This summer has been dramatically different from my past summers. I had just finished my first year of college and was getting set to miss my new friends for three months. This summer I worked full time, whereas in past summers I spent most of my summer volunteering. And besides all of that, it was super weird to live at home again. So from me to you, here are some weird, interesting, and neat things about my summer.

1. I had to arrange my schedule around three other people’s lives.

Weird. It was really weird to once again be asking my mom if I could go somewhere instead of just leaving my room and doing it. I had to ask to use a vehicle, double check the calendar, and make sure that nothing going on involved me. Besides that, I suddenly had to report back because there was someone waiting for me to come home. The idea of letting someone (my mom) know where I was and what I was doing was really weird.

2. I babysat this summer for about 50 hours per week.

Interesting. If you’ve never babysat a thirteen year old boy, you’re definitely missing out on an experience. This summer I’ve perfected my two point shot, learned the proper and fun ways to play mini golf, and watched a kid chase a frog in a creek for thirty minutes. Also, I played a lot of Monopoly. A lot.

3. I got to show a really pretty dairy cow.

Neat. I’ve been involved in 4-H for twelve years in the sheep program, and this year, my final year, I managed to show my way into the top showman contest. In this contest, two showmen from every species has to show every animal from the five main species. Basically, ten of us end up showing pigs, beef cows, dairy cows, sheep, and goats, but only two people actually show each species. The other eight are just doing their best. Anyways, I got to show a really pretty dairy cow. She and I were good friends for the ten minutes I showed her.

4. I am writing this article on my last night at home for the summer.

Weird. It’s weird to think that this is my last night at home for the summer. I move back into school tomorrow and get started with trainings and eventually classes. I can’t wait to go back to school, but I’m also sad to be leaving home again. So it’s weird to think that this is the last article I’ll write from home this summer.

5. I have read about 75 books this summer.

Interesting. I didn’t get to do a lot of pleasure reading during the school year, so when I got home, I practically devoured the books on my shelf and more. I had my nose in a book for most of the summer, so much so that I haven’t even caught up on the new Grey’s Anatomy episodes.

6. I was blessed to see one of my favorite bands, twenty one pilots, in concert.

Neat. It’s my favorite memory from the summer. They put on an incredible concert, so if you’ve been thinking about trying to see them live, just do it. I mean, Tyler in a hamster ball walking over the pit? Pretty cool. Josh drumming on a platform held up by the pit? Also pretty cool. So yeah, I highly recommend them.

So I guess you could say that, while this summer has been very different, it hasn’t been bad. It’s good to change things up every now and then, and this summer helped me learn more about myself and other people. I’m sad to see this summer go, but I’m super excited to start the next school year.