So Long, Summer

Good morning and goodbye, San Diego. Wednesday morning I woke up with the sun. Bags packed, the zippers close to bursting because I’ve never been good at that thing called “packing light,” it was the day I would head back to Illinois for my second year at ISU. Before I left, I made sure to say bye to my dog, Star, and, of course, my car Waldo.

One last snap from home before we headed 

to the airport

It’s hard to believe this summer is already over. It seems like I was complaining about how long three months was going to be in anticipation to be back at school (an anticipation that I’ve never felt before) just days ago, but here I am ready to head back.

 Flew into San Diego with the sunset

I had a lot planned for this summer: I had to catch up with all of my friends from high school, work full-time so I could make up for how much I had spent the last two semesters (too much, according to my mom), and I had to have adventures worthy of social media (this is only slightly a joke).

And I did.

This summer I worked almost five days a week at a minimum wage job, wishing I could already be a teacher, out in the field, doing what I love; wishing I hadn’t spent as much money as I did so maybe I wouldn’t have to work as hard (though I would’ve anyways). There were bad days with good moments and good days with bad moments and days when I came home and just collapsed with no energy left to even watch Netflix.

I rocked this outfit almost constantly this 

summer!

This summer I caught up with friends I hadn’t talked to since graduation. Despite spending probably too much money on coffees and dinners every time I went out with a friend, I was reminded of where I came from and just how many people I have back home who care enough to want to actually hear about the badly told stories of my freshman year of college. (If you know me even a little, you’ll be well aware of my knack to forget what I’m saying, an ability I’ve been told is unmatched, which turns quick stories into hour long explanations of exactly where I was when I found out that Zayn Malik had gone solo.) There are few things that match the feeling of someone sending you a text saying, “I miss you! When can I see you?” and then actually following through with the plans.

Two of my favorites: Pat Villa and Starbucks.

 Such a good way to end my summer with life 

talks with Pat!

My cousin Phyllis is about to start high school! Getting Ghiradelli 

ice cream with her and the rest of her family was fun and delicious! 

July 11th happens to be one of my favorite days 

because who doesn't love free stuff?

A day isn't complete if it doesn't involve

 Starbucks (featuring Tony)!

I got to catch up with Marika who I've known

 since before Kindergarten AND eat Mexican food! 

That's a good day in my book!

 My beautiful cousins, Haley and Maddie, and I grabbed 

coffee before hanging out with the rest of our family!

 Derp award goes to Megan and I. Even if I only got to see her for a weekend,

 it was a highlight of my summer.

Can't visit ISU without grabbing sushi from 

La Bamba

Blake and I enjoying late night In-N-Out

 Food on food on food on food

This summer I went from San Diego to Los Angeles and back multiple times, visiting both family and friends; 

 Sarah, Emily, and I spent a great day in Santa Monica!

I went back to Illinois for my Grandma’s 90^th birthday; 

We were just able to grab some pictures before the storm blew in.

Grandma's 90th birthday, featuring her 13 grandkids (+ 3 S.O.s) and 4 great grandkids!

 I wasn't actually able to hit any of the clay pigeons but at least I looked good trying!

I went to the beach and the races and a cute little meditation garden; 

There were lots of koi ponds at the garden for us to relax next to!

Trying so hard to tan.

My first time ever flying a kite!

Somehow, I managed to over double my money at the Del Mar races!

I went to Carlsbad Village and all the way over to Lake Havasu, AZ. 

4-way crosswalks make for good photo ops with the Carlsbad sign!

Sarah and I really liked to show off on the tubes

 If you look really closely, you can see me catching major air on the jet ski in the back!

I made new friends and reunited with old ones. I played tennis poorly and promised myself I’d work out more often (and broke that promise within days). 

Brunch with Taylor!

Baked Bear ice cream sandwiches with Tommy!

The Sprouts crew got together for a beach day!

By the end of the summer, I had managed to 

beat Zach in a game of tennis, even if he'll

 never admit it.

I'm so happy I met my coworker Febyana 

this summer! We have so many great 

memories together!

I got to watch the horse races with Taylor and her friends Meagan and Melanie!

I spent time with my mom, getting Starbucks every Tuesday and sewing a dress for my cousin’s September wedding (the third dress we’ve worked on together) and learning Italian basics with our homemade lattes in the backyard. 

My first time ever voting! Doing it again in November!

Mom and I went on a lot of fun adventures this summer!

There were a lot of things I didn’t do this summer as well.

I didn’t say yes. If there’s one thing I’ve learned this summer, it’s that it’s ok to not always be a yes person. It’s ok to say no to that party invite because you just don’t feel like it; it’s ok to say no to that shirt that looks like five others that you already own and costs five times what you make in an hour; it’s ok to say no to that person who takes more than they give.

I didn’t falter in the face of adversity. I stood up for what I believe and who I believe in. No one got anywhere in life by saying “no, you’re right. I’m not good enough and I never will be. I don’t have what it takes” or “I guess I am too young to understand.” I believe in things that are right and true and sometimes not always popular and I will never give that up just because someone says I should.

I didn’t let others tell me who I am or put me in the bubble of who they want me to be. Instead I was bold and strong and independent and undoubtedly me. I have given up on always aiming to please others because it’s not possible. Sometimes, the only person we really need to please is ourselves. And maybe that means saying goodbye to people we should have said goodbye to long ago. Maybe that means following our dreams and goals instead of sticking with what’s practical or expected. And maybe that means just letting ourselves be, letting ourselves live and live freely.

So summer has ended and it’s time to head back to my other life in Illinois. This time around though, I’m equipped to mix my two homes — and what I’ve learned in each — together.

Cloudy evening at the beach in May!

 Such a stunning sunset from my street!

Saying goodbye with a beautiful sunset over all of 
San Diego. See you next year, Summer!

Coming up next week: goal-setting and what I plan to do this school year.

Hardly Normal

If you don't know who I am, and maybe even if you do, here's a little bit about me and about my blog. My name is Elizabeth Miller. I'm currently an incoming sophomore at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois (hence the name of my blog). My home, where I was born and raised, is in San Marcos, California, though I spent all of my grade and secondary schooling all over San Diego. Last fall 2015, during my first semester of college, I found a new home, one that I chose to make mine.

Around this time last year, in the midst of one of my favorite summers, I was driving down the coast with one of my best friends, Paige. As we looked out at the dark waves and the lights of the city stretched out in front of us, I turned down the music and said to Paige, who had lived in San Diego for almost as long as I had and who was also going to be making the move to the great Midwest, "Isn't it weird how our parents are the ones who made this city for us? They raised us here, and helped us create memories here, and in a little while, we're going to have to do that for ourselves. Make our own memories, leave our own marks, find our own place."

I remember sitting in silence for a moment, taking in the weight of that realization, the challenge ahead of us. We were about to step into two new and separate worlds, both trying to keep our ties with where we had come from while still establishing who we were becoming.

My first year in Normal was anything but. It was also the best year of my life. When I walked on its campus for the first time in October of 2014, I knew Illinois State was the right college for me, the dream college I didn't know I had. I never thought it'd become my favorite place in the world, my new home, and my sanctuary, somewhere I can be unapologetically who I am.

This past year I have met some of the greatest people ever, many who I know will be by my side for the rest of my life; I have learned things about myself and the world, things that I could never have imagined at this time last year; I have started a journey into the rest of my life that I am so excited and optimistic for.

If you're interested in coming along for the ride, I'll be tracking that journey here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I know I will.