J'adore l'automne.

The first rainfall of the season... autumn is finally coming. It is truly my favorite time of year. There's something about autumn that is so comforting and pleasant. Yes the weather will become colder, which is always difficult for someone like me whose body temperature is constantly 5 degrees below everyone else, but I guess that's what all the wonderful fall coats and sweaters are for!

Many people say the seasons don't change in California, and while it's nothing like the east coast, I still feel a difference when autumn approaches. The scent of the air seems to change, and yes, even in California, the trees slightly turn colors and some even lose their leaves. I love the deep, rich color palette of autumn. Summer is just a little too bright for me, possibly a reflection of my personality.

Autumn also tends to make me homesick by stirring up nostalgia for nights by the fireplace and warm, home-cooked meals (especially Thanksgiving!). When I went home last weekend, my sister and I cooked a meal for our family that was the perfect seasonal celebration: wild mushroom open-faced sandwiches, roasted butternut squash with rosemary, and to top it off, a dessert of apple and cranberry cobbler.

I never had a strong interest in cooking, aside from baking, until about two years ago when something just clicked, and now I find it all so fascinating. I could spend hours reading culinary magazines or watching Food Network. People laugh when I go off about my Food Network obsession, but I honestly find it to be the most entertaining thing on television. I have a very low attention span for the many ridiculous shows nowadays, but Food Network is always captivating because I get to learn so much about different foods and cultures. I'm still not over the fact that USC cable doesn't include Food Network. We get channels like IFC, BBC and MTV2, but not Food Network! Of course, as much as I love cooking, I rarely get around to it here at school. I guess that just adds to the perks of coming home, Food Network and having people to cook with and for.