With every ending, there is a new beginning. And as the days of schools are knocked off one by one, so does the countdown to summer. It’s interesting to see how my view of summer has changed overtime. Before, my summers were filled with a variety of summer camps every week, from science camps to basketball camps. Then when high school came into play, it was all about the programs and internships. Yet now, this upcoming summer, is my free summer. I gain complete free range with my summer schedule, with no studying for SAT’s or rushing to the hospital to make my volunteer shift. I’m finally able to sit back and relax, so here are five things I’m looking forward to in summer:
GRAD SEASON
Grad season is the time for friends and family to unite. A time for delicious food and beautiful weather. Food trucks and balloons every weekend. This summer, I am extremely excited to attend all of my friends’ graduation parties, as every weekend in June is filled up. Last year, I missed out on many of my friends’ grad parties because I was in the Philippines for 3 weeks in June and July, which is peak grad party season. As everyone starts parting ways, I feel that graduation parties are one of the best ways to get friends together before the final goodbyes.
WARM WEATHER AND BEACH TRIPS
Warm weather is a given. Every summer, I feel that I take the warm weather for granted. And with warm weather, comes the best beach trips. There are so many beach options to choose from- Chicago, Indiana Dunes, South Haven- the options are really endless depending on how far you’re willing to drive. This summer, I’m planning on taking unlimited beach trips: if I’m bored- beach. If I’m tired- beach. Free day- beach. I mean, I am going to Florida for college so I really hope I don’t get beached out, but I feel that any trip with friends is fun because there’s only so much time in summer to see everyone before leaving.
PICNICS
I’ve recently grown an obsession with picnics. More specifically, the aesthetic of them. Over spring break, I made the perfect charcuterie board so now I am itching to make more. I haven’t ever really had a real picnic before with the picnic blanket, food baskets, and pretty dresses, so this is definitely on my bucket list for this summer.
LONGER DAYS
The season of summer is the absolute best time to really sit back and enjoy every second. The sun is out for longer, which means that curfew is later- which means that you need to make the most of the summer days. Longer days means more opportunities to spend with family, friends, or experiencing something new- and I am extremely grateful for daylight savings at this time. School seems to be dragging on right now, and I hope the summer days feel as long as time in school feels.
ICECREAM, BARBECUES, AND JULY FOURTH
Barbecues are one of my favorite things to attend in the summer. This is part of American culture that I am extremely grateful to experience- because it really brings the summer feel together. Ribs, popsicles, and corn- the perfect combination. I had to add ice cream in this section because it goes along with the food theme, and because of how much better ice cream tastes in the summer. Of course it is delicious in the fall, winter, and spring, but nothing really feels better than driving over to Dairy Queen and ordering a nice blizzard in the summer. Ice cream is truly a summer thing, and I’m sorry to those who are lactose intolerant, but there’s always alternatives. Now to pull this all together, combining both barbecues and ice cream into one event- you get July 4th. America’s national holiday. Celebrating America. I used to drive down to Kansas to meet up with my cousins and set off huge fireworks we would buy on the side of the road, and honestly, those were some of the best summer memories. July 4th really brings the summer feel to everything, and nothing is better than spending some quality time with family and friends while munching on some food and blowing things up (legally of course).
Overall, as school comes to an end, summer starts to begin. Yet with the time we have left, I know I need to make the most out of school before summer. So until summer comes, the only thing I can do is to wait and daydream about grad parties and ice cream.
Annie, I absolutely loved reading your blog. I’m counting down the days until summer, and reading your blog was a compilation of the best things to look forward to as the days get closer. I’m also so excited for grad season… It feels like I have at least one grad party to go to every weekend this summer, which is definitely going to be so much fun. On top of getting to celebrate everyone’s amazing accomplishments throughout high school, it’s the perfect opportunity for me to buy a whole set of new grad/summer dresses. The warm weather and unlimited beach time during the summer is an amazing plus. I’m so excited that we’re going to be in Florida together for the next couple of years, as we will definitely be spending as much time as possible on the beach. I love how you talked about the longer days… these are a plus that are not talked about enough, and definitely one of my favorite parts of summer!