Goodbye Summer Break, and Hello Fall Semester

My summer break will be coming to an end soon. It was a nice break away from juggling both school and work. Unlike last year I was able to get out and do stuff. Last year, I spent my whole summer working a job that I hated. There was no traveling or fun events. It was mainly me sitting on the couch watching Tik Tok videos, being depressed, and watching anime. This year, I made a summer bucket list and crossed a few things off the list. Here’s how my summer break went.

My 31st Birthday

Birthdays for me aren’t about being showered with gifts and praise. It’s about celebrating myself and how much I’ve grown over the years. With each year we grow as people. I’ve grown a lot since my last birthday and learned some important lessons.

Last year on my birthday, I was miserable at a job I hated. My supervisor at the time was the worst and yelled at me for something that wasn’t my fault. A message was left for her and she didn’t check her messages. As a result, she ended up staying later than she needed. The following day, which was my birthday she blamed me and yelled at me. It was first thing in the morning, so I spent the rest of the day trying to keep it together.

This year was different, I’m no longer in that toxic work environment. I felt so grateful to have friends who cared and wanted for me to have a good birthday. It was the first time in a long time that I actually enjoyed my birthday. Even though I was sore after climbing the Manitou Incline.

Adventures around Colorado

Whitewater Rafting

As a birthday gift from one of my friends. He reserved a couple of spots for us to go whitewater rafting. I had never been and was a little nervous. I can swim but I’m not a strong swimmer, so I was afraid I fall out and have to swim for my life. After the orientation, I realized that was very unlikely. We did the intermediate course which had his bumpy parts. The last section of the course was the beginner’s course, which was more boat ride down the river with a bump here and there. I’d loved to go again next year and do the all-day advance course at the Clear Creek Rafting Company.

Denver Botanic Gardens

It’s been a long time since I went to a botanical garden. Typically on Saturdays, I visit the local farmer’s market, the Denver Botanic Gardens are nearby. So, I decided to check it, admission is $15 which isn’t bad, and it’s a nice place to chill out for a few hours on a Saturday.

Hiking

Before the wildfires hit I was able to get out for a few hikes. Hiking in Colorado is way different from what I’m used to. It’s not as flat, so my legs get a real good workout. A couple of places I went hiking were Maxwell falls, and a trail out in Golden. The Maxwell falls hike was my favorite, it was a lot cooler than Denver. Plus you hike up to a beautiful waterfall. I could have spent all day out there. My plan was to do a 14er before returning to school but between work and preparing for the fall semester. I couldn’t fit it into my busy schedule. Depending on how labor days weekend goes, I might try to fit it in then.

Let’s Go Rockies!

For the fourth of July Weekend, I went to my first Rockies game. Before the game, I meet up with friends and we had a couple of drinks. I’m not a fan of sports, so I had no clue what was going on during the game. I had a good time though and enjoyed the fireworks after the game.

Fun in Michigan

I wasn’t able to visit my family in Michigan last year due to a certain virus. This year it was an idea I went back and forth on. The numbers have dropped, and I’m fully vaccinated. Plus I really missed my family and friends back in Michigan. I decided to ask for the time off, and if it was approved I would take the trip. It was, so I took a trip back to my home state of Michigan. I spent time with my family and had lunch with a high school friend. While I was there my brother and I went to Mackinaw Island and The Henery Ford museum for the first time.

Summer Bucket List

At the start of the summer, I made a bucket list of things I wanted to do during summer break. I wasn’t able to do everything on my list, but I was to cross off five out of nine. Which isn’t bad. There’s always next year.

• Climb the Manitou Incline
• Go whitewater rafting
• Hike the Boulder Flat Irons
• Visit my family and friends in Michigan
• Hike the Rocky Moutain National Park
• Build 3 new cosplays
• Go to a Rockies game
• Stargaze in the mountains
• Get a tattoo

Back to School

The fall semester begins on August 24th. Part of me is excited to go back, and the other part of me doesn’t want summer break to end. I’ll be full-time for fall instead of part-time. This means a lot more work, but I’ll be closer to getting my degree.

Related Post: Welcome to Summer Break!