Frozen - “Don’t Let it Go”

      

“What is the current temperature?”, I sigh deeply.  Since I started a new life in Chicago, I keep tracking the local temperature and forecast all the time during the winter. It sounds a little paranoid, but Chicago’s winter is very tough. I believe I will never get used to the urban Eskimo life although I have to survive here. The cold weather knocks me out of my memories in Tokyo. The city has four seasons as well as in Chicago, but winter is not extremely cold like the Midwest. I lived most of my life in Tokyo. Therefore, I haven’t explored other places or countries until I moved here. Then and now, I recognize that a cold day reminds me of my hometown suddenly. I miss that loving winter fashion, enjoying delicious healthy winter cuisine, and taking short trips to hot springs. However, If I didn’t live in a different country, I would never learn that the climate affects human life. The winter outfits, food, and activities all help me to stay positive in the bone-chilling winter although the Chicago winter is totally out of control for me.

Initially, I prioritized keeping warm with my clothes, rather than being fashionable during in winter. I totally forgot how to dress up nicely in cold weather.  In fact, I do not care anymore about fashion trends like celebrities and influencers. I only pay attention how to dress warmly enough today because if I do not, I will freeze outside. In addition, I will get a cold or some illness. Accordingly, I am armed with a heavy jacket, and I layer on several tops. Sometimes I add more shirts. Also, I wear a pair of thick socks and heavy snow boots. Wearing a scarf, a hat, and gloves are unavoidable.  When I wear all clothes and shoes, I feel weight down, and I am unable to move freely. Those heavy winter clothes may cause some shoulder and back pain. I feel really old and sad. Then, I immerse myself in my memories naturally. I enjoyed the winter fashion in Tokyo because the coldness is milder than Chicago. I collected some warm and stylish coats, leather boots, puffy and colorful scarves. Those outfits were pretty and encouraged me to have fun winter days. I shout out in my mind, “don’t let it go!”   

In Winter, Tokyo

 Secondly, as a matter of course, on a cold day, most people crave delicious food to keep their body warm and maintain their health. However, the cold winter makes me lazy, and I tend to lose energy to do anything. Therefore, healthy and fresh meals are beneficial. I regret eating junk food instead of having good nutrition. American fast food is easy on the stomach, but sometimes my stomach cannot digest fast and my stomach gets upset after I finish eating. In contrast, my diet was very healthy when I was in Japan because my mother always fed me fresh homemade meals. Then suddenly, I became hungry for a hot pot cuisine Nabe which my mother cooks for her family in winter. Nabe is a hot pot dishe, and it is usually cooked and eaten at the table. A hot pot is perfect to eat on a cold day with family members or close friends. All varieties of ingredients will be added to hot soup in Nabe, including, meats or fishes, Tofu, mushrooms, and a lot of vegetables. For some reason, Nabe is very delicious and healthy. I try it like my mother, but it is not easy to find all the ingredients. Then suddenly, I miss my family and hometown. I scream in my mind, “don’t let it go!”

Shabu-shabu Nabe

Lastly, I especially enjoy summertime in Chicago, but in winter, I cannot find some fun activities even though I want to try to stay warm and healthy. On a cold day, I prefer to stay and relax at home. Sometimes I spend my time crafting decorations, reading books, and using a computer. Those are good hobbies although I feel a lack of exercise, and my metabolism has slowed down. I need something refreshing and relaxing to take away stress. Visiting hot springs or saunas would help to boost my metabolism. Basically, I prefer to keep my body warm and refreshed. In Japan, many people enjoy visiting Onsen - hot springs baths. Similarly, there are many salon spas which have saunas and bedrock bath. Taking a bath will help to keep body warm and healthy during in winter. I heard that there are many beautiful hot springs in the Southwest. If I want to visit there, I have to travel, so it will be challenging for me to try. I am afraid for a new adventure. Consequently, I have not tried yet. I wonder myself but I am not as brave in the U.S as I was in Japan. I shriek in mind, “don’t let it go!”

View of Mt. Fuji from Onsen

The truth is cold weather is not welcome for me, but I have to survive my life in Chicago. I recognized that I am getting stronger although I still miss living in Tokyo through my past life, such as winter wardrobes, meals, and relaxation. It is difficult to live a different country, especially, cold weather places, but I should accept the new life including positive and negative aspects. I realized that I should not lament my negative thoughts odiously on a cold day anymore. It’s time to have an echoe in front of snow, “let it go!”

Chicago River