On the Weather

The one similarity Scots and Singaporeans have is that we both hate the weather we've got.

It's a testament to just how erratic the weather here is. Last week, it was all sunshine and clear skies - I was able to go about happily in my new wool coat and ballerina pumps.

This week it's wet and snowy with temperatures diving below 0 even in the day. I've taken out my puffy winter parka, and sturdier shoes.

An observation: a lot of Singaporeans I've spoken to over the years are significantly enamoured with the thought of holidaying in winter and seeing snow. Since I've come here, quite a few friends back home have commented on how 'nice' the weather must be because it's 'cold' and therefore good. For some reason this has always mildly irritated me, especially after I nearly got frostbite when I was 11 as a result of playing with 'nice' snow. I really want to rectify this misconception, which I think has found much fruit in a nation which can't survive without air conditioning.

16 degrees on your airconditioner does not take into account wetness, sleet, frost, blustering winds and violent pelting snow! That's why its an air conditioner; it conditions the air to be unnaturally static and calm, thus making the 'cold' extremely tolerable and hospitable.

As you can tell, this weather makes me full of ill-will. And I think I'm doubly cranky because I was woken up at 8am by the construction outside my hall.

On the bright side, there's a forecast for sunny days this weekend!!!