Summer

It's here! Summer has arrived at last! (Well, not according to the summer solstice, but it's close enough!) It's time to take a break from the daily grind of getting up, going to school, doing homework and going to bed. In its place, adventure, freedom and relaxation come. To me, summer equals opportunity. 

I'll admit that I actually do like school. I love to learn new things, especially in the subjects of English, Spanish and math. Despite that, I'm relieved to be taking a break from school. From multiple tests each week to finishing possibly hours of homework each night, much of my time had been eaten up by school. It was exhausting, and left me with little time to do the things I love: reading, writing, crafting and biking. Most of my time was dedicated to school, but now, with school done until September, I have more time to do things I love.

One thing I absolutely love about summer is the weather! Winter here brings bitter cold temperatures and mountains of snow. While I love snow and how pretty it is, I can't always stand the temperatures. I get cold really easily and am known in my family to ask to inch the heat up day after day...even if it's not incredible cold out. Summer, though, has the perfect temperatures. It doesn't get extremely hot here, but it can get very warm. It's perfect for going out on a bike ride, kayaking on a lake or going out for ice cream. I love the days when the sun shines radiantly in the blue sky with cotton puffs of clouds scatter here and there, but I also love the days when it rains and thunders. I don't mind the occasional rainy day, but I absolutely adore a soft gentle rain at night. Nothing is more perfect than falling asleep to the patter of rain on your window. 

With the lack of pressing schoolwork (except for a few summer assignments), beautiful weather and a bit more time, I have many goals that I wish to accomplish this summer. Summertime is a fresh slate, and only I can fill it. So here's some of the things I plan on doing:

- Reading! (This really has to be first on my list. I have always loved to read, and this school year, I have been gathering a list of books that my friends have recommended I read. I want to read as many books as I can on that list!)

- Writing (This has to come next. Next month in July, I am planning on participating in Camp Nano. I'll explain more about this when the time arrives. I also was going to be writing a story with some of my friends in addition to blogging more and writing more of my own stuff.)

- Learning (I don't think learning should ever stop happening, even during the summer. Besides completing some major summer school assignments, I also plan on learning something on my own. I haven't completely decided what I will look into yet this summer, but I have some ideas.)

- Biking (I really enjoy biking and possibly want to go on a 30 mile bike ride more or less.)

- Figuring out how to do 20 fuette turns in a row

- Stretching 

- Service (Much of my summer is taken up by volunteering. I usually help out at multiple Vacation Bible Schools throughout my community by teaching the kids Bible lessons. I also want to work on my sewing and knitting skills in order to make baby blankets and hats for a local center. I may also see if I can help out at any library activities my library host throughout the summer.)

- Taking lots of pictures for memories and scrapbooks

- Get published by writing for a magazine

That's really about it. As I go along in the summer, some of my goals go by the wayside and new goals and ideas pop up! That's what I love about summer: it's flexible and opportunistic! 

This summer has lots of new experiences and opportunities for me, and I plan on enjoying every minute of it. Despite being three months, summer always seems to fly by so quickly that it catches you by surprise. It seems like as soon as you get out of school, you're practically preparing to go back! It reminds me of a quote by Ray Davies that reads: "People take pictures of the summer, just in case someone thought they had missed it, and to prove it really existed."  Even if summer goes by quickly, the memories of it will never leave, and it's good to enjoy each and every part of it.

I hope all my readers have a fabulous summer!

~Emily Silverwing