Ah, Summer, you glorious, clutching, waning, gone-too-fast, thing. This summer was like no other, and I’m very grateful for it. It wasn’t always easy, which is sort of new for me, since it’s always my happiest and most favourite time of year. I am so thankful that it wasn’t only smooth and lovely this year. I learned a lot about myself and grew from it. And aside from that, it was fun, adventurous, and oh so enjoyable. Here are the things I love, the Summer ’21 Edit…
Also, going to mark what books I was reading roughly around certain events; I kinda want to remember this in the future :’) summer ’21 edit summer ’21 edit summer ’21 edit summer ’21 edit
May
Summer officially began for me the moment I turned in my final undergraduate paper on May 14th, around 2 in the afternoon. I took a deep breath, laid on my bed, and just existed for a bit. The next day was Commencement, which I got to do with my family at home <3
The following day was senior pics!! Bc my cap & gown came in way too late!! Lol!!! So much fun (although the bathroom experience most certainly was NOT, I shall not divulge), and huge thank u to my bestie Zakk for making me look so good. Taking these pics with my cousin Julie, who graduated from high school this year, and is one of my favouritest people in the world, was the best of times. Iconic of us.
The last two weeks of May were spent at home, doing absolutely NOTHING. It was truly the best kind of rest after finishing my undergraduate experience.
Memorial Day weekend was spent in Scott’s Valley/Mount Hermon to celebrate graduation <3 lots of books, lots of thrifting, lots of sushi, lots of coffee, lots of mountain morning hikes & runs <333
reads: finishing Orwell’s Essays, re-reading Unfinished Tales & The Hobbit
June
Surprisingly, my favourite month from this Summer. July has been the crowning champion for years and years, and my two of my favourite summer memories were in July, but June was so sweet and enjoyable this year. summer ’21 edit
Re-establishing an early morning routine bc summer is the time to get up and get the day going (; Early gym sessions, runs in the cool of the day, downed protein shakes. Best.
Julie’s graduation was one of the best days ever ever ever. I love her, I love my family, I love that she is so intelligent, so stunning, and so in love with Jesus and His Word. Cheers to all of our theology talks, especially in that last semester when we both should have been doing schoolwork. Here’s to our crazy dream of going to school to get degrees in theology!!
Both Julie and I had our grad parties, and they were grand fun. I think I actually preferred Julie’s to mine :’) I spent like FOUR HOURS playing basketball with Josh and Ethan, and my Tio—it was seriously the most exhilarating fun. And the day I burned the most calories and took the most steps, according to my watch haha.
reads: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Brunch + shopping with Keely before she left to NY for the summer!!! One of my favourite days. Egging her on to get lots of books at B&N was >>>> Also, I did a fantastic job parallel parking this day, I am still so impressed with myself. It was a one-try, perfect job, ayyyy.
June was full of going to Josh & E’s summer league basketball games. It was their first year playing together :,( v emotional ab it. Watching the JV boys play never ceases to simultaneously frustrate and entertain. Their silly, silly mistakes are usually HILARIOUS, but they often cost them the game LOLLLL.
Brianna’s birthday was so fun! Happy 21 again my girl!!! Here’s to many more peach bellinis (;
The state reopened!!! I went to a cafe by myself for the first time since before r*na, and it was divine.
THE GIANTS GAME! I! WAS! SO! HAPPY! To be back at Oracle Park & watch my Giants—who are having an AMAZING season *touch wood*—after two years of being at the ballpark. In my top three summer moments, for SURE.
reads: rereading Six of Crows (y’all i read chapter 7 at a sporting event again, what is it w/grishaverse reads + repeated experiences) & Crooked Kingdom
A sleepover at Julie’s, and then Julie’s at mine, was the best way to wrap-up June.
reads: King of Scars
July
The month kicked off wonderfully; my parents went out of town to celebrate their engagement anniversary, and my siblings & I enjoyed our time together, just us three. Joshua was still in summer ball, so there were a couple of games to go to. We also ~finally~ watched SAB with Josh since he actually finished aLL THE BOOKS?!?!!? WOULD U BELIEVE IT???? It took him a couple of weeks (?? months?? can’t remember lol) to read through the trilogy, and by this point, he’d already read THE NIKOLAI DUOLOGY. before me. wut. anyway :’) we had fun feasting and watching. josh has a huge man-crush on mal, so that’s always fun to track LOL.
reads: Johnny Tremain
The following week was a bit too busy for my taste, but ‘twas so fun to prep for a wedding weekend in San Jose!!!! I have not been to a wedding in y e a r s. This nicely broke the drought, and it was so fun, especially since Julie & Ethan & my tios were there too <3 July 9-11 was !!! <3!!!! The wedding was in my top three memories as well. Such a happy time, brimming with pretty dresses, incredible food, my dad’s best man speech which was STELLAR, the best company, catching up with old friends, & the celebration of what God has joined together.
(also, watching the euros!! england 4ever, so sad they lost, alas)
reads: Rule of Wolves, rereading The Cruel Prince
After this nice start, July got a little too much. As excited as I initially was to head to San Diego shortly after the wedding, I did not realise it would be so overwhelming. Though it was an emotionally taxing week, it was still quite nice. I loved being with my family & going on new adventures. My sister & I spent an afternoon and Better Buzz Coffee & got a lot of writing done!!
reads: The Wicked King, The Queen of Nothing — Cardan was my favourite escape during such a time :’)
The week after, just being at home, was sweet, simple, and divine. I got my breath back, and I just enjoyed being myself and existing alone :’)
reads: The Chronicles of Narnia, books 1-4
PISMO <333
HAPPY WEEK. happiest of times, highlight of my year. The other fav time in my top 3 of this summer.
seaside foam, new coffee places, old ones too, the unbelievable open-faced lox sandwich at Café Andreini’s, film, the familiar smell of A to Z Books, the discovery of Phoenix Books, late night runs to Thrifty’s, reading The Starless Sea at all hours of the day & night, family, the pIsMo bAsKeTbAlL iNvItAtIoNaL (ie all of us actually playing a game together bc ball is life in this family, so fun, i was on the victorious team hehe), divine food, new adventures, old traditions, salt in the air, and sand beneath my feet.
i successfully won camp nano!!! I finished up my writing on the 31st, our last night in pismo. 25k words, originally intended to write solely non-fiction, but a short story that i started in may turned into a full-blow story which i’m excited to work on this november <3
reads: The Chronicles of Narnia, books 5-6, The Starless Sea, started Stalking Jack the Ripper
My happy place did not disappoint this year. Also huge shoutout to Melo, who had summer school finals week & was basically shut up in the hotel conference room for the last three days, idk how she did it but she did.
And thus, July fell away.
August
Slipped away like a bottle of wine.
Nothing super notable, because I fell ill for a solid week in the middle there, LUL. Helped both of my parents get their classrooms done before then, though. Accomplished my reading goal on the 18th, insane. Started grad school the last week of Aug!
Have been driving my brother to school most days, and it’s so fun to crank music with him and spend time just being sillies. I cannot believe he’s a junior in high school already, WHAT. Ethan started high school this year too, I am ancient. I get to pick both of them up most days as well, and I love it :,(
reads: Hunting Prince Dracula, Escaping from Houdini, Becoming the Dark Prince, Many Waters, & An Acceptable Time
Took a break/semi-hiatus from bookstagram!! I’m finally re-entering that space again this week, and I’m so excited and happy that I feel excited to be there. I did that to recharge, get re-inspired, and re-prioritise this lovely space <3 V happy that I did so.
Farewell, Summer 2021 <3
This summer was truly unlike any other. I learned quite a lot and am immensely grateful to God for showing me so much. I will look back on this summer with fondness for the memories now gone by, and I anticipate next summer already :’)
Looking forward to AUTUMN, and all the autumnal bookstagrams & autumnal blogposts. I have lots planned!! There’s a lot in the backlog that I’ve been meaning to write, so it’s gonna be a good old mix of bookish thoughts I should have shared months ago, alongside fresh autumn content that I can’t wait to write.
Thanks for reading & having a scroll through my pictures!! What were your top three summer moments this year?! I’d absolutely LUV to hear about them xx