This summer, I have been trying to keep in mind that for me
this season is about people and places rather than working or money. I easily find myself working extra hours,
doing nothing out of the ordinary on my off times, and avoiding the thoughts
about my return home to an “adult” life that first in a box and follows the
whatever-step-plan to the usual life.
Granted, I was totally blindsided by the realization that an adult job
is not a bad thing and that making 1/3 of what I was making at home as
significant influence (or at least, SHOULD) on my spending habits. I have learned that a routine, my routine,
was important to me. Having friends
around, studying jiu-jitsu…. These made it feel like home.
On the flip side-
When I signed up for this island, I thought it was simply a
goal I held inside as a leftover from college.
Not like a “last fling” because I didn’t plan on giving up doing fun
things, but I didn’t expect the other things that I have learned from this
summer. And these new things have
resulted in two fun, and rather odd goals, that kind of snuck up on me but have
been building for a while.
2 2) I have a desire to have a house where learning
is loved, where the dining room table is open to an abundance of friends and
acquaintances of varied backgrounds, and where hospitality, based in the love
of Christ, and encouraging and learning from others are dominant features.
So, in conclusion, this island has helped me to further
refine the balance of being an adult while still enjoying the life that God has
blessed me with. YOLO, but with a
striving to make the most of each day, not YOLO to do stupid things. It is ok to have adventuring feet, and it is
also ok to be an adult.
Things I have done since I posted last:
Chillin’ with Hugh (the Jamaican houseman from the Lake View
Hotel) while 300 feet up in the air. AKA parasailing.
Took a trip to Traverse City, where I did the following:
camping, hiking, looking out of Old Mission Point Peninsula Lighthouse, wading
in Lake Michigan, a sail on the Manitou (an old time sailing vessel, see goal
#1), walking downtown a bit, found a painting I want to buy that only cost
$5900, getting as much fresh fruit as I had cash left, and going to a booksale
at the local library.
Went on a porter jam with some of my coworkers. This is an event where you bike around the
island (all 8 miles of it) and at each mile you stop and have a beer or a shot
or drink. In my case, you drink some
Squirt and snack on your brownie. It was
a lot of fun and ended by sitting in a tree, the guys peeing out of the tree
and trying not to hit our bikes (I was the only girl there), and sharing a beer
with a random guy who passed. Good
times.
Hung out with my pal Misti who came up and visited. Side note: we sold her bike! She had been
trying to sell it for quite some time, but apparently I had just the touch:)
I learned that I am actually introverted, not extroverted,
which explains a few things!
I went to Taquamenon Falls with my friend Brian. We hiked 8 miles. No one died.
Drove down to Ohio to celebrate the marriage of two precious
friends, Nigel and Karen Ewan. During
the weekend, I got to chill with my friends, ride my roomie’s motorcycle, watch
an outdoor play with Kelli and Connor, and go to an EDM club (electronic dance
music) where I dodged getting beer spilled on my by nearby dancers and did the
chicken dance in the strobe lights. And
went to taco bell (that deserves its own sentence)
NEXT WEEK MY FAM IS VISITING!!!!!
Weather: It was summer here for almost 2 whole weeks! I realized I lived on an island and should
therefore spend more time in the water.
One day, when I was complaining about the weather, I realized it was…. Wait
for it…. 85 degrees. Yesterday, I wore
my winter hat. Did I tell you I like
this island?
I went on a hayride with my coworkers. We waved at everyone.
I attended a vintage baseball game. And ate Cracker Jacks.
Hammocked on the side of a steep hill. Kinda felt like I was
on a cliff. It was spitting rain. A kid thought I was a hanglider.
