So after the pageant craziness wrapped up, of course I had to spend some time with family and friends before I zoomed back to DC. I went to West Virginia with my mom for a couple days with her relatives, including my older cousin that I’ve idolized sice I was a wee little one. She has two great kids so I was happy to spend time with them while my mom went nuts with her mother and two sisters. When you put the four of them in the same room… *shakes head* it’s nuts. They only see each other maye 2 or 3 times a year so I was happy to let them be!
My cousin and her kids were on vacation as well so we lounged around like crazy. We sat around reading. We watched TV and movies. We ate and my cousin, her husband, and I wined the nights away. We drove through the gorgeous countryside by her house. She makes soap and other home products for business so she taught me how to make basic soap. Now I know how to add to my already-huge pile of soaps, Whee!
We also went swimming… it’s practically a law to swim in the summertime and with my cousin and her family, it’s a breach of the law if you don’t know how to swim. Granted, I took lessons when I was maybe 7 or 8 but I was too distracted by playing in the pool to really pay attention and well, did I really understand the hearing instructors who gestured a word here nd there? Probably not. Others have tried in vain to teach me how to swim properly- how to use my arms and legs, how to breathe without drowning myself, how to get over my panic attacks when I take a peek at the deep end of the pool using goggles. It’s ridiculous really.
I told myself that since I am DONE with cheerleading (9 years.. *nostalgic sigh*) I needed to find another avenue to keep myself active. It’s tough when I’m not given a routine or a schedule that my cheerleading and track teams gave me in high school and at Gallaudet, but no excuse! I asked my cousin to help out and she gladly gave me plenty of tips- well, whatta know. They helped. Look, ma! I can swim! Now that I’m back in DC, I’m eager to practice but the pool is closed until classes begin next week. Oy.
I also took the time in WVa to read “Siddhartha”… I read it during my senior year in high school for AP English but a special someone recommended that I re-read it. It’s basically about a Buddhist man’s journey to self-actualization and discovery of what it means to really attain “nirvana.” When I re-read it, I was amazed at how much I connected with the story in comparison to my senior self in high school. I wonder how much I actually understood the story when I first read it… Of course, the past 5 years brought a LOT into my life and insight of the world. Wow. Read it.
 
Gotta love their neighor’s pool! Definitely a summertime haven.
At home, I caught up with my good friend at my favorite coffee shop, went with her to the beach in this small popular beachtown about 45 minutes from my home, got burnt on the beach closer to our home, read my days and nights away… and the such. We also had my family over for a couple gatherings, as is the tradition whenever I visit home. The best part about that is all the food Mom cooks - she always asks me for specific requests so the food is guaranteed awesome. Ahh, home.
I’m finding that I can only take my time at home in shorter and shorter doses so after the pageants, I only stuck around for a week and a half. I wanted to get back here and settle in and catch up with DC/Gallaudet “stuff” before everything starts again. Only I wish my summer was extended for… forever 
This was the night before my morning flight back to DC… We got together for the heck of it and for one of their birthdays (lady with bright yellow purse!). Later hat night, three of us holed up in Denny’s and stayed there until 4am chatting the night away, topics ranging from relationships to deaf politics to religion. One of the best conversations ever.
Here’s to more great conversations here in DC - I’m already having a GREAT time with my new roommates and I’m looking forward to seeing my classmates again. It’s hard to believe this semester will be my last on the campus - in the springtime, I’m off to my full-time internhip before graduating in May.
Adios!
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