Spooooooky October

Boo! It's October. And this post isn't spooky at all, I just really enjoy spooky season. October does compete pretty hard for being the best month of the year. It's pretty. It's finally cooling off. People put the craziest things in their yard and honestly I am here for it. We weren't really allowed to celebrate Halloween as kids. (I've never been trick or treating. But my parents did allow us to dress up for school and church parties at least). So I think I found some freedom to enjoy it now as an adult. Granted, I still only prefer the charming Halloween elements. Nothing too scary or gory for me, please. But I do love a giant skeleton in a yard. I never want to own one. But I laugh basically every time I see a new one pop up.

October has been a very busy month for me, especially compared to last month. It's been hectic, but it's been, for the most part, really good. Things seem to be on a fast tract right into the holidays.

Here's all the things

1. Work trip to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

This was the thing that really wasn't my favorite moment of October. This is mostly due to the fact that I have so much anxiety about traveling these days, especially by myself. But I did it. I even made it from the Toronto airport to downtown Kitchener on this random bus called the flix bus that was not well marked at all. (I'm proud of myself for that one). I had to present at these work meetings, which I also was not excited about. In fact, I was extremely anxious about it. I kept going over something Levent had hold me earlier that if I do a bad job then maybe they won't ask me to present again. That became my mantra that week. lol. It went okay. But there were some good highlights. It was nice to see my colleagues again in person and meet some that are newer. A few of us went out to eat at an Indian place and I had a very delicious mango lassi with crushed pistachios on top. That was a highlight for sure. I also was able to secure my favorite Canadian snacks since our hotel was very close to a Dollar Tree. This was my third work trip this year (which is way more than usual). I am happy to be done with this type of travel for the year.

2.  Sister weekend in Columbus!

I got back from Canada on a Thursday and then the following Saturday, my sister arrived in Columbus! Our main motivation for hanging out this weekend was to see one of our favorite bands, Johnnyswim preform. We've watched them together in Wichita, Atlanta and now Columbus. It's been really fun to see them multiple times together. Other highlights included getting coffee at Upper Cup (my neighborhood coffee shop), eating out before the concert at a new-to-me place called Cobra, vintage shopping, visiting the art museum, breakfast at Fox in the snow, a visit to the Conservatory followed by happy hour at Columbus brewing company. It was a fun packed weekend. I am so glad she got the chance to come out and visit.

3. Mom and Dad came for the night

Ironically, I also saw my parents the Monday Leah was here/leaving to fly back home. Mom and Dad were on their way home from Illinois and arrived in Columbus like an hour before I had to take Leah to the airport. So that was a fun overlap. After Leah flew home, Mom, Dad, Levent and I walked down to Gemut (the German restaurant in our neighborhood) for supper. Then came home and watched a movie together. We had breakfast together the next morning before they headed back home.

4.  Cabin weekend with the Millers in Bellville, Ohio

The following weekend, we went with the Millers to a cabin/Airbnb near Mohican State Park. It was a very cute, cozy cabin. (Although unfortunately, this was our last hot weekend in Ohio. So we spent most of the time in t-shirts). I made chili for us on Friday night and I spent the evening reading while Levent chilled and the rest played games. On Saturday, we enjoyed a Turkish breakfast Shirley made before heading out to Mohican State Park to hike. We did a little less than 3 mile hike to a "waterfall" that was more just a light trickle since we didn't get very much rain this summer. But it was nice all the same. Brendan made supper for us in the evening and we chilled and enjoyed the hot tub on the deck. We left on Sunday after breakfast and a quick dip in the hot tub.

5. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

I went with my cousin Betha and her friend Amanda to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! My dream was to see the full version in London, and I think that's still my dream. (The condensed show was great but I would love to see the full version someday too). It was a magical night! The special effects in the show were very cool. I am glad I got a chance to see it.

6. Canadian Cousin in Columbus

And finally, on the last weekend in October, Levent's cousin Mariah (and her mom Judy) came down to visit. Well, mostly Mariah came down to visit Blake, but I got to hang out with them some too. On Friday, Blake, Mariah and I went to a bookstore and then to Understory for happy hour. The drinks were excellent as was the conversation. (The bar/restaurant is actually in an old tuberculous school. So it was an interesting space). On Saturday, Mariah, Judy, Shirley and I went to the Clintonville farmers market (which is maybe the latest I've ever gone to that market) and then popped into Little Light Collective to scout some vintage finds. That evening, we all had supper together at the Millers big house.

By that Sunday, I realized how wiped out I was. And I think it was because I had something like every weekend in October, which is not very common for me. Overall, thought it was all worth it. I enjoyed this October very much.

On to the next!