We have reached the halfway point of the summer. It is the time you realize what you accomplished and haven't accomplished and start thinking about going back to school or maybe even work, if your lucky enough to have it off. You start looking back at the all things you had planned on your summer list and if you did half of them you count yourself lucky. Still, summer's not over until it's over, so live it up until that your professor or boss says hello.

Summer is a special time of the year — not only does it give us the longest days, but for many, it's the most freedom they get all year. All of us who work hard, either full-time school or work, need a break after countless hours writing or reading papers. There's so much to do; our own backyard being at the Jersey shore gives us endless opportunities of things to do in the summer. We are lucky to live so close to the beach and two major cities full of activities that can keep even the most easily bored person interested.

Now that August has come, check your list and see what you may have missed out on and do it. Summer to me is more important then the holiday season. It is the only time of year where you can stay outside for hours and not have to wear layers on layers. You can be outside watching a baseball game (especially if you have a local team like our Lakewood BlueClaws) or just relaxing on a beach. most likely there will always be something to do all you got to do check out a local website to see what concerts or fairs are going on that day.

If you worked many hours this summer like me, I feel your pain: I also had to work around going to different events and working 40 hours. The one thing I learned is that it can be done and and you can still have a pretty good summer. The best part is we all still have several weeks of summer left. Plenty of time to get out there and visit friends and enjoy the waves of the Jersey shore. When you have those vacation days, use them wisely and don't stay inside on a sunny day. In January when it is 10 degrees and dark by 5 p.m., that's when you stay inside. For now go out and have fun.