Record Snowfall for Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, December 2008.

Snowfall warnings for British Columbia are being issued.

No kidding.
It never stopped snowing yesterday, and was
eerily beautiful even though the city has come
to a screeching halt.
The snow is playing havoc with travelers trying
to escape to warmer climates. Who can blame them?
Cabin fever sets in after a few days indoors.
You start eye-craving any color other than white.
You put your boots on before getting out of bed.
You now own more "outdoor" clothes than you ever thought
could possibly fit in your closet. And you're still cold.

Looks like Canada is going to have a White Christmas after all.

British Columbia in the Snow, December 2008

British Columbia is experiencing some unusual weather at
the moment. Pretty much an understatement when
you see what the rest of the country is going through.
There are even Special Weather Statements
for parts of Canada. Not quite a warning,
but still special enough to take heed
and pay attention to.
I just got a letter from some friends
of mine that moved to St. Anthony, Newfoundland.
I won't say anything about British Columbia's
-4C weather now.
Maybe Ill wait till the summer to visit them.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Temperatures in British Columbia

There's no doubt that British Columbia is experiencing some cold temperatures right now. Today is -17C with the wind chill factor figured in. And that's in Vancouver.

Somehow the snow and cold brings people closer together. We share a kind of bond, a "how-are-you-coping" mechanism that is actually kind of fun. I just got off the phone with a fellow in a help center. We had a conversation on how to park your car blocks away from where you live because the roads are too bad to get yourself home right now. In "normal" times this kind of conversation would probably never happen.

I overhear discussions in the local coffee shops about keeping your car running, on the warmest hats to wear (and who cares about fashion in this weather?) , on "how can I help you to get there?", and other tips and tricks to make it through this cold snap. A wonderful Christmas feeling that makes me proud to be living in British Columbia, and with people who show they really care about each other. Adversity is just something you share, laugh at, and pull together to overcome.

Mother Nature is very clever. She brings us such incredible beauty, with a catch. You now need to either help other people, or you yourself need help. It takes us out of ourselves and the day to day issues and stresses we all face. It makes life bigger than our own little worlds.

Now I need to go find an ice scraper. Life is such an adventure.