A couple months ago I wrote a blog post about Summer.https://khanhpduong.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/get-excited/ Let's just say I was very very excited when my favorite season came rolling around. I mean, just look at the title of my post. It even said, "Get Excited!" Of course Fall starts to creepily walk towards us, but no one really cares about it. Then before you know it, Winter is here. Notice how I capitalize the first letter of every season, rightfully, since I try to treat it like the separate entity that it is.

So now it's my turn to talk about my least favorite season. I never really bother with the other two but that's because nothing pleasant happens during those months anyway. Summer and Winter? Two polar opposites for me and you know, I'm an extremist. There is just no medium. Okay, where was I again? Oh, right. I was on my way to dissing Winter.

I first caught a slight glimpse of It when I was at Escape: All Hallow's Eve this past weekend. It was my second day at the massive rave when I realized, "Holy shit! It is freaking cold here!" Yes, I wasn't wearing that much clothing, but everyone I know agrees. It's getting colder. As a Cali girl, I am very well aware that we are incredibly blessed to be living in one of the most (if not the most) beautiful places in the entire world and of course, the weather deserves the biggest recognition and round of applause. Jimmy Kimmel always does this thing where he would poke fun at Southern Californians for overreacting when the temperature starts to decrease, but let's face it. He would have done the same thing if he was so accustomed to such perfection. Anyway, while Fall holds no significance to me, its departure only meant that I need to prepare for something completely different that is Winter.

Below are the five things I dislike about it:

1) I cannot wear minimal clothing and get away with it.

My mom says this to me all the time and that is, "You wouldn't have been this cold had you put on more clothes." In just a few days, I will finally give her what she wants. Good-bye summer dresses, stilettos, denim shorts, crop tops. (Insert sad face emoji) Hello sweats, over-sized sweaters, leather jacket, and knitted tops. Yes, this also means that I will actually have to wear pants now.

2) Taking my clothes off before going into the shower becomes a pain and so is getting out of the shower.

Thinking about this gives me goosebumps already.

3) Having to wear gloves because my hands are freezin' but having to look for them every time I go out.

4) Becoming pale. I know a lot of girls like to rock that Edward Cullen look, but I'm just not one of them. I like being tan.

5) The heater is never enough. I'm always cold. Even when it's hot, I'm cold. Can you imagine if it's actually cold?

Despite the Khanh's, there are a couple of things I do like about it.

1) Starbucks' Holiday Menu Caramel brulee frappuccino* My ultimate Holiday drink. This is the only time I would ever trade in my all-time go-to frapp (aka Peppermint Mocha)

2) Christmas I love Christmas. I love everything that it stands for. From the lights to the holiday cheers to the family activities. I love it.

3) Chicken noodle soup, hot showers, and hot chocolate.

4) Winter recreation.

5) It's a couple season. While summer, for me, is equivalent to popping champagne bottles and having no intention to settle down or commit, the sweater weather calls for something much different. Suddenly, the idea of having another half doesn't seem half as bad. You get to cuddle with one person and one person only. Monogamy. My kinda thang.

Out of my twenty-two years of life, twenty of those years were spent by myself. However, I have to say that I am the happiest during the months of Nov-February when I do have a significant other. Typically, we enjoy being extremely festive and if you know me, you'd know that I take the holidays very seriously. Aka Christmas movie marathons, gift shopping, matching knitted sweaters, basketball, home-cooked meals, travels, and etc.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that at the end of the day, it all comes down to who you get to share these seasons with. ie) good friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, family, relatives, etc. For me, I don't mind going either way. Yes, it's nice to go on a spontaneous day club Vegas trip with my girl friends, but it's also just as nice to sit down at a nearby Starbucks drinking my hot chocolate with the boothang. If you happen to find someone special this winter than great! If not, that's perfectly okay too. There's nothing wrong with learning how to appreciate the cold in all of its glory by yourself. I know it sounds depressing but it really isn't all that bad. Take it from me. I've done it for 20 years. And as an expert on these things, I can confidently say that it's better to learn how to appreciate everything that Winter has to offer as a solo rider first. This way, when the right person comes along, the anticipation that comes with the changing of the season will actually become more of a good thing, not something you'll dread.

Don't get me wrong. I still prefer my warmer sunnier days, only because it calls for spontaneity, outside barbeques, and romance. But I guess after looking at the list I've written above, I think I'll be just fine. So long as I continue to stay consistent with my workout and eating habits (oh, those holiday feasts are going to be the most bitter-sweetest things ever) then I'll already consider myself the lucky one ;)