Winter Gear

I didn't go to Paris last weekend, but that's okay: Friday morning officially marks the beginning of my designated "SUPER WEEKEND OF SUPER FUN" (to correspond with Dan's arrival). And though I didn't get to leave the country, I did go shopping, and am very pleased with my new jacket (the boots were ordered a few days ago):





I had my eye on another coat; a brown one with a faux-fur hoodie, but I realized just in time that I had already ordered one similar to it a few days ago, online. I've also been planning to buy a new hat, but can never find one to suit me well enough. I would have bought one on-base, but EVERYONE shops at the exchange; as a result, there is a constant shortage of essential items (e.g. winter clothing during winter).

There has been a lot of snow here lately; Luisa and I were cruising along when we came across an unplowed stretch of road. She immediately began flashing warning signals, and of course I slowed down (it seems as if our neighborhood is rarely plowed as well). Every morning there is more snow, adding to the piles on street corners and at the end of driveways. The kids love it. I've seen them sledding and building snowmen taller than me.
I think my body is adjusting to the new atmosphere. Not only can I tolerate having the windows open, but my lungs seem to crave the fresh, crisp air. Also, the other day I was preparing to walk upstairs to the apartment, when a can fell out of my grocery bag. Immediately and without thinking, I bent over to pick it up and stuck my unmittened hand directly into a pile of snow.
The effect was a bit chilly, but not too bad.

UPDATE:

I have visited - and eaten from - the Chinese restaurant on-base. I was passing by approximately one half hour before closing, and thought, 'eh, why not?' The food was decent, though there weren't as many choices as back home, and the taste was a bit dulled.