Let It Snow, Let It Snow

I come from the “Land Down Under,” where women glow and men plunder, just like Men at Work said in 1981.

This is a great song if you have never heard it. You can find it here:

When December comes, people in Europe and the United States prepare for snow and cold. Meanwhile, we in Australia face the heat of summer.

Today, as I write, high temperatures across the country are in the forties (that is, above 100°F).

Years ago, I got a job offer from a pharmaceutical company in the U.S. I was hoping I would finally have a white Christmas. I wasn't disappointed, but I did underestimate three things: snow hides everything, roads become slippery, and snow can turn to ice if it's not cleared.

I had seen snow before. To me, Christmas should be white, not sweltering in 40+ degree heat like in Australia. I arrived in early December in a year when the snow came in early. I stayed in a hotel for the first few weeks. This was until our house was ready and our furniture arrived from Australia. My boss organised a dinner at a local restaurant.

Finding the restaurant was not too bad, but I had to remember that I’ll be driving on the opposite side of the road. I parked my hire car in the parking lot without taking much notice of where exactly. Big mistake!

I was so caught up in making a good impression at dinner that I didn’t notice it had snowed heavily in the past two hours.

My boss and a colleague said goodbye and went to their cars. I was left to find my hire car. Most hire cars are white and standard, common models; that did not help.

Eventually, I found it, and then I had to tackle the trip back to the hotel. I had to stop and get out to read the street sign at almost every corner. Most roads were covered in snow, either wholly or partially.

We moved into our house in mid-December. We both really hoped for a white Christmas. Almost on cue, on Christmas Eve, it started to snow. We went into the local village with a couple from next door, and it was magical. Slipping over fresh snow and hearing people chatting joyfully about the Christmas decorations and festive spirit.

I’m not really into Christmas (too many bad memories), but our first one in America was great. Cold weather and snow are much more conducive to a hearty Christmas dinner than 40 °C heat. We woke up to a completely white yard. We even had a family of deer visit and stay in the front yard for a while.

I didn’t connect the dots. No one told these green Aussies that heavy snow on the ground turns to ice. We had a long driveway, almost a hundred meters. I suggested to my wife that we go for a drive in the snow. Not used to ice, we had advanced only a few meters down the driveway when we skidded and ended up on the front lawn.

The next few days, I spent trying to break the ice and move it off the driveway. I certainly worked off my Christmas dinner!

It was all worth it, though, and I am glad that our first Christmas was white with all the trimmings. Maybe it is my British blood, but to me, that is how Christmas should be.

They're predicting another warm Christmas here. I’ll think of my first Christmas in America, a memory that will help me stay sane in the heat and get through this holiday. Without family, it’s usually a quiet time that ends with the Boxing Day Test. This year, it will feel even sweeter since Australia is ahead in the Ashes against England.

This is a good time to wish all my followers a very happy holiday season. May it be safe, relaxing, and a segue into a wonderful New Year for you all. I am very grateful to my Vocal friends who have helped to make this year a writing success for me.

Till next time,

Calvin

Submitted for the Mikeydred December Unofficial Challenge: