up early, plan your whole day around the match, etc. But you also have to mentally prepare yourself to play the match, and get yourself ready. When it's canceled with so little warning, your mind and body are both confused. Often I have to go for a run or take a shower just to calm down.

Oh well, hopefully we eventually get to play. I'll keep you updated.

A Hike on a Saturday Afternoon

Over the weekend I went on a short hike with my friend Chris. We were looking for something to do, because most of the school had not yet returned from Christmas break. It was also a beautiful (40 degrees, but sunny) day, so we figured a hike would be in order. It was a great way for me to walk off some of the jetlag too.

Chris had been back in Durham for about a week and had been using hikes to stave off boredom in the incredibly empty and studentless town. It was great, within minutes we were away from the roads and (minor) development of Durham. We were suddenly in the middle of the English countryside and farmland. We only saw one or two other small groups of walkers the whole time. We walked about 5 miles on a nice loop through the backcountry and then eventually back through town.

Durham apparently has many great trails like this, specifically for ambling through the woods. No cars, or even bikers are allowed. I'll have to get out on more hikes like this soon, especially when the weather gets better. Here are a few pictures from the afternoon:

Back in Durham

Sorry for the extended break between posts, I was quite busy towards the end of last term with essays, and then I spent an entire month at home in Pasadena for Winter Break. I got home on December 15th and returned to Durham last Friday. It was very nice to be home. The weather was amazing (85 degrees and sunny, as opposed to 35 degrees and icy), and it was great to catch up with family and friends.

It was a bit strange to go home in the middle of my study abroad year, most people are gone for the whole time, and do not return until the end. So it was a bit unorthodox I suppose, but with a month off, it was an easy decision for me. I also have a month off in March/April for Spring Break, and I will be staying here in Europe and traveling around. I am hoping for better weather by then.

I plan to blog as frequently as possible this term (a sort of new years resolution?) with a goal of approximately two posts per week. So watch this space, and I'll be back soon.