I used to hate the cold. Something about crisp air replacing humidity as the seasons changed always made me moody— I always assumed I had some minor degree of seasonal depression. But recently, I have been appreciating the turn to fall much more deeply than usual. Maybe it's because I've spent two years in Austin, Texas now, and it never gets cold, and the heat has reached the point of annoyance for me. Or maybe I'm missing home, where the leaves transform in mid-October and the air bites a bit when you walk outside.

Mostly, I think I'm ready to wear boots and sweaters and jeans and not sweat on my way to class. I'm also ready to stop going to class for a while. Thanksgiving break could not come any sooner.

I recently decided that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for several reasons. First, I like Autumn now. Oh, how times have changed. I also have a strong obsession with the typical Thanksgiving meal and love the thought of indulging in it once a year. That has been an unchanging fact about me for a while. Don't ask what my favorite Thanksgiving food is because my response will be: all of it.

Do you call the weirdness that accompanies the Turkey stuffing or dressing? I'm curious. I digress.

Anyway, another newly found reason for loving Thanksgiving is getting to go home for a few days. It's a time for family, to watch scary movies with my sister, to cuddle with my cats that (unfortunately) don't live with me. But the final and most important reason Thanksgiving is my new favorite holiday is a bit obvious and cliche. This is the holiday of gratitude, something that should be a part of our everyday lives but so easily is not. This is the time to breathe in all of the goodness of life, eat a bunch of food, sit with full bellies and just thank. That to me is so much more rewarding than Christmas.

So, readers, I hope your Thanksgivings are full of delicious sides (let's be honest, those are the best part), pumpkin-scented everything, and cute clothes. Be appreciative everyday, but say it aloud Thanksgiving Day.