Summer Surprise

I came home for a month this summer! Surprise!

I bought my tickets to come home in December and kept it a secret from my whole family. I told them that it wouldn't be possible for me to come home because I had such a busy summer to start with and then I was going to take German classes for the rest of it. However, that was a lie and I went home instead. I flew from Vienna into NYC and stayed the first night at my cousin's house in Brooklyn--shout out to Addie for her hospitality! The next day, I took a Megabus down to Philadelphia where I had one of my friends from home pick me up and drive me home--thanks Rachel, you're the best! Everyone was home when I got there and I was able to pull my surprise off.

My summer at home was full and it was amazing catching up with friends and family. I was able to attend the HS graduation party for a cousin in NJ and see my family out there that I hadn't seen in ages. My family doesn't get out to New Jersey as much now compared to when we were younger so it was great to see who showed up for the party. I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends in PA that I still keep up with semi-regularly and it was great to just sit and talk to them. I'm becoming to European though because when we were done with our food I definitely got annoyed when it seemed like the waiters were pushing us out the door. I wanted to stay and let my food digest while I talked to my friends! Instead, we would go and sit in one of our cars and talk until we were ready to part ways. I did some babysitting for two of my favorite little boys. They grew up so fast while I was gone! I volunteered at a work weekend for a non-profit that a friend works at called Touch the World and met some pretty great people. It was also really awesome to see how God is working through her and her organization to change the lives of high schoolers who will then have an impact on the lives of others.

All in all, I just enjoyed my time at home, being able to drive again, and of course air conditioning. Even though I think I could make it through a summer with no AC, it was definitely nice to have it for a month.