I Hate Winter; I Love My Hat

It's funny how your tastes change as the years go on. I don't think that a few years ago I would've been caught dead in a hat. I really didn't think I looked good in them. And yet today, as I exited the Metro and saw the wet snow falling (ick), I was so happy that I had read the weather report and had my cute hat in tow.

Yes, sure, I'm a nerd for planning ahead and packing my hat early this morning when I left for class. But I was also very happy that my head wasn't going to get wet. I may have been just going home to change right into my sweats and do work, but getting wet does not make this girl happy at all. Also, my head stayed nice and warm. Didn't your mother ever tell you that most of your heat escapes through your head and feet?! My hat is way better than a headband (even though I may look cuter in the headband). I guess that approaching the big 2-5 is making me be more responsible about things in life? Maybe not, but I'm definitely thrilled I had my hat! Yet, despite my new love of my hat, I'm quite certain that I still loathe winter and this weather. Is it time to tan on the beach yet??

I'm a Jaywalker

Since coming to the DC metro area, I have found the people and rules of the city to be quite interesting. One such thing in particular is the subject of jaywalking. In NYC, you have people constantly darting across the street when no cars are coming. I really believe that if you've looked both ways (even on a one-way street) and it's clear, you can totally go. It's all about saving time when walking - jaywalking, speedwalking, etc...

But in DC (and definitely in Northern Virginia), I have witnessed individuals standing alone on a corner, watching the hand/man lights intently and with conviction. They will not step off the corner until that little man illuminates and/or chirps to indicate it's the pedestrian's turn to cross. Even on a street with little traffic, these people wait (and if they catch me stepping off the corner beforehand out of the corner of their eye, I get puzzled and nasty glares).

The fact of the matter is that it's not ever safe if you don't look both way (thanks, Mom and Dad). What if someone runs a red light? Then that crosswalk signal means nothing. Lots of factors come into play. I wouldn't just recklessly run across Queens Boulevard or even the tiniest streets, ya know. You have to be smart. But I cannot explain those lonely rule-rollowers at the edge of the curb. I'm a rules girl, myself. But, really VA/DC pedestrians?!