Lately, reading people’s blogs, I’ve become envious of their “fall” comments. I know, I live in a tropical paradise – how can I be jealous of other people’s weather? It is true what they say - the grass is always greener.
For a while this weekend, I had that bittersweet feeling of Labor Day weekends of the past – that sadness that this is the last freedom of summer, combined with the anticipation (both in happiness and fear) of the new school year.
This year, I have no school supplies to buy. I have no fall wardrobe to pull out, or buy. The end of August was not marked by the stress and excitement of moving. There haven’t been days of amazing strange light. What marks the transition, other than the date?
Over the past few years, as work has been a year-round activity, I’ve come to realize that summer is more than time off from school. It’s a state of mind. It means more popsicles, more sandal-wearing, more staying up late, more spontaneous hanging. It’s not only higher temperatures, though that is a part of it.
But this weekend, I was hit with the realization that the cultural end of summer was here, and I hadn’t yet achieved my state of summer. I haven’t had a popsicle in a while, I wear flip-flops year-round, and my late nights have been lacking in the “feel” of summer. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve had a few instances of summer – letting go of my worries for a few hours, a casual walk home from work while reading and sweating.
But I feel like I almost cheated myself out of summer. Good thing I live in a tropical paradise – I have the rest of the year to make up for it. Now I just need to figure out how to achieve a state of fall.
Posted by Shokufeh at September 4, 2003 03:15 PMi know what you mean... it's still not fall where i am and am not sure when it will come. but having come from singapore, i know what it's like to be in the tropics all year long! hang in there, i'm sure you'll find a way to achieve your state of fall. have a fall party!
Posted by: stef at September 4, 2003 04:00 PMHm. On one hand, reading your post today makes me think, "That's it. I'm moving to Hawaii." On the other hand, the thought of not pulling out my soft, nubby sweaters and drinking hot chocolate come November makes me very sad. I wonder where in the world my perfect weather is.
Posted by: +mojan. at September 5, 2003 04:50 AMreading your blog reminded me of my fall inspired email to a friend yesterday. i thought i would share an excerpt and make you jealous because i think most of us are jealous of your weather for the rest of the year, you could use a taste of envy. :)
fall is my favorite season. i'm sure i've shared my reasons of stepping on acorns and crunching leaves. but there's more to it than that. i love that feeling of having your window open and waking up slightly cold, but feeling cozy cause you are under the covers. stepping outside in the morning and feeling the cool breeze against you, much welcomed after the hot summer months. i love the colors of autumn. that deep orange, red (of course), and all the different browns. i welcome walking out with a light jacket. they're never annoying like the bulky coats of winter. i love raking leaves. one year, i raked my entire yard into the shape of a giant jack-o-lantern, raking and bagging only the parts that would be the eyes and mouth, and then the perimeter. unfortunately, this was quite short lived, as the wind blew my creation apart. i love to look up when the wind blows and feel as though i am in some sort of snow globe as the leaves come twirling down around me. i love imagining jumping in giant leaf piles and throwing them around like one does in those play rooms with all the balls as a child.
this season always makes me quite homesick. not only is autumn not nearly as spectacular here as in virginia, but i just miss sharing my favorite time of year with the people i love. i miss raking leaves with my dad, holding the orange pumpkin trashbag open so he can stuff it with leaves. i miss watching my mom sew my halloween costume and see her getting all dressed up for the maximum 2 trick--or-treaters we get every year. i miss walking around the william and mary campus with my friends on the way to dinner, pushing them aside as i jump on dead leaves and acorns to hear their crunch.
Oh! Meisa! You sure know how to get a girl where it hurts. That sounds -so- nice. Mojan, I've long been a proponent of the idea that New York city has the perfect balance of seasons. What do you think? Stef, I like the idea of a fall party. I might have to explore that a little further.
Posted by: shokufeh at September 5, 2003 10:26 AMShok, you haven't seen fall until you've been up in the Tennessee mountains. I've been gone for 13 years, and I still miss it.
We're still firmly ensconced in summer here. Fall might arrive some time in November.
Posted by: Julia at September 5, 2003 01:53 PMa friend of mine from baton rouge has what she calls "that day". it's the first fall-like day of the year, sadly it usually happens in late oct or nov. I love New Orleans everytime of year except fall. it doesnt exist.
Julia, you're right. TN had the best seasons, too bad it's so boring up there.
shok, maybe you should have a fall night. turn the ac waaay up, put on a sweater or get a blankie, make some hot cocoa, and snuggle with your honey.
Posted by: Emily at September 7, 2003 11:30 PMWell, yeah, but I'm into boring these days. I'm old now, remember?
Posted by: Julia at September 8, 2003 06:15 PMcome and see us and see fall!!! we'll trade - you and sam come stay with us for a trip to chi-town during fall when it's LOVELY here and we'll come and stay with you (i'm rudely inviting ourselves) when we come to hawaii during the excruciatingly long winter months.
btw, should i be sad that i'm not linked from your site? :( i won't take it personally - i know i'm a loser when it comes to blogging since my crazy life leaves little room for my precious little blog. i love you anyway.
Posted by: delara at September 10, 2003 08:31 AMWell, unfortunately our trip to Chicago won't be until December. We'll miss the fall weather, but we'll get to see people :D
Please DO come visit!
Re. my links - I've been telling myself I need to update them to better reflect my visiting patterns (adding you, for example). But I just haven't gotten around to it. Knowing that people actually look at the links might give me that extra shove. Updates coming soon, I hope.
Posted by: shokufeh at September 10, 2003 10:09 AMyeah yeah yeah. whatev.
Posted by: delara at September 10, 2003 11:45 AM