No matter what part of the world you are in, December is almost always about holidays, festivity and winter.  Experiencing Canadian winters hands-on is just a different experience altogether, and what a wonderful experience it is.

 

Growing up and living most of my life in Pakistan, our biggest celebration of the year revolved around Ramadhan and Eid. However, in December, I remember watching Christmas movies with my sister for our yearly dose of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.  We had relatives visiting from different parts of the world, family dinners and gifts.  December brings back only delightful memories. Now that I am here with my husband in this amazing country, living through this wonderful season of cold and celebrations, I am absorbing it all and enjoying it little by little, something new every day as we move through the holiday season.

 

Yes, it is cold, and it’s snowing, but it’s also December which means the streets are buzzing with the joy and excitement of the holidays. Christmas markets have been set-up, sale-season has begun, and wherever you look, you will only find a sense of merriment, excitement and warmth.

 

In the office my team still laughs when they catch me staring outside the building at the falling snow. They too, like my husband (who has lived here for a decade and a half), tell me that this phase of enjoying winters will soon be over once I have lived through the full winter term.

 

Will this excitement of snow soon be over, or will it motivate me for more winter shopping? I guess we will only find out with time. So while I am here trying to build my new life, while deciphering the cultural differences and enjoying snow and making the most of it, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and holiday season. After all,

 

 “Tis the season to be jolly”