breakthesky.neti'll break the sky, for you and i are going nowhere.

I can’t even begin to describe how phenomenal my time in DC was this past week.

I made new friends at the conference and got closer to the ones I already had. I explored new areas of DC. I watched the Hawks win the Stanley Cup with one of my friends (YAY HAWKS!). I stayed in the most luxurious hotel I’ve ever been in (it was paid for, score!). I caught up with old friends. I got the best of every single possible moment I could in the short time I was there and I’m absolutely thrilled that I did. I know that my fun adventures there this past week will tide me over until I return again to the District in August 2011.

The best part of the whole trip? One afternoon, a friend and I had some time to kill so we went up to the rooftop and lounged by the pool to soak up some sun. I can’t remember the last time I had an afternoon to simply relax and not have a care in the world. Even though I (predictably) was the one who burned and my friend (also predictably) was the one who darkened his tan, it quite possibly was my favorite time from my trip. Just laying in those comfortable lounge chairs, closing my eyes and feeling the warmth of the sun’s rays on my skin… absolute bliss.

Now, I’m back home and I have a million and one things to catch up on. I’ve got a mountain of homework to do since I didn’t take my laptop with me (I don’t regret that one bit; it made my trip that much more relaxing). I’ve got to sort out arrangements to book my ticket to China because the clock is very rapidly ticking away for that. Most importantly, my mom is undergoing surgery tomorrow and the whole family is getting increasingly anxious about that.

The one thing that will get me through the chaos of everyday life until I leave for my next trip is the air of contentment and relaxation I’m still managing to maintain from my vacation. I’m not sure how long it’ll last (I’m amazed it’s lasted more than 24 hours after my return home) but I’m going to enjoy it while I can!

I used to think that sometimes, I was my own worst enemy.

But that’s not entirely true. Turns out I’m simply my own worst enemy always, which makes all matters in my life infinitely more difficult than they need to be.

I hate that.

On the last day of every month, I take Just a Minute to reflect on what I’m currently up to.

Enjoying… summer vacation. It’s a well-earned vacation, if you ask me!

Cooking… lots and lots. Baking, too. I’ve found an old folder of recipes from a cooking class I took several years ago and I’ve been revisiting the recipes.

Formalizing… my plans for going abroad for a year. My plane tickets need to be purchased soon before the flights are full.

Anticipating… July 1, which is when my summer vacation kicks up a notch and I get to start my many travels!

Reading… wonderful, funny and clever books by Marian Keyes. I just finished up Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married and now I’m onto Last Chance Saloon. Once I finish the complete works of Keyes (I’ve got them all) I’ll start making my way through some of the recommendations I’ve received.

Watching… countless episodes of NCIS, one of my new favorite shows. There’s an all-day marathon today to commemorate Memorial Day!

Missing… my friends from school, as well as college life in general. Home is nice and all, but it’s kind of boring compared to the constant, never-ending excitement of living at school with my closest friends.

Listening… to Mika, whom I’ve recently re-discovered. I’ve always loved his first album Life in Cartoon Motion but I haven’t listened to his new album The Boy Who Knew Too Much until last week and I love it!

Selling… countless books and CDs on Amazon and Half by eBay. (I didn’t go with the original plan of selling on eBay.) I seem to have amassed quite the collection over the years.

Loving… the show Chef vs City on the Food Network, which I’ve only recently discovered. It’s like the Amazing Race but with food-related challenges with some of my favorite Food Network stars! What a win-win situation.