A white canvas
December in New Jersey is much different from a typical December in Melbourne. The temperature averages around 30 degrees Fahrenheit instead of 30 degrees Celsius. The air is thin, while the wind is murderous. To survive without a pair of gloves and a scarf around your face/neck is nearly impossible. And yet, among the cold winds and icy roads in such beauty and utter tranquility. A fresh blanket of snow will fall now and then, providing familiarity and comfort during Christmas.
The snow brings warmth into family homes, as it is a time of celebration and giving thanks. Mum's and Dad's take time off work to stuff themselves with delicious festive foods, and exchange gifts with their loved ones. Families come together around the warm fire to sing carols, play board games, watch sports in order to best accommodate the precious time spent with each other. Hot chocolates are regularly made around the fireplace, while Mum prepares the turkey in the overheated and delightfully smelling kitchen. The white snow also brings so much joy into families during this time of year, especially for the younger ones. Snow angels are sculpted into the ground, while snow men arise from it. Heavy fortifications are made in preparation for the oncoming onslaught of a classic snow ball fight. The key is to small snow balls and tightly compact them, so that they don’t crumbled when being thrown. Trust me I've had a lot of experience. Who would have thought that sliding down a slippery white covered hill would be so enjoyable? Sledding in by far one of the simplest and most entertaining things to do during the festive season. Granted, the snow can be painful for your rear end after landing on it awkwardly, but it is so very worth it to make death defying jumps and obstacles. Those made of the harder bones are revealed among friends as they chose to take on these sledding stunts.
The snow gives me a chance to explore another aspect of my photography curiosity. The simple yet striking elements of the world around me being covered in a white sheet is pure and calming. At the same time is stunningly extravagant. The candid nature of a tree covered in white, but still revealing some of its own flesh is something very special for this time of year. Thing like these are all over the place, in our backyards, local playgrounds, and town centers. Yet, the materialistic view of the holidays sometimes distracts us from opening or eyes and seeing what beauties are right in front of us. The need to purchase gifts, foods, and other commodities limit our time in the festive season and unfortunately make us surpass the quality of the unique aspects around our environment. Toy stores are overrun with parents wanting a last minute gift, candy stores risk running low on supplies, ice rinks open in poplar public areas, and Santa makes regular appearances at every store in the country (somehow at the same time). We just need to stop, open our eyes, and take some time out of our busy days to appreciate these setting in which we live in. Here, in a small town called Newton, only about an hour drive from NYC, the snow acts like a canvas for the creative mind. Some might see a tree, while other will see so much more from several different angles. A tree might seem lifeless, as all its leaves have fallen to the ground. When its bare branches act as veins and arteries, expanding out from planet earth, reaching out to touch the sky.
The world we live in ceases to amaze us. And as it may snow most winters in places like New York and Chicago, mother nature still comes up with some unique way of showing of her beauty. ‘Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow’.
