October

October is here at last… the never ending heat is finally showing some sign of departure and the long awaited cold front is finally beginning to accommodate itself in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Blacksburg, Virginia. As of now, I can say we are half way through the fall-semester (FINALLY), and of course three quarters of the way through the year. October is awesome, it is undoubtedly (to me), the best month of the year. So many good memories and familiarities pop in to my mind when I think about beautiful October, in fact, no kind of bad memories or thoughts come to mind when I reminisce this month- except having my wisdom teeth pulled last year.

It is likely that some, or probably most of you wouldn’t agree, and attest that some month like July is the best month of the year because of it being in the middle of summer, and that is when the “livin’s easy;” some of you might even go ahead and confirm December to be the best month of the year because of its long winter break, or even just Christmas day. I deny these undeveloped theories, these fifth-grader-like statements and attempt to persuade people otherwise, even against these theories by trying to bring to light the sheer attractiveness of what October means and brings to the world. I look past the thought of more school work, the thought of more studying to come; the ending of beach volleyball and shirtless grill-outs with Frisbee and Cornhole on the side. October is the best- I don’t care what nuhna yall say.

The summer months…

Okay, I’ll have to admit, summer is pretty sweet- anyone can agree to that. Although, this is only to an extent; what I mean by this is that summer can be awesome, amazing, spectacular but at the same time crappy/boring/same old and/or a drag (for some people at least). Think about it… It’s May 31st, the last day of school for the year, the 3:30 bell rings and of course, the indescribable joy and happiness skyrockets. This feeling proceeds for the next couple of days, and then it’s practically gone. You’re in the real summer now; you’re working full time at Rita’s or Burger King, trying to make some dough and saving every penny of it before heading off to college. After getting off work, you go straight home to escape the desert heat of July then nose-dive into the living room couch in front of the TV. You take a nap, watch day-time summer TV then consider your limited options for the night ahead: “should I go out to that farm party, get a few drinks and pong games in like I do every night? Should I stay here and play Halo live by myself for 7 hours straight? Should I stalk my friends on Facebook to see what they’re up to? Or, should I just call it a night since I have to work again at 10 tomorrow morning.” And so, this routine continues throughout your summer- or at least until you go on vacation (if you go on vacation), and even then a quick relaxed week of playing in the sand goes by like a New York minute and then it’s back to the lab again. You’re sleeping in till 3:30 on weekends, waking up and sitting around all day, maybe even going to the pool for a few hours only to find out its swarmed with bratty little kids half your age… another week starts, another week ends, and in conclusion by the end of summer you’re left with a slight tan and memories of excessive relaxation and insignificant nothingness.

The winter months…

The winter months are pretty cool as well. College kids, of course have a month long break and there is certainly enough ugly sweater/Christmas and New Years parties to keep one busy. The family usually comes together at this time, which is nice, and most kids don’t have to worry about work when coming home from college. Those are all pluses, but what about the negative sides? The weather… it’s below freezing at all times, and the wind makes your face feel like it’s gonna fall off. There is no going outside to run or shoot hoops so you can abandon that idea right off the bat. You have to scrape the ice off of your car every day before going anywhere and the roads might be slippery so you have to drive slowly, which is never fun. And the atmosphere is by no means pretty- unless you get a heavy white and beautiful snowfall (even then, what it comes down to is a lot of backbreaking shoveling)- it’s usually cloudy and murky, there’s no one outside walking walking around, the grass has lost its luminous green color, the trees are bare, and roads are dried up with salt and have ugly brown and charcoal colored slush lines in fixed patterns following an array of tire marks.

October…

My impression of October: the leaves are changing to the alluring colors or yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown which soon start to fall and create a beautiful murals on the ground. The sweaters, sweatpants, long sleeves and jackets that have been suffocating and collecting dust in the attic are being withdrawn from cardboard boxes to embrace our bodies with snugness and warmth. Fall decorations such as scarecrows, pumpkins, and Halloween ornaments flood the foyers and front porches of every American home. The day of oppressive heat and humidity is spent; I can now go outside and enjoy the crisp coolness of an autumn breeze on a still sunny day, play a game of basketball, backyard football, or soccer, all without breaking a sweat.

I love October because it is a time for hay-rides, pumpkin carving, pumpkin pie, apple cider and sweet potatoes; a time for making bonfires to actually keep you warm and not just to keep the bugs away like in the summer. I can’t help but think that there is a nostalgic sensation of country-side calmness, beauty and balance in October that is hard to come by in all of the other months; it generates a down-to-earth state of mind that not only hinders stress but invokes peace, tranquility and harmony in everyone’s heart and soul.