Who Killed Summer?

Written on August 22, 2009. Posted in School, Summer. 8 Comments.

No. I mean it this time. Who killed my summer vacation? A month ago, even two weeks ago, my vacation was healthy- thriving, even. It looked as though it could survive for a long time yet- the days stretched out ahead with no visible end. I have come to only one plausible cause for the demise of my break: Someone murdered summer. After all, there’s no possible way that something as wonderful as summer could have dropped dead of its own accord.

Really, though. I can’t believe summer’s nearly gone. I can’t believe that on Monday, I have to go back to school. And sure, it’s my last year of high school- but who in their right mind would want to trade away days of freedom and waking up when you please for days of being confined in a classroom and being forced to wake up at 5:30? Usually, me. I’m ordinarily quite ready for school to begin- ready to see my friends and favorite teachers, and even ready to face the hours of homework every night. But this year, I don’t. And I’m really not sure what’s wrong with me.

Maybe it’s the fact that this year’s break has been smaller than most. Summer vacation this year lasted two short months; ordinarily, we’d have an extra two weeks or so. There’s also the small fact that this year, I’m being forced to share the same school with my insane younger sister- which hasn’t happened since I was about 8. But I suspect that my problem is not that I don’t want to go back to school, but that I don’t want this year to end. It seems a bit premature, wanting my senior year to continue before it even begins, but I’ve barely begun my college application process, and I still haven’t the slightest clue about what I plan on doing for a living. The fact that I’ve let it go this far without much serious thought just shows how far behind I am (or how far behind I feel that I am- I suppose there’s a difference between my perceived situation and my actual situation). My vanishing summer is just another opportunity to get caught up on colleges that I should have taken- but didn’t. And quite honestly, that makes me feel like poo.

Ah, well. I suppose I am looking forward to seeing my friends on a daily basis again, and my favorite teachers (I hadn’t realized quite how much I’ve missed my teachers until I came back to help them for an NHS project yesterday. I’ve gotten really close to a few of my teachers in particular over the years- anyone else feel this way?). I also somewhat grudgingly look forward to learning, and even though I know I’ll have some homework to go along with my classes, I’m grateful that there’s almost no possible way that my workload can be equal to that of last semester. And, as usual, l look forward to fueling my Peach Snapple addiction before class every day. (Yes, I have a peach iced tea addiction. Don’t judge me please.)

Well, that’s my take on the loss of my summer vacation- I’m torn between excitement and dread. (My sister, for her part, is thrilled. Not that I blame her for being happy about escaping the hell-hole that is middle school.) But whether I like it or not, school starts in two days. Hello, Senior Year. Nice to meet you.

Favorite Songs: Summer 2009

Written on August 17, 2009. Posted in Lists. 6 Comments.

Most of you have probably figured out by now that I’m a bit of a music nerd. (Heck, it’s written on my sidebar.) Here are a few of my favorite songs from this summer- they’re all highly recommended, of course. (The link points to a Youtube video corresponding to each song for your listening convenience.) Enjoy!

• Keane- The Lovers are Losing
  Keane is one of my favorite bands, and it will makes me sad that so (relatively) few people have heard of them. And, if they have heard of them, they’ve heard “Somewhere only We Know” or “Everybody’s Changing” (not that those are bad songs) and that’s all. There’s so much more to this band… anyway, this song’s off of their latest album, Perfect Symmetry- something I’d never have known about if not for iTunes.
• Keane- Again and Again
  Another Keane song, another from the same album. I just couldn’t help myself, sorry. =) It’s got the same sort of feel to it as the aforementioned song, with an upbeat tempo and 80’s style effects.
• Carolina Liar- Show me what I’m Looking For
  I would imagine that some of you guys have heard this one before- it’s been featured on a lot of commercials lately, including the Time Traveler’s Wife (I’ve got to read the book still- I hear it’s good, but has a sad ending…) I love the instrumentation for this, as well as the overall energy and feel of it. I need to look them up on iTunes when I get more money and see if they’ve got any other good songs as well- though I think they’d have difficulty surpassing this one.
• Santana/Michelle Branch- The Game of Love
  This song is so upbeat and warm- it reminds me of summer. I’m not crazy about the video (or the videos of any of these, really), but I love the guitar in this (it’s half the point of the song, it seems) and the lyrics. You’ve probably heard this one too, but if you haven’t- listen to it!

Well, there you have it- a few of my music picks for this summer. What do you think? And please, someone please tell me that they’ve heard of Keane. Please. You will make my day.