2017 was an eventful summer if I do say so myself. This summer, I've done a lot of things for the first time such as paddleboarding, going to a beach party, and hanging out with friends at least twice a week, anymore than that I would've been exhausted. This summer was also the year I joined Odyssey, I wasn't sure if I'd have much to write about but my very first article here I believe was coming out as bisexual.

I remember how scared and nervous I was telling my mom and she ended up rejecting my feelings about it and said it was the wrong way to live. I gave it much thought but I am bisexual, it is a real thing and it's not just a phase. I am proud of myself because I now understand how I feel. This summer, I've also finished working with the Vindicator Hour, which was connected to the arts and culture magazine at Cleveland State. When I was working there with one of my friends, Liz, she taught me how to interview people and I know now that I should write two questions and the rest should be a follow-up question and/or make up questions along the way. She also taught me how to use the technical board and it was fairly easy to use, I thought that it would've been confusing but it wasn't. She didn't just teach me about how to conduct interviews and giving me advice about writing articles but she taught me how to be more social. She taught me that it's ok to hang out with myself and take care of my well being. She has shown me places around my neighborhood for a good place to take a walk and she showed me a juice and smoothie place, which I'm loving now. Liz has also introduced me to Barrio, which is a build-your-own-taco place.

I remember co-writing about a Lakewood article in the fall of '16 and Liz was one of those writers. I was excited to go to Lakewood to visit new places and I went to the park there and I can't stop visiting there when I can. There's something about Lakewood that I love, maybe it's the vibe or the kind people I've met along the way. It's like a second home to me, especially at the Root cafe. I don't drink much coffee but I love the brown sugar cardamom steamer, which is interesting cause I've never heard of cardamom before.

I would also briefly speak to the guests at the radio station and that helped me open up a little bit. I'm usually quiet but I'm trying to stay out of my comfort zone and socialize with people.

Also, I have written down a checklist for the summer but haven't done much of it, but checked off at least one thing. I have watched television series and reading books more than I've gone outside. I've also kept track of the shows and books I've finished.

Although I've stayed in like a couch potato to watch movies and read, I was also on vacation. It was a road trip with my parents. We went to Texas to hang out with my relatives, one of my cousin, Jenny has shown me places to hang out and to drink bubble tea. I'm jealous because it is really good over there and the place isn't here in Ohio. I also went to Missouri, although it was brief, I went to see the Gateway Arch and oh my, was it huge. It was beautiful but the tickets were sold out so I couldn't go up the arch. I also went to Mississippi and stayed at a casino and hotel, it was next to the beach and the sunset and sunrise was beautiful. Even though I wasn't able to go into the casino, my mother and I went to eat at the buffet and the food was well cooked and the meat was juicy. We went to New Orleans as well and went to the French Quarter. The cost for parking was insane and if you wanted to pay for a space in the parking lot, you had to use an app, talk about being tech savvy.

School is approaching and I can honestly say I'm in a good mindset to prepare for studying and taking notes. I guess you could say I'm excited to go back to campus.

This summer, I've learned a lot about myself, what I like and dislike, what my limits are and there's nothing I can't do. Yes, I've had many emotions from being empty to feeling powerful but being able to understand them and what I should do about it, has taught me what I can do better.