I love the summer because it’s a period where anything I had to let go of during the academic year I can pick back up. This year, a combination of analog and digital activities, fun snacks, and new shows made my summer relaxing and enriching. Here are just a few of the things I loved this summer.
Bookmark Making
A hobby that I reserve for the summer is bookmark making. In middle school, friendship bracelet making was an activity that everyone could do, whether you had a loom to hold your piece down or just pinned the loop to a piece of clothing. I’m not patient enough, nor do I have the need for bracelets, so I make my projects the length of a bookmark.
Searching for different patterns on Pinterest or on braceletbook.com, I find that this creative outlet allows me to improve my weaving skills. I love experimenting with colors and patterns, this year introducing beads to add extra detail to my projects. I love that this project has had the longevity to be something that I can continue working on past my childhood.
Kurt Vonnegut & Reading
Every year I’ve had a different author whose worlds I immerse myself in. This summer that writer was Kurt Vonnegut. The past few authors who’ve dominated my summer reading have been the likes of Patti Smith, Ann Patchett, and Barbara Kingsolver. Vonnegut broke the mold this year.
Although I push myself to explore genres, science fiction — his genre of choice — is one I typically don’t enjoy. However, I found true enjoyment reading his books, whether full-length novels or collections of short stories. My favorites Breakfast of Champions, Welcome to the Monkey House, and Galápagos transported me everywhere, from space to — well — the Galápagos.
Egg Salad & Keogh’s Chips
Similar to choosing an author, I tend to have a snack or drink of the summer. Last year it was Shirley Temple and hamburgers. This year, it was packets of Del’s lemonade blended with ice, paired with egg salad and Keogh’s Chips. Looking through the aisles of the grocery store, I found Keogh’s chips and wanted to try them, being pleasantly surprised when they proved to be good on their own, but also when paired with egg salad.
Following the Moon Phases
From a kind of horrific Mercury retrograde in July to full moons, this summer was full of celestial happenings. As someone whose horoscope tends to be scarily accurate, I made it a habit to check in to see if what I was going through was being influenced by the solar system.
Seinfeld
2026 is my year of TV shows, new and old. Adults, Arrested Development, and now Seinfeld are series I’ve enjoyed this year. I feel I watched it as it was intended to be watched: in the living room, on a big TV, with my dad. It’s funny to watch it with him because, having watched it before, he’s excited to point out when he knows it’s going to be a good episode.
I was introduced to Julia Louis-Dreyfus when I was probably a little too young to be watching The New Adventures of Old Christine. With the exception of her, this was my introduction to the other actors in the project. It’s a ridiculous and comedic show, and I love the dynamics between the characters. Sometimes you just need to laugh, and this show is just that.
iPhone Games
Ugh, my bad habit — my phone — strikes again. No one’s getting on me about it but I am, so allow me to justify to myself spending time playing iPhone games.
- I spent my study abroad playing card games and doing analog activities
- I deleted TikTok for the entirety of the summer, so I feel that it’s okay that I balanced that by spending 45 minutes to an hour playing Candy Crush
- I take losing in stride. No shame to those who have, but I have never spent money on an iPhone game. If I lose a level 100 times, I dig myself out of the losing streak
There’s something I just love about getting to play a game on my phone. It’s nice to have an outlet where I can succeed, but one that has no impact on my day-to-day life. Whether it’s mahjong, a sorting game or something else, I find it fun to apply my brain to a different form of entertainment.
Oddli
I love brands, and I love Oddli. I plan to write a separate article on this company because I have so much to say, so here I’ll keep it limited to a list of reasons why I love Oddli.
Cotton. Range of sizes. Basics, but elevated designs. Woman-owned. Great and quick customer service.
Summer may be over, but it was fun while it lasted. You’ll catch me wearing Oddli around campus and opening my novels to new bookmarks. I don’t know what my fall favorites will be yet, but I look forward to sharing them very soon.