I think my word for the summer has been "small". Since Terri did a recap of her summer, I thought it would be fun to do it as well. Not that summer is over. I am thrilled that it is only August 2nd! But tomorrow I am moving into my apartment, and that begins a whole series of things that need to be done, so in a way my blissful having nothing to do is over. If it was ever even there.

Wow, I don't even know where to begin with this summer. I guess it started in May, and what followed was three weeks in which I spent pretty much just with my family. Barbara still lived down the street, so we saw a lot of her, and often had nights where I would cook and be like "invite Barbara! Invite Barbara". Or for icecream. Or to watch a movie.

I was also preparing and freaking out about my trip to Costa Rica. Working briefly. Attending counseling and feeling very empowered. It was a very empowering summer.

Then Costa Rica. Beautiful amazing Costa Rica. My mother never fails to bring up me being robbed when she tells people I went there, but I wish she would associate it with the so many better memories I had. Yes, I was robbed, but I learned so much from it. And feel so much less naive about the world. I needed that, in a way. But I also felt like I was helping others, doing something I had been called (in a way) to do. I loved the students I worked with, loved their enthusiasm. I also made an amazing friend, which gave me the confidence to go into other situations in which I don't know anyone.

I felt very close to God on that trip, and for the first time in my life, completely let go of my concerns and followed where life led me.

It has been more challenging to do that now that I am back. Especially now that I am back from vacation. In Costa Rica there wasn't as much that needed to be done...but really...there isn't here.

Life is a journey. It's not something I just want to get through. It's something I want to enjoy.

I felt also, for one of the first times, that if I died, I would die without regrets. I feel like I'm made the most of what life has given me. I mean, there would be somethings I wish I had gotten to experience.

The almost three weeks we spent visiting family was...I don't really have just one word for it. I spent more time with Kristin, and enjoyed it. I feel like I was unnecessarily snappy on the trip, and didn't take the time to spread my arms and feel the wind. Mostly, we were never in one place long enough to become accustomed to it. So it passed quickly.

But I love my family. I love seeing them...for those few days each year.

Maybe I will go to grad school closer to them.

I did read a lot.  And write.

I am almost done with a short story about my time in Costa Rica, called "Small Seeds". I started out writing it as fiction, and found that it was all true.

I want to end this entry with a story of some sort. My Pap, Nana, Kristin, Dad, and Mom were driving somewhere in Pittsburgh. I handed my Pap his seat belt, and he said "no thanks, I'd rather see the Lord."

Small story.