Winter Chills

It's holiday season, and we don't have any more classes the rest of the year! We finally have our long-awaited break -- and I'll spend it in winter.

Coming from a tropical country, I have zero first-hand knowledge about winter. Oh, I read about snow angels, snowflakes and snowmen, but experiencing snow for the very first time is sure to be an interesting, new experience.

Photo by Nati Harnik, Associated Press. Deseretnews.com.

Anyway, what I learned so far --

1. Winter Jackets/Coats
In the Philippines, there's this Surplus Shop in all the SM malls, which sells imported overruns. If you run across a fleece, down or wool jacket in that shop, buy it! I have a fleece sweatshirt which I got from Surplus, and I am so happy that I bought it since most sweatshirts I've come across here are too large, quite expensive, or plain (ie. unfashionable -- seriously!). The cheapest sweatshirt I ever saw was $20 pre-tax and that was on sale.

Fleece and wool jackets work in fall or early winter weather. Now that there's actual snow on the ground, I don't trust anything but my down jacket! Apparently, L.L. Bean jackets are among the most reliable (and most expensive), but I got mine (with thermal insulation) from Columbia. They say summer is the best time to buy winter stuff, but I didn't have a chance to do that so I can't really confirm. You can also combine a fleece jacket with a windbreaker for snowy, winter weather. Ladies might find it useful to buy jackets that reach mid-thigh or your knees. I bought from the Youth section (because it was cheaper) and my jacket reaches my hips. You can also try searching for puffer jackets which I also came across in my "research."

Hoods are important. Those Baguio knitted caps can also really come handy. Again, if you come across a fleece, down or wool hooded jacket in the Surplus Shop, buy it! And just find a way to wear it or something in your flight to the US -- because winter jackets/coats are pretty heavy.

Oh, and when it comes to wool jackets/coats -- at least 60% wool would do it. That's what my "research" says. (I have a 60% wool coat and it works fine for me.) My Youth down jacket cost $60; a typical ladies' winter jacket costs twice as much.

When it gets really cold, I pair up the down jacket with a fleece sweatshirt or fleece jacket inside to guarantee utmost warmth.

2. Shoes
You need waterproof shoes which can grip the slippery roads, and which reach past your ankle. I've seen some in Sears for less than $40. Some winter boots have tags which guarantee warmth at -15F.

3.Thermals
People say it's better to shop for thermals in Marks & Spencer or Debenhams (in Manila) since it's cheaper. I don't know about that, but I know it usually costs around Php1,600 to Php1,800 to get two thermal camisoles or long-sleeved shirts. I found Duofold thermals that cost me $14 each for the long-sleeved shirt and the leggings. They're available on Amazon and in Champion stores.

4. Layers
Maong pants that I brought with me from the Philippines turned out to be pretty thin, especially when I faced strong winds. I had to layer (and layer and layer) underneath it. I really found it hard to search for jeans here since the sizes are long and large! It's hard to find thick, reliable ones too.

I layer on top as well. Two shirts just won't cut it! The wind (always) finds a way through those cotton layers so better put on thermals and a fleece sweatshirt underneath that coat. You can always remove layers and hang them in your locker. I even wear two pairs of socks if it gets really cold! Better warm than sorry.

5. Scarves and Gloves
I just learned how to tie a scarf properly around my neck. Haha. My pashmina scarf works so far, but a thick, fluffy scarf would be better. And gloves are what you need, not mittens -- mittens prevent you from using your four, non-thumb fingers. Choose gloves that will help you grip and preferably have an insulation layer. You can also layer gloves and mittens if you wish.


I wish I had a balaclava for all those times the wind rushed towards my face. It's really not funny, I'm telling you. If you feel your fingers and feet getting cold, you probably didn't cover your head, which generates the most heat in your body. All the heat in your body is rushing toward the brain and leaving your digits to fend for themselves. If your head is covered and you still feel cold, then you haven't layered properly or layered enough. Keep as much of your body covered (zip all those zippers and close those snaps) so that the wind couldn't get in. It's not really the snow or the cold that's your enemy -- it's the WIND. I can stand subzero temperatures in the cold, but can't stand 10 degrees Celsius in the wind. I hate it when it turns out to be a cold, windy day. Unless I spend it indoors, of course.

Giving Thanks

It's nearly finals season once again and we are gearing up to finish this week's cases, assignments and presentations to start studying for the exams. Winter break is on the horizon and everyone's looking forward to a month of vacation!

Thanksgiving has come and passed; there was a Thanksgiving lunch buffet at school (only $5!) and dinner at one of the homes of my Filipino friends living here. Aside from turkey, there was a lot of ham, which I like so much better! Maybe because it's my comfort food at home. Thanksgiving saw us having nearly a week off from school and searching for bargains during the Black Friday sale, but a particularly difficult midterm exam was waiting for us on Cyber Monday. Haaay.

Anyway, on the theme of Thanksgiving, here's a short list of what I'm thankful for thus far:

Image from thankyoupictures.com.

1. My part-time job
I'm really grateful for my part-time job at the library, which gives me much-needed income while I'm here. It pays higher than minimum wage (but not much more) and gives me opportunities to earn more than my current shift allows every now and then. I can study when my shift turns out pretty quiet, and the librarians are always ready to help. I also meet different people who aren't in the MBA program, and the work gives me practice in interacting with Americans. So far, I only work 6 hours a week, but I'm planning to increase my hours for next semester.Without this job, I wouldn't have been able to get an SS number, which I need to get a credit card here, which I need to establish my credit history, which I absolutely need since it will make certain things easier (ie. renting an apartment, getting car insurance) for me in the future.

2. My benefactor
I've finally discovered who my benefactor is, and I've written him a thank-you letter. Without his very generous grant, I never would have set foot here in the first place.

3. My learning group
I got pretty lucky in the learning group raffle, and I'm so thankful for it! We work together so well -- and the same can't be said for the other groups in our class. In fact, one of the international students already left her group because she got treated badly by the guys (ie. her opinions didn't seem to count, she got shouted at, etc). Some groups also stay past midnight doing case work; the latest time my teammates and I worked together was until about 8 in the evening. We're pretty efficient, and have gotten to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. We help each other with acads and I've always found them a source of support whenever I've had problems to deal with.

4. Viber, Skype and all that jazz
My former colleagues called me on Viber one night while I had a quiet shift at the library, and I was so happy that I disregarded protocol and jabbered away in Tagalog for more than an hour! Thank goodness no one had problems with their research or computers that time. There's no other better panacea to homesickness than hearing the voices of your friends and loved ones back home (or seeing them on your laptop). Talking to my colleagues made me feel as if I was back home again, just doing work in a different building. How hard it would be for us abroad if we only had snail mail to rely on! When my mom worked abroad in the 80's, she would send home cassette tapes (yes, cassettes) on which she would record her messages so that we could hear her voice.

5. The steady stream of learning
There are times when the load is so intense that MBA students ask themselves: Why am I taking this MBA again??? There are times when I feel that work was so much easier, and ask myself whether going here was worth giving up the comforts of home and the security of income. Well, time and time again, I always arrive at the conclusion that it's worth it. It's worth every penny I've put into it so far. I'm learning so much from the classes, the professors, my classmates, the career coaches and companies who come here to give us cases. You get those aha! moments when something discussed in class suddenly makes you realize why it was that way at work. That said, work experience is really valuable coming into the program.Not only do you get to share more, but you can more easily relate to the course material too.


Obviously, there are loads of things I'm thankful for -- bargains and sales that allow me to survive on a very stretched budget among them. I've gone a bit over my budget with my laptop purchase, the conferences I've traveled to, and sundry things I believe I need, but hopefully there wouldn't be any big-ticket items for next semester. In less than 3 hours, I'll be meeting my learning group for a case discussion then, in the afternoon, I'm off to listen to Christmas carols in the performing arts center. I can't believe it's nearly Christmas! Time flies by so fast!