I didn't take much of Rhode Island with me, but I cannot NOT call a water cooler a "bubb-lah."
As a Southerner who found herself in Rhode Island for four years, I think Southerners tend to make too much of an issue about the cold. If you wear a good coat--and long johns, and a hat--you should be fine. Don't skimp on the cold weather gear, though! Quality really is important.