The List

As I walked back from the gym- strolling along the sidewalk next to a busy street- I could've sworn I whiffed a scent of fresh apples and spice for just a split second. My sensations went WILD: my eyelids lifted, my lips parted and my head seemed to turn slightly in the direction of where I thought it could be coming from.

But just as swiftly as the aroma surfaced, it faded. And now I was unfortunately smelling the gunky air birthed by the handfuls of cars passing me by on the road. I thought: what is it about that smell that makes me so... happy? Autumn. The months when the air chills and the leaves turn are nigh- and nothing excites me more at this time (maybe except for losing a few pounds... but that is an entirely different matter!). In a blink of an eye, women will be sporting their stylish fall jackets, my seasonal pumpkin spice coffee creamer will FINALLY be on the shelves of king soopers, I'll be slipping on layers, the leaves will coat the yard (I LOVE this- why would anyone rake?!) and scarves will replace sunglasses. It is the end of my least favorite season- summer.

So why wouldn't my heart flutter at the slight essence of apple cider spice in the air? And for all I know it could've been a dangling car freshener in a car next to me- that sped by in an instant- but it made me happy.

Then I thought: very few things do that. So that moment was special. And it's about time I start recognizing these enlightening moments, smells, sounds, and objects that make me happy. So here we go:

1.) AUTUMN (the smell of apple cider, pumpkin spice, cinnamon)

Lyrics: Who Are We Pleasing?

If it hurts,

Why would you try to save me?

When I cry,

Wouldn't you like to save me?

Look away

Isn't it just that easy?

In the end,

Isn't you we're pleasing?

Face to face,

But I feel so alone.

You'll just never know

What its like to be me.

Cast me away

Doesn't it make enough sense?

I'll hurt forever,

Hope that sits on your conscience.

I walk away,

As you click off the lights.

It's so dark now,

This is our last night.

You'll be okay,

For me it's not that easy.

After all,

Isn't it you we're pleasing?

9-13-11

Brianna opens her eyes- turns over in bed to peer at the alarm clock. 5:38am, on a Tuesday. Immediately, she realizes she has slept in 38 minutes and her neck feels cold and her skin tingles. Throwing her legs over the side of her bed, she feels an odd pain. Her head stings, and so does her throat. She sniffs hard, but her airflow is cumbered.

Oh, no. Not a cold- she thinks.

But oh, yess, it is. So she spends a moment to resist- No, I can still go to school. No big deal. But as soon as her feet plant on her hardwood, and her head flushes with blood from standing, a deep, painful migraine yelps at her. I'll be damned if you can, It smirks. Sniffling, she sits back down, picks up the phone, and fore-warns her ride that she'd be staying home today.

Whether she liked it or not.