It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas. . .

I know, I know, we are waaaaayyyy past the Christmas hustle and bustle, so maybe a more fitting title would be something like, "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Winter." To be fair, snow started falling in Serbia on January 7th, but while old-man-winter was wreaking havoc in southern Serbia, the weather in Subotica seemed to be favorably turning towards spring. 

Hurray for spring! 

I started researching warm vacation packages in Greece, Italy and southern France. Let's just say that I got a tad bit ahead of myself, because on Friday I was reminded of the fact that I hadn't had a proper meeting with that illusive Mr. winter. 

Friday, February 3rd, started like every other week day; 6:30 a.m. wake up call, breakfast with Hubby, a hurriedly packed lunch, and sweet farewells. I peeked out the window once Chris had left and noticed small, innocent snowflakes falling on the frozen ground. My first thought, "Well, at least I bought a "Serbian-style, puffy, warm, waterproof-ish jacket with a furry hood and stylish belt for this winter weather. I thought I had bought it for nothing, and today it may actually come in handy." I quickly got ready and grabbed the new coat to shield myself from the cold. 

A couple months ago, I was hired by an English Language School in Subotica, Serbia, and my first jobs have been individual tutoring sessions. Tutoring has been an all-around great fit for me. Basically I get to drink coffee with new friends, make a little money, and I don't even have to be fluent in Serbian! (I have a long way to go until Serbian fluency is accomplished.) Oh well, in the meantime, I guess I am helping people get fluent in English! 

On Friday I was headed to meet a sweet lady from Romania that I've been tutoring. Usually the 1.5 mile (2.4 km) walk to her place is welcomed exercise, but Friday was a different story. Before Chris left for work he said, "Lana, really, don't walk in this weather. They say it is going to snow, and even if it doesn't snow, it's FREEZING. Take a taxi, or a bus if you're too stubborn. Please."

You see more walkers and bikers than drivers in Subotica.

But I will admit it - I am stubborn. Maybe too stubborn for my own good and my own health. But everyone in Subotica walks or bikes; rain or shine, young or old, you use your own power to get from place to place. I don't have a bike yet, so I figured if 90-year-old women are using their legs to get around in the snow, I can do the same with my own pair. 

Bundled up!

It was cold. Even in my Serbian-style, puffy, warm, waterproof-ish jacket with a furry hood and stylish belt, I was still cold. Seriously, it seems that every woman in Serbia owns this jacket - the colors vary, but they style is exactly the same. How do you ladies stay warm walking everywhere? Are you adding like 10 layers under your jacket just to stay decently warm in this weather??

I got to my destination twice as quickly as normal because I was hustling to stay warm. If you look closely, you can see the mascara making puddles under my eyes. Hahah! I could feel my lashes freezing together, but I didn't realize how terrifying I looked until I started unwrapping myself in the warm house.

Tutoring went very well, and of course rather than taking a bus back home . . . I walked. After all, I am in Serbia now, and I hear that the snow will keep falling all weekend. I might just have to get used to walking around if I want to do anything outside of my house this winter. 

Winter is back. 

Farewell sweet illusions of spring. I sincerely hope you come back soon. . .