Don’t get me wrong, I love Australia, but wow do I miss Boston and America in general. Australia has loads of things to do, eat and see but nothing can replace the comforts of home. There are a slew of reasons why I’m excited to get home (which is both Boston and Syracuse, NY), but here are just a few.

1.Fall! I have always lived in a state that had every season, and fall is my absolute favorite, especially since my birthday is at the end of October. But even if my birthday fell at a different time of year, I would still love the cold, clean, crisp feel of the air in fall and the changing of the leaves on the trees and all other things fall.

2. This goes along with fall, but apple picking is one of my favorite things to do and I completely missed it this year. I love going to the orchard, picking the apples and wiping them on my shirt then eating them right then and there. I love taking a peek into the cider room and buying a gallon to take home even though you can buy it at the grocery store. I love inhaling a freshly baked apple cider donut and then still buying a caramel apple to take home (If you want to have a hand at making donuts yourself, I found an awesome recipe for apple cider donuts by Deb from Smitten Kitchen).  I complained nonstop for weeks about not getting to go apple picking so I WILL be going next year, I don’t care where I am, I will get to an orchard.

3. Breaking out the winter wardrobe. Probably about 75% of my clothes are fall/winter wear, which makes sense, because winter lasts from approximately November-April in Central New York and Massachusetts. Normally I moan and groan about winter just a few weeks in, but there is something exciting about breaking out my boots and coats and scarves and getting all cozied up to go outside in the snow and the wind. Yesterday I had a marathon browse of Piperlime and J.Crew and I am lusting after the following:

Lark Wool Jacket from French Connection

Paige Tall Riding Boot by Frye

Cashmere Lined Gloves in Warm Burgundy from J. Crew

I also broke down and used birthday money to purchase a bag I’ve been lusting after for months, the Linea Pelle Dylan Zip Tote. I got it in the Dark Olive color from an Ebay “Top-Rated Seller” (which basically means they are trustworthy) for a seriously killer discount. I never would have bought this bag full price, I just got lucky that the sale was ending and the bids were still low. Go me!  I am just imagining the coat with the boots and gloves and bag all together, sigh. Too bad the others will never be mine unless I find some seriously good post-Christmas sales or save my pennies when I start my new internship in January. Here is the bag:

It is fabulous, no?

4. All things pumpkin/cinnamon/spiced. For the love of gingerbread, do I love fall comfort food. Pumpkin and peppermint lattes, pumpkin bread and snickerdoodles, the list is massive. Every year my mom’s friend makes this DELECTABLE pumpkin roll that is basically like pumpkin bread slathered in cream cheese frosting and rolled up into a log, which is then cut into slices. Words cannot describe. I will be quite sore with my family if I get home and this roll has been consumed without my help. And when I get back, I absolutely plan on making these: pumpkin whoopie pies.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Website

5. Thanksgiving. Favorite holiday. I have a pretty good sized family, and this is the first year since starting college that I will not get to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my dad’s side of the family. What is even more depressing is that it’s actually at my house this year and I haven’t been in Syracuse for Thanksgiving in 4 years now. Luckily BU is stepping in to try to give us Australia kids a good holiday meal, but I’ve already got a recipe lined up for next year, if I’m allowed to contribute a dish to the feast my mom and aunts put on. Personally, I do like turkey, but Thanksgiving is all about the sides- stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, corn, peas, cranberry sauce, rolls, the lot. What’s your main event? The turkey or the sides?

6. This is the first item not having to do with fall, but it’s definitely the most important. I miss my family. I know I am in college and I am used to being away for months at a time, but it’s really hard to have to plan to call home in advance. With the crazy 16 hour time difference and our schedules, I only get to talk to my family every few days, and I really miss being able to just pick up the phone and call my mom or call my dad while he’s at work (sorry Dad, I know I don’t do this often enough even when I am home) or text my sister. When I’m in Boston, I know that home is a bus ride away, but here going home for the weekend is not even an option. I’m loving my semester here; I’ve done more traveling and had more amazing experiences than I ever thought I could, but nothing replaces home. There’s a good chance we’ll be at each other within a week of my being home, but the good thing about family is you know they are always going to be there when you need them.

Typical picture of my sister and I. I think this one is circa summer 2006 or 2007 up at Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks.

Blog soon,

Lauren