Reflections on Summer 2011

This past summer was by far one of the best and most challenging that I can remember in a very long time. At the beginning of the summer, I had a few mental goals of tasks that I wanted to accomplish, none of which I think were completed. Instead, here's what the past few months entailed:

1. Falling in love with the Hebrew language and Israel.
2. Thoroughly enjoying time spent with my four parents and four siblings. "Family are people you go the distance with."
3. Seeing more movies than I can count (although I'm unsure of whether it's more than I saw the summer of 2008).
4. Not picking up my digital camera nearly as often as I should have but instead documenting life with my iPhone.
5. Having some heated arguments with God. He always wins.
6. Wearing sandals with a slight heel for the first time in a long time ( my orthopedic doctor wouldn't like this).
7. Struggling through difficult parts of Exodus and Leviticus. 
8. Being fascinated by the accessory section at Forever 21.
9. Going deep every Wednesday morning with some of the sweetest women at my church.
10. Allowing myself not to be defined by my job title.
11. Risking nail polish colors.
12. Going with Lauren to her first "official" concert.
13. Visiting the Garment District for the first time ever and having the best gyro at Santee Fallafel.
14. Listening to the Friday song on a weekly basis.
15. Anticipating the 2012 presidential election.
16. Vacation = ARC Conference in San Diego which is the equivalent to a family reunion.
17. Saw the 4th of July parade for the first time since I was a little girl.
18. Went to the food truck fair several times.
19. Found a photo booth with Wendy and worked continuously all summer at mastering goofy self portrait photos!
20. Woke up several times in the middle of the night to pray.
21. Told everyone I know to buy The Blackberry Bush.
22. Tried out several new restaurants and enjoyed Yogurtland more times than I can count.
23. Delighted at being present at little sister Rebekah's baptism at the church picnic/baptisms.
24. Was sad that Kaila moved to Iowa but happy to celebrate that she accepted her first teaching call.
25. Watched too many YouTube videos.
26. Unintentionally killed a hydrangea. 
27. Finally started wearing a watch again.
28. Managed not to get a summer cold.
29. Slept in during the middle of the week.
30. Watching the opera several times on the big screen with Mark.

I savor every moment of summer. I look forward to it with the same anticipation that I did as a child. Even more exciting is that it collides with my other favorite season, fall, and with that comes many more opportunities for new memories and experiences.