Falling Backwards

FALL! AUTUMN! My favorite season of the year. It certainly doesn't feel like October has come due to the 85 degree weather currently in Kolda. When it hit me that October was here, I was struck with an extreme case of homesickness. Obviously, since I've been here, I've missed my family and friends in America (and feeling clean & pretty), but this time it was different. Last week, I woke up with the sun and felt the crispness in the air. Thirty minutes later, I was sweating...Oh Senegal. spending a couple of days in my mini- America (aka the Kolda house), I've come up with a list of things I miss about fall in America at this point (not including people)...

1) Pumpkin items: You know fall has arrived in America when you can go to your local 'Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf' or 'Starbucks' and see the Pumpkin Spice Latte chalked onto the specials blackboard in addition to the appearance of Pumpkin scones in the pastry case. Then, you head to your favorite ice cream parlor and get a scoop (or two) of freshly churned pumpkin ice cream. As the season progresses you can bake pumpkin pie (or seven if you mistakenly quadruple a recipe- then fill the pie crusts to the brim) and then chill a pumpkin cheesecake in the fridge. After you wake up from a pumpkin induced coma, you can recover with pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins (and another pumpkin spice latte...duh).

2) Birthday week (end): I love my birthday- it's my favorite holiday. For the past two years, I've celebrated my birthday in epic fashion aka triple threat birthday weekend. Two of my good friends' birthdays fall on the 29th and November 1, with Halloween completing the four day span, it was a great times. This year, I will be spending my birthday in Tambacounda with friends in preparation of the Halloween party, hoping that USC beats Oregon (so that I don't lose a bet and my pride).

3) Halloween: As a girl who loves theme parties and dressing up, Halloween is the holiday made for me. All the dressing up and free candy makes it the best follow up to my birthday. In the past, I've been creative with my costume making: pageant girl, firefighter (created with duct tape), and disco chic. This year, not being able to drive to the store for costume props and supplies, I planned ahead and worked with a tailor. I won't reveal my costume (hint: It's inspired by the Katy Perry "California Girls" music video), but pictures will be posted.

4) College Football: I'm still obsessed with my USC Trojans, even though we aren't bowl eligible this year. I think I may be driving everyone in my region crazy with my exclamations as I gamecast the games on Saturday nights. I have friendly wagers with fellow PAC-10 volunteers and continue to talk up my team. This year combines two great events: homecoming and my birthday- too bad I won't be there =(.

5) Baseball Playoffs: My Giants are in the playoffs and I'm not there to witness it. My really good friend in country is from Philadelphia, but doesn't really follow baseball. Thanks to my enthusiasm, she stands behind her home time and engages in smack talk. This is going to be a fun series...

6) College Basketball: October is when college basketball teams are able to begin practicing. I miss the days of 6am workouts, where I could walk across campus and not encounter anyone else. I miss the routine of practices and making Gatorade. Spending so much time with the staff and players makes you a family and it made my college experience. It was definitely a part of my identity and one of the best jobs ever!

7) Wine tastings: What is there to say....it's wine!

8) Fall Fashion: In addition to the creative new lines and trends that debut in the Fall, I miss the comfortable, bundled up feeling without freezing. Sweaters and boots with leggings and scarves are things I love. Even though going to school in Los Angeles prevented me from dressing in that fashion until well into Winter, it's a fashion trend I embrace.

9) Oktoberfest: Beer! mmmm....seasonal ales.

10) Puddles and crunchy leaves: Junior year of college, I purchased a pair of blue rainboots with white polka dots and was judged for it due to the fact that I was in LA (where it only rains for 20 days out of the year). But, when the first rains hit, I had my boots on and was jumping in and out of the puddles. Then, there are the crunchy leaves that you go out of your way to step on. It's such a disappointing feeling when you step on a leaf that you expect to be super crunchy, but there's no crunch. Oh! and the colors. When leaves change and the warm, rich, inviting colors of fall explode.

There are probably 15 other things that I miss about Fall, but I won't bore you with the details. If you are so inclined to send me a letter or a package, feel free to include a leaf or something that reminds me of fall.

Miss you!

--Peace Out