Summer Sentimental

I am really getting excited for this summer. Oddly enough, this will be an unfamiliar summer for me in a place I am most familiar with. Since I just added a Finance major, I will need to take a couple summer classes, which forces me to stay in Lincoln for the summer. I haven't actually been in Lincoln for a summer since between freshman and sophomore year. Summer '05 I was in Italy/Europe and summer '06 I was in North Carolina. Doesn't seem that strange, I guess, lots of people, especially JDE'ers take internships away for the summer, but I guess being across an ocean and across the country just seemed like a world away from home and I never really felt like I had that "last hurrah" that gives me closure before I actually move away. I am really excited to make the most of this summer... my last summer of actually living at home. Yes, at first I felt a little pathetic about living with Mom and Dad this summer, but I am actually excited about it and I think they are too.

We've both acknowledged the loss of freedom on both sides, but then we realized the fun that can be had. I've grown really close with my parents these past 3-4 years and I consider them two of my best friends right now. It will be more like living with buddies now instead of my "superiors". Mom and I have already talked about playing golf as much as possible, going for bike rides and to the pool and Dad and I have talked about making more trips down to the land in Johnson County where we'll fish, drink beer, shoot the empty cans, and of course, I'll have a good reason to wear my cowboy hat. They'll both be working at Allegra during the day, but I'll be at class and working too, so there won't be any missed time with each other. Hopefully Mom and I can stay motivated to golf/bike early enough in the morning before we both head to work and class at about the same time (9:30ish).

As for work, I've been given an offer from a company that I would be honored to work for. The only reason I haven't accepted it yet is because I feel obligated to go to my interview next week with a financial company, because that would be my only opportunity to have some relevant finance experience before I graduate and look for "finance" jobs. But I can say with near certainty that it will not be what I want to do this summer. I think I would be really sad if I ruined my last opportunity to have a fun, relaxed summer with a job I hated and had no fun at. I know that the company I've been offered a job at would be a place I would enjoy going to work to everyday, enjoy my coworkers, and enjoy myself there despite it not really being relevant to what I'm getting my degree in. Anyway, I'll also keep my job at Love Library for some extra evening work/money. I love that job and wish it paid more and had more weight on a resume... haha... so nice to get paid to study.

So despite living in southeast Lincoln, I will spend the majority of my time downtown which will be fun. Hopefully the extra walking around downtown will give me just a little more needed exercise. It will also make time for me to just think and organize my thoughts, something I wish I took the time to do more of. I also can't wait to wear shorts and tank tops while walking to class for once. Speaking of walking, I really hope I can find an apartment downtown next fall so I can walk or bike to and from campus... for several reasons. First, the bit of extra exercise; second, reduce gas use therefore doing my part to reduce pollution and our country's gas crutch; and three, downtown is just so... my style... at least while I'm taking classes. The second reason is something I really want to write about and expand on but don't want spend the time on it right now.

Anyway, I hope I'm not setting my hopes too high for my last summer (cue dramatic background music). I'm just going to try to go with the flow, stay on top of my responsibilities (class, work, helping around the house), and enjoy life.