In Which Charity Celebrates The Miracle That Is Summer

Summer begins on Thursday afternoon. Tomorrow afternoon. It can't get here fast enough! I can already tell, this is going to be the greatest Summer of my life. Allow me to explain why.

It starts with the fact that it's Summer. Even the very word is glorious. And is it just me or does everything taste and smell and look and feel and sound better during the Summertime?

The weather is also a plus. I can wear shorts and flip flops without freezing to death!

And the lemonade. I hit a point every year, during the peak of my Spring Fever, when I just crave lemonade. And sure I can have it whenever, it just doesn't taste as good if you don't have the freedom to go along with it.

Speaking of freedom. Independence Day has always been my favorite holiday. It's in the Summer, it's freeing, and it's so much fun. My family typically barbecues something and then goes out to find the best fireworks someplace. After we put Ma to bed, Mom, Dad, Faith and I will all gather in the basement and watch The Patriot (excellent movie, by the way. You should watch it sometime).

Sigh. I was born in California so I flipping *adore* the beach. I went last Summer, but I still feel like I haven't been in a long time. I'll try to go again this Summer. *Crosses fingers and toes*

And! This Summer I get to fly to the other side of the world and play with the adorable Cambodian kids. We leave in 15 days and there have been some issues with imprisonment and corrupt government and danger and such. I'll fill you in soon. But I am still so excited!

For some insane reason, I really want to go sailing this summer. I don't know why, I'm just itching to try something new and adventurous.

Plus, with Summer comes that feeling of absolute freedom. I'll turn sixteen, I'll sell all my clothes and buy new ones, I'll prep myself for the strenuous junior year that everyone's warned me about. I. Am. So. Psyched.

This will be the best Summer ever.