Hi everyone! ヾ(＠＾▽＾＠)ﾉ

It's officially summertime! Time to bring out the ice cream, cute skirts and dresses, and the beach supplies! 

Oh, and also probably a portable fan because it's over 100 degrees now ( 　ﾟ,_ゝﾟ)

Other than that, I'm sure everyone appreciates having a break from school (if you're not taking summer classes, which can be fun too!) and being able to relax a bit. I hope you all have some fun plans this summer. 

But what about summer goals? With more free time, this is a great time to start working on some goals. I have a few myself, including...

~1~ Completing a summer reading program!

I love to read, so what is better for me than reading while also having the opportunity to win some super cool prizes? ヾ(●⌒∇⌒●)ﾉ

I have almost always participated in some kind of summer reading program, and I have always really enjoyed it! It was so fun and satisfying to be able to earn so many points and prizes just for doing something that I already loved to do. 

I believe that most libraries will have a summer reading program, as that is where I am doing mine. This year, they have also made individual programs for each age group (one for children, one for teens, and one for adults) so that everyone can join in on the fun! They've even made specialized prizes for each age group, so that you'll be happy with whatever you win! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

I find that spending some summer time reading is a great way to chill and decompress and just let your mind wander off to another world for a while, so I really recommend doing some sort of summer reading program, if not with an official program, then just for yourself! (▰˘◡˘▰)

~2~ Beach days!

I, along with probably a bajillion people, have been taking advantage of going to the beach during this hot summer weather. Although, I did go to the beach practically year round, I guess summer time is a pretty popular time to do so! 

I really enjoy just relaxing on the sand, maybe bringing a book (so that I can still be caught up on my reading program) and wading in the ocean. I've even been fortunate enough to be able to see marine wildlife on my visits to the beach, including dolphins in the water! ヽ(〃＾▽＾〃)ﾉ

Being by the beach is such a nice way to relax. The ocean has always been a really calming place for me, so it's no surprise that every time I go to the beach, it's like I've set my mind on vacation mode for however long I stay there. 

Although, even though I just wade in the water, the waves always find some way to get my beach dress wet (⊙︿⊙✿) ...but I don't mind!

~3~ Being productive!

Even though summer is a vacation time for many, I really like to keep busy and productive during my summers. 

Productivity means something different for everyone. Productivity to you could mean completing a million projects that you had been having to do, or productivity could mean you learned a new cooking recipe for the first time, or that you got up early that day. 

To me, productivity is all of those things, including making things clean. I've taken this summer time to really tidy up my room and to downsize a lot of my possessions. It's so much healthier for me to be surrounded by less stuff (which was pretty hard considering I like a lot of things, especially if they're cute things o(╥﹏╥)o) but it's really been worth it in the end! 

Just walking into my room and seeing everything all neat and lit up by the sun puts me in such a good mood and makes my room such a safe and relaxing space for me. 

~4~ Binge-watching a ton of shows and movies!

Listen, okay!? I know I just said a whole bunch of stuff about being productive and spending your time wisely, but saving room for recreation is always a plus!

I've been taking time to try and find new shows I'm interested in, instead of watching The Office for the hundredth time (but really, can you blame me?) 

Recently, I've started taking an interest in anime again (ahhh yes, it's all coming back to me now (⊙︿⊙✿)) and I've been finding new titles to watch. 

As of now, I've started watching Kimi Ni Todoke and so far, I am really enjoying it! I mean, Sawako is just so precious and so misunderstood, why do the majority of her classmates have to be the way that they are towards her? ಥ_ಥ

~5~ ICE CREAM! ≧◡≦

Need I say more? 

Ice cream has to be my favorite dessert ever, so you can imagine how excited I am that it's summer and now pretty much available at any time and anywhere (I mean, this didn't stop me from eating it year round before though ^_^;;)

Summer time is some of the best times to eat ice cream, as they provide a lot of refreshment from the brutal sun (yeah, sun, I'm looking at you, thanks for the headache) while also being such a sweet treat to eat. 

It's my goal to eat as much ice cream as I can this summer (while still mostly maintaining a healthy eating style) because, I mean, I just owe it to summer, right? 

What activities do you enjoy doing during summer? Do you prefer to always be super busy and productive during the summer and have adventures or are you more interested in relaxing and have a nice, chill time? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you. 

Enjoy your summers everyone! Stay kawaii and bye for now! (✿◠‿◠)