Since the school year has ended, I can’t help but think of the freedom that has come with the end of finals. Finally, I get to go back home where everything is wonderful!
Except, well, I don’t. I’m actually spending my three-month break from Northwestern’s bubble just a few blocks away from campus. Am I crazy? Perhaps, but regardless, I’m stuck so I needed someway to justify this decision.
Pro: Exploring NU and E-Town
Throughout the ever-hectic school year, I tend to miss out on some of the better parts of campus like Deering Field, North and South Beach, the Lakefill, Dearborn Observatory and even the ever-forbidden underground tunnels. This summer will be a chance to reflect, meditate or just fall asleep at these peaceful locations. I’ll also be able to check out everything else Evanston has to offer, whatever that may be. The sun will shine, the birds will chirp and I will have adventures. Maybe I’ll fly a kite in the park, check out the Baha’i Temple or maybe I’ll even find somewhere new and totally exciting to go. The possibilities are endless.
Con: Lake Michigan is not the Atlantic Ocean
I love salt water. I love the ocean. Lake Michigan is a Great Lake, but I miss my hometown of Miami Beach. It’s just not a real beach without salt and really crazy people. Plus, a summer away from home means more time away from my old favorite hang out spots like Books & Books, Lincoln Road, Coconut Grove and Sir Pizza. I know that probably means nothing to 99 percent of the people here, but it means I’m that much further from the land I love. Just thinking about these places evokes nostalgia for high school.
Pro: Downtime to go downtown
But then again, I’ll get to work and play in Chicago. With an internship by the Loop and free weekends to spend in the city, I’ll finally get to do all the things I planned on doing when I applied here. Not a bad scenario. There are so many stores, museums, shows and restaurants I have yet to find. Plus, summer time adventures and discoveries can lead to potential new hangouts for the school year. Maybe I’ll skip a Keg Monday every now and then for an El ride away from Evanston next year.
Con: No parental units
Being away this much longer is breaking Mommy and Daddy’s heart, and I must admit, mine is breaking a little bit too. Sending me out of state was hard enough but now the three months of having me around has been taken away from them. While some may say this is just a side effect of growing up, I hate sacrificing my family time. While I’m planning on going back for a few weeks before school starts, I’m going to miss my parents and siblings a lot.
Pro: Having an internship and job I couldn’t have had at home
My internship search yielding few results in Miami that really interested me, so when I was offered a gig with StyleChicago.com, I started thinking that might be the road for me to take. During the interview process I could visualize what my summer would be like, and I couldn’t go through another summer without something to show for it. Plus, I’m keeping my school-year job doing research with a professor, which has been great to me thus far. I had to accept it. I could never turn down something from which I could really benefit.
Con: Being away from my high school friends
By staying here all summer I miss the get-togethers and reunions that are bound to occur during June and July. Most of my friends went out of state for college so I don’t usually get to see very much of them over breaks and it’s a lot of effort to maintain those relationships. The friends I have managed to keep in touch with, however, are the ones that mean the most and that means more than a crazy house party in July ever will.
Pro: Staying with college friends
On the upside, a lot of my Northwestern friends will be staying here with me. It’ll be great to spend so much time with people I haven’t been able to see very much of this year and some others who I simply couldn’t stand to spend the summer without. While my summer plans may make keeping old relationships hard, it makes my new relationships even stronger and I know I’ll have great people to go on the previously mentioned adventures with.
Another Pro: Music Lover’s Paradise 2009, a.k.a. Pitchfork Festival and Lollapalooza
I haven’t been this excited about a concert since I saw the Spice Girls in fourth grade. These two events are literally the best thing since the invention of ice cream. With the most incredible lineups in the history — with the exception of Woodstock or Live Aid, although it’s not like I was there — Pitchfork Fest and Lolla are shaping up to be the highlight of summer ’09. This alone could be reason enough to stay — no exaggeration.
Verdict: Farewell Miami, hello Evanston… again!
I miss home, I love everything about it, but it’s going to be a great summer!