How a Texan helps a Californian stay warm in Utah

Karen fixes hot chocolate most mornings so that I have something to warm me while I stand at the bus stop in anywhere from 0 to 35 degrees. (That’s the low and high so far that I have experienced. In two and a half weeks of taking the bus to school.) The thing is, Karen makes INCREDIBLE hot chocolate. I know she throws some cinnamon in there, but I’m really not sure how she makes our cheap hot chocolate packets taste so delicious. Point is, I’m grateful for Karen. She gives me hot chocolate, granola bars, and the off-brand of Cheez-Its every morning.

Many times I stand at the stop and see other people just waiting for the bus, nothing to warm them, and I feel bad. Yesterday morning, some guy, probably 18-ish, stood there—with who I believe was his girlfriend—in a t-shirt. And there I was, beanie, hoodie, gloves, hot chocolate, and all.