Summer = Rest?

Summer = Rest?

Sometimes it feels as if we need a vacation... from our vacation.

Christian Carey
Christian Carey May 20, 2019
534
views

Ah summer: Popsicles and sun burns, mixed with fresh-squeezed lemonade that local kids are pandering to make enough money for Roman candles and Black Cats. The crack of the bat can be heard among the simmering charcoal grills and Troy-bilts humming through the ever-lasting sun. School is out and children are wild. It's a paradise.

Or is it?

But after countless sports camps and tournaments, other camps, vacations, school (?) events, traveling teams, VBS, summer seems to have been sucked fun-free.

Maybe it's Hollywood and Harper Lee's fault for giving us this utopian view of what summer should look and feel like (I'm looking at you Sandlot). But how can we really rest this summer? Because everyone needs some actual rest, even adults.

First thing is do NOT pack your summer full. Say no to some things. Coaches and Families can expect too much and it's okay to say no to them. You have to. There is no time for kids to be kids anymore.

Work can take a backseat. Vacations need to be taken. Families need to reconnect.

And for all my super-scheduled people out there, please PLEASE don't schedule out your vacation. Just enjoy it.

Another bit of advice would be to put away the technology and spend some time outside. When was the last time you tried to catch lightning bugs? Or went for a swim? Or listened to birds on your front porch?

I may sound like I have an old soul, but I really feel like we have lost this connection to the outside world. Summer is all about getting a farmer's tan and getting stung once or twice. I can guarantee you that's some of the best therapy in the world.

Maybe this sounds all over the place. Maybe this sounds like me ranting. And it probably is.

But I'm telling you that this stuff matters. Don't let summer whiz by and you arrive in August more drained that you were in May. Enjoy this time with family and friends.

Christian Carey
Christian Carey May 20, 2019
At Oklahoma State

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My Boyfriend Is My Best Friend And That's OK

You have to be friends before lovers.
Jennifer Barron
Jennifer Barron Mar 28, 2016
300914
views

A lot of people will raise hell about significant others doing almost everything together. That used to be normal, right? But so was chivalry. A lot of things have changed over the years, and norms are no longer cool. But one thing will never change in my opinion is that your significant other should also be your best friend.

Why? Let's define "best friend," according to Urban Dictionary,

"Best Friends are very special people in your life. They are the first people you think about when you make plans. They are the first people you go to when you need someone to talk to. You will phone them up just to talk about nothing, or the most important things in your life. When you're sad they will try their hardest to cheer you up. They give the best hugs in the world! They are the shoulder to cry on, because you know that they truly care about you. In most cases, they would take a bullet for you, coz it would be too painful to watch you get hurt."

Um, excuse me, does that not sound like your significant other? It should, in my opinion. My boyfriend is my best friend. He was for four years before we dated, and we have been dating for three. So do the math: Best friends for seven years, and we haven't gotten tired of each other yet. It is OK to consider your boyfriend as your best friend.

They should be. They should be there for everything from a should to cry on to celebrating your biggest accomplishments. That's what mine does.

My boyfriend is my best friend because...

1. He is always there.

He might not answer his phone all the time, but he is always there. There is no doubt in my mind he would drive three hours through the night to make me feel better when I am down — because he has.

2. He makes me laugh and smile.

If you can find someone who can make you laugh and smile by doing the smallest of things, then keep them. It is hard to find.

3. He annoys the crap out of me sometimes.

That is what best friends/boyfriends do: Annoy the crap out of you. Sometimes. But you love every minute of it because you love them, and somehow you'll laugh about it later.

4. He treats me like one of the guys but also a princess all at the same time.

If you don't get this, then he probably isn't your best friend. If you get it, then you know the term "you date one, you get them all." And you somehow know way too much about all his guy friends because you go to beer and wings every once in a while.

5. He believes in me.

Everyone needs a cheerleader, a cheerleader that knows your biggest strengths and your worst weaknesses. He sits back and cheers me on when I got in on my own, but the second I throw the white towel in for help, he is there to give me that extra boost.

6. There is no such thing as anything private.

If you are best friends, you don't really care what the other person thinks because they are used to it. There is no such thing as privacy, modesty, or awkwardness in your relationship. If you don't get it, you're missing out. Getting to be your complete self around your significant other is probably better than sliced bread.

7. He knows everything and still loves me.

Literally everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Trust me on the ugly — he's tried to wake me up in the mornings. It is such a blessing knowing that when you are at the end of your rope and are struggling, you can go to them and be like, "Well, here I am. Love me." No one is perfect, so it is nice to have someone who knows I am human and will make mistakes.

Being in love with your best friend is probably the best feeling ever. I used to laugh when older adults would say, "You will end up marrying your best friend." I thought they were crazy. Having your boyfriend as your best friend is a blessing, you always have someone to go on an adventure with no matter what. The adventure is life.

Cover Image Credit: Author's photo
Jennifer Barron
Jennifer Barron Mar 28, 2016
At @georgia-southern

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Forget The Beach, Do These Things Instead

These 25 thing won't break your bank this summer.

Juliana Baumgardner
Juliana Baumgardner Jun 24, 2019
103
views

When you think of summertime you think of the beach. Going to the beach usually involves a lot of driving and necessary spending. These 25 activities are perfect for summer and will not break your bank.

1. Take A Walk.

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As simple as it sounds, take a walk. Walk around your town or neighborhood; you'll be amazed at all of the little things you normally miss whenever you're driving by.

2. Have A Picnic.

Nothing says summer like a picnic. It can be at your local park or even in your backyard; just don't forget the watermelon!

3. Roast s'mores!

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Everyone loves a good s'more, and the nostalgic smell of the campfire.

4. Make your own ice cream.

Ice cream is the perfect sweet treat to cool down on the hot summer day, but it can also break your budget. Homemade ice cream is fun, delicious, and will not hurt your wallet.

Here is a sweet recipe!

5. Blow bubbles.

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I mean come on, who doesn't love blowing bubbles.

6. Watch the clouds

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Whenever you're having a stressful or sad day grab a blanket and head outside and watch the clouds blow by. Make a game out of how many different shapes you can identify.

7. Pick some berries.

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Find a local strawberry or blueberry field that allows customers to pick their own berries, it is a lot more fun than it sounds trust me.

8. Go to a minor league baseball game.

Hot dogs, ice cream, and fun memories are all to be had at a local baseball game.

9. Go to a parade.

Your town or a neighboring town most likely has a holiday parade on Memorial Day, 4th of July, or labor day. Go to these parades, you'll get to see all of the local youth organizations, support your community, and maybe even get some candy thrown your way.

10. Watch the fireworks.

Really watch the fireworks, don't try to take pictures that will come out blurry. Live in the moment.

11. Watch the sunrise

It may involve an earlier bedtime the night before, but it will be worth it.

12. Watch the sunset.

Megan Adair

13. Make a slip & slide

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Tarp+water+soap=endless fun

14. Paint with bubbles.

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This takes blowing bubbles to a whole new level. Add your favorite colors of food coloring to your bubbles grab a piece of paper and blow onto the paper; you'll come away with a masterpiece.

15. Make a bird feeder.

Give back to mother nature by building a bird feeder.

16. Catch lightning bugs.

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AND THEN LET THEM GO!

17. Build a fort.

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Let's be real, everybody loves a good fort.

18. Tye-Dye something.

Shirt, socks, blankets, it doesn't matter what it is as long as you have fun.

19. Read.

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Go to a local bookstore, run your fingers along the spines of all the books and pick the one that calls to you.

20. Color with chalk.

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Unleash your inner artist on your driveway and/or sidewalk.

21. Pick up litter.

Go outside and help clean mother earth, it will not only benefit you but everybody around you as well.

22. Have an absolutely epic water gun battle.

Swim Pool Boy Water Swimming Summer Water Gun

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Grab your friend, enemy, kid, neighbor, parents, whoever you can find and challenge them to a water gun battle.

23. Go camping.

Get back into nature in your backyard, or at a free campsite.

24. Volunteer.

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Many of us have extra time in the summer so volunteer your time in your community!

(Dog walking at the local animal shelter is always a great choice)

25. Find joy.

https://www.pexels.com/search/happiness/

Find what makes you happy, and never stop doing it.

Juliana Baumgardner
Juliana Baumgardner Jun 24, 2019
At Shippensburg University

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