Several months before my summer vacation, a sense of anticipation tingled within me. Normally, I'd spend my summers visiting family and friends, but this year held a different plan; I was bound for the state of New York. Over the course of three weeks, I resided at a university for a collegiate program, forging profound connections with my fellow students, experiencing the independence of living alone, and indulging in an excessive number of ice cream cones. Subsequently, I returned to my family, and together, we revealed in the season, gracing beaches, embarking on road trips, and enjoying cozy movie nights. All in all, this summer proved to be a delightful adventure!
During the first week of July, I was in upstate New York for my college experience. The first week was brutal, I missed home and was not used to living on my own. However, the girls at the program were really nice and made getting used to the tpace a lot quicker. When getting introduced to fist few days, it turned out there was more work then expected. Everyday for the next few weeks, we had to be up and early at seven am for roll call. On that trip, found out I was not an early bird.
I was getting to the quick of things. The goal of the program was for high school students to understand what college may feel like. STudents were assigned daily assignments from their professors and had to analyze college level books about colleges. Not going to lie, some of these assignments were some of the hardest because it was during the heat of July. When the clock struck 9 pm during our late-night study sessions, it was like entering a realm where we mixed goofing around with the pursuit of knowledge, creating unforgettable moments.
The last week of the program brought an exciting twist as we embarked on university visits. The journey was no cakewalk; we endured sweltering July heat until the second day when we finally got an air-conditioned bus, turning the unbearable into the bearable. Over two days, I had the privilege of exploring Cornell University, Syracuse University, and Colgate University. Among these institutions, Syracuse stood out, boasting a vibrant campus with intriguing amenities, including their own doggy therapy area – a delightful surprise!
What truly made these trips memorable were the snapshots I captured (I'll attach them later for you to see). Unfortunately, it was also the time to bid farewell and prepare for the journey back home. However, the last day was a grand finale, featuring a talent show intertwined with a farewell party. Teaming up with a friend, we delivered a heartfelt rendition of Adele's "Someone Like You." Afterward, I decided to keep the good vibes flowing and serenaded everyone with Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man," making the experience truly unforgettable.
Returning home marked the beginning of a daunting unpacking session, and it turns out that lugging over 50 outfits for the trip was a bit excessive, to say the least. Nevertheless, the real treasure lay in reuniting with my parents after weeks of seeing their goodbyes through pixelated screens; that moment was pure tenderness. In the days that followed, it felt like I was in a grace period, perhaps because my family worried I might dash off to another summer adventure. Even though my brother claims he hates me, his secretly happy demeanor upon my return spoke a different story (siblings, right?). Being back home also gave me the space to start envisioning what life beyond high school might hold and which career paths I'd venture down. It's funny how three week can affect the previous 18 years of living.
The movie of the year held a special place in my heart, especially because it meant a reunion with my best friend of six years. Even before the Barbie movie hit theaters, we had already set our plans to watch it upon my return, and let me tell you, it exceeded all expectations. The vibrant colors, enchanting music, and timeless themes of the film left me exiting the theater feeling like my adolescence had never truly ended. Surrounded by women of all ages, my best friend and I found ourselves in the theater, reliving our cherished childhood memories, all while being captivated by the enchanting Margot Robbie (truly one of the best). When the credits rolled and the movie concluded, my best friend and I stayed to sten to Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice's Aqua remix (so many things to love about the movie).
Beach time was an eagerly anticipated event each summer. During my three-week college experience, we weren't allowed to take a dip in the lakes that surrounded us, so I was counting the days until our annual family summer trip. Like clockwork, my family embarked on a picturesque drive to the rejuvenating beaches of the Northeast. And without fail, I somehow managed to forget how to swim every year, necessitating the ritual of reteaching myself the art of staying afloat. It was a humbling experience each time, but one that brought a sense of accomplishment as I regained my sea legs. Yet, it wasn't all about conquering the waves but surbving them, (I got dragged down to the shore). My dad had a knack for making these trips unforgettable. He treated my brother and me to scrumptious beachside pizza, but the real thrill came when he surprised us with an afternoon of go-kart racing. The wind in our hair, the excitement of the race, and the sound of the engines roaring made those moments on the track truly exhilarating. Each year, our beach trips were a perfect blend of family bonding, ocean adventures, and a little dash of unexpected fun.
The realization of just how tired I was didn't hit me until I had an entire week to myself. After reuniting with some of my dearest friends and catching up on life's stories, I made a decision to stay in for the entire week. It was like a mini-retreat that my body and mind desperately needed. During this precious downtime, I finally indulged in something I'd been meaning to do for ages – I watched all seasons of "American Horror Story," one of my absolute favorite shows. If you were to ask me to rank the top three seasons, I'd have to go with Coven, Hotel, and Roanoke, although I must admit I have a soft spot for Cult and Murder House too. In a similar vein, I was able to check off some of things on my "to-watch" list like Hannibal, Easy A, and Superbad. Despite being uneventful, this was easily one of the most relaxing weeks ever.
Universally, I think this week is classified as the worst week to come out of the summer, the back to school week. Although school doesn't start again for another week, mentally you begin preparing for school shopping and picking your classes for next year. For many, including myself, the least favorite part of this transition is the adjustment of the sleep schedule. Those late-night summer escapades, staying up until 4 am, suddenly become unsustainable. You have to reacquaint yourself with the concept of going to bed at a responsible 10 pm. It's a necessary shift, but it can certainly be a tough one after weeks of enjoying the freedom of summer nights. Despite this, I chose the classes I wanted! So I guess so school year is as fun as I make it, which hopefully will be.