Embracing Who I Am
Posted in Alaska, Travel on 07/07/2010 03:52 am by adminThe more places I go, the more I know who I am and who I am not.
Some things about myself I know for sure. Others I can guess at, but I’ve never been in a situation to prove it. And others I just really don’t know—things could go either way.
I walked about a block to the library last week on a day that it was overcast, windy, and temperature in the 40s. Afterwards, I walked another couple of blocks to the waterfront and then back to my friends’ house. I had put on a fleece over my long-sleeve shirt, laced up my boots over wool socks, but decided to leave my head and hands uncovered—though on a day like this in Texas, I would have worn a hat and gloves for sure. But the local people here in Kotzebue are wearing short sleeves, some are in shorts, and many aren’t wearing socks.
By the time I got back to the house, my ears were stinging and my fingers were numb. I told my friend Roxie, “I just want to try not to be such a wimp in the cold.”
Her quick answer was, “Oh Becca, don’t try to be something you’re not.”
Wonderful advice. I’m going to embrace the fact that I’m a wimp about the cold. It’s who I am. I’m going to unashamedly wear my hat and gloves. I’m a wimp about the cold, but I do enjoy bundling up.
07/07/2010 at 1:02 am
No you are not a wimp, you are a transplanted Texan who is used to temp above the 80s. Remember how it could be cold up north in the other country also. We did not wear gloves and hats but long sleeves and jackets were not uncommon sites.
07/07/2010 at 3:33 am
Becca, no shame in that!
I remember when I first met Brandon, it was around winter time in CA and the temp was in the 60's. I went into his apartment and his heater was blasted to 85! He thought it was freezing outside. He still puts on the gloves and hat and scarf when it's in the 60's here. He knows he can never live in a place that has snow. He'll always be an island boy… 
07/07/2010 at 6:39 am
Excellent lesson! You'll be so much more comfortable embracing who you are – physically and otherwise.
07/07/2010 at 2:26 pm
Your mom says, "Keep the gloves and cap on. I don't want you getting sick." That's what moms are suppose to say, isn't it?