Here's to Fall

"American Elm" via lostmanproject.com

 It's hard to describe how I feel about the changing of the seasons from summer to fall. After so many steamy, sticky, sweltering days, waking up to a brisk little bite in the air feels as good as sinking into a lavender-scented bubble bath after a long day. I'm enjoying the onset of fall in New York, quoting You've Got Mail every chance I get ("Don't you just love New York in the fall?") and planning weekend strolls in Central Park with steaming cups of coffee in hand. As cliche as it sounds, fall seems to signal a new beginning for me every year. I may not be packing my books into a tote on the way to class, but I feel like fall brings me closer to the person I strive to be. After a summer spent whining about the heat, sitting directly in front of air-conditioning units, cooking as little as possible (who wants to stand in front of a stove after walking home in soaring temperatures?) and wearing whatever would get me through the day with as little sweat as possible, I'm back in action. This week I've already cooked two real dishes (penne alla vodka and a cheddar, bacon and spinach quiche) and I couldn't be happier about being able to wear real clothes (even pants!) without the threat of arriving at work sweat-soaked. I feel like fall has so much to look forward to: friends visiting from out of town, my first trip to California, Thanksgiving, crisp fall nights out in the city and cozy mornings spent sipping coffee, cable knit sweaters, riding boots...I could go on and on.The beginning of this fall has been amazingly busy and after a couple of vaguely depressing years spent finishing my undergraduate career, I feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be and that my life is taking me where I'm supposed to go. So here's to fall and everything it brings; I'm so ready.