When I am feeling angsty, though, the best way to get rid of it all is through rollerblading. I've noticed the days that I don't get that recreational workout in, those are the days which I feel more crabby. But days when I am able to go HAM on those beautiful wheels, I am on a high. Just yesterday I went 14.5 miles and it was wonderful. Though, the last two miles I though I was going to spontaneously combust. Also, I got sunburned. A few weeks ago Dad even biked alongside me. It's a beautiful thing people--'blading and biking. I'm not about that running life so anything with wheels is my (strawberry) jam.
The first week I was home (the angstiest week) I went to the zoo with the fam and saw a few peeps here and there. Then that weekend (Memorial Day weekend) I went up to Hayward and enjoyed time out in the Great Northwoods. I also got peed on by a fish which I later learned was not pee... My weekend in Hayward was followed by a three week summer (cl)ass. It was the worst. Class four hours a day four days a week. Which in theory, is not too bad. However, when you are sitting in a classroom that is usually too humid for your own good surrounded and feeling exhausted because it's 8:30 in the morning and talking about the philosophy of education (thank you, John Locke) then yeah, it's going to be the worst. To make things even better (but not actually) each hour spent in class I tried imagining myself teaching. I know (if I do stick with it after graduation) that I will be a wonderful teacher. But like, do I want to put up with it all for that long knowing that by putting my heart and soul into it, I will be burnt out? I JUST DON'T KNOW. I still have a year and a half to figure it out. For now, I'm not too worried.
My three weeks of class were also balanced with work tasks. So, life in early June was mega chaotic and overwhelming. A presentation, six 2 paged papers, one 6 page paper, and one 10 page paper all competing for my attention with freaking bulletin boards. IT WAS CRAZY. But YO. That (cl)ass is done--thank goodness! But work isn't. That's okay though, gotta make that money #workhard #playhard. My energy is now focused on giving tours, making pizzas for little kids, and other miscellaneous tasks that come up. Ok, there's actually a lot more to being a Summer CA.
I was able to head home for Father's Day this past weekend, which was wonderful. Friday night, Dad and I went to the Whitnall Golf Course and set up croquet along with some tiki torches. Illegality at it's finest. We played three rounds on the 2nd hole green while drinking a few hard ciders. All was fine and dandy, but upon walking back to the car, the police did stop us. I have no regrets as it was all #WORTH. Then Saturday Mom, Dad, and I went to hit some balls at the range. 10+ years of swing a bat during softball really affects one's swing. So... I wasn't the greatest. Also, I hadn't swung a golf club in years. But it was slowly coming together. Later that night we grilled and I met up with some frenz for a drink and ended up getting a FREE 22 OZ. SPOTTED COW. It was great. Sunday was filled with church, breakfast, croquet, me holding a dead mouse in the yard, and a drive back to Eau Claire.
My other midwest adventures include: touring Leinies, going to multiple zoos (MKE and EC's), Brewers/Twins game, drinking wine, eating candy corn, dropping ice-cream cones on the pavement, celebrating National Donut Day, croquet, wolf-shirt Wednesday, paddleboating, margaritas, spilling coffee everywhere all the time, going to Big Falls, being awkward in all aspects of my life, etc. I have yet to get to the Farmer's Market, though that's my goal for this weekend.
Though being back in WI is still challenging, I'm slowly adjusting and finding my place again. It may sound cliché but I know that I've grown and changed immensely from my time in Juneau. I just need to figure out how to balance WI Allie with AK Allie and have the two morph into one. It's actually quite interesting. That's all for now!
Much love and hugz to all.
-A
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