After living in LA for over 20 years, especially in neighborhoods like West Covina, winter can feel quite ambiguous. The calendar clearly says December, and Christmas music is playing, but what I feel is more like a cool autumn than winter.

Of course, there are many good things about it. I don't have to worry about frost on my car in the morning, slipping on icy roads, or getting hit with a heating bill. The sunshine is warm, and during the day, light clothing is usually enough. However, sometimes it feels a bit dull because there's no unique winter atmosphere.

Winter has its own charm, right? Cold hands, a red nose, coming home to sit in front of the heater with a warm drink. But here, it's not unusual to throw on a cardigan and head to Starbucks for an iced latte. There are many moments when I wonder if it's winter or just a nice day.

Still, a part of me reassures myself, "At least I can see snow nearby." Big Bear and Mountain High ski resorts are just a drive away. The problem is... being close doesn't mean I go often. When the weekend comes, I often feel too lazy to leave the house.

During the Christmas season, those thoughts become even stronger. On TV, scenes of snow falling on New York streets play, people in thick coats taking photos in front of trees, couples walking in the snow. But when I step outside, the weather is mild, and even when carols play in front of the grocery store, the seasonal feeling is hard to grasp. There are moments when I wonder, "Is it really December?"

Here, even a little rain can cause traffic chaos, and if it snows just an inch, the whole city would probably come to a standstill. Schools would close, companies would let people leave early, and it would essentially be an emergency situation.

However, the convenience of a warm winter is undeniable. Laundry dries quickly, I catch fewer colds, and I hardly ever need to pull out heavy winter coats. In terms of daily life, it's really convenient. But strangely, convenience doesn't seem to fill the joy of the season.

There's a feeling that winter should feel like winter. Frost on the window in the morning, cold hands stuffed in pockets, and a craving for warm soup—those are the signs of the season.

So sometimes I think, maybe this year I should go up to Big Bear? Even if I fall a few times on the beginner slopes and my butt gets sore, I'd like to step on some snow. But the reality is the same. A warm home, comfy slippers, and a video of a fireplace playing on the TV. I'm spending winter watching YouTube snowstorms instead of real snow.

Having spent my teenage years in Korea, I think I still carry memories of snowy winters in my heart. Sometimes I wish I could hold a warm coffee and look out the window on a real snowy morning.

Of course, when that kind of winter actually comes, I'd probably complain again. The roads are slippery, commuting is tough, my shoes get wet—those kinds of things. That's just how people are. When it's inconvenient, we complain, and when it's convenient, we say it lacks romance.

Still, someday, I hope to experience a winter morning with snow quietly piled up, holding a warm cup of coffee and looking out the window. That kind of romance still seems to linger in my heart.