Summer...*sigh*

I know it's a little early to be thinking about summer, but I keep thinking about different things I want to do, and I'm getting excited. Just about everything on my list would seem lame if you're not me, but I don't care. I'll have my job at camp, and that'll be in full force. I'm planning on taking an online class that'll go through July. I have a billion and three books I want to read. I'm going to spend as much time outside as possible. I'm going to do random things and go on random adventures with Kelsey. And I'm sure I'll come up with a whole lot more before May. I know it sounds ridiculously boring to "normal" people, but I think it sounds perfect.

Only 49 more days...

Options

So I think I'm going to be a librarian...
...and if that doesn't work out, then maybe a teacher...
...or maybe I'll open a business with my sister...
...or Kelsey...
...or maybe I'll just work at camp forever...

It's not set in stone yet, but at least I feel like I have options...for the first time in...well...ever :)

Nostalgia

I miss tests that only covered one chapter of material. Remember those? I know, I know, pretty pathetic that the thing I miss about high school is tests; but I was homeschooled my junior and senior year, so...yeah, I am pretty pathetic. But I miss those tests that had like 25-50 questions on like three pages (if that) of fill-in-the-blank notes. Now it's all about reading five chapters and studying 20 pages of all handwritten notes and guessing which 40-100 questions you're going to get tested on. So that's what I'm doing all night...studying 20 pages of notes and trying to decipher whatever alien language it is that I decided to write down.

Ugh...When did I get so old...I mean responsible? When did I decide that school was more important than 24? When did I decide that admitting that school is more important than 24 was acceptable?

Timing

I was just thinking about how perfectly God orchestrates timing. This past summer was overwhelming for me, and though I wouldn't have admitted it then, the timing was just right. I had just started a new job that I kind of figured out as I went. I was dealing with a very close family situation that I had to keep as a secret for most of the summer (even from my parents). I had just started a new relationship. And I was trying to spend as much time as I could with my best friend who left for Northern in August and who was busy herself most of the summer. I didn't have an awful summer, but I wouldn't describe it as great either. It just was. And without even realizing it, I was kind of bitter toward God for allowing my summer to fall short of my high expectations I had for it.

While I was overwhelmed, I am so glad that those things happened during the summer and not while I was in school. I'm pretty sure I probably would've broken down if they had. And I made it through just fine. In fact, I learned some great lessons last summer that I'm just now realizing. Like holding on to faith even while everyone else is giving up. And trekking along even when I feel like quiting. And sometimes all that's needed to make two girls feel like they're at home in a leaky old trailer that's falling apart and has a very questionable smell is a pet made out of a piece of foil in a water bottle known affectionately as "Feesh."

Train-lag?

It's 12:42 AM. In Madison, Wisconsin it's 11:42 PM. I just got home a little over an hour ago from visiting my sister, and I'm not sure if I'm still awake because I'm not tired or because I'd still be awake if I were in Madison. I took the train, which is an all day affair, but I really don't mind it. I like being surrounded by people I don't know without being obligated to talk to any of them. I always wonder what everyone's story is and where everyone's going (Are they getting away or coming home?).

Anyway, I got there this past Friday around 5PM Central time. I had to wait for my sister at the train station for about twenty minutes, so I got to meet Steve. Steve is approximately 35-45 years old. Steve is also special and very sweet. He was traveling to Madison to see his friend because it was her birthday. After making sure I had a phone so I could call a ride, he proceeded to ask me if the rose he had in his plastic water bottle was still pretty even though it was a little wilted from it's long trip. It was his friend's birthday present. I told him it was still very pretty (because it was) and that I was sure his friend would think so too. Then Steve told me that it was very nice to meet me and to enjoy my trip. I liked Steve.

Anyway, my trip was bliss. It was a perfect sisterly reunion. We went shopping (the mall, several bookstores...multiple times, Old Navy...), watched movies, went out for lunches and in for dinners, ate cheesecake, got coffee, had arts and crafts time (Stacie's really into stamping...I made some cute bookmarks), went to the ZOO (it's free in Madison and one of my favorite things about visiting my sister) :), went to the movies (we saw Watchmen, which was a horrible movie and I really do not recommend it...like really...it was awful), slept in, and chilled out. Did I mention it was bliss.

I did not want to leave. In fact, from the time I woke up and jump on Stacie's bed this morning to three seconds before I got on the train, I was letting her know how much I did not want to go home. I miss her and my brother-in-law so much. I really wish we weren't so far apart. But the bright side is...I never take a moment for granted when I see them now.

So anyway, I had an amazing trip (with no snags at any of the train stations for those of you who know about my awful ordeal the last time I went), but it's back to reality tomorrow with work in the morning and putting off homework over the rest of spring break. So I should probably get some sleep.