Thursday, January 29, 2009

At Least You Have Heat

There's a reason I don't live on the mainland.

I'd like to say it's just because I am a free spirit who loves the ocean and other outdoor activities that Hawaii has to offer, but it's more than that. It's more than the fact that my husband, who grew up here, doesn't want to leave.

The reality is that my fragile immune system just can't handle cold temperatures.

I spent my first 18 years (still more than 1/2 my life) dealing with Ohio winters. I've always just been miserable on the cold, and never saw a point to snow. I remember my brother getting all excited when we would get a good snow storm. For him that meant outdoor fun. But I don't ski. And if you don't ski, there isn't really a point to snow, is there?

Since it's going on 17 years now that I've lived in warm climates (read Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indonesia), my body is even less equipped to handle the cold. Cold for me now is 65 degrees. Shoot. 70 without the sun is indicated fleece weather.

I swear I feel like we're having the coldest January on record. I know that all of you in Chicago think I'm nuts, but I'm sitting here wearing multiple layers (including the said indicated fleece) and eating hot cream of wheat and my nose is still like an ice cube.

I cut my run short this morning because all I wanted was to steam myself limp in the hottest shower I could handle. The whole way home I was dreaming about the shower. In fact, I barged in on my husband because he was already steaming himself and I figured he wouldn't mind sharing.

In Hawaii we are not prepared for cold weather. Our shoes don't cover our toes.

One of our challenges is that we don't have central heating. Last night, after taking the potatoes out of the oven, I left the oven door open and just stood there, leaning forward, with my hands reaching out toward the 425 degree heat. I closed my eyes while breathing deeply that warm air and fantasized about summer.

The other day I drove home from the grocery store with my heat on full blast in the car, and then spent a couple extra minutes sitting in idle before turning the engine off trying to dethaw my feet.

I'm still feeling sick and lethargic, though I'm sure that an hour spent in the warm sun would cure me. Problem is that it's raining outside again today. So I guess Moana and I will spend another day in fleece and I'll have that chicken noodle soup for lunch.

9 comments:

X-Country2 said...

That's pretty funny. Although, not having central heat would be a big deal. I HATE being cold in my own home. Okay, you get a pass. :o)

Rebecca DeWire said...

This story is almost unbelievable, but I grew up in CT and our upstairs didn't have heat. I am not joking, sometimes it would get down to 40-50 degrees in my bedroom. I theorize that this makes me really tough now!

cat. said...

i'm sorry you're so cold and i sure hope jen harrison and liz fedofsky don't read your blog!!
^..^

Ordinarylife said...

I understand exactly how you feel.

We are also not equipped to deal with the cold at all. And for us a very cold winter's day is 15 degrees C (60). We also dont' have heating in our houses and won't go outside if it is a bit chilly! I am totally amazed when I hear about people running and riding in the temperatures they do.

Mnowac said...

As a Clevelander, I am not going to justify this entry with a response :) Joking, so jealous.

Angela and David said...

I'm trying really hard to feel sorry for you but just can't bring myself to do it. This morning I had one of those baclava (spelling) things around my neck and for a few minutes I had it over my face and nose. It fell down and when I went to pull it back up the moisture from my breath had turned to ice.

Clare said...

so, you never said just how "cold" it is there...

H said...

Firstly, thanks for your comment on our blog all of the way over here in never so sunny England :( Ironman steals your life but then the numbers suck you in and how much other people are training and it all starts becoming a bit too much, I'd really lost my sense of enjoyment. Now I'm re-discovering what I want I hope like you say it will make the difference :)
Secondly, I envy your cold weather. Our Winter's in England are often grey, cold, drizzly and generally miserable looking and often Summer looks the same too! It's a great place but the weather sucks.
I'll keep reading and see how life as a new mum is going for you (a road I'd love to travel at the back end of this year) but out of curiosity, how did you find our blog? Thanks again Helen :)

N.D. said...

That's so funny that cold is like 70 degrees. That is like suntanning weather to me! It is all about what you are used to!