As many of you know, I grew up in the sunshine city known as L.A. Although we have a version of summer in which the temperatures get even hotter than they are year round, it never really gets too cold to go to the beach or have a BBQ. Summer never really ends in Los Angeles. The only thing that summer's end represented was cooler temperatures and going back to school/work. During the fall, we still have our 90 degree days and can still head to the beach as late as December.

Florida was very conducive to the lifestyle I had grown accustomed to and enjoyed. Although very humid, the weather always remained pretty warm year round and aside from the rain, it did not play too big of a role as a deciding factor for activities. The winters did get a little chilly but not much more than sweater weather. I was still able to go canoeing and even headed to the beach in January.

But now moving to New York, for the first time in my life, I am experiencing the "end of summer." What? The beaches close?! I never lived in a place where the beaches close! What? The outdoor concerts are not year round? The outdoor movies in Central Park are about to end? The Salsa Concerts on Orchard Beach will not continue on at least until the Fall ends? I noticed I felt this sense of urgency for the last couple of days and my husband asked me what was wrong. I really couldn't pin point it out. Though last night over cocktails, as I complained about barely getting settled in and all the activities are coming to a close, he asks, "Haven't you ever experienced the end of summer?" I sighed and thought about it and replied, "Actually, no! The weather doesn't change dramatically in California. We can do summer activities year round." He sat back and smiled, apparently quite amused at my naivity in season changes. I was saddened but relieved. I finally knew what it was that was upsetting me... the summer is going to end for the first time in my life.

So now, living in a city where the seasons change, I will experience the hot days getting cooler and cooler to a point of freezing. Perhaps I will discover some new activities that can be done exclusively in the other seasons besides summer. I am still wondering what is it that can be more fun than beaches and BBQ's but my husband is so excited to see me experience a white Christmas. Though I have been to New York year round (a weekend out of every month for the past three years), I will now experience it without any escape to warm weather. Who knows? I may even enjoy a snowball fight or even a cozy winter night...