Introduction to autumn

Starbucks has released their autumnal drinks. To commemorate the upcoming season change, I have (unironically) ordered my first pumpkin spice latte of the season.

Side bar: Does anyone get unexpectedly delighted when the barista spells your name right without help? It never ceases to amaze me when they correctly write out N-I-C-O-L-A without hesitation.

Side bar #2: IDGAF about being basic, I'm sipping my PSL while wearing my Pink half-zip. The only thing missing is my Uggs, which are in storage because, let's be real, it's still too hot to wear boots.

I have to admit spending $5+ on a latte sends me into an anxious frenzy. What did I do to deserve this $5 coffee? Maybe I should have gotten a Venti - or better yet, a Trenta! Why did I buy that Keurig 12 months ago and betray it with this overpriced junk from Starbucks? Should I try out the pumpkin spice scone, it looks sooo good. And so on.

My unironic, 100% serious grande Pumpkin Spice Latte with nonfat milk, no whip, and chili mocha powder on top. (Couldn't resist that chili.) September 2016.

I buy my Starbucks lattes methodically; my cheap thrifty self can't justify doing this on a regular basis unless I "have a good reason" to do so. In a nut shell, I only treat myself when I'm having a particularly low day. Splurging on a latte from Starbucks is a strategic attempt to lift my psyche and tell myself, yes, maybe your existential crisis is crushing you a bit harder than usual, but you've got a $5 latte in your hands. Maybe life will be ok. Sip this hot comforting drink and move on with it.

Fall is my favorite season. But I don't mean the California fall, where essentially nothing changed except *maybe* some trees are more yellow and dead and Starbucks releases their autumnal drinks. I'm talking about REAL fall - in other words, BOSTON fall. It was always a struggle to return back to university after long, awesome California summers, but the crisp Boston autumn made it worth it. It was cooler than the humid New England summers (mosquitos, anyone?) but still much warmer than the frigid northeast winters (wind chill is NO joke). Leggings, scarf, PSL. Check, check, check. I never knew fall until I went to Boston University. Yep, I went apple picking, and it was GLORIOUS and gorgeous.

Currently writing this long, extended ramble with a burnt, scalded tongue. I drank my PSL too fast. Whoops.