Wow, it seems like forever since I’ve had the time and energy to sit down and write. But summer’s finally here, and I have the time. It’s wonderful to have a break again. This will definitely be the longest summer I’ve ever had, too.

I graduated May 30, and I couldn’t believe it. I had been waiting for that moment for so long, but it came around faster than I’d anticipated. I was the salutatorian and gave a speech (scary!), which was really neat. I honestly thought I’d break down afterward, but I was a little distracted and didn’t shed a tear. It all seemed so unreal, and the adrenaline kept me going. It still hasn’t sunk in totally, but I’m sure it will in a month or two.

In other news, I leave for college on September 20! I’ve been getting ready for the move (slowly, but surely) by buying things that I need and trying to get my room in semi-order. I go to orientation on July 17 and 18, which should be good. I’m really nervous about it, actually, but I know it’s better to get used to the campus and meet some people before making the move altogether. At least I’ll got to school knowing SOMEONE, and maybe I’ll even make some friends.

Otherwise, this summer I’m just relaxing. I’ve been hanging out with my friends a lot… it is, after all, our last real summer together. Actually, last night we just said goodbye to the first friend among many… our friend Annika, a foreign exchange student from Germany. She’s flying home today, and we’re really going to miss her. We all got really close this year.

It’s so hard saying goodbye. I’m terrible at it, too. I hate letting go, and I’m horrible at moving on. By the end of this summer, I’m sure I’ll cry for a week straight. Especially once I’m actually alone at UCSB, and I realize I’m not going to have all the familiar faces around to keep me company. I love these people. It’s going to be so hard to leave them, but I know it’s for the best. I know I’m going to meet new people who I love just as much. I know I need to leave home and grow up in a lot of senses. But it’s still hard. I’ll figure it out somehow, one day at a time.