Summer Catchup

Well, goodness gracious, I have a LOT of catching up today! 

Summer has been really, really wonderful so far and I am happy to say that it looks like it can only get better from here. In July, we took a trip to Minnesota where we helped Grandma and Grandpa clean out the cabin and get it ready to sell. That was probably the most emotionally taxing part of the vacation for everyone involved - that cabin has been a part of my life since before I can remember, and without the calm waters and gentle birds to return to, I have felt a little lost the past few weeks. But I know it is for the best, and I know that Minnesota will always be there to welcome me home, whether the physical structure belongs to my family or not. 

After cleaning out the cabin, we spent some time in Minneapolis at the Mall of America and the Minnesota Zoo before Mom and I said our goodbyes and headed to CHICAGO! We had to apply for my visa in person, and luckily for us, it went wonderfully. The woman at the counter was sweet and patient and impressed that I had all of my paperwork in order, but the best part was sitting in the waiting room listening to two old men converse in rapid-fire Italian and finally feel a stirring of excitement about the adventure I was about to take. If I could've shook those men's hands and thanked them, I would have because it meant the world to me to feel confident that I could take this trip and be just fine. 

Upon returning to Nebraska, we started the frenzy of packing up my room and moving into my new apartment! Last night was my first night there, and while I'm not going to say that I was never overwhelmed, I had a great first night and it only keeps getting more exciting. Today I rolled out of bed and got ready for work, but this afternoon I think I'll mosey on down to the Haymarket and buy some coffee, and then make some lunch and maybe walk over to the library. I've forgotten how utterly easy it is to find everything I need within walking distance on campus. 

So summer has been crazy! But it has all been worth it, and I think the extensive travel and constant change has helped me really prepare to go abroad in a month. In the meantime, here are some of the little things that have stayed with me this month: 

Brothers and Sisters, a show that Mom and Dad and I have been watching on Netflix recently. The sassy characters and dramatic story lines have stuck with me like no TV show has stuck with me in a long time! My favorite character is Kevin, the sassy gay lawyer who always gets the best lines and always has the cutest facial expressions.

"All You Need Is Love" - Dad spent this summer planning and teaching a Beatles class at the university, so the British band has been echoing around our house pretty frequently lately. This is, and always will be, one of my favorite Beatles songs. 

Shel Silverstein's The Missing Piece:

"Are you anybody else's missing piece?"

"Not that I know of."

"Well maybe you want to be your own piece?"

"I can be someone's and still my own."

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Grateful

Sometimes it is just hard to remember to be thankful and happy. 

Here are the things that have been serving as a daily reminder this week!

1. Mumford and Sons

My friend Amy and I are getting ready for the Mumford and Sons concert here in Lincoln in August. I cannot wait! They are inspiring and talented and so folky that I think an outdoor amphitheater is probably the best possible venue.

2. Anthony Kiedis, Scar Tissue

I picked up this autobiography at the recommendation of Rachel, and though I couldn't name a Red Hot Chili Peppers song before a week ago, I am now fully infatuated with the band, and with Kiedis. His writing is honest and enlightened and just melodramatic enough to be moving. My favorite quote: "We used to be so at ease with supporting each other in the best possible way. The weird sense of competition that's always been present between us didn't interfere with our singular purpose at that time. We were just happy to have a spotlight and happy to share it. I guess symbiosis is something that fades in time for no good reason. It's sad." 

3. Online shopping. Yeah, sorry about it, I've been spending a little money on clothes. But let's be real, I need a new wardrobe for the fall, and it's not like I'm squandering away thousands of dollars on dresses and shoes. Most of my shopping is done at the Gap, and the most "high end" I get is buying a $32 headband at Anthropologie. 

4. The Fourth of July! I opted not to go to the big family shindig this year, simply because I really like having the whole house to myself and it doesn't happen very often. So my agenda for the 4th of July includes sleeping in, working out, going to see Moonrise Kingdom, baking some cookies and then going to shoot off fireworks with some of my best friends. I think it will be a delightful day.

5. My Mama. No matter how old I get, I still know that my mom is my biggest supporter and my best friend. The nicest nights are spent watching Brothers and Sisters on the couch and eating food that's not very good for us. I am not scared of many things concerning my upcoming study abroad trip, but the one thing I know is going to be terrifying will be saying goodbye to her at the airport and knowing I won't be able to demand that she "love me!!" whenever I feel needy in the next three months. 

Have a great week, and a fun Fourth!