Yay for spring!

Spring is here to stay. After a long and cold winter, the weather has been kinder to us. For more than a week, it has been relatively sunny and warm and the days have been getting longer as well. The sun rises at around 5am and will not set before 8pm. Because of that, there have been more activity outdoors. More kids are out playing at the playground, playing football and rollerblading along the bicycle path. More people are also cycling to get around the city. People have also started BBQ-ing as well. The city is alive again.

People are not the only active ones around. Nature has also come alive. The brown twigs and branches of trees and shrubs have started to be covered by fresh, green leaves. Some trees and bushes take longer to turn green. Some seemed to have grown a whole new crown of green leaves overnight. The trees outside my classroom, for example, are now so green and lush, when it was all brown just a few days ago.

Flowers have also sprung up all round the city. The common wild ones are the brilliant yellow dandelions. They have started sprouting first. I can also see daisies but they are still small and cute. Planters around the residential areas have also been filled with colorful pansies - yellow, purple and red. They are such cheerful flowers and they make me smile when I see them.

More and more birds are also up and about. It's really lovely to be woken up by the chirping birds outside the window. I can spot more species of birds now, though I haven't learnt their names yet. More cats are also venturing outdoors. I spot them as I walk to school or to the stores.

Because of the nice weather, Pete and I have started our walks again. It's a favorite time for me since its a time for us to chat, enjoy the scenery and have our exercise at the same time. I would put on my jacket when I start but halfway through the walk, I would have to take it off since I would get warm. Even when it's not sunny like today, we would work up a sweat. It's rather nice to feel a bit of heat and to sweat again. It's back to twice daily showers for us and best of all, no need for body lotion since my skin is not dry anymore.

I love spring!