My Summer Manifesto
Summer is finally here! Well, not really. Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21. But I’m a teacher; therefore summer started as soon as all my semester grades were averaged.
To be honest, last summer was stupid. We moved to a new apartment, which means I spent the first half of the summer packing, the second half unpacking, and when I wasn’t filling or emptying boxes I was busy doing something equally lame. But I’ve made a promise to myself that this summer will not be wasted. To ensure that I make the most of this time I have drafted My Summer Manifesto. Indulge me for a moment if you will.
I will be a writer. I will spend my days working on blog posts, personal essays and freelance gigs. There’s a chance I’ll even complete the business plan for the online magazine I’ve been dreaming of launching.
I will be more loving. This weekend I experienced one of the most frightening moments of my life — listening to a voicemail message that said my brother had been in an collision with an 18-wheeler and was in the hospital. I absolutely adore my brother. He’s one of my best friends and while I’m not a parent, I’m confident my love for him is close to what a mother feels for her son. For minutes after hearing this message I couldn’t even breathe. I later learned my brother was fine and only being treated for back pain. But moments like these remind us, as cliche as it might sound, that we should never take our loved ones for granted. This summer I will spend more quality time with my friends and family. I’ve even made a list of all the folks I need to bond with this season. And guess what, if you’re my pal, you’re probably on that list, so expect an e-mail or phone call soon.
I will be a social butterfly. Rediscovering and learning to love Birmingham has been a huge focus of mine this year and the only way that’s going to happen is if I get out more and see what the city has to offer. So if there’s an event going on in Birmingham I’m there. Well, unless I can’t afford it. Then I’ll be at home tweeting about how I wish I were there.
I will be comfortable. I will live in Capri jeans, tank tops, and flip fops. My hair will be big, my makeup will be scarce. You’ve been warned.
I will be a gym rat. At the beginning of the year I dropped nearly 15 pounds in part because I started working out like a maniac. Exercise makes me feel better physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. This summer I’m back to my goal of burning 3500 calories a week and I’m adding more weight lifting to my regimen because I want arms like my First Lady, Michelle Obama.
I will be Martha Stewart. Okay, that’s probably going a bit too far, but I will attempt to flex the few domestic muscles I have (I do have them somewhere, right?) and cook more this summer. People keep telling me if I spend more time in the kitchen I’ll eventually begin to enjoy it. I think these people are liars, but we’ll see.
I will be lazy. I have a huge list of goals for the summer, but for at least one day I’m going to start my morning listening to Bruno Mars’s “The Lazy Song” and then proceed to stay in my PJs all day and do nothing but eat and watch back-to-back episodes of NCIS.
What are your summer plans?
I like your ideas! I tell you.. more and more.. I think I should have become a teacher. I would give ANYTHING for summer’s off. 🙂
I haven’t declared one but this reminds me I need to:)
J-Nic . . .I absolutely adore this!!!!! Your manifesto is awesome! I hope that I am involved in at least one of those ;)!
@Nicole, having summers off is pretty awesome, but we work SO much during the school year that it probably works out to working 9 to 5 52 weeks a year.
@Keisa, I’m looking forward to reading the Natural Hair Diva’s summer manifesto!
@Audacity, you are on my list of loved ones to spend quality time with!
I haven’t felt like I’ve had a summer since my school days. I feel like unless you are a teacher your summers just run together with the other seasons unfortunately.
However, if I’m ever able to retire before I end up in a nursing home I will enjoy my summers. But for now its work, work and more work!
Jai–I have not gotten an email or phone call yet. What the heck?
Please blog about how to burn 3500 calories a week and include a playlist.
I used to be a terrible cook. In high school, I was not allowed to cook unsupervised because of my proclivity to burn up the kitchen. When I lived in New Orleans, I had neighbors who were passionate about eating and making good food. With years of practice and lots of mistakes, I have learned to enjoy it.
P.S. I just read a biography of Julia Child, and she started as a terrible cook.
ljm, of course your on the list! I’m actually going to be in ATL this weekend for a conference. I’m not sure if I’ll have any free time, but let me know your schedule and maybe we can get together for a meal at some point. But even if this weekend doesn’t work out we need to plan to get together soon. Email me so we can schedule something. Love you!
@merch: What’s funny is that I didn’t enjoy summers when I was a student because I always worked (sometimes 2 jobs) during the summers. It’s so ironic that now at age 30 summer is finally fun.
Oh, yeah, ljm, I’ve already done a post on how to burn 3500 calories in a week. There’s no playlist though. Sorry.
http://www.georgiamae.com/2011/01/black-women-dont-work-out-and-other.html