To know or not to know?

I am debating about whether it is better to know what to expect, or to be surprised. I would normally say that it is better to know what to expect so that you can be prepared (and also I don't like surprises.) However, I think it might be better to be surprised when it comes to the weather is like in Belgium throughout the year.

We got here November 13 of last year. We thought the weather was bad (cold and rainy) until we were told that it was just the beginning of winter and that things would get much worse. It definitely got colder and rainier and darker as the days went on, but we didn't complain too much because we kept thinking it would get worse. Then finally one day the tides turned and it didn't rain quite so much and the sun came out every once in awhile and we finally got to wear our 'lighter' coats rather than our thick, heavy ones. And then it was summer! We had sunny days and warm weather and I was SOOO happy.

Well now, on September 14, 2005, I have had to pull out my coat and umbrella. It has been gray all day with on and off showers. The problem is that since I have been here almost a year I know just how bad it is going to get. It is only September, the sky is constantly gray and it will stay like this until at least next June. Talk about a depressing thought! Better get used to looking like this!