Nothing makes me more depressed than how quickly this summer has flown by. No more freedom, sleeping in, and filling my days with quite literally, WHATEVER I WANT.
But at the same time, the beginning of this summer feels like forever ago. It seems like I've packed years of wonderful memories and experiences into the last few months, so much so that I can hardly ever remember it all. Either way, I might as well try. The very first day (or half day) of summer was spent running from class and straight to Pho. The rest of that week was starbucks study sessions with Fran, lots of Austin Public Library (APL aka MY FAVORITE PLACE EVER) visits, and subject test practice tests. My first Saturday of the summer, and last day in Austin for a long while, was packed. Subject tests, packing, Schlitterbahn, boba runs and Mount Bonnell, then long awaited sleep before waking up at the crack of dawn for five weeks in Dallas. Dallas. Home away from home, Dallas was amazing. I could not be luckier with the group of 5 I was destined to spend every morning, meal, evening, and weekend with. I got placed in a warm, welcoming, and fun lab (the Lumata Lab) that made me love and miss even the most tedious of days. Days that were spent not in the lab but in front of a (really tall) computer processing data. I'm so grateful for the shell-filled, seafoody, messy, dinner idea schemes to combat pickiness. Grateful for 1 am ping pong and always losing to Chris at pool even when I really should've won. Grateful for playing chicken in the pool where girls were lifting really heavy guys, the deep conversations, and especially the trust among us all. I've never gone to a gym more in my life. I have so many favorite moments but among them are a few I never want to forget. To my partner in crime Serena, thank you for the late nights (do you sense a trend of how there are a LOT of late nights haha) of unloading and being able to talk at a level of unfiltered I have never before experienced. Some of the best nights were spent curled up on one of our beds, snacks scattered everywhere, and just talking (or crying). To Chris, I struck lucky with you as my grad. That last night of the program you were there for me when I felt so alone. Maybe it was the day of rain, how individually-occupied everyone was, or how stressed and focused I was on my presentation, but spending that evening in lab and presenting to you over and over and over helped me regain my footing. You probably think I'm the weirdest high schooler in the world but that's okay. I still remember when Dr.P asked you if you wanted kids and you looked at me and said, not after meeting this one. You hate it when I mention this but thanks for validating, and recognizing, that I had put down a lot of roots at that place. Back in Austin. A failed driver's test, so (SO) many bubble tea runs, and finally settling back into home. I'd like to think I'll never forget any of my campers, and George B., you made me so tired and so happy at the same time. Of course, I'm sad I didn't get to go to Camp CAMP as per my annual tradition but my week with Camp in Motion was pretty great too. Volunteering with special needs always makes my heart so warm and I always miss my campers so much afterwards haha. Next, I passed my drivers test! It was a miracle I know, but I had to drive an hour to and from the DPS so I was so grateful to not make that trek again. My car has become my safe haven and I love sitting in it and feeling so at peace and shielded when everything else becomes too much to handle. I really want to name it, thoughts? No gender preference right now although I'm not sure how I feel about giving my car a gender. Perhaps a gender neutral name is best? After camp and getting my license I was a free birdie. Experienced some top quality Austin eats. I can now confidently say Tea Haus is my favorite bubble tea shop in Austin (Sweet Hut Cafe and Bakery is still my all time favorite) for their bubble tea and to-die-for fried chicken and Snooze AM Eatery has such good brunch. Try it out!! The end of my summer was beautifully tied together with a trip to Florida! Definitely the best planned and most relaxing trip I've gone on. We did so much without packing our days full and I saw some incredible things. The run down: day one was traveling to Palm beach, second day was visiting the Everglades and MacArthur state park, third day was kayaking to Peanut Island and snorkeling, fourth day was snorkeling at "coral reefs" and driving to Orlando, and the fifth day was traveling home. More specifically, day two was also two bubble tea runs in one day and really expensive $10 ice cream. The store did focus on making everything homemade and you could definitely taste how "real" the flavors were so it was still really good :) Day three was a very very exhausting kayaking experience. My cousin who is the same age as me came with us and the two of us were stuck in a kayak for a very long time trying to navigate the very calm and very shallow waters off the West Palm Beach coast. It took so long to figure out we were supposed to row in sync. We definitely got stuck on some rocks, hit a couple of boats, and landed on the wrong shore many times. Overall though, it was very fun :). Now, snorkeling. Snorkeling at Peanut Island was a sight to see. However, the "coral reefs" of day 3 looked a lot like sunken shopping carts and random pieces of wood. Probably because, it was. The waters were murkier than the first day, but wow. Every time you dunk your head underwater it genuinely feels like a whole other world. Back in Austin once more and days until school starts. Overall, thank you summer of '18. Thank you to the new people who came and maybe left in my life. You truly are a summer to remember. It's so simple it's dumb. Three ingredients, gluten free, dairy free. It's like eating a tree but in the form of a dessert. Btw, I had a wild time photographing these brownies. Food photography is so much fun haha. Ingredients: 3 bananas 3 tbsp cocoa powder 1/2 cup peanut butter Instructions: YUM. I love these muffins for breakfast. They aren't too sweet, perfect for a rushed morning, and they actually taste really good considering how healthy the ingredients in them are.
The best part, they take 5 minutes to make. Ingredients: 2 Bananas 3 Cups Oats 1 Cup Almond milk 2 Eggs Blueberries Almonds (optional) 1/2 Tsp Baking powder 1 Tsp Baking Soda Combine all of the ingredients but the blueberries and almonds in a food processor and process until your batter is completely smooth and lump-free. Stir in the blueberries and almonds and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Enjoy your muffins :) |
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June 2020
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