Under the Snow for the First Time

Every exchange student from a tropical country (such as the Philippines) would have to agree with me when I say that winter in the US is the best part of the exchange year.


Snow was everywhere. (L: Outside the house. R: Outside the school)

I remember my exchange year three years ago and my first snow experience. It was so cool, literally. It was late in November at Troy Mills, Iowa and the days had been gloomy since after my birthday (November 7). Lynette, my host mom, advised me to wear my heavy coat under my also heavy sweatshirt that day because weather forecast reported that it might snow. So, I did what I was told, but the news was not new to me at all. I was skeptic about snowing since there had been same news before and it didn’t snow, causing my great disappointment. As usual, the sky was dark and the surrounding was bleak, just the way it should be in Iowa in November. Frost was stuck on windows. The cool wind worked its magic in freezing me.


Outside the house. This is my favorite photo EVER!


 The day went by pretty fast and the next thing I know I was in the shower after gym class. As I waited for the bell ring outside the band room, a miracle happened (I call snow a miracle. hahaha). At first, I thought pieces of white styrofoam were pouring outside but it was not and it can’t be. I could swear that my mouth was half open and to say that I was happy would be the understatement of the century. Still in a trance, I was looking outside until my classmate shook me and said, “Hey John, it’s snowing”. Coming back to life, I caught everyone’s eyes looking at me. Maybe they were expecting me to dash out the building and go wild in the snow which is a normal expectation for a kid who never in his life had laid eyes on a snow. But instead of freaking out about the whole snow thing, I pretended to play it cool. I acted as if snowing was not a big deal and it is not that special. But deep inside me, I was screaming with joy. For some reason, I felt so blessed that I thought I could die anytime with no regrets. Overjoyed, I was filled with the excitement of going home and enjoy the snow all by myself.


Shoes soaked in snow.


 Right after chemistry, I headed to my locker and hurriedly ran to the bus parked outside the school that was completely covered with snow. Cold and white, the grass was all wet. From afar, I caught a glimpse of the baseball field that was also all white. With the heat on, the bus drove off the slippery road and dropped me off the street. Thrilled, I sprinted home where nobody was home yet to get my camera for some selfie picture under the snow. Now free from the expecting eyes of the students in school, I couldn't help myself smile ear-to-ear. It took about half an hour striking my best pose before I felt my hands go numb. Snow was pouring heavier by the minute and about an inch snow blanketed the ground. After making my first snow angel, I checked my camera and noticed my tan nose turned scarlet which I took as a sign to stop and warm myself inside the house.

Selfie!
 I thought it's funny that I saw our neighbors scowling at me and giving me a confused look on my way to the door. But I didn't mind. All I know was that I couldn't be more grateful and happier with my first snow experience.

#FirstSnowExperience
#Awesome




               
               


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