January, February...March!

The other day Troy was reading the local news on an expat-type website (Expatica.com), and he came across an interesting bit of trivia: this February was the darkest February in Belgium since records began!!! Here's a bit of the article:

"Darkest February in Belgium Since Records Began
Met office recorded a mere 33 hours of sunshine

February 2009 has broken an unusual record. Meteorologists have calculated that it was the most sombre month of February since records began in Belgium. Last month the sun shone for just over 33 hours. The Royal Met Office at Ukkel (Brussels) says the lack of sunshine is "particularly exceptional". Figures like these will only be recorded once a century. During an average February the sun shines for 89.5 hours. This February's figure is just over a third of this..."

Well, that explains a lot. There's something satisfying about having scientific proof that last month's oppressive dreariness was not just in our imaginations. Coming from a state that brags about its 300 yearly days of sunshine, you'd think we'd be ready to jump off the nearest building, but actually we're doing okay. I mean, sure, the gray gets old. It's sort of like being trapped in a really boring room where nothing happens and everything is the same every day. Oh wait, that sounds like an office. Hmmmmm...

At any rate, it's kind of reaffirming to think that we have survived the most depressing climate-month in the modern history of Belgium, and are here to tell the tale. And, we still think it was a good idea to move here to boot! Of course, it's pretty easy to say that when, as today, the sun is shining and meeting a friend at a café for patisseries and travel tips is on the afternoon's agenda. Farewell February, it's on to March!