Summer.

The last few days of warmth (it snowed last week!) have finally convinced me that it’s summer. It’s been a long time since I’ve allowed myself to have this realization—I’m generally so busy and so far away from home that the season barely registers. And in theory, this summer shouldn’t be much different—ten graded credits and two audit credits have the potential to keep me indoors for the next month or so. But now that it’s warm, I’m not so sure I’ll let them. Instead of reading Sophocles’ three Theban plays this week I went on a date with a longtime friend for Korean food, watched my little brother win summer league basketball games, had a barbecue and fire pit outside with some fantastic اصحاب من درسي العربي, helped to plan an “Amazing Race” day date for my brother’s senior ball date, went swimming yesterday morning, and hung out in my swimsuit as I ate watermelon and let my hair dry curly.

There’s just one thing I crave that I can’t let myself have. This is usually the time I dye my hair pink, but that can’t happen this time around because I’ll be a missionary in just about two months. It still doesn’t feel real, even as I send in my visa application (I look like an angry alien in my I’m-not-even-thinking-about-smiling-I-promise-Kim-Jong-Il picture), learn honorific particles of address from Rosetta Stone Korean, and start thinking about going through Preach My Gospel again. I really should be doing more preparation, but between school and summer it’s really hard to focus. I'll get it under control...after all my homework, some frozen yogurt, and maybe an America's Next Top Model marathon. :-)