I was totally ready to come back to Madison after our extremely long winter break. I love being at home, but I wanted to get back, start a new semester and see all of my friends. I love the excitement of buying new notebooks and seeing all the familiar faces running around the aisles of the bookstore. Everyone is so happy and carefree. I don't even mind waking up early, at least for the first few weeks of classes.
However, there is one thing I'm not so crazy about - the Madison weather. The bitter temperatures and incessant snow were among the few things that I didn't really miss while I was back at home in New Jersey. Why does it have to snow so much? We get it, Wisconsin, you've proven your point. You are a very cold state. I don't think I'm alone when I say the beyond freezing temperatures send me running straight for the indoors.
Aside from temporarily sending me to hermit status, the cold weather also gives me an insane craving for the strangest thing: ice cream. I know that sounds unconventional, and maybe outright crazy. How could I crave something so cold when it's blisteringly chilly outside?
I really don't have an explanation for you. I think it might be the snow's texture, which reminds me of the creamy goodness of the perfect cup of vanilla. Sometimes I just need to have a scoop in the worst way.
My friends try to be supportive of my crazy habit, but still they think I'm nuts when I even dare suggest a little trip out to State Street for a Potbelly's milkshake. I see their point, but I'm sick of being judged! I think it's time that we changed all of our biased opinions towards this wintertime forbidden realm of cold food.
Better yet, why does everyone think that certain foods should be tied to a specific season? If I want to go out and buy a pint of Ben and Jerry's Mint Chocolate Cookie, why shouldn't I be able to do that, even if it is below zero? And, if it's hot out and I'm in the mood for chili, why shouldn't I be able to eat some on the Terrace?
Maybe we should stop being so closed minded about the foods we're allowed"" to eat. We should forget all of these negative associations that we have and just eat what we like, a la the Apple Jacks commercials of the '90s.
Winter doesn't just have to be a time for soup, but it can also be a great time for ice cream at the Union and smoothies from Jamba Juice. And summer shouldn't only be about keeping cool, but it should equally be about warming our insides, eating those foods that make us feel good.
The same idea can go for holidays, too. Turkey and stuffing shouldn't only be eaten on Thanksgiving, but rather whenever we feel like it. One of my favorites, the candy cane, can be appreciated as a year-round treat, not only for Christmas. We could blame Walgreens for making these seasonal things less available to us during the changing months, but why can't we stock up and keep eating candy hearts forever?
So far, I haven't successfully recruited anyone over to my eccentric point of view. My friends would still prefer a Caramel Machiatto in this frigid weather over an iced coffee. Still, I hold my ground and I get iced tea at Starbucks, in lieu of the strange looks the baristas give me as they brew their hot beverages.
So, while everyone is cozying up and drinking hot chocolate, I'm keeping myself warm and comfortable by eating and drinking whatever I feel like, despite the confinements of the season. You can find me at the Chocolate Shoppe this winter, sitting there all alone, indulging myself in a cone full of creamy, cold perfection.
If you've been sitting alone on the terrace eating your ice cream and are in need of some company, e-mail Ariel at akraut@wisc.edu.
