Love and Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Yesterday marked the beginning of my favorite season, autumn. It's a super special season because it has two names: autumn and fall. I'm sure most people are probably already aware it is the only season Americans have two names for, but I only really thought about it for the first time today. All the more reason to love it! I got so curious about when we started calling autumn fall and why that I spent a good twenty minutes researching it. Let me tell you, according to google, people are more obsessed with Autumn as a baby girl's name than they are with the season! (It is a pretty name). Anyways, I didn't find any fascinating stories or explanations regarding our name for this beautiful season, so I will just share why I think its so fabulous.

At the end of every season, a new one begins. Watching and experiencing my surroundings transform always reminds me that I, along with everything else in the universe, am constantly transforming. It's always the same world and I'm always the same me, but we are forever in motion. I don't know what it is about the fall (I guess I use both names!) that makes it the most drastic transformation, if we are comparing transformations that is. Maybe it's the satisfying crunchy sound fallen leaves make when you stomp on them? You know you love that sound too.

Here are the first three things that come to mind when I think of autumn this year:

1. Pumpkin Spice Lattes: Okay, okay, I know I'm a Dunkin Donuts girl at heart, but I have to give Starbucks props for making this delicious drink every fall season. Ever since the 9th grade when the tripod (Ashley, Andie and myself) started drinking these bad boys, we anticipate the day Starbucks start serving them every year. If you like pumpkin flavor, or even if you don't, treat yourself to one. It will warm you heart.

2. Boston Foliage, duh. I took these last year on a walk with Amy in October. Could those leaves be anymore yellow? B-e-a-utiful! And right in front of CAS!

And these reds and oranges are incredible. Oh, and look at all those crunchy leaves waiting to be stomped on!!!!

3. Scarves: my favorite accessory finally becomes weather appropriate! 

How warm and mushy does this look? To buy or not to buy? Probably not. I have plentyyy.

What are your favorite things about the fall? What's your favorite changing of the seasons? Or do you love them all equally and don't want to be biased like me. Whatever season you fancy, pause for a moment to appreciate how beautiful the natural cycle of the earth is and embrace that things are always transforming!

Love and pumpkin spice lattes,

Alex

A Gratitude Attitude

Now I love Thanksgiving, there's no doubt about that, but why is it the only day of the year in America where we really sit back and appreciate what we have? I love me my stuffing, yams, and tear-jerker movies on lifetime with my cousin Justine, but what I really love is the cheesy moments when we go around the table and my cousin Sharon orchestrates some clever way for us to say what we are thankful for. However, it shouldn't take a ten pound turkey to get us to say thank you.

Every now and then I make lists of what I'm grateful for because A) I like making lists, B) it puts whatever I'm dealing with at the time in perspective, C) it's makes me feel gooood!, and D) It reminds me I already have everything I need.

So here is a list I made today whilst sitting in the hallways of COM waiting for class to start:

1. My beautiful apartment in StuVi. My roommates Marisa, Sharona, Amanda and I, live the life in our humble (or not so humble) abode. Our 13th floor view of the Charles river, Cambridge, and Brookline isn't too shabby. I may never live in an apartment with ceiling to floor windows again.

2. A Boston University Education. Life inside of the Boston University bubble, which my fellow classmates and I tend to forget we are even floating along in, is pretty extraordinary. As college students we spend most of our time complaining about class and homework, but we are so damn lucky. I love my classes this semesterand am grateful to attend such a prestigious university.

3. My supportive, inspiring friends. I know everyone loves their friends, duh that's why they're your friends, but I am so grateful for mine. To the people who remind me who I am when I forget, you know who you are and I love you. Thanks for being your goofy, crazy selves and making me laugh til I almost pee my pants.

4. Jason Mraz. He is my soulmate, but he doesn't know it. When I was a youngin' I just liked his silly, upbeat songs, but since he made his comeback he has just been so out there and inspiring. His new album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. and his Cafe Gratitude Tour (named after a Vegan restaurant chain in California) are all about being grateful and being love. It's people like Jason who use their fame to make a difference in the world and it is for people like him that I am grateful.

5. Bodies of water. Being a water sign, a sensitive, crabby cancer, I am drawn to the water. There are a few bodies of water -- lakes, bays, rivers -- that have a piece of my heart.

The lake at Camp Poyntelle Lewis Village, where I spent 9 amazing summers swimming, playing, and growing. This is my favorite spot.

The Bay at Fort Totten, where I played my first soccer games under the Throgs Neck Bridge and went for mind-clearing runs.

My best friends Marisa, Allison and I biked the Golden Gate Bridge, across the San Francisco Bay to the beautiful town of Sausalito.

And last, but definitely not least, the Charles River. Thanks for making Boston beautiful.

6. Zaftigs. Thank you to the "almost kosher" Jewish deli that provides Brookline, Boston and beyond with consistently delicious food. 

7. Notebooks. If you want to buy me a present, buy me a notebook: in leather, a moleskin, a neon orange notebook, a notebook for travels, a notebook for doodles, a notebook for poems, etc. I am grateful for the space and possibility they provide. 

8. My health. I can walk, talk, hear, run, taste, smell, write, jump, and feel. I am healthy.

9. Nick and Nora Monkey Blanket: I have had this blanket since I was ten years old. It went to camp with me, it got me through junior high school and now I have shlepped it to college. It's so shnuggly, it keeps me warm, and I am never getting rid of it.

10. Ellen Degeneres. Anyone who's slogan is "LAUGH.DANCE.LIVE." knows what's up. Ellen is a breath of fresh air and her show always puts me in a good mood. Thanks for making us smile Ellen!

With mucho appreciation,

Alex