7 Things to do this October

October is the peak of autumn with changing leaves, a chilly breeze, and spooky charisma. Don't forget to do these 7 crucial things!

1) Carve some sp00ky pumpkins

Go beyond the generic face pumpkins and create a true masterpiece. Get creative and carve some dank memes, your favorite fictional character, whatever the heart calls for. This year I'm planning on a Ron Swanson pumpkin (stencil here) and my friend Joyce is recreating her yaoi face masterpiece from last year. When carving, try cutting from the bottom rather than the top before hollowing out your pumpkin. Also, if you're putting a tea candle in your artistic gourd, which you should, sprinkle some cinnamon inside.

2) Have a movie night

Bring back the old Halloween classics after carving your pumpkins for maximum sp00ky. What my friends and I do is watch something Chinese/Taiwanese (I'm not sure why). Last year we watched Jay Chou's "Secret", my favorite cheesy romance. This year we'll be watching Jun from Korean group Seventeen's Chinese vampire web drama. I've heard it's pretty awful, so perhaps I can cry from laughter rather this year rather than the sobbing mess "Secret" reduces me to. 

3) Go stargazing

Grab some blankets and people you tolerate for a chill night of stargazing. Drive a little out of town and bring music. Constellations to look out for in the northern hemisphere include Andromeda, Aquarius, Capricornus, Pegasus, and Pisces. Year-round constellations like Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, and Ursa Major&Minor will be present as well. Google Sky Map is an incredibly useful and free app for finding constellations and planets. 10/10 would recommend. 

4) Notice all the ladybugs

Before everything freezes for the winter, there are hoards of cute little ladybugs everywhere. If you're into photography, try taking some macro shots. Ladybugs are surprisingly interesting subjects. If you're not a photo pro, you should still observe them from time to time. What can I say? They're adorable.

5) Have a bonfire (or multiple bonfires)

Roast some marshmallows for smores. Roast some hotdogs. Roast your friends with some sick bars.

6) Enjoy the atmosphere

Take a moment to get comfortable and just cherish the atmosphere of falling leaves, soft rustling wind, etc. There's a distinct sense of melancholy and/or nostalgia each October.

7) Take pictures (especially with friends)

Autumn colors make gorgeous portraits and scenic shots. The magic hours at sunrise and sunset provide optimal lighting, just be ready for potential cold.