It’s been another one of those weekends-the weekends that are go go GO because I only have 2 days and I HAVE to live every second up, because working on an island this summer has taken up a lot more of my time than I thought it would.
So in one week there are 168 hours. Subtract 40 hours for official work time. That leaves 128 hours. Then subtract another 15 hours for my total commute time in one week-113. Then let us say that I get minimum 8 hours of sleep for a total of 40 hours sleeping, which brings us down to 73 hours. Then miscellaneous adult activities and other things that I do not consider as fun free time things such as my grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, babysitting Willow, cleaning, etc. probably total about another 30 hours or so. Which leaves 43 hours as “unaccounted” time for doing summer things. If I was in school right now, that number would probably be closer to 20 or so due to all the responsibilities I hold in Navs that takes up a lot of that time.
So in 43 hours, fit all the things you would like to do in 3 months. And I’m probably exaggerating, but time is precious, and when you only have 25.6% of a week to live your life, you have to make it count, I guess.
On Friday, there was a party feel to the workday as that night after work, this year’s Eagle Island staff (myself, Chloe, and Owen the park manager) were going to have a campout along with last year’s rangers, Kaylin and John. We drove the boat to Jewel Island and beached it, and then walked around the beautiful island and to an old WWII submarine tower which was equal parts terrifying and awesome.
It was already sunset when we left, and we returned to the island to commence our feast of lobster, chicken, corn, potatoes, and varying kinds of chocolate things (as Owen has quite the sweet tooth). It was quite an edition of ratchet kitchen, that’s for sure. We had no salt, pepper, or seasoning of any kind, which was a huge mistake on my part. It was also my first time trying lobster. I tried it, found I could swallow it, but was not a big enough fan to eat the rest. And when they started getting around the poop filled part of it, I called it a night on eating seafood. We then played a snack snap pea eating contest of my own invention, as Chloe and I are big fans of these and have been eating them all summer. Fabulous prizes were involved, and then around 2:00 in the morning, we decided it was probably time for bed.
The next morning we drove the boat to Chebeauge Island and got coffee and muffins! It was such a cute place that I can only dream of going back to one day. It’s a shame that you basically have to be rich to spend any time there-a sad thought for someone who knows that she will for sure never be rich. We then hopped it back over to Dolphin Marina, and I started my hour and a half ride down to Biddeford to meet up with Molly and Justin to practice for her show at Roots that night. That car ride felt like nothing, let me tell you. I was actually even looking forward to some alone time with my music. Guess I’ll have to wait until the drive up to Nahmankanta Lake in a few weeks for my camping excursion (more on that to come).
Practice flew by, and once Molly and I figured out a mystery chord on one of her songs that stumped the heck out of us, there were no mishaps. Another well done show by Molly, of course. My highlight was probably playing piano on “Your Love Revives”, which is one of my favorites by her. It was also my debut of the violin-the first time I have ever played in public.
After we went out to Sea Dog, I hoofed it back to Gorham and spent the night with Kate. Oh, this girl always keeps me on my toes, and that’s all I can say to describe her in an adequate but succinct enough way. We went to church in the morning, and then I made my way to Liesel and Beth’s apartment (which is getting cuter every time I see it). Liesel and I drove down to Crescent Beach, and almost as soon as we got there, it started to rain. But we were NOT budging, and the clouds finally passed and it was nothing but sunshine afterwords. We read poetry and ate rain-soaked chips. After Thai food and ice cream, I drove back to Lisbon, my back seat a mess of bags and things after a weekend such as this one, reflecting on how Liesel is such a good friend to me. She is one of those where I wonder, “What did I do to deserve to have someone like her come so unexpectedly into my life!?” I love how I’ve never met anyone like her before, and how real yet mellow of a person she is. Plus, she has an awesome name. I wonder if she would be mad if I named a girl if I had one after her. Liesel, if you’re reading this, comment and let me know, ’cause I might put it on the list.
Ugh, this girl is so beautiful inside and out!
And this is where it should end, because I have work tomorrow and buckets of laundry to do. But the night wasn’t over yet. I talked on the phone for 3 more hours with my friend Bailey from South Dakota. Among many encouraging things (for her and also me) that I got to share with her, we talked serious about plans for me to visit her in the fall. We found a date, made a plan, and on Halloween I will be flying out for 3 days to Brookings to see a friend I have not seen in 2 long years!
This is really the best way to describe what Bailey and I talked about.
After all that, it was time to conk out. I hope you all have been getting to experience excitement over a longer, more relaxed period of time instead of like me, cramming it into one weekend. I would not necessarily recommend this craziness. But hey, that’s my life I guess.
Not to end on a sad note, but please, if you have just a minute sometime, send a prayer up for me as I am lonely here in Lisbon. Weekends such as these are amazing, but can leave me craving more. I miss going to church, I feel abandoned by some friends (something I am really trying to work through with Jesus, who should be the only one who satisfies me), and although yes I am living with the woman who was once my mentor, I have never felt more alone then here in her house, fitting myself into a family where I know I will never belong. We can pretend all we want to, and put on a face for the guests that come, but I still feel that I am an intrusion that lives in the upstairs attic. A college girl with whom no one knows what to do with. All of this brings up questions like, “Do I fit myself into places I don’t belong, or am I being super duper deceived by the enemy right now?” I guess I will need a serious heart change to answer.
~J
Water from the Rock 