Since my mother complained that my last article was too negative, I am going to make this week’s piece a bit more positive. So, I’m going to countdown my Top Five Summer Discoveries So Far.

#5 – My high school actually stayed open weeks after it closed. In other words, the receptionists are detained in the schools long after the students have fled. I visited my school a while back to get my verification of enrollment in order to finally get a driving permit. Indeed, lights were off and halls were deserted. No random backpack straps were sticking out of overstuffed and incompletely closed lockers. No obnoxious throngs of people were blocking the halls. But, at the front desk and upstairs in the counselor’s suite, receptionists were still working. Horror story: the school never closes.

#4 – Most eligible kids get a summer job. Reasons? Often boredom. More often to get quick cash. Rarely for enjoyment. Nonetheless, summer means the filling of booths, counters, and restaurants with bored teenagers.

#3 – Having no serious obligations means that nothing will get done. Seriously. Since I don’t really have grades, clubs, or teachers to worry about, I don’t feel pressing needs to do anything. So, virtually nothing gets done, and, as I descend deeper into the summer spirit, I make more trips to the fridge and television than anywhere else. All distractions are black holes.

#2 – I can officially mix music with any and every activity. I found out during the year that music generally didn’t enhance my chemistry or precal performances. However, now I can officially go back and finally understand some of the mystery lyrics of songs on CDs I had spent the year haphazardly shoving into the CD player.

#1 – There are twenty-four whopping hours in a day. Amazing. And no matter how many of those you spend sleeping and eating, there is still more than enough free time to go around. Blocks of four or five free hours are precious gifts after a year of packed agendas and schedules.