For real this time.

It is August. In Baltimore, August means one thing - daily heat index over 100*. It also means daily blogging, something I have not attempted since April. I'm rusty but I have so much to blog about...so we're just going jump right in:

Since last I blogged, I have finished my first year of college and the summer has almost passed by completely. My stiff blogging fingers don't really know how to recount the past three months. In a perfect world I would be able to type up a post encompassing the funny anecdotes, the moments of turmoil, the bucket list achievements, the vast array of emotions. A lot happens in three months and for someone so introverted there are a lot of thoughts and emotions to process along with everything.

All I can manage today is a list of some of the top moments. Hopefully over the next few weeks I will be   filling in the blanks but I think I should spent most of the time after this post focusing on the present. I'm afraid that my three month hiatus will remain somewhat mysterious but I think that's the way it's supposed to be.

But before I go I will consent to share a few of the top summer moments missed on my blog:
1. My shopping addiction has grown into a serious problem. I've overdrafted my acount multiple times this summer. And yet I can't stop shopping. I can feel myself flying out of control. The mall has become my place of solace, my escape. I run to the mall to let of steam, to feel that high that can only come from buying new clothes (or books or shoes etc.). It makes me feel so materialistic but I know it's not about the things themselves but the feeling of temporary validation I've deluded myself into feeling with each purchase. Just another manifestation of the thorny psychological thicket that is my life.

2. I've made a fair amount of new friends** this summer. Our little group from high school has expanded to let in new branches from various college connections. So far everyone has been meshing surprisingly well. It's a new dynamic but I think it's a good change.

3. Along with making new friends, I've also reconnected with one particular old friend, the very same old friend that haunted my blog posts from last summer. But this time our meager friendship does not involve romance (just sexual tension). When I visited New York City a few weeks ago, I met up with none other than Nick. We talked for hours about life and relationships. I was surprised to find out that Nick, only a year old than I am, is already living his dream. It makes me want to hurry up and get a move on.

4. I did my first keg stand. I threw my first big party. I competed in a ruit tournament and made it to the semifinals. I went to my first legitimate (non-college) bar in New York City. And I've explored the world of beer beyond Natty Light.

5. I feel like there are many other things I should write about but if it's important it'll come up later on. These are just the first things that came to mind as I looked back on the summer. There's certainly been a lot going on in my life.

Overall the three months during whichI wasn't blogging were a much needed break. I've spent a lot of time reading. Now, it's time to get to work again and I promise blogging will be more interesting and coherent as the month goes on.

*Completely irrelevant: I am watching The Daily Show for the first time in a while. What's with the facial hair, Jon? You look like a pervy, pretentious professor.

**And, in one case, reconnecting with an old friend from middle school. As someone who hated middle school, I was nervous to start hanging out with a guy from my junior high class that I hadn't seen since 8th grade graduation. But it hasn't been awkward at all.