The Summer In Review

Despite my fears that it would suck and I’d be bored (neither of whihc actually happened) this has been a pretty good summer.

I returned to Philly from graduation amidst the worst case of Sixers fever since 1983. I was quikcly caught up in the frenzy myself. Iverson and Matumbo became houshold names. All the diverse sections and groups of people in Philadelphia united under one common battle cry: LET’S GO SIXERS. Grandmothers, children, parents, everyone was glued to the TV during the playoffs chanting “The Bucks Stop Here!” And they did!!! Then it was on to an even greater enemy and an even greater challenge: BEAT LA. I was away when they won game 1 but waswatchign right along with the rest of the city as Iverson lead the Sixers to victory in over time. I called my mom at 12:30 philly time and hissed in an excited whisper so as nto to wake my host family “Did you SEE that!!!!” Even though the sixers lost to LA they won our hearts. The horns, the flags and the celebration continued long after the championship was over.

I got to see a lot of good baseball and learned I can hack it as a waitress, and also that I have no desire to be a waitress! And for the majority of the season, my “boys of summer” have been in first place — and they’re stil very much in the pennant race. BELIEVE!!! Go Phils!!!! I met a lot of great people at work and as always plenty of interesting fans. I survived the “New York, New York” series and rain delays and heat waves. And i got paid to watch fireworks 🙂

I ditched work to see a baseball game. How funny is that! But not just any baseball game, one in the Mecca of ballparks, Wrigley Field! I loved the Friendly Confines so much I snuck back into the endo f the next day’s game just in time to see Sammy Sosa break the tie and lead the Cubs to victory. It was awsome!! I also got to tour the beautiful city of Chicago (made even more beautiful by the fact that it was summer and so not freezing!) And while I didnt’ get tickets to the Oprah Winfrey show, I was able to visit the studio and take pictures. The trip also gave me the chance to see my coursins RAchel and Daniel in Madison 🙂

I spent my 22nd Birthday at a male strip club!!!!

I went to the beach with Vash.

I Got to drive a Mercedes!!!!! (also also learned how to change a flat tire)

July 4th was as always awsome. I hung out at the pool all day and Ben and Vash came to the fireworks with me and as I looked up at the beautiful shimmering balls of light I realized I had everything I wanted in that moment, my two best friends by my side.

Robert and Caitlin hooked up that night and have been goign strong ever since. Weird!!!!!!!!!!

Then there was my relaxing getaway weekend with Amanda, Rebecca, and Heather at Amanda’s house. The power went out and we lit candles and player board games. We hiked and laughed and talked and made a 3 course dinner complete with wine and dessert once the power came back on. Good stuff!

I experienced the Warped Tour. Totally awsome!!!!

But mostly this summer was about reconnecting on an even deeper level with old freinds. I saw Vash and Ben a lot, and towards the end oft he summer me, Grace and Zenobia kinda became like the three musketeers we went out so many times 🙂 But most espescially, I rediscovered the pool gang, espescially Holly. She’s my oldest friend (15 years) and now we’re closer than ever before. It was like making a new friend except she’d been there all along. We had a lot of fun times this summer, the whole gang. Movies and bowling and swmming and games and Pop’s water ice and laughing so hard you ahve tears in your eyes and singing along to the radio in my little red car (who mom named “Big Red” last week). It’s been a blast.

Oh and i discovered OD this summer 🙂

And now it’s time to move on to a new exciting adventure. Look out Big Apple, here I come!

Steph

Quote of the Summer: “Some people are more talented than others.” — Justin