Summer Lovin'

One of the hardest things about graduating from college was coming to terms with the end of the annual "summer vacation." There's still something inside me that equates summer with sleeping in, visiting new places, and general all around relaxation. While I'm not a teacher nor a student and therefore I don't have a true and official "summer vacation," I had a pretty fantastic one this year.

Because I work in an industry that is tied to the school system, summer time is a time without business travel. Because Daniel's schedule is also dictated by the school system, he too was on a different schedule for the summer. The result is time spent together, which sadly, is quite a luxury for us throughout 9 months of the year. This summer, I got a double bonus - my boyfriend AND my best friend, as Jessica came to live with me for 6 weeks.

I said a tearful goodbye to Jessica 2 weeks ago and I, in a sense, said goodbye to Daniel yesterday. When glorious June, July and August rolled around, I realized just how much of a lone wolf I'd become and spending time with those who I love the most brought me back to life. Spending my days with people who make me laugh and who are kind, genuine, spontaneous, adventurous and so even keeled was incredibly refreshing. As I think about my farewell to summer (though here in the Central Valley the summer temperatures linger til October), I am beyond melancholy and can't help but feel nostalgic. But, instead of remaining sad, I've decided to think back fondly on the people and experiences that have made this one of the best summers of my life...

* i saw the entire west coast from the front seat of a car, with my best friend beside me

* i made some not so nutritional choices that tasted soooo good

* i witnessed mt. rainier on of it 90 days of visibility

* i ate oysters and clams and fish til i burst

* i played in the ocean... over and over again

* i watched fireworks with my feet in the sand

* i sang karaoke with all my might

* i line danced

* i made peach cobbler from scratch

* i shopped the farmer's market in the sunshine

* i traded shoes with a 4 year old

* i caught up with old friends on a horse ranch

* i played wii mario party for hours on end

* i teased my parents over board games

* i sipped wine and gulped homemade sangria

* i pet a sea slug

* i pet a donkey

* i hiked

* i saved a banana slug

* i bravely shed 12 inches of my hair

* i learned to play tennis

* i went on bike rides

* i was perplexed by the mystery spot

* i finally created the room i've been dreaming of for years

* i drank my morning coffee by the pool

* i walked and ran with marley

* i spent too much money

* i slept too late

* i spent wonderful quality time with my mom

* i enjoyed hours of girl talk

* i dreamed about the future

* i ate a frozen lemonade at a dodger game

* i cheered at an outdoor concert

* i danced

* i played minigolf

* i took pictures

* i ate A LOT of ice cream

* i laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed

* i took the time to understand my relationship better

* i fell more deeply in love

I'd say, that's a pretty sweet summer :)