Our Summer Favorites
It’s Labor Day Weekend, and while summer doesn’t technically end until later in September, this feels like the end of the season. So we thought we’d share with you a few of our favorite things from this summer, maybe give you a little inspiration for your last summer weekend.
From Nicole:
For me, summer = vacation = escapism. For light, escapist books, I have two go-to genres: romance, and books with maps in the beginning (i.e. fantasy). This summer, in preparation for his new book coming out in September, I’ve been re-reading Joe Abercrombie’s wonderful fantasy novels that take place in the World of the First Law. These books are addictive. Political intrigue, violence, drama, social commentary, unforgettable characters, and a little magic here and there. If you liked Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire, these books are definitely for you. Start with book one, The Blade Itself.
From Sophia:
One of my favorite things from this summer has been experimenting with different recipes. I have been very fortunate to travel extensively this summer and in between trips I have taken inspiration from what I ate on the road, and apply it to what I cook at home, utilizing the ingredients I picked up during my trip. After my trip to Greece, I made my own take on Gyro's using the salt and thyme I brought home with me. I chose to use pork sausage for the meat, made tzatziki sauce from scratch and heated up handmade pita in the oven. The meat was topped with fresh tomatoes and we poured olive oil on it for good measure. To make the meal even more enjoyable I was joined by two loved ones and we indulged in our meal over red wine in my backyard. A similar one to the recipe I just described can be found here.
From Jessica:
This summer has certainly been one for the books! I think I took all of my pent up travel and experience demand from the past year and put it in full force this summer! My favorite trip would have to be traveling throughout Kenya, which you can read about HERE. Although for the sake of sticking to the continent of North America, one of my favorite experiences was definitely our KAI weekend retreat *insert cheesy music here*. There’s nothing more heartwarming and fun than being reunited with your colleagues in a beautiful home in the Adirondacks for a weekend of boating, an intense amount of games, and drinking the most delicious purple gin. Other personal highlights over the summer for me include: spending so much time with my 2-year old nephew who we’ve taught how to swim this summer, late karaoke nights including lots of sake, a day trip to Valle de Guadalupe in Mexico, walking along the beautiful California scenic trails, and the RepFest retreat.
From Dave:
Sometimes travel comes with certain ‘rituals’ and I was thrilled to put one of mine into practice again this summer. I traveled to Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in June with some friends and family and on the flight across the Atlantic I watched The Lion King, as I’d done so many times before. Although it wasn’t a new movie for me by any means it’s a great film with an excellent soundtrack and it gets me even more excited for the safari that lies ahead (if that’s even possible)!
I hope to continue this tradition for many years to come, so if you work at an airline and you’re reading this, PLEASE make sure The Lion King is always in your movie options on flights heading to sub-Saharan Africa!
From Andrew
One of the things I’ve missed most over the past 18 months is live music! Music is a huge part of who I am and throughout my day there is almost always some tune playing in the background; from the whispers of Chopin to the funk of Curtis Mayfield. A few weeks ago I finally had the opportunity to see live music with friends in a breathtaking venue, Ommegang Brewery. Delicious beer, delicious food, great friends and the sweet, sweet tunes of a band that I love, Modest Mouse. Sitting on the grass of the giant lawn, laughing with my brother, the faint hints of the devil’s lettuce floating by and the stage lights dancing on top of everyone’s head with the sun slowly setting in the distance - it was perfect. For an instant, there was no pandemic, there was no giant hole that has been in me, there was only joy, excitement and gratitude. The moment was so blissful, but also brief, as lightning strikes a few miles away called off the show after only two songs (including this one). Of course I was disappointed, but also thankful for the time that I did have that day to feel normal, to be with people I love and to hear music flowing through the warm summer air in the Catskills. In many ways over the last 18 months and likely for the next 18 months to come, we’ll have to keep savoring the little victories, remembering to not take a second for granted, and to be patient as the world remembers how to come together and let the music back in.
For more of the KAI Culture Corner, join our Facebook group, or reach out to Nicole.