It’s summer, but life lately has been pretty busy/hectic – I’ve been working or preparing for job recruitment all summer. I’m absolutely loving my internship this summer, so even though I’m busy, I can’t complain! I can, however, say that I’ve really been savoring the small moments and downtime I’ve had.

I was initially worried about being in DC and not spending the summer with my family, but it’s been one of the best summers ever! In this post, I wanted to share some of the small moments that have been giving me joy lately. I do these posts pretty regularly, so you’ll see some recurring things (like matcha and outdoor walks) but also some new things on here!

Matcha

I have to start off with a classic! Of course, matcha has been making me happy lately and it has also been helping me get through some long days. My homemade matcha game has really been on point recently. I never used to make it when I lived in a dorm last year, but now that I’m in an apartment with a kitchen, I usually make it twice a day!

My Cooking

Okay so I had cooked before this summer, but this is my first time living alone and cooking all my meals and I have to say I’ve kind of been killing it. I don’t know if I’ll be feeling the same way well into next semester, but right now I’m loving it. My food is way better than cafeteria food and there’s something very therapeutic about cooking after a long day.

Road Trips

My friend and I took a road trip for the 4th of July to her hometown and it was such a good time. I love long car rides with good conversation and good music.

Ocean City

On the same note, I loved the road trip but I loved the actual destination even more. We spent a day and a half in Ocean City Maryland, my friend’s hometown. It felt like such a retreat from DC and I loved just eating breakfast and dinner on the beach and seeing the local sites. We also found the cutest plant shop where a got of couple of new plants for the apartment, which made me so happy!

New Trail

At the end of last semester, I found a new running trail, and I’ve been walking/running there everyday this summer. It honestly doesn’t seem like you’re in a city, I’ve seen deer and turtles by the water (and luckily no snakes yet). Being out there and taking in the sun makes me very happy!

The Family Visiting me in DC

My family visited me for a week in DC which was definitely a highlight of this summer. They’ve been to DC before, but this was the first time I’ve gotten to show them around now that I’m fully settled in. It felt so special to show them around all my favorite places and introduce them to my friends – it felt like two worlds colliding. We had a painting night in the new apartment with my friends and sisters, which was so much fun. I also got treated to a lot of nice meals out while my parents were here which I’m definitely not complaining about!

Reading Outside

I’m loving just grabbing a book and sitting outside whenever I have the chance. I know I’m really going to miss this in the fall once campus gets more crowded and life gets busier!

This View

I mean, do I really have to say much else?

Those are a few of the things that have been giving me joy lately! Let me know what yours are in the comments!

See you next week,