I spent the summer teaching sailing and working at a frozen custard store. There were some days at sailing camp when I went hoarse from yelling so much at the kids, but most days were sunny, breezy, and perfect. There's nothing quite like laying out on the water on a motor boat, watching sailing everyday and occasionally getting to jump in a boat myself (even in high stakes circumstances, such as the time three boats were headed straight for the rocks with no idea how to bail out). I loved being with kids all day. Watching summer storms roll down the lake, teaching with a few of my favorite Denison sailors, and having new experiences around the Columbus area turned into a wonderful summer. I lived with Drew and Whitney in their gorgeous new house, with my own room and bathroom. Bonfires, running through the neighborhood, and Cards Against Humanity made the evenings I didn't work at the frozen custard store excellent. The things I'll remember most from working in food services are the girls I scooped with, the free custard, and the country music that was never not playing. It grew on me, I have to say, listening to Luke Bryan in that lime green store, the smell of custard permeating my clothing. All summer I went back and forth with friends on whether or not to take the GRE. I even got a book and studied in the park and in a coffee shop...more than once. When I (tried) to tackle the math portion, I became frustrated, then exhilarated when I realized I don't HAVE to take the GRE and shouted this fact over and over in my car as I was driving home.
Taking the family sailing.
Chaco Tan 2.0: mission accomplished.
At the end of August, I moved back home. Yes, I'm one of those college graduates, moving back in with my parents after obtaining that precious piece of paper. About once every few weeks I go on a crazy job search, churning out resumes and cover letters for anything in the country that sounds appealing. I worry about my life plan, where I'm going to live, where I want to settle down, how I'll make friends, what my goals are. And then I chill out because nothing I plan is certain anyway. Talking to my friends in the same position (that is, most) comforts me...Facebook is, on occasion, a downer, seeing what people back at school and elsewhere in the world are up to.
I worry about loans (congratulations! Your grace period is up!), retirement, who I'm going to marry, where I'll live, if I'll like my job, if I'll be able to live off my job, etc (typical 20-something worries, right?) But you know what? Life is good. I get to spend time with my extended family, my neighbors, and my city. The Farrells get together often...the other night all came over for an Ireland Trip Planning Session and it didn't take long before the toasts with Irish Whiskey exceeded the number of fingers I have on one hand. I love being back in an area I am familiar with, that has a lot of personal, familial history and meaning to me. Also, my dog is here. My feet would freeze at night if it weren't for our Irish Setter demanding I make room for her on my twin size bed. She snores, but I love her more than anything.
Working at a bakery is not exactly what I want to be doing with my life, but I couldn't ask for a better boss, and the group I bake with tends towards the humorous and happy, though there are a few grumpy ones. I can't say I'm a fan of the light blue polo shirt uniform, and going into the giant -20 degree freezer is not something I relish. However, the muffins smell good, and the hours are moving me towards my next adventure, wherever that may be. I also unexpectedly began coaching rowing for one of the teams downtown with my high school coaches. That's been superb, getting back into rowing and around kids. In the beginning, I had to "fake it till I made it" because there was a lot I didn't remember about the rowing world. My boys accused me of liking the girls better, but I assured them I loved them all equally (is this what being a parent is like??), even though I did spend more time with the girls. Wanting to seem competent, I assured my coach that I knew how to drive a launch with an outboard motor no problem since I'd done it all summer...which I had, just with a wheel, not a tiller. I ran over oars more times than I care to admit, and made so many circles around the boats that the kids made fun of me for the rest of the season. The season ended today, and I have to say I'm a little sad. Part of me is hoping to find a job in Toledo so I can continue to coach, part of me wants to go far away. Ready for a terrible pun? You might say I continue to be swallowed in the sea...of life. Bam.
Last row of the season with approaching rain, cold winds, and beautiful fall colors.
Typical regatta day with my novice.
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