When you're an adult, summer doesn't really mean what it did when you're a kid...no break from school (unless you're a teacher), no care-free nothing-to-do days or trips to summer camp. I have not transitioned well into the summers of adulthood...I miss the long breaks, the change in schedule and I hate being hot. And it's hotter than hades in Nashville. I am basically the grinch of summer. I know it's so many people's favorite season, but I don't share those feelings.
Anyway...my dislike of summer is not the point of the post. The point is to share what I've learned in this oh so wonderful season of summer. An author I love, Emily P. Freeman, does a series each month about what she's learned and she invites others to do the same. This time we cover the whole summer season, rather than just the month.
So without further ado (and to help me focus on things besides how it's possible to sweat so much in one day or how I re-evaluate my decision to not go into teaching so I could get summer off), here is what I learned this summer.
9 Things I Learned This Summer
1. I actually do love Gilmore Girls. This show used to annoy me when I was in high school and I would watch it sometimes, but I never understood what the big deal was. I understand now. Forgive my unbelief fellow Gilmore Girl lovers.
2. Life is better when your car has air conditioning. I've spent the last two summers with no air in my car because it was too expensive to fix. I like to think it toughened me up and made me be able to handle the heat better, but when your roommate looks at you in all seriousness and says, "you really need to get your air fixed this summer, you'll be a better human" you take her advice. Now I just revel in the cold air that comes out of the vents.
3. Hamilton. Need I even say more? Yes, I have jumped on the bandwagon and am obsessed. If you don't know why it's the best just watch the video. Broadway, history, incredible music, The Schuyler Sisters, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., debates are actually rap battles, I mean...need I go on? If you haven't heard or seen anything about Hamilton, begin watching at the 2:00 mark below and you can thank me later.
[embed]https://youtu.be/5Y5KuohVJMQ[/embed]
4. It's okay to turn your brain off for a season. The last few months I had all of these plans of things to write, books to read, podcasts to listen to, but I just couldn't. When I'm not able to do these things, things that usually bring me life, it means I need to rest and turn my brain off for awhile. The season lasted longer than I was expecting, but it was just what I needed.
5. Time with friends and family is priceless. One thing I DO love about summer is it usually means more opportunity to see friends and family. Jenn and I took a trip to the West Coast where I got to see my family too, my Zambian teammates came to stay with me, we had our 2nd Annual Friendcation and I was able to spend some time at home in Michigan. 
6. I LOVE kickboxing! I have never loved working out, but I've finally found something that I enjoy doing. It's the hardest workout I've ever done, but I actually enjoy it. Mostly because it makes my brain shut off for a whole hour, it's a good workout, it's fun and you don't even have to wear shoes.
7. Canned salmon can have all the bones in it. I tried to be an adult and power through de-boning the salmon, but after gagging multiple times I decided to stop. I don't do well with food that too closely resembles a live animal. This was a result of my whole30 journey.
8. It is possible to stay home every night just to watch TV because...THE OLYMPICS. It's been even better because a group of friends have basically been here every night watching with me.
9. GIFs are my new love language.
What have you learned this summer? I would love to know! Leave a comment. :)
