Amongst many clichéd witticisms, I failed to find any famous
or literary quote that perfectly excused the silence of a blog and lack of post
for over a year. The onslaught of A-level work and self-imposed additional responsibilities
go someway to explain it. Lethargy covers the rest. That and it becomes like a
text message you forgot about and after a certain period of time it’s too
awkward to try and reply. But that’s the apology. Moving on.
The summer for many is a period of waiting – for the next
school year, for the next big step. A great number of people my age wait for
the results in August to determine their place in University, or other form of
higher education. Until then, plans are essentially un-makeable. Which, if
you’re anything like me, is a terrifying prospect. Therefore the time must be
filled with endless distracting activities – after all, nearly four months of a
summer holiday may start fun but ends up quite daunting when you don’t have anything to do, even on the days where you don’t make it out of bed
until the afternoon. Or when that something to do ends up being the first two
seasons of Game of Thrones in as many
days (and by the old gods and the new I hate Joffrey. I swear that there has
never been such an insufferable character in anything before. Ever.) And when
you’ve only got the first five seasons of One Tree Hill and you’re still
munching your way through the remnants of Easter chocolate (it’s alright, I
can’t believe it either) endless days of TV quickly becomes dull, sickly and
fattening.
Some would say that the time should be used for fun or
education – though somehow I don’t think learning a dozen different plaits and
planning to use your little sister as a human doll counts with that. Fun’s a
lot easier to have, however, when you have the funds to do it. Having quit my
two-year job at the much-adored bookstore Waterstones, in order to concentrate
on my exams, I now inexplicably have the time to spend with the people I want
to and yet a dwindling supply of finances with which I can do things. An unfair
paradigm, I think. Add to that the mixture of holidays that people enjoy and
the seeming endless summer is radically reduced to a number of short days in
which to spend time with people who in a few months will be scattered across
the nation. Ah, first world problems.
Volunteering or work experience opportunities are another
option (though to my disappointment, I learned you have to get in quite early
for the local ones you want. Bristol is just a little too far away for a
placement.) Indeed, helping out at the library for the Summer Reading Challenge
is a great time-filler, as well as a great use for my obscure knowledge of
children’s books and OCD for alphabetical and numerical order. Even if it does
feel like just doing my job without the pay check and staff perks. Not exactly
like they’re needed though – at last check (another product of boredom) I have
over 50 books unread on my shelf. Hmm. I would, however, not recommend this if
you aren’t a fan of children; you’ve got to be prepared for the small ones
running at you during an art and crafts session and end up returning home
covered in more glitter and sequins than those of a notorious dancing
profession – need I say more?
The summer may also be one of new experiences for many – a
holiday with friends, a new talent, a new job. Or in my case, donating blood
for the first time, something I would encourage of others too. This being said,
I haven’t done it yet – I may retract this encouragement if I end up freaking
out and passing out or rolling round crying in a complete overreaction to any
amount of pain there may be. Following that, I’ve signed up to the charity
annual Colour Run (ie Colour Walk) at the end of the summer. Not entirely sure
why my efforts to help seem to wind up in my pain and degradation, but there we
go. Wish me luck guys.
To everyone else waiting on the results and the end of the
summer, I borrow a quote a friend of mine used at the beginning of the school
year: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its
strength.” So enjoy the summer – for now there is nothing that can be
done. In the words of Blink-182 (or Blink-183 depending on who of my friends
you talk to - may I mention that I get to see one of my favourite bands in less
than two weeks…?) it’s time for “a summer that they could call, memory that’s
full of fun.” Enjoy.
