Lake Geneva Vacation Recap!

Over the July 4th week and weekend I took a trip out with my boyfriend and some of his family to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin! Now you're probably thinking Wisconsin.... what's there? Why go there? I was thinking the same thing! Until Eric convinced me with all the activities we had planned and who was going to be there. It was mostly his cousins who are a little older than us and who are a bunch of fun!! I met and hung out with them all over Christmas break and we had a blast!

Now road trips and I don't get along. I absolute despise long car rides! Anything over 3 hours? No thank you!! Plane tickets were over $500 and since we had 5 people to ride with I decided it would not be too bad. The ride was about 14 hours and honestly it was not THAT bad. I was so relieved!

Most of it looked like this though.. pretty boring!

 Driving through Chicago...

To get to this beautiful place!!! Man I loved it there. So peaceful and relaxing. The temperatures were in the records at that time... hitting almost 105 degrees!!! The water was definitely my place of choice.

Me and the babes!

One of the first days we went tubing! I haven't done this in probably 10 years!

Did I mention how beautiful this place was?!

We went out on a night adventure to Summerfest in Milwaukee! It was nice and cool near the lake!

 Yummm! It was fun seeing live artists and walking around. We also had delicious food!

We went wake boarding one of the days and let me just say that water sports are not my calling!! I was really good at the getting up and holding on part, but terrible at balancing myself. I would always lean too far back or forward. It was a blast though and that's all that matters! And, it looked like I had a good time ;)

Looking like a champ here even though that definitely wasn't the case ;)

There were some SICK houses on the lake! My new dream is to buy a lake house when I am rich ;)

This is supposed to be a replica of Jefferson's house, BUT even BIGGER!!! I wonder what these people do with them...

Look at this place!!!!!!!!!

Some of the houses weren't as big and were just absolutely gorgeous! I loved all of the landscaping and just want to move there and sit in the sun for eternity! Ah how I wish I could go back!

It was a great vacation! It was kinda quick, but we got to spend a lot of time outside doing activities and eating away!! I definitely need to spend more time on lakes around the world!



Spring

People are everywhere.

Showing off their arms and legs, wearing the smiles they've harbored all winter long.

Sitting on the grass, drinking lemonade, letting their laughter hit the city's old buildings and bounce back onto the streets.

The mango vendors are setting up their stands while scarves are being folded and placed on the top shelf.

Beers are pushing aside the red wine bottles, getting ready to hit center stage at every rooftop party.

Daylight stretches out, bringing possibility with it. 

Love watches from between the clouds, waiting to gush into all the open hearts walking around.

Spring is just around the corner. I can't wait.

Summer

Summer crept into New York City this week- hot, muggy, humid city summer. It burst into my apartment when I opened the window in the morning, it found its way under my shirt as I walked around, and it manhandled my hair throughout the day. And how I loved it! How precious skin looks to me now, after so many months of nothing but noses and fingertips being exposed. The sudden freedom of flip-flops instead of heavy boots, the lightness of shorts instead of tights and pants, the comfort of sweat instead of frostbite; all these are things I am able to appreciate now.

And it seems so clear why summer births romances. Of course it does! There are people outside, sitting on steps, having ice-cream, watching each other, aware of all this sudden skin and heat and desire. Bodies are warm, and so are hearts, and everyone knows it. There will be outdoor movies, concerts in the parks, a full farmer's market, streets crowded with tourists, and people everywhere.

I've always felt winter makes me older; less enthusiastic and more guarded. Summer, on the other hand, seems to bring out my youth and encourage my openness. It's easier to talk to people, it's more fun to walk around, it's full of mischief and leisure. I am reminded of the day before I went on summer vacation at the end of 8th grade, when a girl in my class remarked, "See you in a few months, when we will be changed!" I asked her what she meant, and she said, rather effortlessly, "People change over the summer." I never forgot that, as I saw it establish itself as a truth in my life every year. Every summer has always brought new things into my life, and a new part of myself comes forth.

Yes, summer is here, a new season, a new opportunity to grow. It is warmer, the air is buzzing with desire, and I am lighter. Lighter, but also excited and alive. My passion for life oozes out of me (this is, by far, my favorite euphemism for sweat, feel free to steal it), and I feel ready for anything and everything.

Here we go, summer. I can't wait to see myself in a few months...