'scuse me, your nosicles are showing

I'm still acclimating myself to these Minnesota winters, despite this being my fifth here. Have to remember the hat and gloves. Need another pair of long johns. Better buy another bottle of Lubriderm. About those gloves, where did I put them...

Friends and family down south still can't believe how cold it gets up here. To enlighten one, imagine: icicles forming on your nose hair. On an extremely windy day, I can't open my eyes completely or else contacts will dry up or freeze off. There are over four outdoor skating rinks within 10 miles from my apartment. They can last through March, at least.


Here are some helpful pointers that have helped me adjust to winter life:

Always lotion, lotion, lotion up. Legs, arms, face, everywhere. Chafing is not fun.

Regarding the winter coat, it's okay if function wins over fashion.

Stock up on movies. Expect to work on projects at home. 'Cause the half hour it takes to get bundled up to go outside can be better spent learning your complicated DVD/CD/VCR/TV remote.

Take advantage of the Static Guard 2 for 1 deal at Target.

Snow angels are not always a good idea.

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The Inuit Eskimos have ten words for snow:

sikko - ice
tingenek - bare ice
aput - snow (in general)
pukak - snow (like salt)
mauja - soft deep snow
tipvigut - snowdrift
massak - soft snow
mangokpok - watery snow
massalerauvok - snow filled with water
akkilokipok - soft snow

and of course, there's an 11th word to add, caninepok, meaning 'yellow snow'