6 Things About Winter I'm Actually Excited About

I always had a fondness for winter...when I lived in California, that is. Back then, winter was simply a time for school breaks, my birthday, and leather jackets. It was cozy in an abstract way — sometimes, I wore a decorative scarf, or curled up by the window on yet another 55-degree, slightly overcast day. That was the "winter" of my childhood: mostly theoretical, and definitely devoid of snow.

These days, I know better — I live in New York City. And while New York City might not have the harshest winters in the Northeast, it does have the lowest tolerance for that magical device that allows you to avoid the elements: cars.

Yes, in New York City, winter means a minimum of four months of walking through harsh wind tunnels (and probably dirty slush), red noses, and chapped lips. Winter means darkness at 5 p.m., canceling plans because walking to the subway is just too much to ask, and wondering, once again, whether those UV lamps actually help prevent seasonal affective disorder.

Still, after eight years here, there are a few things I've learned to enjoy about the winter. So without further ado, here are the 6 things — count them, 6! — I'm actually looking forward to about winter.

If you need me, I'll be in my bed, wearing those fuzzy socks.