I grew up in Upstate New York during a different time, a time when winter included snow. And from what I can remember, a lot of it. Snow days were glorious moments filled with sledding, hot chocolate and cinnamon swirl bread at our neighbor’s home.

In fourth grade I missed Valentine’s Day at school because I was away with my family. I came home to terrible news. A boy in my class had brought flowers and chocolates for me to school that day. I was mortified. So what did I do? I never talked to that boy again. Valentine’s Day has never been the same since.

If you are like me you woke up this morning and wondered how it could be possibly be the end of November already. Where did the time go?

I loved Halloween as a kid. Gearing up for the big night was all about haunted houses, creepy costume making and well, the anticipation of one night of unlimited free candy.

I recently had a birthday. Like we all do, every year. Another year older and hopefully wiser? Celebrations aside, the aging process is weird.

Getting take-out Chinese food was the ultimate treat when I was growing up. Even though my parents ordered plenty of food, my siblings and I moved fast to fill up our plates. There was this inherent feeling that there was not enough.

“Trust no one” I learned at a young age from my favorite science fiction show. Strange how much this phrase seems to define where we are today.

This time of winter, we all feel sort of strange. We have made it to February, but spring is still so far away. Part of us wants to hibernate and part of us is craving to be around people.

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”

Semisonic was on to something.

Change is in the air.

The days are getting shorter and colder. Memories of our active summer vacations are fading as a cozy night on the couch looks more appealing.

There is no place like home, right?

My sister has a framed print that says: "It's always better when you go outside". I tend to agree, especially when it comes to food.

If you are like me, you have taken some strange excursions. Whether it is backpacking in Europe, running away to India or wandering around Chinatown on a Tuesday afternoon.