Know what? I enjoyed the summer. It was an improvement considering the last year or so. Last summer, I was working, and was generally at a low.

I did some cool, exciting stuff, as well as some simply nice, little things…
- Concerts (the Dead Weather, and the Decemberists)
- Anniversary and a wedding (ah, family gatherings. Relatives are awesome.)
- Yard sale
- Watched Harry Potter 6
- Hiked
- Took drumming lessons
- got new clothes

WENT OUTSIDE: I did not realize how beneficial being outside could be, that is, taking strolls and sitting outside every day. It really makes a difference. No cabin fever, and it’s plain relaxing. It’s great to be in such surroundings, in touch with the “real” environment – not a computer, not a TV, or movie or anything. I like it ‘cause it’s basically a brand new place for me. Have not explored my neighbourhood since I was little! Believe me, it really changed my mood, and is probably the most significant thing that has happened in this summer, bizarrely enough.

RADIOHEAD: It’s a bit silly that a band can have such an impact on me, but they really did. Their music is nothing I’ve ever experienced, and taught me more about how to craft a song. Also, they have absolutely marked this time of year, made a soundtrack to it. Their music was playing from April and on, with me blasting “Fake Plastic Trees,” or with me falling into a half-sleep on my couch in the afternoon while In Rainbows was playing. It stayed with me until now, where I listen to The Bends, and Pablo Honey while taking walks and sitting outside.

Not only was their music riveting, but the band itself, as people, taught me things. That’s an exceptional aspect to a band, when they can do that to their listeners. In interviews with them, documentaries, and all that, they reveal their beliefs towards music and the music industry, and I was like, “Wow, I have never seen it from this perspective before, and I agree.” Thom Yorke is my new muse!

ROOM MAKEOVERS: Well, not exactly makeovers, more than re-arranging. I did my room in May or something, and it’s just become inviting to my creative juices. Have an art desk, organized storage, and a tidier space in general. This past week I did the sitting room, and let me tell you, it is amazing how different it feels when all I really did was move the couch. Way more spacious, and I actually want to spend time in there for it. Having a nice place is important, you know? I spend so much time indoors, it has to be put me in a good mood, or at least not annoy me with it’s disorganization.

READING: I have never read so much ever! I’ve always liked books, but I’d read them so sporadically. I read 14 books this summer, finished the Austen ones, read some classics, a couple light ones, and some serious award-winning work. All very enlightening, and I feel a little more like a well-rounded reader. Man, 14 books. I was so diligent.

GOALS
At the beginning of the spring, I had some objectives for the 4 months of freedom. Artistically, I wanted to have songs written, more sketches done, and my story nearly done. I wanted to be able to rough solos on the guitar. I wanted also wanted get out there and volunteer or something. I imagined myself being like a true artist, working on a piece of artwork for hours in a single day. I brushed these things. The goals I had in mind were not achieved so much as I had hoped.

I am not disappointed in myself though! What I imagined turned out to be rather unrealistic. I needed to do other stuff in my day, even if it was just sitting around, talking to my sister. I’m okay with what I did. Plus, songwriting is HARD, man. And sketches take a LONG time!

If there’s anything I’m let down by, I guess it would be that I didn’t really volunteer anywhere, considering the lack of a job. Earlier in the summer, I’d check for local events in the newspaper and online, and look for volunteering opportunities. Then I just wouldn’t follow up on them. Oh well, I was satisfied overall with what I did with the summer.

I’ll miss these days of nothingness. Having no real responsibilities like work or school is liberating. Uh huh, it’s able to get boring, and fosters laziness at times, yet for me it wasn’t like that so much. Having nothing important to do let me undertake what I *really* wanted. I wanted to write, play guitar, read read read, sketch, sit in my lawn etc. Every day. And I had that for a while.

There will still be the opportunity to do this while the school is happening, but not in such a… pure way? Like, in the summer, I didn’t have to worry about anything whatsoever. I wasn’t reading, as was like, “Okay, later I have to work on this essay…” Nothing else was on my mind is what I’m saying. For that reason, I’ll miss the summer.

Gotta get on with life, though. Here I come, 4th year! Hopefully, I can juggle everything -- I still wanna work my creative juices outside of school, but also you know, do well in school, ha. As much as I am eager to start the year though... Summer 2009, I shall miss you! We were good buddies.

Another change is coming though... I can really feel it this time, and it's exciting.