When I left the office to go home last night at 5:30pm, it was as bright and sunny outside as if it was 1:00pm. Even after an hour train ride and a twenty minute bus ride – it was still light out. And during my walk from the bus stop to my home, which is about an eight block walk, the birds were chirping, the sun was shining – and the weather was beautiful for the first time since this year’s very bad winter began.

We here in New York have been flooded with rain, buried in snow and frozen solid with such low temperatures that a sunny, warm day almost became a distant memory. My mood soured due to the bad weather and got worse with each passing freezing cold rainy or snowy day. It seemed as if I was living in Juneau, Alaska instead of New York, but all I could do was dream for the warm weather as my shivering body held an umbrella over my head.

But it seems that my prayers have finally been answered because the rain, snow, and ice cold temperatures are gone and have been replaced with warm, sunny days that last until 8:00pm when the sun goes down as opposed to 4:30pm. Days like today where I could have left my jacket upstairs because it was so warm – but I needed my sunglasses because it was so bright.

The warm weather – besides being less annoying then when it rains – brings out the best in me. I am happier, more energetic, and more awake. Being at work and looking out the window and seeing darkness is very dreary. It makes me feel like the day is over and when I get home, it is too late to do anything. But when I leave work and the sun is still shining, and will still be shining in a few hours gives me a feeling that the winter does not. Basically, it gives me the illusion that I got out of work early and that I have a few more hours until it gets dark, so I still have plenty of time when I get home to do whatever I want.

I am so glad that the winter – which this year seemed unnaturally long – is finally over. The days of wearing a T-shirt under my dress shirt and carrying a hat and gloves are no more. The days of the sun’s workday ending before my own are in the past – and the days of no jackets, jeans shorts and barbecues are about to begin.

It’s about time.