Notes from a full summer:
In May (still spring), I started teaching two college courses — live and asynchronous — which ran through the end of July, and two journaling courses (for women and for sixth graders), which ran through mid-June.
The first week of June, I went to San Juan for a conference. My supervisor went on leave that week and I began to take on her role at work. In mid-June, I went to The Diner for my birthday (loved this so much!) and saw Giant on Broadway. I also watched 1776 and listened to the music on a loop until the Three Weeks.
I went to the South of France with my cousin! Nice, Eze, Villa Ephrussi, Cannes, Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Haut de Cagnes, Juan les Pins, Antibes, Marseilles, Aix-en-Provence, Lourmarin, Roussillon, Gordes, Valensole (lavender!), Avignon. Brief stopover in Lisbon. B”H this trip was an amazing experience for which I am so very grateful.
July felt characterized by jet lag, unfortunately, but eventually that wore off. (I spent a couple weeks in a funk while that lingered.) In July I also enjoyed many childhood rereads. I am still thinking about Tuck Everlasting. There were the Three Weeks and Nine Days. Some friends organized a few gatherings for single ladies which I attended (BBQ, acai bowls, buffet dinner). I spent a Shabbos at my aunt. I wrapped up my teaching semester and graded a LOT. My cousin and I booked another trip for after Succos!
In August, I started supervising a new LMSW at work — a first for me. I took a day off work to go to the Bronx Zoo followed by a Yankees game — an absolutely perfect summer day! My supervisor formally resigned which solidified my new responsibilities (I am currently in talks re: a raise/promotion — these things tend to be tangled in a lot of red tape but I am self-advocating and my current supervisor is supportive). I had four summer Fridays off work and went to a cousin (this was such a special experience because it felt like a personal achievement and I really bonded with her kids), my sister (always grateful to spend time with her family), and another cousin (twice — along with my travel buddy cousin and younger sister — we can be something of a foursome!). One night after work, I saw the Another Wonderland mural. I went stargazing on the High Line! A friend and I went out for supper and caught up after a few months of not seeing much of each other. I also went shopping at an outlet mall that I hadn’t been to since…seminary shopping. This was a fun experience I treated a bit like visiting a clothing zoo. (I did get two t-shirts in the blue and brown).
I enjoyed Rita’s five times this summer (butter pecan, orange cream, campfire marshmallow, cake batter, and vanilla Shirley Temple gelati). I also bought a lemon meringue pie for my birthday Shabbos (after PR) and a lemon meringue tart on my birthday in France. I do love lemon meringue pie. Unrelatedly, I had my yearly checkups at my PCP and dermatologist, and a visit to the allergist (this is new for me — I have developed an allergy to ibuprofen! Very inconvenient).
And with that unexpected detail, I conclude my summation of Summer 2026! I am very, very grateful. (Of course, this is — mostly — the highlights reel — there were/are harder things going on, too, but these are the memories I want to include in my review).
Wishing you a great week ahead! What were the highlights of your summer?
