To Be Clear...

About a month ago, Aaron and I were waiting at Bread & Cup for our awesome pizza to be delivered to the table and we were having a light conversation about appreciating the here and now, rather than wishing we had something different.  We were talking specifically about a topic that is no doubt on nearly everyone's mind right now...  The weather.  Yes, really.  (Feel free to scoff.  Just don't stop reading yet.)

The topic came up because, in the heat of late July/early August, I had been reading all sorts of comments, on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc., about how everyone was ready for summer to be over and for fall to start.  Although deep down, I agreed, we talked about the fact that in a few short months, we would all be longing for the warmth of summer and cursing the freezing temps and feet of snow on the ground, and the idea that maybe it is better to fully accept and appreciate summer now, while we have it, than to prematurely look ahead and wish for fall.  Sounds nice, right?  And I'd say I successfully managed living in the heat (oops! I mean "here") and now for at least three weeks.  Well...  I am here to TAKE IT ALL BACK.  I rescind my comments.  I want fall RIGHT NOW.  Yesterday, in fact, would be lovely.

Maybe it's been the extreme humidity or oppressive heat of this summer.  Maybe it's because I spent most of my time in exile in my basement writing my thesis and now the outdoors are shocking my body and mind into submission.  Maybe I've just reached my limit and I can't possibly sweat any more.  I don't know.  What I do know is that I really hate walking a few blocks to class and having to stop in the bathroom to dry off.  I also hate having to plan my whole day around the fact that I know I'm going to sweat out two liters of water on a half hour bike ride to school.  It really makes me want to drive.  PLUS, I'm totally sick of all of my summer clothes.

And on top of all of those things, I LOVE fall!!!  It is unquestionably my favorite season.  I love the fact that daytime is jeans and tshirt weather, but the evenings warrant a sweatshirt.  I love the colorful trees, the falling leaves, and the crispness in the air.  I love pumpkins, apple cider, oatmeal, hot coffee, chocolate chip cookies (come on, who really wants to turn on the oven when the heat index is 103?), and pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks.  I love volleyball season and college football season.  In fact, my very favorite memories from the fall are from lazy Saturday afternoons, college football on TV, windows open with the breeze blowing in, all while I nap on the couch.  Is it clear?  I.  LOVE.  FALL.

So, just to be very clear, I'm through with summer.  I want it to go away and stay away - at least until next May when I'll likely be over this.  Period.  The end.  Who's with me???