There she was just a walking down the street singin...

I am dirty, tired, and tan. Just off a two day boat trip with Bill and Heidi. The trip started with Heidi falling down some rock stairs and hurting both of her ankles and feet...she goes in to see if they're broken in a few hours. We went to Escanaba first. Bill and I walked and Heidi rode a bike to this local place where you grill your own steaks...really good and pretty cheap, especially compared to Door County prices. When we left we were thinking about finding where the local kids hang out but the place looked dead. Like a ghost town except for all the tricked-out cars that were filled with young people crusing down the strip. It was a really odd town. The coast was beautiful. The next day we went to an actual ghost town, Fayette. It had this incredible beach, covered in really interesting rocks. The water was clear. I don't mean see-through, I mean bathwater clear. It was amazing. Then we grilled out on the boat. Great conversations and lots of fun... Now to clean the condo.

step to the beat.

Lauren and I crash onto the carpet..."what just happened?"

AIESECers in Door County. I feel like every day is going incredibly fast now. I did not spend enough time with anyone...too much going on. I loved seeing everybody and had tons of fun this weekend. Heidi and Bill and I are going on a boating trip tomorrow. I cannot wait. But my mom's coming on Thursday which means that I have to clean this place tomorrow morning or quickly before my mom comes on Thursday...it's not smelling quite as much as it did this morning though which is good. I wish I had more time with people.

no sugar tonight

I'm cleaning house for the AIESECers...actually just making beds and such since the place is pretty clean as is...if only my roomies came and visited, they would be surprised. Anywho, I have my visa so I'm pretty much all set to go...crazy. My sister is coming up this weekend too and so are some good friends and celebrating a birthday. Plus I work. So much to do, so much to do. Summer is going too fast. I don't want to go to Chile yet, I'm not done with Door County.

And she wonders without knowing where did she begin..

There is a full moon tonight which is amazing. It is huge and bright and the sky is fantastically clear. I am making tiramisu and cheesecakes bright and early tomorrow morning before heading to my home town. I have to go to Chicago on Thursday to get my Visa and then it will be less than two weeks until I take off for Chile. I am really not thinking about it too much so that I can enjoy my time here instead of stressing over the trip. I should definitely be taking advantage of sleeping in a comfy bed while I can because who knows what I will find in Chile.

What's the buzz, tell me what's a-happenin

I am anxious...I just got a call from the Chilean consulate...my appointment to pick up my visa is in exactly a week. So I have to drive to Chicago on Wednesday night/Thursday morning, luckily my mom will accompany, and then get back up to Door County for Friday night fun with AIESECers. Wow, AIESEC weekend is in a week...how many are coming? when are they coming? hopefully I will know these answers soon. I have not made enough money so far this summer, but I have also not had enough time...I need more time. I leave in 2 weeks and 6 days. 20 days. That makes it seem longer. I have so much to do. I ordered some travel books last week. I need to learn spanish. I need to figure out where I'm keeping stuff. I need to pack. But I definitely need to learn spanish. My anxiety is slightly lessened by reading others' blogs from abroad, but then the stress comes back when I think of how long it will be until I see some of you and how different we will all be by that time. My friend Heidi and I figured out last summer that Door County can actually be bad for you. You see, Door County is quite possibly the most relaxing place ever. Doing nothing is a viable option up here. Nothing to do is something to do. Therefore, when a stressful situation presents itself, you are more likely to FREAK OUT. Last year when summer was over and I went back to Madison, I had a little freak out...it's a shock to your body. Anyway, I have to clean this place before my parents get up here. I also have to go to my place of work and see if I can work out working less. 20 days. I should go for a run...coffee with breakfast was a bad idea, I feel like my heart is about to jump out of my body...stupid caffeine sensitivity.

sitting on the dock of the bay...

Ok, less than a month until I go to Chile. Crazy. But I am making the most of my time while I'm here. My friend Heidi and I have a list of things we have to do before I leave...today we are taking her dinghy out with a case of beer and a camera until her brother Bill gets out of work and will meet us with their boat. Tonight I have a wine-tasting for work. I have such a hard life...

What you're flying over

I have an uncle from New York who considers where I live and the rest of the Midwest states to be "fly-overs," because all you do is fly over them to get to the coasts. It's sad to me that he thinks that, but I'm sure he's not alone. I would be surprised if someone could have the day I did yesterday, or almost any day of my summer life, and still think that. I had my first day off since getting up here so I got a full day in the fantastic weather we've been having lately. I woke up and did some productive things but then two of my friends called me up and we decided to go out on the boat. So I found myself surrounded by deep blue water, bright blue sky and dense green landscape, laying on a boat eating fresh cherries and strawberries and drinking strawberry daquiris. Up here, I look around all the time and just think how incredible my life is. Back to work today, baking in the kitchen and then waitressing at night. I'm pretty pumped for that. I'm hoping to get my Visa stuff out tomorrow. And then tomorrow night sushi with my parents, yay! It's pretty surprising that the best sushi I've ever had has come out of Door County. But this place is pretty surprising overall...