I've just returned from a lovely Fourth of July weekend in Detroit. This trip convinced me that July 4 is my favorite holiday. There's no expectation or stress or arguing over when to spend time with whom. Unlike Christmas break, I don't spend half the break in bed recovering from school and hiding from the cold. On good old Independence day I needn't plan my menu and send invitations two months in advance. It's just a lovely day of reflection and relaxation spent in the company of friends and family. This year my sis and I each invited whoever was free. Our small party took the paddle boat around the lake, ate, and played bocce ball before roasting marshmallows over a bonfire, enduring my mother's tall tales, and watching neighbors light illegal fireworks. What could be better?
It was great to spend time with my sis while she's starting her first year of residency. I also played some tennis with my parents, talked to my bro on the phone about America's impending fiscal doom, went to City Fest downtown and had an impromptu Food in the Hood, and saw Wall-E (which I highly recommend). I hope your weekend celebrations of the nation's independence were equally as pleasurable and festive.
And now to the point: During my trip, Patrick reminded me of something cool that he and his friends did last summer. They all made Life Mix CD's and sent them around to each other. It's a pretty simple concept - create a soundtrack which encompasses your life thus far. Alas, in light of my attempts today, the Life Mix is a dauntingly complex task. But I think it'll be really fun. So I wanted to propose that we all make one this summer. I know everyone's busy, but it's summer, I mean, how busy can you really be? I guess some of his friends went as far as making CD jackets and writing descriptions for each song/time period. I beseech you to be as creative as you please.
Let me know if you're in.
Much love always,
-k
