During the Fourth of July weekend, I was spending my time sanding the inside of a lake house that is currently being built. This is not the weekend that most people would envision for the Fourth of July, but it couldn't have been more perfect.

The lake house is located in Deep Creek, Maryland, a three to four-hour drive away from my summer class at UVA. Even though it was a short distance away, the worlds could not be any more different.

UVA is filled with stress. The pressure of competition are fierce; even students taking summer classes are entranced by the competitive culture. Going from an environment of intense stress to intentional relaxation was incredible. I was excited to do some work and enjoy the lake.

During the weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the Lakeside Creamery, an ice-cream shop located lakeside. I was given the opportunity of enjoying ice-cream with some of my favorite people; I couldn't have envisioned a better ice-cream with better people.

The weekend wasn't all work. I was able to enjoy lake life, going out on the boat with a wonderful group of people I'm privileged to call family. These people were willing to take me out on their boat, feed me for a weekend, and provide me with work. Best of all, I had no connection to the outside world: no internet, no cable, no cell service.

Lake life is separation from what is stressful. I got to go to the lake, breaking away from all of the stress that was waiting for me back at UVA. I even got to see a friend poop in the lake, as it floated to the surface. Although it was gross, it was relaxing.

Being able to take time focusing on something other than schoolwork was relaxing. Even though a good portion of my weekend was spent doing work, doing something other than worrying about the fierce competition of UVA was relaxing. Lake life is the best life because it allows you to separate from anxieties experienced in everyday life. My soul longs for lake life, as it is serene and comforting.