A Summer 2008 Recap Special

The summer of 2008 has been one of learning experiences, adventures, and crazy stories. It started off when I moved from my Phi Mu House back home to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I had about three days home before my mom, dad, and I packed up our stuff into our camper and took a vacation up to Louisa. It is this romote down outside of C-ville. We camped there for a week and despite lots of fights, coldish weather, and nothing really to do besides enjoy the nature scene, had a good time. We unpacked the "war wagon" our nickname for the camper. I had about three days home before I packed up Lucky, my trusty Ford Focus and set off to Williamsburg for RA training.

I was a summer RA assigned to the basement of Jefferson Hall. I had no previous RA experience and I really wanted to try it out for the leadership skills and the fancy look it would have on my resume. Plus, free housing is always an incentive. I scored a luxorious single room B4 in the basement of Jefferson. I would be working pretty much full time at the Rec Center with about 6 hours a day and weekend off for the first session. I couldn't ask for a better deal. RA training went really well. I got to know the staff and realized I knew some of them from previous meetings. One of which was Ali, I met her before we were offically Freshman when I got my ID card in the summer of 05. I haven't seen her since and we were RA's together. Training was fun because 1) we were fed during all of it and 2) it was like a crash course in RAing. I made my posters and doortags (which I am quite proud of) in the PRC and hoped that I wouldn't fail at life or at least fail in the summer.

My room was baren so I tried to spruce it up a bit. Normally my dorm room is decked out with posters but unfortunatly all of my posters were in the Phi Mu attic. I was really happy to find out that my two best guy friends, Leister and David would be in the Burg for the summer. We ended up having a lot of good times including one trip to Kidsburg where I wore a skort and tried to slide down a very slow slide. I got the biggest weggie in the world and my butt cheeks squeaked down the slide. It was an America's funniest home video's moment for sure. The boys and I also institutied "supper club" where one of us would cook once a week. David always let me have the leftovers. He also let me run a grocery tab with him because my mom would swipe up all of my money for bills and things I had to pay. I was pretty broke this summer but I tried to do fun things like go to Va Beach and the movies. I saw Wanted, The Dark Knight and Wall-E.

I also became really close to Heather Ireland this summer. We spent so much time together at work that we became great friends. She taught me how to play raquetball and I tried to make her laugh everyday. Our boss went on vacation and left Heather in charge of the house/animals and invited me to come stay there too. We had a small cook out for two other girls from work, we played with the dog, swam in the community pool and enjoyed the direct TV. We had a great time. I also hung out with Julliana a lot this summer as well. We became closer and for her birthday me, her, Heather, and Jocelyn met up with Colby at Va Beach and we went to the beach for the day, the Macaroni Grill for dinner and then Peabody's that night. It was a great night. I'll admit it. I danced with about 5 guys and made out with some guy named "Adam" to the song "love in this club." Glorious.

I learned a lot about myself this summer. I went to counseling to deal with some personal issues I've been struggling with. That helped me a lot. I had a spiritual ephiphany one weekend when a good friend came to stay and visit. I tried to reconnect with my faith more and sort of succeeded. I went to a party I should have abstained from and got into a small amount of trouble. I learned the importance of telling the truth as soon as possible. Telling the truth upfront helps you avoid a lot of adverse consequences and in some cases, can save your hide. Everything worked out despite the fact I thought my life would surely be over. I have the best support system around. My friends are there for me no matter what I go through, no matter what stupid things I do, or stupid people I like, or the things I say, or the way I act. I have by far the best support system of friends anyone can ask for.

I took some chances this summer and still don't know what to make of them. I danced on the edge and managed not to fall. I really really grew in my independence. I discovered that I am capable of handling adverse situations and I am becoming my own person. I can make my own decisions and survive on my own. In fact, I think at times I'm better off. Being an RA wasn't easy. I had to deal with the police on several occasions, and deal with residents that could be difficult at times. Overall it was a great experience, I learned a lot, made new friends, and discovered some talents that I didn't think I had.

I got to pet sit for my professor's cat and he was the nicest and most hospitable vacationer. He let me reign over his apartment and he fed me and let me watch is sweet TV in return for playing with and feeding his adorable cat. I like cats but I'm a dog person. But I have to admit, I ended up loving this cat.

After an eventful summer in Williamsburg, I headed home for three days before going to NJ for a week to stay with my Aunt. Day one I just relaxed, day two we went swimming in my Aunt's pool with my other Aunt and cousins, day 3 we went to the mall and I scored some sweet clothes, day 4 we went to the beach and I taught my cousin to ride waves, day 5 we went to the Phillies game where they beat the Pirates, and day 6 we went to the Wildwood boardwalk where I rode all the rollercoasters and crazy upside down rides. Day 7 I came home. I had such a wonderful time.

Funny story:
So in Cape May one night I was with my Aunt and cousin, and we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. I got a fudge brownie waffle temptation. It was this waffle cone bowl that had ice cream, whipped cream, fudge, and brownie pieces. The woman behind me goes "what is that called" so I told her and she complimented my damn ice cream. She said "that sure looks like a temptation. I was leaving the store when this other girl behind me questions me about the ice cream. She says how it looks good and tells me to enjoy it. I'm like "hmm wierd." It got even wierder. I was sitting on this step by a statue with my Aunt and Cousin when people stare at me as they pass by. My cousin noticed it too. People would blatently STARE at my damn ice cream and me and I thought I was exposing myself or something. I checked and no wardrobe malfunctions were occuring. Soo crazy. Then this one girl walks by me slow, eyeing me as I nibbled on the waffle bowl. Stops, turns to me like she is going to say something, walks away. Stops, turns and looks at me again. Then walks away. I'm like "WTF?" My Aunt starts laughing and said "boy was she rubbernecking you or what?" haha No idea why this happened but it did.

So now I"m back on the Shore for a few days before moving into Ludwell and going back to work early. Being on the shore is just like taking a shot of memories. I keep thinking about how things used to be here and wish it were so. I kind of miss the old crew too. Most of my friends from college already graduated so I hope this year I make enough new friends. Good thing I'm in a sorority where I know a bunch of people. haha. Anyway I think I'm going to peace out now. That wraps up this special edition of summer 2008. There might be a story archive to come later. Who knows.

Ciao for now.