First Weather Related Memory

I cannot recall when was the first memory of weather in my head but I am certain about my first weather related memory in New York City, a city where I am currently living and the city where I always dreamed to live.

I come from Tianjin, China, north part of China. It snows. But not as much as the northeast of the U.S.. Ever since I am 15, I started studying abroad, first went to Delaware, but that place was so peaceful and I wanted some excitement.Therefore, my high school sophomore’s homestay took me to New York.

       March 20, 2015. It is an especially cold day, I remember. I am dressed in black leggings, a not so think winter coat, and my white sneakers. As we were driving to Manhattan the snow became stronger and stronger. It was dream like, snow drifting against the car windows and much more flakes dancing around in the wind. I tried to feel their liveliness with my fingertip, but they melted. 

On the way to restaurant, we stepped out the car and took the subway. Snow in the city was not as aggressive as I thought when I am actually within the snow. The snow flake was so isolated but grouped with one another. I can see every single of them falling down in different speeds and various directions. I felt I was in a slow-motioned movie.

It was a short trip and I enjoyed it. I felt that I belong to the city, New York City. I was 16 and now I am 20 living in the New York City studying Fashion Design. This short memory recall reminds me who I was and who I am. I am Hedi. I like snow.

Snow in Delaware 2015

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Snow in NYC, 2015

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Interview with Family Member about how the weather has changed since they were younger

Who: Mother

Where: Online through FaceTime, She lives in China. We are talking about the weather in the northeast part of China.

Q: What changed the most about weather?

“Weather is so unpredictable. Season such as winter and summer sometimes longer than ever. Summer nowadays is so hot.”

Q: How was the weather when you were a kid?

“The weather was much better when I was young. Green fields, blue sky, and clear rivers. We did not have internet back then. In the summer, the only fun thing was hanging out with friends and siblings on the empty green fields. There were many small insects hiding in the greens. We would find them and catch them in a bottle.  It’s hard to find those insects in the city. The city changed so much. ”

Q: How was the air quality?

“Defiantly much better! The air was very clean because there were not much cars and factories. We were poor, my family… but it was a enjoyable time. The air nowadays are very polluted. There are so many people driving so many cars. Many factories… These create a lot of pollution. But I think it’s getting better, I mean the air quality. Hopefully, the air conditions will be back to the old days.”

Q: What was the most unforgettable weather related memory when you are young?

“The snow in the old days was pure white and they became very thick. Every thing was white, and snow filled streets and the play grounds. The fields looked so fluffy with the snow. Also, the snow flakes were obvious to see because they were relatively bigger than todays. Todays’ snow are very dirty and dusty. They make the city even more gray. I don’t allow your sister to play at outside when it’s snowing. It’s sad to let this happen. I really wish we still have thick and pure white snow so I can let Mia to experience how fun is it. We don’t get a lot of snow these days. Thin and dirty…. ”

 

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