On Fog and Snow
 |
| The Waikato Fog - June 2023 |
This week’s edition of the blog comes to you from under heavy snow. Winter arrived in Minnesota seemingly overnight. But before my world transformed into a beautiful (albeit cold) snowglobe, the skyline was obscured by a spooky fog. It reminded me of moments from New Zealand, so rather than posting the planned update on gratitude and Thanksgiving, I’ve reflected on the weather instead.
[“Fog makes it hard to see.” – Taylor, a true wizard with his words]
On Tuesday morning, I woke to a heavy fog. It was like a cold blanket, clouding the city with anxious anticipation for the holiday ahead. Recently, I’ve been counting down the days to the end of the semester, to writing deadlines, to the start of my last full year at the University of Minnesota—and with it, my current chapter.
I was in a rush leaving the house that morning, sprinting to find a scarf and mittens in the large box of winter gear that had gone neglected during last year’s “winter-which-wasn’t.” Despite my time crunch, when I finally reached the Washington Avenue Bridge, I stopped for photos (when do I not). The usual postcard image of the downtown skyline had been replaced by a dense white fog. Walking across the bridge felt like riding a chairlift up into the mountains, into the clouds. The mystery and adventure of it was tantalizing, but my watch was demanding. Even with those extra moments of awe, I somehow still managed to get to class on time.
 |
| Washington Avenue Bridge in fog - Nov 25, 2025 |
After history, the skyline across the Mississippi became further obscured by a light rain. I was caught off guard by the wet of the day and arrived at my next class dripping with displeasure. Strangely enough, we had just learned the words to describe the conditions last unit.
“я не люблю когда идет дождь.”
“очень плохая погода!”
 |
| Same bridge, same fog (three hours later) - Nov 25, 2025 |
Following Russian, I rushed across campus to Dr. Roberts’ office (see last week’s post!), where I ended up staying quite late. I arrived home in the early evening to a warm but empty house. Taylor had run to Target after work for a car scraper. The overnight forecast called for snow.
 |
| Hiding from the cold in Walter library - Nov 25, 2025 |
As temperatures dropped, the rain changed to a winter mix. On Thanksgiving (Thursday) it began to look like the subfreezing weather was here to stay. Last night (Friday), Taylor and I decorated the house for Christmas with lights and (two!) trees. Our home is cozy and warm and ready for the holidays. Today (Saturday) it seemed the weather wanted in on decorating efforts—it started snowing around 6 a.m. and has yet to cease.
 |
| Skeeter the cat, pondering when next to attack the tree... - Nov 29, 2025 |
I’m writing this while bundled safe and (mostly) warm inside the shelter of the Larson Indoor Football Practice Facility. It is game day. The band is currently spinning on the field to the Battle Hymn of the Republic. At 2:30 this afternoon, in the snow and cold, the Gophers will kick off against the Wisconsin Badgers. The result of this match will determine where the band goes for a bowl game (I am voting Phoenix—or anywhere warm, really).
It’s a great story. It was a great week! But why am I writing it here? A weekly debate on my part…
Tuesday’s fog —the sudden change, the uncertainty, the mix of excitement and anxiety— reminded me of New Zealand. The feeling brought to mind the Waikato fog, standing at the gates of the Shire under the shadow of change. I thought of trying to stay present in a beautiful moment while feeling eager for the days ahead, of searching for growth through fear. On the bridge that day, I felt the same gratitude, humility, and vulnerability that defined that period of my life.
 |
| Hobbiton gate in fog - June 27, 2023 |
Hobbiton is a working farm, complete with sheep and cattle. Navigating around the set meant constantly opening and closing livestock gates. In the summer, I biked to and from work. Managing the gates with a bicycle in hand was a challenge I dreaded. When winter arraived and biking was no longer an option, I got rides with coworkers. As the passenger, handling the gates became my responsibility, but with much greater ease. What I had once despised transformed into my favorite daily routine.
 |
| Same gate, same fog (next morning, 7a.m.) - June 28, 2025 |
Each morning—much to the great displeasure of my drivers—I paused at the gate for photos and reflections. Especially toward the end of my trip. In August. In the dead of (Southern Hemisphere) winter, when the fog rolled in thick and heavy the night before and lingered late into each afternoon. When the mountians I knew lay somewhere in the distance became invisible under the clouds, yet somehow more magical for it. When this mystery mirrored my apprehension about starting marching band, about giving school a second attempt. When the future was unwritten.
 |
| Hobbiton gate in sunshine (the day after the fog) - June 29, 2023 |
 |
| Fog outside the Green Dragon - 2023 |
Ski U Mah, Go Gophers, Row the Boat. Eat up Wisconsin. Stay warm and dry. See you next week.
All best,
El
[editing to add: the Gophers won 17-7! The evening was made even more exciting with a feild rush! It has snowed all day, and more is forcasted tomorrow. No word on a bowl trip desination just yet, but we can confirm that it will NOT be Detroit again. I'll keep you posted!]
 |
| Feild rush - November 29, 2025 |
Do you still have your dog ?
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand fog is not as cold as MN fog!
ReplyDelete