What I, a 24 yo Woman, Did This Summer

Apparently school is starting in 2 weeks. Being that I have no kids and out of college, I have no sense of when school is starting, when people are leaving for college, or what determines the end of summer. For me (working Monday-Friday every day 7-3:30), the start of school means I will be still working the same job, doing the same things, and nothing will change- except the amount of kids riding the subway on the way home from work (I have not missed that). 

I remember distinctly my coworker asking me in the middle of May: What are you doing this summer? I laughed and said, "You know what I'm doing this summer. I'll be here every day." While this is true, I have done a lot this summer. I think I entered this summer thinking the only thing different in my life will be working in the unbearable heat rather than the freezing cold. And the trash on the street will stink more. As it turns out, I've done a lot this summer. I will try to recall everything I have done for future me to reflect on. 

I started this summer taking my bestie to rehab, never to be seen again (laters, baby!) I moved all of her shit out of her room, and helped move my new roommate into the house. 

I spent the day crafting with my grandmom that I haven't seen in a while, and time with my Pop Pop that lives in a different state and haven't seen in a while either. 

I did an Airbnb trip with my boyfriend to a cute little cabin in the woods for my birthday and got fresh eggs from the neighbor's chickens. I went to the beach for my actual birthday and spent time with my cousins. 

I had a birthday party which was really sweet and really fun. 

I started reading The Stand by Stephen King (for the third time) in mid June to coincide with the plot points happening in the book. Personally, think it's best to read this book in mid/late June or early July. 

I went to a farmer's market with my friends, left to go to a bookstore, and ran into my cousin that I haven't seen in years. She had her baby with her and I got to meet my newest member of the family while shopping for Harry Potter books. 

Book list (real quick): All of the Harry Potters, all of the Hunger Games, The Stand, all of the 50 shades from Christian's POV, The Housemaid and the Housemaid's Secret, Gone Girl, It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us, Verity, 11/22/63, American Psycho, Pride and Prejudice, Society of the Snow, and the odd Freida McFadden books I've stumbled upon. I think that's it for this summer. Today I read some Edgar Allen Poe poems. Look at me go. 

I saw Queens of the Stone Age with my boyfriend at the beach and had a nice beach moment with him and my cat that I brought with me. He did not like the sand. (My cat, not my boyfriend, though he isn't a huge fan of sand either.)

We had a 4th of July party at my house that was really fun and we saw a lot of fireworks from my rooftop deck. I ended up being the grill master and cooked up some dogs for the party guests. Hostest with the Mostest? I know her well. Earlier in the day, I went to the public pool with my little sister and splashed a lot.

I went to my roommate's aunt's house during the week and swam at her pool and had dinner with his family. That was really special, I liked that a lot. 

I went to Knoebels amusement park with a big group of friends and rode my first big wooden rollercoaster. We Airbnb-d and I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. 

I went to the beach with my roommates and we dug a big ass trench with some kids that set up next to us. We also swam in the ocean and I did a whole bunch of splishing and splashing. 

I had a mini family reunion and got to see more cousins I haven't seen in forever. We went to the public pool and had a splash.

My cousin got married in Rhode Island! I drove up with my grandparents, my mom, stepdad, and sister. I got to climb rocks and spend the whole day with my cousins and partied hardy at night. The wedding was beautiful, and he looked so happy. We took a bus tour of Newport and saw my 2nd Vanderbuilt mansion. 

My boyfriend had two shows he played back to back days. Seeing him perform... I can feel my pupils turn into hearts as I watch him play. 

We went and saw King Gizz together (with a full orchestra!!!) that was beautiful and fun and we let loose and had a blast. 

I took a family picture with my step siblings at the beach. I got out of work, went home, got an outfit, got in the car, sat in traffic for 2 hours, got out of the car, took the picture, got back into the car, and drove home. I was at the beach for a total of 8 minutes for a basically 4 hour roundtrip. 

I celebrated the Jaugust Harvest and saw a bunch of friends I haven't seen since the last Harvest. I won Jaugust King and got to wear a crown for the rest of the night. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. We did a whole bunch of dancing and singing and all around great times. That was a beautiful night. For those who don't celebrate: Jaugust is the celebration of the Eve of sweaty July to even sweatier August. 

I ate a lot of fruit, specifically white peaches and Envy apples. I had some nice juicy watermelon as well. 

Me and my bestie (my other bestie that I've had for literally my whole life) got into printmaking and had a carving workshop the other day. We both did some Lino cuts and planned some more elaborate reductive prints that we might attempt later. We live in different cities so we're thinking about making a club and mailing printed postcards to each other. 

I made a freaking blog!! Because I read so much and get so passionate about the media I consume I need to talk about it somewhere. Yay for freaking me. 

My friend found a stray dog and is fostering him now. She's on a road trip but she said she's probably going to end up keeping him. We took him for a walk the other day and it was really sweet. 

I applied for a new job and did a series of interviews and.... didn't get it. Lmao, probably for the best.

I saw The Jonas Brothers and My Chemical Romance back to back. Epic stuff. The My Chem show was healing. 

I went swimming with my boyfriend (we're naming him Jimmy now) and got a UTI... yay me. 

Now that I've typed my list, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff, I'm proud to say that I did a whole bunch of stuff this summer WHILE working 40 hours a week. Take that, capitalism... maybe. 

I also made a bunch of collages and have applied to vend at an art show my friend is throwing next month. Need to prep for that. 

Like I said, I have no kids, I'm not in school, and I work my 40 hours a week job. Summer is determined by the weather outside, not by vacation time. I think I'll extend my summer experience into late September, just cause. The moment a slight breeze hits my cheek... It's Halloween time baby! Until then, I'll keep doing what I do. 

I said to myself around June: The theme of this summer is to Splish and Splash, and spend as much time as possible with my loved ones. I think I have accomplished this well. I've seen most of my family members on both sides and have made great memories with both friends and family. 

I'm proud that I am able to compile a list, especially given the way my summer started. I feel silly and happy that my coworkers are all talking about how summers over and the kids are going back to school and I'm still doing my silly little crafts and typing on my silly little blog enjoying the summer sun. I'm only responsible for me, my two cats, and my stray that I'm taking care of now. *London Tipton voice* Yay me!!! Recently, I've been feeling a bit down in that this is not really the life I expected for myself when I was younger. I had a vision of what I'd be like at 24 and the biggest thing of my list of expectations was... To Be Pretty. 

I'm working on that one, I really am. I never set crazy high expectations for myself. I never saw myself as a rich successful artist or teacher or anything like that. I don't know if I wanted my adult self to have two cats when I was 15 daydreaming about what I'd be like when I'm 24. Here I am! I'm quite satisfied with my life and my experiences. As my current mood is listed: I'm happy and healthy baby! And that's just fine with me. 

Side note for my fans: I went to a smoke shop yesterday during my shift and bought a lafufu for $15. Score!!!! 

Side note for my haters: xoxo! 

-Gossip Girl