After my first post being the prime side effect of Benedryl, I'm sure you're assuming I have typed this blog with my front teeth or maybe even my butt. Well unfortunately, that is not the case. Just eight fingers (no real person types with their thumbs, right?) typing the keys.
June has been the month of many. I've partied hard (completely soberly), closed some big doors, and spent some much needed time with my family.
When graduation starting coming around the corner I had no clue what the etiquette of grad parties was. Do you invite your friends? Am I supposed to give gifts too? How much notice do you give people for the party? Do you send a separate invite? I was full of questions! So, I did the typical Ashley response and didn't ask any questions about how to run the thing and threw it in the first weekend possible. Needless to say, I was amazed at the support system that has racked up for me within the years. I am incredibly blessed with the friends and family that have been placed in my life!
So with graduation came the end to my most favorite thing in the entire world: band. Our end of the year concert went out with a bang! The end of the year concert has always been a little sad for me because I am stuck reminiscing on all of the hard work that was put in to make it happen over the year but this year's was by far the saddest. I can't help but think about all of the underclassmen and how much I am going to miss them, but even more how proud I am of every single one of them for putting in an abundance of tedious work to make it all happen.
With band coming to an end, followed the end of The Jazz Fiasco and the Sweet Nothings (for me at least). And that group will always hold a special place in my heart. Behind open doors we were more than a band, we were a family; dysfunction and all. I love those guys.
I also had one more door closed to me that caught me by a blow to the gut; my job. At the time, I was kind of stuck laying on the floor with not a clue to do. Reapply for jobs? Try to land a last minute job at camp? I had no clue. So, I went to a handful of people closest to me and got their opinion and after a long brainstorming process, I decided to take the summer off. This door closing was a blessing in disguise because honestly, it's only the beginning of July and I've already had the best summer of my life!
Between all of this commotion and shtuffs was a great day trip to a city of books, doughnuts, and hipsters; Portland. I went with a small group of a few of my favorites and definitely had a day well spent! We went to sushi, Powell's Books (an AMAZING bookstore), Peet's Coffee, a sweet vinyl, tape, and CD shop, Voodoo Doughnuts, and even thought the car was stolen. I believe was a great little break from Orting and the stress of the transition we're all going through.
My most recent adventure was done with my mom, dad, sister, and nephew. We drove over to Montana to join our family for a pre-fourth of July campout at our family cabin. Now, when I say cabin I mean a legit "Little House On the Prairie" style cabin; outhouse and all. Upon arriving at the cabin we noticed a "slight" problem... it was infested by mice. This caused a massive problem when it came to sleeping arrangements because it voided the use of the bunkbeds inside we were planning on sleeping in. I ended up sleeping in my dad's car because the tent wasn't quite big enough for the five of us. Aside from the sleeping problems, it was a wonderful couple of days with my family!
Now, I am just sitting on my Aunt Stacy's (yes, Stacy's mom does have it going on) porch in Missoula, MT awaiting a long ten hour drive home with my sister, nephew, and grandma tomorrow. I am so excited to get back to my friends and start swinging back at my summer vacation. Here's to a blessed and safe month of July!
