Hello Everyone,
My name is Ifeyinwa (pronounced as /ii-fei-yi-mwha/) and it means “there is nothing compared to a child.” I trust we are getting on well with our various life’s endeavors in this winter, which I know can be very overwhelming especially for newbies like me in this part of the world. But then, we just keep going on, looking stronger than what we have been through for it will all add up soon and can only get better.
There are lots of things that preoccupy our minds when we are about to embark on a journey to a higher level in life. Be it academic to get a new degree, an upgrade in professional status, the start of a new career or even relocation to a new country. We are mostly excited about what we have planned for, but tend not to give attention to the things that will determine how it all goes when we get to that new level.
The US is a beautiful country, a land of opportunities as it is widely called; But please try not to get all caught up in the frenzy and leave your primary purpose unattended. US is a country that promotes diversity and inclusion. The country boasts of the best Ivy league schools in the world and prides itself of a vibrant workforce mostly made up of immigrants from around the world who have found a home in the US.
Now, hold on a minute; this piece is not about the US but about those who seemingly migrate unprepared. It is the winter season in the US and I am mostly concerned about my fellow international students who have traveled thousands of miles to obtain a degree in the US without adequate knowledge or preparation for the winter.
I have been procrastinating to get this out to a broader community for a while, but have had a couple of major hurdles due to some very challenging situations settling in a new environment like the US. But not to worry, finally I have put this piece together to help newbies like me get it right and settle in just fine.
In winter, the weather can go from sunny to cool, to breezy, to cold, and then finally to freezing in just some hours, so you really want to prepare for it. They say if you do not plan, then you have planned to fail. So, I came up with this piece tagged the “Wots ‘n’ Wears in Winter” to help us know the DOs and DONTs in clothing especially, as it is typically very cold this time of the year in the US and coldest in January. So, if you think December is not friendly, then wait till you meet the sibling January.
· Winter jacket – the one that gets to your knee is advisable just in case you cannot get the one that goes all the way down to your ankle. Ensure the jacket is padded enough to keep you warm. A jacket that cannot be zipped or buttoned up is not one you need this winter. They come in various materials so choose wisely seeing that the weather can get really humid sometimes.
· Thermal wears – these are lightly fleeced clothing you wear inside before putting on your sweat shirts/pants and then get to wear the actual dress for the day. This act is called “layering”. Ensure to invest in thermal wears as they help to keep you warm from the inside. If you want to keep warm this winter, then it is all about LAYERS!!!
· Oversized clothes – Trust me when I say you would not mind looking like a balloon just to keep warm. These oversized clothes help create space for the thermal wear and the sweat shirts/pants to fit just fine…you do not want to choke on tight outfits this winter. Those baggy pants and big pullovers will definitely come in handy here.
· Head warmer – these are fleeced or closely knitted hats and caps you wear to keep the brain from freezing in winter. Ensure to get ones that cover up the ears or get ear muffs as well. Thankfully thick hairs, the wigs, locs and braids become quite helpful because “bald and bold” do not go together in winter.
· Socks – do not let their size deceive you; they look like they do not matter until you cannot feel your feet anymore in winter. Invest in fleeced socks and wear them all the time.
· Winter shoes – these can be boots or sneakers…whatever you do, get the ones that suits the weather. Ensure the soles are not smooth to avoid frequent slips. The rougher the soles the better grip you have while walking in winter. A trick that works for me is not to go for your exact size when looking for a winter shoe. Look for ones that are two sizes more than your actual shoe size. This will give room for the layers of thermal socks and still keep your feet warm.
· Hand gloves – do not wait till those phalanges cannot make a fist before you give them attention. In this world of technology, there are gloves that still let you operate your touch screen phones while you keep those hands warm. Winter hand gloves come in categories so please ask questions when buying one.
· Nose coverings – this is optional as not everyone gets the runny nose during winter due to harsh breeze. A nose mask will do you good and keep away the harshness of the weather from hitting straight into your nostrils.
· Lip balm – those in the business of lip moisturizers sure smiles to the bank every winter. Do not let those pretty lips crack before you balm them up. The crack does not respect gender. These days, pocket sized lip balm is your go-to.
· Petroleum jelly – whether it is the petroleum jelly or body oil, trust me, you need lots of it this winter to help keep your skin glazed and supple.
· Water bottle – no matter what you do this winter, please take a lot of water to help keep you hydrated.
· Weather forecast – it is better to be safe than sorry. Always check to know what the weather forecast says about each day before you make that move outside. Sometimes the weather might need you to go out in your polymer winter jacket or leave home with an umbrella because there might just be showers of blessings later in the day. Above all, do not go outside not knowing what the day will look like.
A good friend once said to choose between being pretty and being warm. In this winter, choose wisely and yes, you can have the best of both worlds. Remember that you do not need to break a bank to get the above mentioned winter wears, thankfully the thrift shops serve it like it’s hot and as good as new. You will save some good dollars when you patronize them. These thrift shops are located in every area. Just ask around for the ones closest to you or check the internet for more options. For those who understand the weather better, look around you and help someone keep warm, by donating a winter item or two. Thank you for taking out time to read ME.
I hope someone finds this helpful.
Have a fun-filled holiday and stay warm.
By Ifeyinwa Nwobi | Image: Boston Herald