May 24, 2014

Two weeks into summer and I couldn't feel better.

I've completed two weeks of my however long internship and I'm currently enjoying the second day of my four-day weekend!

I've been getting back into running, mostly when I get off work if I'm not exhausted. Working out on the weekends had proved to be a challenge, only because I can't force my body to get up before it wants to, which is coming close to 10am. I also am soaking up the sun during the day and spending time with my mom and sister in the evenings, among friends and what not.

As I mentioned in the blog post before this, one of my favorite things about summer is reading. And boy, have I been taking advantage of that. The first book I finished in a week was The Book Thief, and I highly recommend it. I don't want to ruin it for any future readers, but it was an interesting view into the Holocaust and death itself. Be prepared for tears.

The second book completed within this second week was The Fault in Our Stars, as I'm sure many of you are familiar with via Twitter and all the fangirls. But I must say, I've read all the other John Green books and he continues to do a great job. This book in particular made me sob uncontrollably, and to say the least, I'm glad I was in the room alone upon finishing the book. I can't decide if I'll see the movie yet, or if I just want the privilege of romanticizing the book alone.

And finally, as of this morning, I closed the book of Heaven is for Real. I'm not exactly sure what to say about this book. It was a fast and easy read, finished within less than 24 hours (yes, I'm bragging, if not only to myself, for the simple pleasure of reading). Over the years, I've questioned a lot about whether there is a God or not. An afterlife, eternity, all of the sorts. I think I have tricked myself into believing there isn't, for the mere fact that I can't wrap my ahead around it. But I often catch myself praying in times of need and thanking "whoever" when things are going exceptionally well in my life and the lives of those around me. So here I am, stuck, not knowing what I believe and thinking there is nothing up there, around there, or wherever.
Then I read this book about a boy who's encountered Heaven, and knows things about a place he's only vaguely been introduced to. To say the least, this book has restored my faith. Growing up Christian, and attending a private Christian school, I've been accustomed to it all, but after reading this book, it's really put it into prospective.
My mom has taught me to be kind and generous, in lieu with all the biblical teachings learnt in Sunday school and elementary school. I love people unconditionally, sometimes overwhelming to the other person, and I care for more people than I do myself. Being raised this way, I just thought that's why I become the person I am now. But I think now it's because there's something bigger and better in store for me, and I can only hope I can continue to graciously care for others and help those in need, to serve those watching over me.

I'l leave you with that, and I hope I didn't offend anyone in taking a different approach to this post.

If anything, I encourage anyone and everyone to read the above books, if not just one! They're all great.

It's funny, because I've read three books in two weeks and couldn't even finish two chapters of one book during a semester at school. Although, I've cried the same amount, if not more, over these intriguing books that I did during one semester of stressful schoolwork, drama, and crappy nights.

Cheers to more reading and I'm sure lots more tears!

xx

May 16, 2014

Happy summer! I know I could not be happier with this break from school. Although, it's not much of a summer off for me, as I am interning with General Dynamics on the Employee Relations team. I am so grateful for the opportunity and all that I am going to learn this summer!

The semester ended, although not extraordinarily. I did better than I expected, but it still wasn't up to my standards, but hey, what are ya gonna do? Also, I've been trying my hardest to come to terms with the fact that a number between 1 and 4 does not determine who I am as a person, whether it be as a employee, friend, or daughter. So, ha!

This semester is going to be a great time to reflect on the past year and help shape the future. Summer is my absolute favorite for a variety of reasons, and because I want to and because I can I am going to make a list of why I love it most of all.

1. I get to read. At school I am absorbed in power points, textbooks, and my sloppy handwritten notes that didn't quite catch all the information. But over the summer, I finally get to pick up a book that has idly been sitting on my desk all year at school. I have always loved to read for as long as I can remember. So when I come home for the summer, you can guarantee my nose will be in a book when I'm not working and every night before bed.

2. Late night runs. This past semester has taken a toll on me for the worst. I barely had time to work out, and when I did it sporadically and never became a routine. However, being home for the summer I can do my 3 mile run around the neighborhoods whether it be after 9pm when the weather cools down on the weekdays or in the dead heat of the day on Saturday or Sunday. I can't get enough of it.

3. Visits from the one and only(s). Also known as Sean Briggs, a friend that will never be anything less. It doesn't matter how long it's been since our last conversation or our last hang out, I can always count on Sean to stop by randomly, without notice, to say hello and catch up on each others lives. There's also the others, like Brandon, who has been a brother to me since middle school and a great friend (for the most part). He's literally like my other half and I hate him and I love him. Then there's Josh and his lack of tolerance for my bullshit. Gotta love him.

4. Backroads and country music. Since my dad moved out into the middle of nowhere (which is a lie because there's actually a good bit back there), I have loved nothing more than driving out to his house, going way to fast and listening to country music and soaking up the sunshine. There's few things better than that feeling that I wouldn't even be able to begin to explain. And finally,

5. Tanning. As much as I hate sweating, I love the intense feeling of the sun absorbing every inch of my body. That's really it, you gotta love the heat to get a great tan.


I hope you all have a great summer soaking up the sun and sharing a drink or two with those lifelong friends.

xx