one of the best

Halloween is only one night away. It is, by far, one of my all-time favourite nights of the entire year. I refuse to think that the night–and all of the celebrations that go with it–has any kind of age limit. My first memorable Halloween was when we were living in Illinois when I was five. I was Glinda. Nailed it.  But back in Australia, the event really wasn’t one that the neighbourhood kids participated in…or, really, anyone. It didn’t have the kind of following that the American movies would have us eight-year-olds believe. A lot of my friends in primary school were truly unaware as to what it was. Madre, however, is from Illinois, and so on the odd occasion that our family holiday to the States and the later days of October matched up, we’d make it a huge event. As it should be.

After a couple of years, we decided to make Halloween legit in Sydney. It was time to bring the Midwest Halloween Experience to the Sydneysiders. It could be held off no longer. So we threw Halloween parties, every year for three years (until we moved to Boston). Suddenly, our neighbourhood knew what Halloween was (in part, I’d like to think, because of how much importance we put on it. Not just because of the free-to-air replays of Beetlejuice).

Moving to Boston brought us back to a place where Halloween celebrations were–are–normality. We go big.

There are whole stores of gory decorations and tubes of orange face-paint. It’s deliriously wonderful. Madre adores it. We all do. For the last three weeks of October, our front lawn turns into a graveyard / spider oasis / ghost joint / pumpkin festival. I love it.

And for the past two years, I’ve gone trick-or-treating. The kids I went to school with were all busy going to parties. I just wanted to experience the youth-enriching joy of innocently taking lollies from strangers, making up for all those years that I didn’t. I don’t know that they got why it was such a big deal for me.

This year, I’m going trick-or-treating again. We’re having a small get-together, and we’ve got a dear friend coming up from Florida to celebrate with us. My costume is gonna be legit (no spoilers), and I even carved a pumpkin:

photo by riley.

Halloween, yes, can seem ridiculous. On paper, it’s a terrifying hiccup in normalcy. People hang skeletons from their doors; groups of young children run around unsupervised, trustingly taking “candy” from the hands of strangers; the intent and act of scaring those around us is one that receives high praise and glorification. (Admittedly, I was never taught about “the real meaning of Halloween,” and while I’ve got the basics–and the wives tales–stored away, I probably should do some more research into why this day was created in the first place. However, I think it’s safe to say that the Halloween we enjoy today is another beast altogether. It has transformed and grown into a celebration of mass-consumption and innumerable palettes of facial makeup.)

Halloween is a magical event. For one night (and, I guess, the days leading up to it), we get to celebrate something that brings people–albeit friends, family, neighbours, or strangers–together. We share mega-sized bags of lollies, and have stock to spare. We have reason to transform into anything we want to be; anything we could have ever possibly imagined. And nothing is out-of-bounds. You want to be a ghost? Cool! You’re feeling like this year is an Abba year? Take a chance on me! Oh–you’re into minimal mermaid outfits? Err…okay! Sure!

Halloween gives us a reason to come together for one night, regardless of whatever else, and give–or take–a moment to knock on the door and say hello to those around us. Granted, the “hello!” comes more in the form of a high-pitched, sing-songy “Trick or treat!!??”, but it’s music to my ears none the less.

Halloween isn’t an excuse to get creepy with it. Halloween is the one night of the year that skeletons, fake blood, and dark porches don’t freak me out. It’s the one night that we can laugh in the face of terror, and shake it off with a Twix Bar and a bag of Skittles.

The evening is a fantastic occasion to be, and let be.

I hope yours is terrifying.

 

R.

patience and rollercoasters

The past two weeks have been a hiatus from writing online in any capacity, due to the fortnight spent with family and friends in Illinois. It was a much-needed break, and a great last soak-up of summer.

Now, we’re back on the East Coast–the weather is muggy; the skies are grey; the stores are stocking “fall” housing accessories. And it’s back to the grind. Work started yesterday, internship starts Thursday, preparations for the next four months are constantly on my mind.

And it’s exciting.

While I have written too many laundry lists (none of which have to do with actually doing my laundry) to count, filing them by priority and type (“Make,” “Do,” and “Read” being the first three priorities), I feel that this rollercoaster is such a brilliant time. Sure, I’ve got a lot of huge decisions to make, a lot of stuff to prepare, a lot of intricate details to consider–but I’ve also got opportunity coming out my ears. And it’s incredible.

 

I’m so excited for this journey.

I’ll hope you’ll stick along for the ride.

 

R.

jiggity jig

Home again, home again. Hard to believe, but it is so. Less than 24 hours ago, we returned to the United States from our incredible–beyond fantastical–trip to Europe. I can’t believe it, really. I have to note that, honestly, landing in the States actually made me sad. I want to be back in Europe! I want to be travelling! It’s always the way, isn’t it?

Our trip was truly tremendous. We are so fortunate and priviledged to have experienced so many wonderful things;, see beautiful, dazzling, stunning sights; eat incredible food;, meet quirky, kind, and interesting people; and travel–as a family unit–together.

Looking back (funny to write that considering that it hasn’t even been a day yet), I think I left my heart in Barcelona. Spain just does it for me. The food, the culture, the people, the weather, the language–me encanta. Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium were all very beautiful places that I adored experiencing. I feel exceptional to say that I ziplined over the Black Forest–I mean really?! I would never have imagined doing that. France was, as per usual, wonderful. I loved the seaside town/metropolitan feel of Cassis, and the surrounding areas that we explored. The people were wonderful, accommodating, and knew their food. Stellar.

But Barcelona. I think it’d be fair to say that I left a piece of my heart there. I can’t wait to get back–and I’ve only been away from that city for about 15 days. It’s crazy how a place can do that to you, isn’t it?

Now that we’re back on “home turf,” I’m preparing to make, do, write, read, be. In a week, we’re headed to Illinois.

But for now, I’m soaking up the memories while lying in the sun. It’s the common summer denominator, so (if I close my eyes) I can pretend I’m still on the other side of the pond.

R.