It's funny how much a place can change you. When I lived in Georgia, I used to avoid going out in the Summer. I have really, really, really sensitive skin and the weather was just too harsh. Now, that I live in the land of cold winters and perpetual rain, I covet my summery days. 

In just a few short, and incredibly busy weeks, I'll be finished with my first year of school. While I do plan on relaxing a whole bunch during the few short weeks, I wouldn't be me if I didn't make some sort of a plan to get things done during a time when I have a bit more free time. Here's what I want to accomplish this summer.

• Figure out what direction this blog of mine should go in. How do I want to handle possible advertisers, people asking to guest post, and most importantly, what do I want to do in this space?
• Finally start that novel I have been planning in my head for the last few months. 
• Get back to freelance writing part time. Can you tell what direction I want to go in here? I also need to figure out where I feel best writing. I want to put up a desk in the bedroom facing out of the windows. 
• Rip the wallpaper off the walls and paint. I want to somehow make this apartment feel like home. I feel so at home and at peace with my expat life, but this apartment is so not gezellig. 
• Go for runs along the canals, I want to pack healthy lunches and go on picnics, I want to read books in the park. I want to take full advantage of the few sunny day's we have here in the Netherlands, even though I am sunny days cursed, I'm almost always scheduled to work on the prettiest days. 
• Use my discount cards. I have both a museumkaart and a pathe unlimited cards. I haven't used these to their full potential since I have work and school and almost no days off. When it rains this summer, these will be taken full advantage of. Museums, movies, and writing, perfect day. Now if only my free student transport didn't stop working in the summer.
• Explore areas of the Netherlands other than the Randstad. I haven't been way up North, I haven't been down South, and I haven't been to the East. I've only been to the beach once. If you live in one of these areas and want to be my guide, I would love this.
• Reconnect with my roots. I'm going to Georgia in August, I get to see all my friends and family that I have missed. Most people from back home haven't met the Verlo, so I am excited for more people to meet the man I picked up and moved countries for.
• Learn to love my bike, or get a new one. Confession, I haven't drove a bike since last August. I have free public transport and it is faster to ride the bus to the train station. And, I hate riding my bike. I know, I know I need to fix this.
• Try out new recipes and eat cleaner. Summer is the perfect time to try out new recipes with all the fresh fruits and veg available. 
• Take more pictures. I am the world's worst blogger sometimes, I never take pictures of myself, my friends, or where I am. I just never think about it. I'm trying to make more of an effort. Especially since I just umbred my hair and I love it. 
• Spend time with my godchildren! My godson Logan is going to have a baby sister, who is due when I am in Georgia. I view being a godmother as one of the greatest honors in the entire world, and I am so thrilled to be asked again! 

What are you looking forward to this summer?