Adventure!

I had a good day today despite the fact that I hardly got any sleep. It started because I had a friend over and then I had a brilliant idea for my novel and had to write it down immediately. It finished with flashing lights and three arrests as some drunk homeless people were starting to fight and threaten one another down on my street.

I called the cops which had the immediate effect of more lights, more drama, more action and the long-term effect of adrenaline-rushing my system so that I couldn't sleep.

But come morning some four hours later, I dutifully got up and went to the Health Center for a check up. Then I biked to my friend Kevin's house in Alliston, MA and made the most fantastic banana bread ever and ate rice pudding. We also played a strategy game called abalone (good fun). After, we went on a bike ride around the city.

We rode along the esplinade which was nice as the boats were out and there was a full fall breeze flowing through the air so you never got too hot, but you never got too cold either. We stopped at the foot bridge going over storrow drive for awhile and waved to the motorists below. Some waved back. Some made goofy faces. Everyone who saw us smiled and I was amazed at how something so simple could be so satisfying to do.

After, we rode downtown and then to Copley where we got peaches from the farmer's market as we waited for critical mass. Critical Mass is a bike movement that happens in cities across the globe. On the last Friday of every month, bikers gather together and "take the streets" going on an hour long bike ride in which we proclaim that we, the bikers, have the right of way and too bad for you cars!

It's a lot of fun being able to ride in such a large group as it always draws a crowd. It's especially nice not having to worry about cars (though you do sometimes have to worry about other bikers!). We road throughout the city and made our way to Cambridge and Harvard square. I turned off then because I had to go to a pasta party for soccer.

basically, I road my bike for nearly 3 hours straight. It was pretty intense.

Right now, I'm waiting for my laundry to be done so I can go to bed. I have to be up at 5:15 because I have two soccer games tomorrow @ 9:30 and 11:30.

I haphazardly tried out for the club soccer team and made it. This past weekend was spent playing. Being back out on the field felt terrific. It's strange thinking I quit now. Looking back, I feel like I abandoned an entire part of my life. I suppose, in someways, I did.

But I think it was the right decision.

I have done so many amazing things because I have had the team to pursue other interests. Anyways, our team played Fairfield (3-0) and BC (1-) so we have two wins on the season. I didn't play too much (I'm in the field these days) but it felt good to run around.

I look forward to playing more.

The problem with pop culture is it makes real life look so drab. I keep thinking about movies where the protagonist always gets to travel back in time and fix things. Is it weird that I secretly hope that I can do that, one far-off day when I die?

I think it would be really cool to live your life all over again but each time making different choices. Sort of ground hog day esque, I suppose, and seeing how each variation differs.

That would be a good plot for a novel, I suppose.

Anyways, school is interesting. Sort-of.

They say the best way to live life is to throw yourself out there and constantly do things your afraid. Well, that's certainly true. This past week I've tried out for a play (didn't get in) but I had so much fun in the process. Not only did I realize that I actually have acting talent, I realized I possess something much more important: guts.

Sure, you may think, really? You had to ask yourself that? You traveled all the way around the world for goodness sakes! But the truth is, it's easy for me to be adventurous like that. When you arrive at a new destination, you don't know anyone and really, you have no way of embarrassing yourself and it's sort of expected that you'll break local customs once or twice. Locals tend to understand (within reason) and tend to want to engage with you despite your...well...mistakes.

Theatre people are different. This was one of the weirder experiences I have had too. I waited over two hours for my audition and was only able to successfully engage a few people in conversation. What's worse was when people learned I had "never really acted before" many (mainly those whose life revolves around it) sort of rebuffed me. Of course, the one or two other people who'd never tried out for a school play were quiet relieved at my admission.

But, long story short, I had a good time trying out for a play. Sure, I didn't really remember my lines right and yes, I was nervous as hell, but I still did it. I may not have walked away with a part but I walked away with something much more valuable: pride.

It seemed as though August simply flew by. Perhaps, that was because I didn't come back and log each of my many activities or simply because when you're at home time has a way of creeping up on you.

I spent most of my time working which although not as exciting as scuba diving or running around Thailand, does get the bills paid. Well, at least some of them at any rate.

August was filled with many adventures around Falmouth, Woods Hole, and Scraggy Neck as I never had time to go anywhere else. I think some of the highlights of my summer were a family trip to The Chart Room, the week I got back where we sat out on the wonderful sprawling lawn and watched the boats sail in as the sun set. Pigstock, my family (or rather my Dad's) annual barbeque where he smokes all things meat, was another great time. Especially because a lot of my friend's ended up coming.

Boating and Fishing were also fun though I hardly caught anything at all. On my last foray I caught one 6 inch sea bass. Talk about getting jipped. I guess they call it "fishing" and not "catching" for a reason. But every time I went out, whether with my friend John, my cousin Fred, or my cousin Vikki, I had an amazing time. The weather always cooperated and I got to enjoy a couple of fabulous sunsets, if nothing else.

Now, I'm all moved back to Boston and I've already gone swimming up here (Was the water clean, probably not) and ran into loads of friends. I'm excited about my course schedule this year:

Advanced Writing In The Social Sciences
Japanese 102
Anthropology 305: Global Capital Local Markets
Sociology 517: Globalization
Sociology 710: Political Ecology of Global Capitalism (Graduate level course!)

If you haven't figured it out by my schedule, I'm really interested in the topic of globalization! Tonight, unfortunately, I am not going to the NUHOC (the outing club at school) meeting because I have decided to try out for a play! I am preparing two monologues from the play "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder. I read the entire play yesterday in the library. It's very interesting (but not the play I am trying out for).

Anyways, I doubt much will come of it but I am going to give it my best shot! Wish me luck.

Well I am off to cook breakfast and get ready for school!
yay!
Exciting!
- Sarah