White February

Last year, during this month, the weather was quite nice. There was a week with a spring-like temperature. The jacket was not required for going outdoor. However, the beginning of February this year was accompanied by a rather heavy snowfall. In fact, among the heaviest in the last 20 years or so. Some people, including the mat salleh, were overly excited by this natural phenomena. In front of the university library, around 20 students ambushed passer bys - pedestarians and vehicles alike - with snow balls. One girl was hit squarely on her head. A library staff tried to shoo them away. A security personnel was involved as well. But, perhaps the students' brain cells were frozen - they did not care that some people may feel that what they did was abusive, juvenile, and offensive.

In December and January, there were times when we had frozen precipitations. However, they are more flurries than snow. On Monday, I saw real snow. It snowed 'properly' in Loughborough. I mean, I saw some beautiful snowflakes, not just misshapen frozen droplets. They brought back the memories from when I was in Canada. So much snow for many months.

Walking on a fresh blanket of snow is a lot of fun, if don't mind the biting cold temperature. So white, and pure. I revel in the way my feet sink into the soft cottony surface. Of course, if the snow is deep, walking can be awfully slow. On a vast sloping field, one can enjoy rolling downhill on a toboggan or sled. Or, if your body can take it, you can simply roll down silly.

Sometimes, changes in the temperature make the snow 'crunchy'.  Your feet makes crunching sounds when walking on a mixed layer of snow and ice. Sort of makes you feel okay walking out and being chilled. Jumping up and down can intensify the sound. Not to be encouraged, though. Especially when there are more ice than snow. It would be dangerous. Falling down on your bum is a real risk that you take when walking outside.

But then, when gritting materials are mixed with snow to reduce slipperiness, the snow becomes impure. Wet. And dirty. And that's not fun. Till next time then.