Writing = Therapy

I know, it's cliche, but it's true.  Writing can be the best, and cheapest form of therapy around.  I grew up writing in a journal (never a diary... I've never started an entry with "Dear Diary..."), and overall I've continued writing over the years.  There have been large gaps of hiatuses, but in general, writing has always been there for me.  In college I started a blog, and that put a dent in my journal writing, but at some point I realized that I had to sensor myself somewhat when writing things that would be posted on the Internet.  I mean,who really wants to air all their dirty laundry for everyone to read?

Overall, I have noticed, on the rare occasion that I go back and read some of the things I've written over the years (which is a lot and quite embarrassing), that I tend to write the  most often and the most content when I'm unhappy or stressed out in life.  I write almost everyday for the first semester of my freshman year of college.  I had a terrible room mate situation, a terrible time with sorority rush (totally different story), and it took me a while to figure out the whole frisbee thing on a social level- I was 18, didn't start drinking until probably October, and was super socially awkward (and less successful at hiding it than I am now).  I started to write frequently again last year when I moved to Wyoming and hadn't visited, didn't know anyone, and school hadn't started yet.  That fell to the wayside very quickly once I got busy with school, frisbee, assistantship, tutoring, and working out.

Now, I'm back in Atlanta, and I find that I'm writing more often again.  I've had a few people ask me about it, and my response is: "It helps keep the crazies at bay".  I realize that sounds ridiculous, but ask anyone who writes on a semi-regular basis, it's cathartic.  I'm am trying my hardest to keep my crazies to myself this summer, and thankfully, writing has helped.  So, writing = therapy.   

Summer of Zen

This is the summer of Zen.  I know, this sounds ridiculous, but it's the name A.Sal has given my new outlook on life that I'm working on in summer 2011.  Basically it is this: I'm learning to let go of the things I can't change or control.  Same goes for people.  I can't worry about the things I can't change or control.  When I do worry about those things, I drive myself (and everyone around me) absolutely crazy.

When I decided to come back to Atlanta for the summer, I wanted to have a great summer, with none of the drama that goes along with Atlanta.  Hence, the place of Zen plan.  Things are the way the are sometimes, and people are who they are.  I'm not going to waste my time and energy worrying about those things, when I could be having a fantastic second last summer with some of my favorite people that I love.  So there it is.  Summer of Zen.

2nd Last Summer

I get another one- a second last summer in Atlanta.  While this wasn't part of the plan, it is something that worked out just perfectly :)  Atlanta, while hot as the 9th level of hell in the summer, is fabulous.  When I was in DC and people would ask my what I was doing after my internship, my answer was "I'm going back to Atlanta!".  Many times, this was followed with a "Why?  What's so great about Atlanta?"

What isn't great about Atlanta (besides the oppressive heat)?  It's a city of neighborhoods, I know my way around without a GPS (most of the time), I know people here, and the biggest draw- people know me!  And of course, let's not forget about summer league.  I mean really.  So, that's why I came back, and the fact that I don't have anywhere to live in Wyoming until August 1st.  So, job has been acquired and started, summer league team is happening, and mini-vacations have been planned.  I'm working at my preschool from 8-4 with the elementary aged kids, working out, playing summer league, and just enjoying life.  I'm playing summer league (let's be serious here... Atlanta has the best summer league in the country) with Stranger Danger again, and we've picked up some Auburn kids, so that should be interesting and fun.  I'm flying to Poultry Days on Friday, playing in SMUT the last weekend in June, playing in both summer league tournaments, getting to visit my bro in Knoxville some (he lives there now!), and going to Portland for the National Council for Geography Education (NCGE) conference the first week in August.  That's a pretty jam-packed summer, and I'm good with it :)  I am a little sad to miss my mom's family's annual crawfish boil this year, but it's the same weekend as Pdays, and there are very few things I'll miss Pdays for.  Besides, Pdays is my other family reunion.

So... good 2nd last summer.  All this will end on August 15 when I start the drive back to Laramie, with stops in Dyersburg and Kansas City.  It'll be good to be back though- I'm learning that's where my life is these days.  All the reasons I left still exist, so it's a blessing and a curse.  But, if I have to spend the summer somewhere before joining life again, Atlanta is the best place to take a 3 month vaca from it :)