After our little time at home, we went up to our family cabin in Minnesota. We stayed a full two weeks! Enough time for me to do three Legos, Dad to take several naps, and Mom to read through a ton of her Grandpa’s old sermons. While up here, my parents are continuing their Sabbatical Project by starting to create a compilation they call a “Year in Sermons.” This is going to consist of about 53+ favorite sermons from themselves, their parents, and grandparents, to make a collection for a whole year. This is pretty cool! A lot of effort, but every once in a while my mom would come out from the porch and say “Look at this 100 year old paper I found of my Grandpa’s!! This is so cool!!!” (Her love for history and knowledge is adorable, admirable, and absolute).
Other than this and our usual lake activities, we also visited my dad’s son Larson, his wife Julia, and their 3 boys Declan, Cullen, and Cooper. I always LOVE to see them, they’re so sweet and the boys are always so enthusiastic and have plenty to say. We went to see a movie with them all, and Cooper and I snuggled and he fell asleep in the first 10 minutes of the movie. He may be 5, but he’s sweet and cute as a button always randomly saying things like “I love you!” or “I missed you!”
On our last full day at the cabin I got my first tattoo! It is a bicep wrap of my Chinese name, and red waves (which is what Bo Tong roughly translates to). It was an amazing experience. Highly uncomfortable to be on the table, but it was well worth it. I have absolutely no regrets. (It’s gunna look so sick too when I’m working out and pumping iron at school!!)
This is also the last week of me being at home before I move to college on the 16th. I’m excited! Everyone is asking me if I’m nervous, and if I’m worried about anything. Truth be told, I go through life “hoping for the best but expecting absolutely nothing.” Call it odd, but it makes life more bearable and fun. No expectations. No disappointments. Only, “What’s next world?” That’s how I’m going to try to go through college. Yes, I’m excited to see where I’m going to go. I’m excited to try out the rowing team. I’m excited to be on my own. But I’ve had enough disappointments and challenges in my life to know that they will come eventually. But I won’t let them get in the way of me living my life and having fun. Whatever comes my way, I’ll deal with it like a champ. And I’ll have my parents and loved ones rooting for me at home!
As you can expect, my parents are excited for me. But it’s always hard to let your kid go. And I understand that. But they’ve prepared me to take life by the reins, have fun, and hold on for dear life! So I’ll be fine. It’ll be fun. They’ve prepared me well. 😊
-Ellie
Wander Tales by PC, PB, and Ellie 