When you’re moving to one country to another one, there’s a lot of adjustment that needs to happen. I came from a tropical climate. Back home, we wore shorts and summer dresses made of breathable fabric that’s perfect to combat the semi-permanent warm temperature.

That has been the biggest challenge when it came to moving to Canada. The first time I visited, it was in the middle of winter, and I felt my body go through a shock I never experienced before. We didn’t realize the clothes we had weren’t enough to deal with the cold, so we stood there waiting for the bus, shivering as the cold wind slapped against our faces. I got sick, had chills the entire night due to the change, and spent the entire week inside the house.

But despite that, the snow was magical and took my breath away. We went home after the 3-month long vacation and I missed the cold, the snow, and the magic I only dreamed of in my youth.

When we finally moved to Toronto, it was summer. We were better equipped, and yes, it was colder than the Philippine temperature even in the summer, but we came prepared this time. We bought the proper undershirt, with thicker fabric and better material. It was a mild winter that year, but I experienced my first fall season, and if I thought winter was magical, fall was more so.

Canada has a cold climate, that’s for sure but don’t let that take away from the beauty it has. Dress thick, warm up, and never stop moving when the wind is determined to bring you down.