Ug. It's winter in Sofia.

How do I know this? Well, it's snowing right now. And, for the last few days the temperature has been hovering below zero (you know in celsius). I've had to wear my boots everyday this month.

It snowed more than a week ago. Our school quickly shoveled the sidewalks and main paths. It seems relatively safe to walk around. The rest of a the city seems like a death-trap or at least the world's most poorly maintained ice-skating rink. Then there are the three steps at the front gate of school. These are the worst.

There are exactly three steps. Each is domed with ice. This ice used to be snow but none of the men who guard the gate could be bothered to shovel the snow from the steps when it was just snow so now it's a good two inches of ice. These are the men who are supposed to be checking identification of everyone who comes and goes. They are supposed to be guarding the police academy and the Mladost police station. I haven't had my ID checked in weeks. It seems like the least they could do is shovel three steps. But they don't.

It's snowing again today and I can't help wondering if theses steps will be coated in ice until spring.

Of course the problem is that recently I've begun dreaming of my ballerina flats and imagining outfits for early spring. Floaty skirts and tights, my three-quart length sleeved coat and skinny jeans, flower prints and bright colors. The reality is that I am bundled up. I've layered myself into a semblance of warmth and then I top the whole thing off with a scarf. Because scarves make everything better, <em>right</em>?

Today I find myself sneezing. I wonder if it's psychosomatic or if I am actually getting sick. I hope it's the first because I don't want to be sick. I tell myself that coffee can (and will) work wonders on my sneeze so I move on to my third cup for the day.

And maybe some orange juice.

I've got to try to fortify myself somehow.