June 9, 2010

Winter Blues

May has disappeared ages ago and now it is June. With June, comes winter and that means we get a lot of frost, ice and cold air - the perfect ingredients that make up winter blues. Although it is only the second week of June, vast changes can already be seen in the weather. I've noticed that it's pitch black by 5.30, an indication that the days are getting shorter, the gray skies are more often cloudy than sunny and on certain days, it can  even rain or hail for half an hour. All this contributes to the subdued and unfriendly atmosphere  you feel in the air and this leads to those winter woes; cold, flu and SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter.

Symptoms of SAD may consist of: 
  • difficulty waking up in the morning - Check. Sometimes I don't wake up even when the alarm is constantly buzzing.
  • tendency to oversleep as well as to overeat - Check. Dieting is so much harder now.
  • a lack of energy - Check. I've been rather sloppy in the house-cleaning department lately.
  • difficulty concentrating on completing tasks - Check. I can't get my article done.
  • withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities - Check. This explains my absence in the blogsphere.
All of this leads to the depression, pessimism, and lack of pleasure which characterize a person suffering from this disorder.

Source: Wikipedia

So you see, it's not me but the winter that's responsible for my lack of enthusiasm in everything. Having said that, I must admit there are a few plus points in winter.


  • You get to enjoy really nice scenery.

Picture taken in July 2009 - courtesy of Lois Wong

At Mt. Cook


  • You get a touch of frost. Well, this is nothing special but I'm just plain sakai :)

Freezing cold!


  • The kids at pre-school don't get to play outside so that means they'll be warm indoors. That also means Alden has a lower chance of catching a cold.

Alden at Pre-School



I guess that one wraps up all the plus points. The negatives? Plenty. Having dry and flaky skin,  driving in fogged up windows, wearing bulky clothes 24/7, drying clothes in front of the heaters and of course paying higher electricity bills.

Yes. Winter is cold and miserable. But that's okay cos we're going home mid winter and we get to escape the cruel NZ weather. And that's what keeps me going - the thought of me in hot and humid KK, having fun with family and friends. Can't wait! :)

10 comments:

gbeejipp said...

Oh wow. Didn't know of this Winter's SAD. No wonder many ppl in 4-Seasoned countries would escape to the tropical countries during winter. But then, u're coming home sometime soon. At least someth to look forward to la kan. :-)

Anonymous said...

Urgh, I never liked winter. Although I don't find it depressing, the weather does make me feel cranky without any apparent reason. Spring is the best!

Lizeewong said...

Jipp - Yes...Something to look forward to hehe...

Web girl- Oh! I love Spring too, especially the cherry blossoms and tulips :)

Amanda Christine Wong said...

for someone who hasnt been to a four season country yet, winter always seem magical. But i guess reality bites...'frost bites'.. :D

GladysDavid said...

I've never experienced winter. I guess, I wont be able to tolerate it too. I'm afraid of cold!

Lizeewong said...

Manda - Ya..before I came here, I thought winter was magical too and couldn't wait to experience it. Now tau suda. :)

Gladys - Mcm jg d gunung kinabalu. That's how my mom described the cold when she was here last year. It's a pain jg cos susa mau jalan2.

d1n0za said...

I miss winter. :-) Hope to experience it again in the future with loved ones.

carolchs said...

one thing i know for sure kalau pigi traveling time winter, you dont get to dress up sebab pakai baju tebal2 saja hehehe

Enniebelle said...

hehehe..me also sakai! i thought winter in NZ is on Dis! hehehe..
I've also been away from blogsphere lately. I hardly have the time for curi2 checking my FB @ work. I have terminated my Max-SHIT broadband subs and I am too malas to 'haunt' the wifi hotspot even tho' these places are bersepah down my 'big bungalow' LOL, actually i'm temporarily renting a room in Damai Plaza (shophouses lot) Still looking for a house/apt to rent tho'

Lizeewong said...

Hi Dinoza! Thanks for dropping by...You like winter huh? :)

Kay - Yup! You're right on that one...Cannot bergaya cos you got to keep warm hihi...

Hi Ennie! Great to know that you've settled down in KK...Wah..in Damai? Byk kadai mkn!!! hihihi...

Where do you plan to stay actually? i mean permanently? Hope things turn out well :)