Rainy Day

This morning I woke up in my cozy warm bed, with my silky soft blanket snuggled about my face, fluffy down comforter above it for insulation, and yet one more comforter on top for weight. Warm and wonderful, I reset my alarm for an half hour later and revisited those sweet morning dreams. When it was finally time, I got up at my leisure to survey the raging winds outside. It was blowing the winds at a near 45 degree slant. "Oh well!" I shrugged, and went to heating up some yummy veggie soup for breakfast, and huddled under the kotatsu as it blew warm air over my legs and feet. A lovely morning, made even cozier by the soft lamplight in the living room.

Finally, it was time to get going to work. So I dressed, strapping on a winter jacket beneath my bright red raincoat, and set off to work, intending to bike. "The weather's not so bad!" I thought to myself as I stood under the eave of my balcony. Well, well.

That opinion was soon retracted. The cutting wind blew the freezing rain right into my face, the cold paid little mind to my poor gloves, and the road was populated with dangerous umbrella clad bicyclists - and I wasn't even a block from home! This was my day to the tech school, which is a 30-40 minute bike ride away. I considered turning back to drive instead, but by this point it was much too late for such a move, as the drive would take over an hour through the too-smart-to-bike traffic. So I persevered.

It may look pretty now, but offers no relief from the elements on a bad day.

The hail started 5 minutes in, and yet I kept on. My knees were entirely drenched 10 minutes in, but they kept pedaling. The worst part came after 15 minutes when my shoes gave out and let the cold rainwater sink in and splash around, to the horror of my tights-glad toes. All of this was grim, but the worst part was what lie ahead. 8 hours of cold wetness, with no hope for relief. My feet were condemned to lie in that cold bed of water, legs clinging unwillingly to the damp tights and sopping pants, and hair to dry at its own frizzy leisure.

So here I sit at school, pressing those freezing feet together for warmth, nursing a cup of irony green tea, and wondering when the convenient store across the street will open and I can look for dry socks. On top of that, I forgot my lunch. :S

Well, I feel a bit better now after telling the plight. Things are not so bad as all that. You see, we have no class today, since all the students are in tests, so I have a leisure day of writing and planning a Christmas lesson. I have my wallet, so I can buy whtever food or warmth I need. I have a secure job, nice coworkers, a warm home to return to at the end of the day, and people back home who care about my little troubles. Also, I'm pretty happy to have a car, which allows for this to not happen every time it rains.

In short, I have cold feet, but life is good!

________________________________________________________________

That night I unthawed in a scalding bath. I then reversed the morning routine: more soup for dinner, camping out under the kotatsu, and returning to that wonderful bed with a hot rice bag for companion. ^-^