You know the school year has started when you find the little rubber beads from the track everywhere. So far I’ve found them in the bathroom, in the pillowcases, my AirPod case is pretty much a container for it, all of my shoes, my socks, my shorts, and now in the hotel bed I am sitting on while writing this. It just came out from somewhere in the sheets right onto my keyboard.
No, but for real, the school year is now in full swing and it’s been pretty chaotic. I have a lot going on at the moment, and I love every single part of it. Well, mostly.
I am a madricha for my synagogues’ school program; I assist a teacher and co-teach the class from time to time. I am in my last year of Hebrew School, finally. I am the Communications VP of a very special board at my synagogue, too. It was created by one of the Rabbis, my peers and I. I’m so happy to say that it is going amazing. I am so incredibly proud to be a part of it and I love everything about it. It has quickly become a huge source of happiness for me.
Two weeks ago, we had our first event. It was an ice cream social in our newly renovated board room. It was almost like a grand opening event and also a great way for me to show off the chalkboard wall that I painted. It was super fun and an amazing first start to our board. It makes me so excited to see what is yet to come.
I tutor my boyfriend in chemistry and hang out with him whenever we have time. My time with him is honestly such a life saver. Since my schedule is so packed I love being able to hang out with him and unwind, actually being able to take a deep breath. Plus he has been my best friend for at least a year and a half so I go to him with pretty much everything, luckily he does the same to me.
We go to different schools and he is very involved in his school. He is the drum-line captain and on the varsity baseball team this year. This means I became very involved in his school too. Certainly way more than mine. I am slowly earning a spot in helping out the band during football games, and I know I’ll be there for anything during baseball season too.
It takes up a good chunk of my schedule but I honestly love being involved. I was never super involved with anything from my school or Hebrew school and I am really happy that I am becoming more involved. Even though I’m involved in his school, not mine.
I am incredibly excited to see what this year has in store for me. I know I took on a lot with just the board alone. Helping out at his school could have been enough too. Even just school would make me incredible busy. But, when I’m doing it, I am not even stressed. I somehow have time to do homework and see my friends. Sometimes I surprise myself with how much I took on. I’m not slowing down any time soon though. Especially compared to last year, I am ready for a change.
While all of that is going on day to day, I’m also trying to do more fun things that come up. For example, I had a sleepover a few weeks ago at the ranch I worked at. It was super fun, we played games and hung out. Then we camped out in the massive jumping arena. Since me and my boyfriend met there, because we work together, he came too and we hung out. I saw my first shooting star, too!
I saw Kool and the Gang preform live at an amphitheater by my house. It was… iconic… that’s a good word for it… In a few weeks I’m going back to see Earth Wind and Fire which is really exciting. Later that week I’m going to see the San Francisco Giants play.
Last week, while driving home from my first day of working at my synagogue my dad brought up the idea of surprising my mom with trip. We decided to go to Lover’s Point; it’s small, beautiful beaches with clear water, an adorable town and good food. We have been here a few times before.
We left it a surprise until she figured out where we were going. Now, I’m sitting in the hotel room writing this. We just had a crazy day of kayaking/ paddle boarding. I took a paddle board while my parents took kayaks. I've never paddle boarded before and it was a little bit of a struggle. Luckily my dad got some pictures while I wasn't struggling. Which was almost never, it was incredibly choppy and windy. We got blown pretty far out and took a long time to get back. It was a little concerning that a whale watching boat stopped really close to us so they could watch something, hopefully seals and not whales. I was almost attacked my some sea gulls who flew right over the front of my face over my board. I was tangled in a mass amount of seaweed and found really big piece. I named it George the Great, he had really long hair. Don’t ask.
I know how hectic my life is going to be this year and I never thought I would be excited for it, but I am. This year feels so different from last year. I have more motivation and support. I have a happier mindset and my mental health seemed to have improve a lot. I just feel happier. Words can’t describe the pride I have for the things I am doing right now, and that’s the best feeling in the whole wide world.
Here’s some more pictures of things from this school year: