A Hike is Worth a 1000 Words

Saturday I had the day off but that definitely did not mean I got to sleep in. After setting my alarm for 7:30 am I drifted off to a short but pleasant sleep while watching Paris Je T'aime. Dad and I grabbed Starbucks before heading over to the Haley's to meet up with the rest of our happy hikers. After an intertaining 2 1/2 hour car ride out to Leavenworth, the 4 Haleys, 3 Evans, Brian, Sara, and Adrian commenced one epic day hike up Mt. Stuart. Andrew made delicious sandwiches and pleasant conversation was fluid as we ascended some 3500 ft. The final destination was simply stunning--an alpine lake surrounded by the largest open face of granite in the lower 48 states. Everyone took a dip in (time actually spent in the water varied) the lake and I myself was launched in by Andrew and Aidan. Once I was in the air there was absolutely no turning back. The frigid water definitely rehydrated and cooled me off after a long couple of hours of hiking. We re cooperated up at the lake for an hour or so and began the descent back down to the trailhead. After all meeting up back at the cars we made our way to the Heidleburger to regenerate the lost calories from the hike :) I cannot remember a time where I wanted to consumer a milkshake more than anything...but due to my lovely lactose problem of late, that desire was quickly squelched. After dinner, the "kids" aka under 30s of the group decided on a whim to try out a mini golf course across the street. 18 holes later, Andrew came out victorious however I was a mere 8 strokes behind him! We finally left Leavenworth a little after 10pm and were all sunkissed and misquito bitten on the way home. Car games and music kept us all awake and Andrew and I enjoyed a brief but much needed night's sleep at the Forier's. Sunday afternoon Lauren and I finally enjoyed our first tubing session together of the whole summer! I think this was a record in late starts for tubing. Less than 4 years ago we were chomping at the bit to get the boat in and tube attached in May...how times can quickly change. I went for a quick run before working Sunday evening. I was pleasantly surprised by a short shift! I was able to make it home in time for Sunday Dinner with Jan and Cathy (something I haven't attended for several weeks on account of work :/) which was a nice way to end the weekend.

Today, I babysat in the morning then went straight to work until 4pm. After work I met up with Lauren and Linds and we laid out and enjoyed the incredible weather down by the lake. Dad and I had a late dinner followed by a relaxing evening. I have another early morning tomorrow--I honestly can say I do not remember the last time I slept in was...not okay considering the way summer tends to go for me but oh well! Preparation for my early lab this fall every Tuesday I suppose.

As I was driving home from work Sunday evening I came across a quote on a bulletin board of a business near by my house. "Listen and silent have the same letters." I found this to be a very curious observation. While it typically takes one to be silent to listen, I had to slightly disagree with this quote. One does not always have to be silent to listen--isn't there such thing as "active listening?" I find myself never truly being silent but instead formulating thoughts and ideas based on what I hear in conversation. While someone may externally appear to be silent, I believe listening is not defined by silence...just a thought I wanted to share :)

In summer, the song sings itself

Last night I was spoiled enough to be taken out to dinner by one of my best guy friends, Connor. After a long day of playing "Cinderella" at work I was exhausted. I buzzed over to Megan's house for a couple of hours...it was a gorgeous day so we soaked up some rays :) Meg and I paddle boarded around American Lake for some time, catching up and enjoying one another's company as usual. I got to catch up a little more with Lauren--there was so much she hadn't known about from the Fall when she was abroad--but more catch up is definitely in order. After that I managed a quick but satisfying Kickboxing workout before getting all spiffed up for my dinner date! Connor took me to the Lobster Shop down on Ruston Way. We had a late dinner and attempted to fill one another in about the last two weeks or so. Both of us have been super busy this summer so our Ruston date was long overdue. We watched the sun set as we finished our delicious meals (Halibut topped with fresh King Crab and a super delicious Mexican Shrimp Cocktail!) and then we went for coffee at Bertillino's in order to continue our conversation that really could have been never ending. Overall, an amazing summer day and I am looking forward to cramming in as many of those days as possible in the next 7 weeks.

Summer is where the girls go barefoot and their hearts are just as free as their toes.

The summer night is like a perfection of thought. -Wallace Stevens

Almost a Month Later...

Apparently summer has captivated me in ways that had been unimaginable to me a mere month ago. Time has flown, as it always seems to do, and I sure have been having a lot of fun. From a spontaneous outing with friends up to a Mariner's game, to days spent lounging by and in the lake, to a quick jaunt up to Seattle to spend some time watching the World Cup final and go boating with friends from school, I have been full speed ahead for some time now. While a lot of this summer has been centered around the "play" aspect, work has definitely come to the foreground more recently. Last week I started nannying for an almost 1 year old. He is absolutely adorable and I get to spend one more week with him. We have fallen into routine--eat, sleep, walk, and play. On top of morning/afternoon sitting (in three days I clocked in 24 hours of baby time!) I have been hosting at Red Robin as well. Lets just say I miss Starbucks...a lot. I have had several rough days at the "home of the smiling burger" and continuously remind myself that I am refinancing my upcoming year and am home for only two more months. However, I have never felt incompetent and idle as I do at this job so we will see what happens in the weeks to come.

Mom left for Africa last Sunday and will not be back home again until after our little family reunion in Bethany Beach in August! She will have left our nest for a total of 5 weeks before returning back filled with amazing memories and experiences I am eager to hear her share. Aunt Ann is with her as well so I am 100% sure we will not miss any important details in their recounting of their trip come mid-August. Speaking of trips, CASEY COMES IN 13 DAYS and MARIAH COMES IN 20 DAYS!!! I cannot wait for the two of them to be here and to show them home :)

I am sure I'm not the only one of my high school friends who feels this way but this first summer back is definitely a transition. There is no longer that ease or expectation of hanging out every day and knowing what everyone is up to. While I feel like it has been nice to get away from a lot of that unnecessary involvement in some people's lives it is also rather isolating--a feeling that has never been present when I have been home. I guess this is a sentiment of growing up and having "split homes" now and various worlds that make up my own. As one of my all time favorite movies says, "Seasons may changeWinter to Spring"--I guess what I have always taken from this is that time is inevitable and constantly melts and falls around us but there are some things, like love and friends, that never change simply because they are deeply rooted within us.