Thumbs Down

To go along with my previous post, I realized upon waking this morning that the rest of my time here is going to be one prolonged goodbye.

That sucks!

5 More Weeks

With 5 weeks left of Baltimore time, and recently returning from a vacation in Ohio (that’s right-Ohio) where friends and family members abound, I am pretty read y to be done here. But alas, 5 more weeks wait to be completed before that can happen. Now I’m very much thinking about my next steps and adventures. A few opportunities have arisen, but definitely nothing concrete. However, this does bring me some comfort knowing that others are looking out and want to help me readjust to life after volunteering. There’s still a lot to do that I’ve put off, but I’ll get around to it.

Still, there are 5 more weeks.

Home

I am home.

I am sitting in my living room, watching Good Will Hunting on Netflix, still getting over the surprise that my parents actually got a dog they are allowing in the house and overjoyed at the fact that I get to spend time with so many friends this week.

Aah, this is the life.

The Happiness July Brings

Dear World,

Thank you for making the month of July in Baltimore SO fantastic thus far. I've thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Really, this whole summer has been a constant continuation of bliss, one form right after the other. A quick recap is in order, for those who are curious and for me to process all the fun times I've been enjoying.

Now, where to start? The end of June brought in a swell of adventure with a weekend bus trip to the Big Apple. Exploring the city, staying with fellow Menno volunteers and walking miles upon miles made the time feel short but satisfactory (especially after my feet swelled to sizes bigger than my shoes).

Then July happened.

It's been a whirlwind of fun events, listed below in chronological order:

House-sitting for a good part of a month
First Thursdays free concert in Mt. Vernon Park
Pirate Cruise
Independence Day in Washington D.C.
Being a part of multiple sessions of affirmation and appreciation
Cookout hosted at the House Sitting House, complete with a Little Debbie birthday cake
Consuming Rosemary Garlic Fries
Sailing in the Chesapeake Bay off of St. Michaels, MD
Camping at Assateague State Park with wild ponies
Visiting Ocean City, MD for a bit during a downpour
Watching the World Cup Final and more free concerts in Patterson Park
Harry Potter movie marathon

And more is yet to come!

Mates of State concert?
A visit home to O-H-I-O
Two of my best friend's wedding (to each other)
More house sitting

July, I love you. Stay classy.

My New Hero:

Axe Cop

Hot Dogs, Fireflies, & Highlights

Summer.

This season brings relief and joy. My cares fly out the window along with some sense of responsibility. I feel like a kid again, young and free. Not sitting in an office, or in my hot, stuffy room. I don’t worry about what’s next because it will come when it’s ready. I just want to enjoy this time and have FUN! To spend time with people here, do loads of exciting things and eat as many grilled hot dogs as possible for the next few months is all that’s on my mind.

Some ways to accomplish these goals are to continue “Spring Training.” With a light-up Frisbee on hand, getting ready for some serious games of summer toss means congregating to our back yard and going over the following rules.

1. Always be prepared.
2. Use both hands if the Frisbee is coming at your face.
3. Dive!
4. Don’t talk about Fight Club.

With the exception of Rule #4, I think we’ve really got something here. Along with Frisbee, there’s volleyball, which I might add I excelled at this past weekend during a pick up game. And when I say excelled I mean the exact opposite. But no worries, it was a mighty enjoyable time for all.

I’ve also begun a not-so-strict-but-still-pretty-important-walking-around-the-lake-at-Druid-Park-everyday-after-work-and-sometimes-on-Sundays regimen. That’s being followed pretty accurately. The best part of the walk is when it’s getting to be dusk and the fireflies come out and light up the ground surrounding the water. Round 2 happens in our backyard, when they appear as a form of a night light upon return to the house. What beautiful creatures.

Another great summer activity is the lightening of hair due to sun exposure. Or for those impatient or adventurous types, dye from a box. Unfortunately for me, my first attempt at creating new “blond” hair ended up to being more of a secret, not easily seen by those unaware of the change. Fortunately, I felt really inspired and tried again, this time being more strategic about placement and adding a few streaks on the top of my head. My only hope is that this didn’t screw up my chances to some day donate these locks of mine for love. We'll see.

Let's Play Dress Up

You know when an unexpected surge of inspiration and motivation hit you? This is what I do with mine. 2 blogs in one day, I'm on a roll!

After that last, heavier blog, I thought I'd share a little about how summer has been progressing for me. Even thought the Summer Equinox has yet to arrive, the fireflies are out, humidity is at it's highest along with the temperature, swimming is a top priority and ice cream/snow balls/anything cold is much appreciated. Summer is here in my book.

Festivals and fun events are popping up everywhere and the joy of sunshine and breezes are making my days bearable against the heat wave that never seems to leave, even if it pours. Despite the ever increasing thermometer, dressing up in costumes and gallivanting the streets has been a thrill for the past while. I want to share some pictures of what's been happening recently. Again, I will take suggestions of any new dress up ideas that anyone has, thank you. Also a reminder to those faithful patrons of my blog, some of these fabulous photos can be viewed on my other blog found here.

Here goes:

80s Dance Party, back from February, but still a great time! Aerobic Instructor.

Preakness Party at my BFF Anita's. Classy middle-aged woman.

'Tea Party' themed going away party for fellow DC volunteer. Mock Sarah Palin and pre-birth daughter Bristol.

In most recent dress up endeavors, HonFest. Leopard print, pink flamingos, bee hive hair dos', blue eye shadow, hot pink boas and the kitschiest weekend around!

Motto: "The higher the hair, the closer to God."

Have a great day, Hon.