Growing up, summer meant three things; school was out, camp was in session and there was always lots of ice cream and italian ices around. As I got older, my definition of summer changed. The fun and carefree season had turned into a time to work. In more recent years, my summers had turned into a time to catch up or get ahead on school work. As much as I wasn't a huge fan of summer classes, they were the reason I was able to do a two year graduate program in a year and a half.

When I was younger, I didn't seem to care how I looked during the summer. I'm still not someone who puts a ton of time on hair, makeup or wardrobe but I do find myself more self-conscious during the hot summer months. Even during the warm days of spring, I would jokingly text my friends how I hated meeting new people looking like I just like I had just run a marathon.

Now that I have a car, I am able to go places that I couldn't before. I am able to enjoy the local jersey beaches in the evening after all of the out of staters have left for the day. I have the opportunity to go on so many different types of adventures. I went camping a few years ago. While it was a new adventure for me, I can't say that the "roughing it" lifestyle was for me. Last summer, I went tubing down the Delaware River; it was so different than I had expected. I had no idea rivers could move so quickly, it was definitely a much different experience than any "Lazy River" I had been in.

When my toes aren't in the sand, some of my favorite nights have been spent by a fire pit with friends. Whether we are making smokes, playing board games or just catching up fire pits always have the ability to make any night special.

Although summer just started, I have so many exciting things planned already. I'm hoping to go tubing down the Delaware River again. I'm planning on going to more local LGBT Events. I'm hoping to have some beach days and beach evenings. Last but not least, I'm planning to have a bunch of nights with friends next to a fire pit.