A Californian in Winter Term

Welcome back to the blog! After six weeks off, I’m happy to be back! The weather in California right now is not ideal (lots of rain and flooding), and coming back to Minnesota after being away has been an interesting experience. Here are 3 observations from my first week back after winter break. 

It’s Cold!!

Coming from the Bay Area, I’m not at all used to temperatures close to or below freezing. The biggest adjustment I had to make was always making sure to wear multiple layers. I’ve started to love wearing my big jackets and sweatshirts, and the cold isn’t too bad in my opinion.

The lowest I have experienced so far though has “only” been -1 Fahrenheit, so I’m not sure if I’m excited for deeper into the winter when it gets colder than that.

I often need a minute to take off all of my layers immediately when entering a building, otherwise, I instantly start sweating and overheating. It can be a little annoying at times, but it’s something I am able to live with. 

Icy Roads and Walkways

Because of the cold, the roads can be icy. Walking around in sneakers is sometimes really scary. Whenever I walk on icy sidewalks or roads, I have to go extra slow. I’ve developed a waddle of sorts, and can happily say I haven’t fallen while walking around campus yet… *knock on wood*. Sometimes I have a lot of fun with it and pretend to ice skate and slide down walkways. 

The community at Carleton has been great about slipping in my opinion, as whenever I see it happen, people walking past are always willing to lend a helping hand or ask if you’re okay.

Carleton’s Campus is a Winter Wonderland!

The campus is so beautiful! I especially love the sunsets. The walk back from afternoon lifts is especially nice. I brought a camera and I look forward to capturing some cool shots of campus around dusk. I have yet to venture through the Arb, but I’m hoping to find time to do so (with my camera!). 

So far, the week I’ve been here has been really awesome, and I’m excited to get on with the winter term!

Ryan (he/him) is a freshman from Alameda, CA. He is currently undecided on a major but enjoys stem classes. He plays on the varsity baseball team and is an avid fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ryan loves spending his free time playing video games, listening to music, or spending time with his friends in the dining halls.