The 30s never felt so good.

I absolutely never, ever, in-a-million-years, thought I would be the type of person to get excited about the 30s.

The Spree after the first snowfall

30° Fahrenheit that is.  

Granted, I'd be way more excited about the 40s and 50s and beyond.  But I'm starting small.

Being from Arizona, I was completely terrified of what the Berlin winter months would have in store for me.  And I felt the least bit prepared - my most "serious" coat being a short packable down jacket with a hood that barely functioned from JCPenny's.  And then the only other clothes in my winter arsenal were hiking socks and long underwear that harkened from my days at camp (more years ago than I care to count).

However, over the years, I grew an affinity for cold-weather clothes (despite not really ever needing them).  I had some other wool-blend coats and drawers full of knit hats and pashmina scarves.  If I had needed to (my backup plan), I could have wrapped myself head-to-toe in several layers of patterned acrylic and viscose and cocoon myself for the season.

Having a little fun.

So I wasn't logistically prepared.  But I believe I came mentally prepared.  Because, as I said, I had already thoroughly freaked myself out for how bone-chillingly cold I knew I was going to be.

But in all reality, it hasn't been that bad.

(knock on wood)

Sure, we've had a cold chills that have moved through.  But, as cold as those chills are, the best part about them is that it makes the normal winter temperatures feel normal and mild.  And then when a "warm" front comes 'round, it's only right to get out and carpe diem the crap out of it.  (I never thought 45° would feel warm.  Ever.  It's against my Phoenician blood to feel warm below 68°.) 

Over all, I've loved the beauty that winter brings - especially snow.  And even leafless trees have their own beauty in their dark, spindly silhouettes.  

The Spree defrosting

But even with it's beauty, I'm eager to welcome Spring (and even more eager to welcome Summer).  In the last week or two, I've more frequently longed for warmer days and sunshine. This week, sunset will finally make it past the 5:00pm mark and by the end of this month, the sun will rise before 7:00.  Today I looked at the 10-day forecast and I was so thrilled that none of the "daily highs" dip below 30°F.  These are the seasonal baby-steps I now celebrate living in Berlin.  

And I'm sure, as I write this, a record-breaking winter storm will role in of which I'll have to take it all back and wrap myself in my pashmina cocoon until the appearance of the first buds of Spring.

Kreuzberg park filled with the joy of children playing in snow