What Do You Mean, "Take It Easy?"

Summer: No school, beach, and no worries.

Why aren't my summers ever like that? I feel like I'm the only dork who looks forward to school starting so she can relax. Every summer since I was a kid consisted of various camps and family trips. So if I wasn't gone, I was either packing or training for whatever it was I was doing next.

I specifically bring up family vacations because I am embarking on one tomorrow. Every year, I try my hardest to convince my parents that my participation is unnecessary. Every year I fail. This year, instead of really going on a trip, we're going to see my grandfather and two of my aunts -- who happen to live near a beach.

This mainly sucks for two reasons:

1. My aunts are rarely on good terms with one another. Constant bickering drives me nuts.

2. It's hard to flirt and have a good time at the beach when my parents and younger brother are there -- and they're always there. Always.

Family vacations in general suck because my family never does what I want to do. Last year, we drove around Tennessee, spending the majority of time in Gatlinburg and Chattanooga. My mom got to shop for clothes. My dad and my brother raced go-carts and bought a large number of unnecessary swords and knives. I got to watch my mother try on outfits that look identical to the ones she already has and pretended to be interested in whatever pointy thing my brother was talking about. I wanted to go hiking. As a matter-of-fact, I was promised hiking. It was the selling point to convince me to go and be nice. But, no one wanted to go, and I had no means of transportation. Another great part about family vacations: one vehicle.

Don't get me wrong, I really try to be optimistic (actually, "kinda-try" might be a bit more accurate) about the summer. My job is filling all of my weekdays, (and some of my weekends) and on weekends I just want to curl up on the couch with a book I haven't read a million times before.

Vacations updates will hopefully be given, I think the hotel in Rehobeth has wireless . . . if not, God help me . . .