Thanksgiving Chills

"Talking about the weather" seems to come with the negative connotation of boredom. I disagree... The weather has such a huge effect on our mood, our health, our motivation.

This morning was so cold.  Repeat SO COLD. The heater wasn't working at all, nor was the hot water. The other 4 first-semester medical students and I shivered together at the bus stop and discussed our chilly night. Nobody was able to shower, and most people slept with multiple socks.

I don't know if this is common among people, or if it's just happening to me, due to my extreme climate adjustment. But I feel like the cold freezes my mind and my mood. I can't really think, my face is just expressionless and my body is stiff... People are constantly asking me if I'm ok.. Yes, I'm fine! Just so cod that I can't move my face!

Haha.. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

It was actually very nice being bundled up today, although I usually hate the feeling of being bound around the neck. I am always wary of my scarf strangling me.

My best defense against the winter is my wearing really funny, silly hats. The kinds with ear-flaps and pom-poms. It elevates my mood ten-fold!

Today I went for the "fliegenpilz" (toadstool) variety. With my warmest purple scarf.

.   .   .

I'm invited to an American Thanksgiving celebration tonight. It'll be nice reconnecting with some elements of my own culture. There's a food donation box as well... just like home. I miss all of the volunteering I used to do. The selflessness and desire to help others for free is just not as prevalent here. I think it's so great that many American schools have required community service hours.

I think volunteering doesn't "happen" as much here because of the strong social support system. Which is good, but I think it makes people do a little bit less for others.

My birthday always falls around Thanksgiving, and it's so nice to be able to do things for other people on a day where a lot of focus is on me. Last year I served food to homeless in Chinatown, Honolulu, ON my birthday. It was such a great thing to do. My friends and I were in charge of preparing plates for diabetics or people with other special dietary needs. A little extra care...

I'm glad that there's at least a required 90 days of hospital volunteer service required for my med-program. It's at least a start... I feel like I need to get back into the socio-activistic sphere... I'm not doing enough for others at the moment... just complaining about how hard it is for me.. Maybe it would give me some fresh perspective.