Just a normal, wonderful day

Today has been an absolutely lovely day. If I had a list, it would probably be in the top five, if not top three Best Days of Summer. It started out as best any day could: it was sunny, not terribly hot, and I got to sleep in until NINE O'CLOCK. This late hour is unprecedented in the annals of my summer mornings. Win. I had a few necessary items to check of my to-do list (created the previous night), but I firmly believe that checking things off a list is a very satisfying action if the things are actually completed. So I went to the library, printed off three copies of my English paper and one copy of a reading response, deposited some checks at the bank, and then checked all of those things off my list. Next order of business: drive to Newburyport, find the paint-your-own-pottery place, and paint a plate.

Painting pottery is one of my favorite things to do and it has somehow become a sort of annual summer tradition for me. Last summer I painted a mug; the summer before that I painted a bowl; and today I painted a plate. I always thought it would be cool to have a full set of self-decorated plates. Maybe if I ever get married, that's what I'll do instead of registering for them. But I digress. I like painting my own pottery despite the fact that I am by no means a gifted painter. I like going alone, because no one can make fun of my finished product, no one gets to think it's a weird thing to do, and I can concentrate without distraction. Does that sound mildly hermit-like? I hope not, but even if it does, I don't make a habit of it, so it's probably fine.

It took me a long time to find the place. I walked around Newburyport for about an hour before finally deciding to give up, but not before driving by the place where I thought it should be one last time. Luckily for me, I found it! I was the only person there except for the lady who was working, and she was on her phone most of the time. Except when she went to pick up her dog from the groomer's, leaving me in charge of the shop, I guess. Good thing I had no ulterior motives to rob the place or anything. I finished my plate in about an hour. It's white with orange/yellow flowers with green stems, and the underside is blue and white with green and yellow polka dots. I'll take a picture when I go pick it up next week.

After painting the plate I went to the grocery store to pick up supplies for dinner, which I was making with my friend Beth before we went to our English class. We made stir fry with alfredo sauce, garlic bread with homemade garlic butter, and some white wine, which was a very nice addition to the menu. After eating, we drove to Salem State for English. English was also lovely today, because we got to discuss the culture differences between America and China. I haven't had a chance to discuss observations from my trip to China with anyone outside VYO ever, so it was a very refreshing experience. Overall, it was a great day, and I hope that going to pick up my plate is just as fun as painting it was.