My team and I eating in downtown Indy
My team and I at Dana Point Beach in California.
Although it pains me to think of this, summer is coming up quickly whether I like it or not. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore my summers and would not change them for the world. It is just the idea of graduating high school and going off to college that scares me. Anyways, this summer is going to look completely different for me than the past eight summers I have experienced. That is because this is the first summer I do not have to travel for basketball. To put into perspective the amount I have traveled the past few summers, last summer I had tournaments all over the midwest, South Carolina (twice), and California, and I also attended college camps in New York, New Hampshire, and Georgia. All of this added up to me only being home last July for a solid eight days. Don’t get me wrong, these were some of the best summers ever since I got to spend them with my teammates, but this will be the first summer in a very long time where I have a lot more freedom to spend time with friends and family. So to pump myself up for summer, I would like to share with you my summer bucket list.
My friends and I during one of our camping trips made a pit stop at the Stray Dog.
To start things off my friends and I have always wanted to take a trip together and this summer will be the summer to do it. For the past 3 years we have gone camping but this summer (although we will also camp again) we want to do something more extravagant. My friends and I have all decided on colleges and let’s just say we are going all over the place. That being said, I think we have a pretty good excuse to take a larger trip. One of my friends has an uncle who lives in France and there is a possibility that we might all be able to stay with him this summer. If that were to work out it would really be the trip of a lifetime!
Another thing I would like to do this summer is to obtain a more realistic job. For the past three summers, the only job I have been able to hold has been lifeguarding because of the flexibility it provides, which was something I really needed because of basketball. Don’t get me wrong it has been such a great experience but I don’t really interact with a lot of people and instead, I sit in the lifeguard chair all day watching kids making sure they stay afloat. Although this job has helped me become a lot more patient and taught me a lot about human interactions (lifeguarding provides great people-watching), I feel as though before I go to college I may need a different experience communicating with people and problem-solving. I am currently on the hunt but if you all have any job recommendations please let me know.
Something I have said that I have wanted to do for a long time is to learn how to make sourdough bread. I know this is
so random but every weekend in the summer my dad likes to go to the farmers market and he picks up a loaf of sourdough and with this loaf, I am able to make the best grilled cheese sandwiches and avocado toast. But the bread does get a little pricey so to be able to make it at home would be great.
Another thing I plan to do this summer, as I mentioned two weeks ago, is that I would like to spend as much time this summer as I can playing pickleball with my mom. Although I will still be training and working out for basketball, pickleball will just be another fun sport to play. My mom and I have even started to look up some leagues we can join and we both are equally excited to do so.
Last summer at the Lumineers concert.
One of the last things I will share with you all is my want to go to more music festivals and concerts. I do not enjoy dressing up all the time but for some reason dressing up to go to a concert is just different. So, this summer my goal is to attend as many concerts as I can (or that my bank account can support).
Although I have many more things I would like to do this summer my only goal is to savor every last second of it. Even if some of my plans fall through, I am excited to be able to spend it with the people I love the most. I hope you all are able to do the same.
Hi Abby!
A lot of people are writing about their summer plans this week, but yours stood out to me because of your experience as a student athlete for the past eighth summers – I don’t think anyone else can speak to that experience as accurately as you can. I’m glad, however, that you’ll have an opportunity to stay local this year.
I remember your blog about the meat market (?) a few months ago, so it makes perfect sense to me that your family would be a farmer’s market frequenter – I’m a big fan of offbeat food locations. That being said, I went to the Naperville Farmers Market for the first time with a friend last summer and also purchased a stellar loaf of sourdough bread, so if you ever nail the recipe, please let me know. I’d love to learn how to bake more in general – I’ve only ever made brownies, muffins, cookies, and scones in my life, but I hope to be able to attempt more complicated recipes somewhere down the line. I also bought a sage plant (which has since died due to my own negligence) and a bear-shaped candle from the farmer’s market, which pleased me greatly and allowed me to live out my quirky indie-girl dreams, at least for an afternoon.
Hi Abby,
I really enjoyed your blog post! This upcoming summer will certainly be one that is memorable. For me, this summer will be the first summer in a long time that I have absolutely no responsibilities or summer work. This leaves many opportunities for creating memories and having good times. I cannot believe that you have traveled for basketball these last eight summers! As fun, as that sounds, I’m sure it will be nice to finally have a summer where you can truly relax and unwind. The last couple of summers have been filled with the stress of college applications and SAT prep. The thought of having three months without any of those concerns seems fantastic. I also found it interesting how you mentioned that you are looking for a job. This summer, I am working at Big Blue Swim School as a swim instructor for small children. The pay seems pretty good, so if you’re interested let me know and I can send you the information!
I think it is great that so many Seniors are looking forward to this summer. Generally, the summer between Senior year and college is one that is unforgettable. For both your sake and mine, I certainly hope that’s true!
Hey there Homan! I was pleased to read about your upcoming summer plans, mostly because I will hopefully be doing some of these activities with you! I do have to agree that the thought of leaving everything behind and going to college is absolutely terrifying, it’s going to be so hard to leave everyone! But, we have a full summer of freedom to pack in the activities and time with friends and family. I’m especially overjoyed that you will be home for more than 8 days in July this year, trying to plan hangouts around your schedule was just way too hard. Also, I hope that I can assist in making the sourdough bread, maybe it’ll cook in the air fryer? I also am super excited for our annual camping trip, but I think you forgot to mention the great weather we always end up having. We have gone camping in three heat waves and basically a monsoon. There was so much rain and lightning I’m surprised that a tree branch didn’t fall right on top of us. However, it was still so much fun and I hope when we go this year that we get luckier with the weather and won’t get wet with sweat or water!