My White Dark Christmas

Growing up in a city where climate was always hot and sultry with intermittent rain and monsoon, a white Christmas to mark the end of the year was a dream oh-so-perfect. And like all my dreams that come true and turn out to be my worst nightmares, my white Christmas also met with a dark end.

I live in Seattle. It rains... always! It's cold... most of the year. And I love it here!! I like cold weather; I dont like being in the sun much. But this is a city where it snows for like a day or two in a year and that too just for namesake. It leaves a thin white layer of powdery snow and then things are back to normal. Wet and cold! But no, not this year. It's been snowing for a week now. I have like 6-8 inches of snow outside. And in a city that is not prepared for this weather, it is a nightmare. The roads are slushy. There is a layer of compact snow and ice in every walkway. Most cars and drivers are not used to it. And I am no exception! And last year, on a whim, I decided to move from level ground to an apartment at the top of a hill!

I've been working from home for a week now. In the last 7 days, I have ventured out twice - my excuse was that I need to stock up on food... but I think all I wanted was to be around other human beings! It was horrible driving in the snow - especially on the slopes up to my house - with no snow chains and I dont drive a 4WD. Its frightening how your mind wanders when you spend hours at end cooped up within 4 walls.

And today is Christmas. I have a beatiful tree lit up. But it does nothing to my mood... Last year, I had gifts under the tree (OK, I bought them for myself... no matter how pathetic that sounds). This time, I did not even get a chance to buy myself a gift! This is officially the darkest Christmas I ever had. I hope and pray that this is just the case of night being darkest before the dawn! 'coz I honestly dont think I can take much more of this.