As I woke up in the morning, all ready for the daily study schedule I planned out today, I couldn’t help looking at the beautiful day outside, the snow still glistening on the rooftops, the temperature being 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius) but the sun still shining down upon us like it was the middle of July. The snow glinted in the sunlight like diamonds in a jewelry shop. We didn’t get a lot of snow this year, only a few flakes for a couple hours this week. The roads and treetops are still bare, but the flakes in the grass and on rooftops have still not faded. You know, truth be told, there are times when I wake up in the mornings on weekends and all that lays ahead of me is hours and hours of studying. Sometimes it motivates me, but sometimes I feel like going on a car ride first to clear my head. Like me, a lot of high schoolers or anyone taking exams have a lot to study, learn and execute. It’s hard sometimes, which is why I’m glad to be living in a place that’s so soothing to me.

Winter is finally here! With it, it brings friends, family, and most of all, Christmas joy! Being a resident in Redmond, Washington for the past 4 years, I’ve gotten used to some dreary and rainy winters, but the lights that I see around my area always ignites a warmth within me. I live in an area that is called the temperate zone. This is where the weather is cold during the winter but not freezing, and hot during the summer, but not sweltering. The sunrise is also really late, the day not starting before 8:00 in the morning. Plus the sunset is super early, the shortest day of the year ending at like 4:00pm. It used to seem a little bleak at first, but the way that everybody starts all the activities is truly magical and