I Want Power In My Words, I Want Passion In My Eyes...

This summer has been without a doubt the most fulfilling, exciting, adventuresome, and life changing experience I've ever had.

So lets skim the surface and start at the beginning.

I finished my first semester of grad school successfully capturing a 3.5+ GPA.

I went to the Colin Hay concert with a handful of friends and family.
I traveled to Scotland to visit a lovely friend in school at a very prestigious university. I traversed the land, I utilized the public transportation system, I imbibed native libations and foods, I no longer have my right index finder due to excessive shutter button pushing, I took in the countryside, I experienced history, I made some great friends, I won a bet for my mother, and then got home and sat around and was mute for 3 weeks because of the whirlwind that was my extended 10 day adventure in Aberdeen, Scotland. It changed me. I will never be the same. I have seen that there is better, in EVERY aspect of my life, and I know that not only do I deserve that better, but I could have it if I quit settling. My only fear is that, that better that I speak of, will never be found in the USofA.

I helped my sibling and mother set up and run the Grace Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School. We did a lot of decorating, planning, directing, assisting, telling, painting, running, picture taking, and cleaning. An exhausting week+ to say the least. And its supposed to be all worth it in the end, because we did such a great thing for community outreach. Still trying to accomplish that feeling. I also lost my work sunglasses somehow on 'sunglasses day'. Still haven't found them. [sad panda]

I've spent weekends traveling all over Michigan. I spent 'Dillywacker Weekend' [if you want to know what that means, inquire] on The Muskegon River at the Little Red Cottage with my mom, sister, and aunt. I lost my other pair of sunglasses to the Muskegon River as I reared my head back on the dock and they slid off the back of my skull. Again, [sad panda].

I braved a tumultuous thunder storm that flooded the pavement of 131 [which is absolutely ridiculous if you think about it] that I was sure would be the end of me to catch the last Shepler's Ferry Boat to Mackinac Island. I made the boat with a mere 5 minutes to spare because it took me a good 45 minutes to get out of the Grand Rapids area. I spent Wednesday night, Thursday, and a good portion of Friday with my good friend Melissa and her lovely husband Doc. We drank. We boated around the Island on "The Copper Kettle". We got stranded in the St. Ignace Harbor for an hour. We got back and drank some more. We spent the 4th of July at Fort Mackinac [seemingly appropriate]. I left that afternoon and stopped at The Little Red Cottage on the Muskegon River for dinner with the Auntie and Uncle. I spent the 4th of July evening festivities in my bed as I had to be up at the ass crack of dawn to work.

I ventured up to Silver Lake to spend the weekend at the Eberlein Cottage with the DenBraber's and the Boot's. We duned. We duned a lot. It took me 3 days to get all of the sand out of every nook and crannie in my body/hair. We played card games. We went Antiquing at the Antique Mall! I won on my purchase. I picked up 4 books, 1 Scottish medallion, but best of all, I found a foot locker from WWII that was in amazing condition for only $25. And then we duned some more.

I caught an E. Lansing production of 'Wicked'. And it was WICKED awesome! A bit off from the book, as I expected it to be, and the sugar coated ending gave me a tooth ache, but whatever. All in all, hilarious, touching, moving, and fabulous. Indeed.
I got to enjoy the company of an ex-boyfriend/great friend for a few days as he was home from LA to go to the Foo Fighters concert... which rocked my fricken face off!
I went to Chicago for a Cubs game and spent the rest of the weekend relaxing in Evanston at Northwest University.

I played in a slowpitch softball league every Friday night with some of my best friends from high school. I had fallen out of touch with them, and this league was just what I needed this summer. I rekindled my friendships, and, without a doubt, they have been rekindled for good. I can't imagine not hanging out with them for years at a time like it has been. These are good people. I most thoroughly enjoy their company. They're my mates.

And now? Now I enjoy my last two weeks here at home with my family. I didn't do anything on my thesis [even though there is good reason... which will be the subject of my next post], I've decided that I will be pursuing my PhD as soon as I take the GRE on September 11th, and after I've received my results and sent in all of my applications.

Plans for my last two weeks include:
Week1:
Wednesday: Mt. Pleasant to get my room and office put in order.
Thursday: Picnic Pops presents ABBA in downtown GR.
Friday: Day on Lake 16 with the sibling and softball in the evening
Week2:

Monday: Dentist
Tuesday: Sibling takes a sick day and we head to Michigan's Adventure for some rollercoaster fun!
Haircut definately at some point.
Friday: Softball
Sunday: Move to Mt. Pleasant for the year.



... And When I Wake Up, I Want Life To Be A Surprise.