August 18, 2008
Summer is finally over for me. It was all too short and I don’t know where most of the time went, but I must finally come to terms with the fact that I must leave Wisconsin and return to the University of Richmond. It’s not that school is bad, it’s just that I could still really use just a bit more time to recover and see familiar faces and old friends. A full calendar of meetings, training sessions, classes, organizational events and meetings awaits me. I have some issues of apprehension regarding a few situations, but I’m hoping they’re unfounded. I’ll soon find out.
However, that’s the future for me and a bit unknown. What I do know is what I have been doing this past week and how I ended my summer. I spent a lot of time helping my little sister with a 4-H project for the county fair. I was always very active in 4-H as a kid and the county fair was always one of the highlights of the year. I used my past sewing abilities (yes it is a bit strange, I know) to help her sew four placemats, one representing each season of the year. I would say that, in all, I spent 30 hours working with her on three separate projects. Even though it took a lot of time and work, it was nice to return home just in time to participate in the county fair again.

My little sister working on a 4-H project

The placemats that I helped my sister sew this summer
Of course, I actually attended the fair as well. Walking around and viewing the exhibits is always fun because it is amazing what some young adults are capable of creating. I also walked the midway, listened to live bands, watched a hypnotists, strolled the animal barns, and did everything else that the county fair has to offer. I brought my friend, Kristin, along as well and we attended the Demolition Derby on Saturday night. We also had tons of good fair food. We had a full bag of cheese curds, funnel cake, deep-fried Oreos, kettle corn, an apple bratwurst, ice cream cones, and maybe one or two things more.

My younger brother and sister won the contest for
largest flower and largest pumpkin.

Checking out the farm equipment

Yep, the cheese curds are back in my life!!!

One of the pigs in the animal barns

A chainsaw artist carving a Native American chief

Kettle Corn!!!

The Demolition Derby (originally called the Wreck ‘Em Rodeo)

Someone got knocked out of the derby
Other than the county fair, I just did some hanging out with friends, watching movies, and trying to relax. Highlights included:

Swing Dancing Night at The Wabasha Caves (a club that is built into a cliff)

Attending the North Hudson Pepper Fest parade…

which included a fair share of farm equipment

Pepper Fest also has a royalty spaghetti-eating contest that was fun to watch
Now, I’m back to Virginia. Who know how my sophomore year will go. I’m probably a bit overinvolved and overstressed, but maybe everything will be less time-consuming than I anticipate. That’d be a nice surprise. I’ll let you know everything that is on my horizon in my next post. Enjoy your end of summer. It’ll be here before you know it… if it’s not already.
Quote of the Week: By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” -Confucius
Thought to Ponder: Why do they call it a 10 gallon hat when it can only hold about 3/4 gallon?
Shout Outs: Anyone in 4-H
YouTube Video of the Week:
Something to make you feel a little bit better about your own abilities














