But more than summer dresses, sandals and sun tans, with summer comes great opportunities for more bonding time, and more creative bonding time, with the BF.

Looking for something new to do with the boyf?  Here you are my favorite summer time date ideas!

1. Kayaking – I love, love, LOVE kayaking. I love being in the water, but have never been a really strong swimmer so this works out really well for me. You can even take the cuteness up a level and go canoeing. He can row while you read poetry from under your parasol. (Sorry, this is what I think of when I hear of a couple in a canoe). But kayaking really is a cheap activity that’s way more fun to do with a partner than alone.

2. Bike rides – I’m particularly excited about this one because Matt and I just bought bikes and went for our first bike ride last night! You can ride to yogurt shops or snow cone stands or whatever you want for a treat, then pedal your way back home. Or go on a fun adventure off the beaten path (literally).

3. Movies – For those who can’t stand the summer heat, you can always retreat to the dark (aka, good make out lighting) and air conditioned movie theaters. Or even better, hop in the car and head to a drive-in. While “dinner and a movie” may not be so original, it sure as heck will be entertaining with all of the summer movies that come out every year. I know I can’t wait to go see Iron Man 2.

4. Frisbee Golf – This may just be a whole Austin liberal thing, but this place is littered with frisbee-golfers. There is good reason for this, however, because frisbee golf is so much fun! It’s as laid back as regular golf, but it isn’t as mind numbingly boring. If your boyfriend is a regular golf fan, talk him into going to a frisbee golf course, that way you both can have fun.

5. Firefly catching - When I was little, I used to live in Illinois where fireflies were everywhere at dusk during the summer. But then I moved to west Texas where fireflies don’t exist. You have no idea how excited I was when I learned that there are lightening bugs in Austin. Seriously people, get your boyfriend, get a jar, and get to catching! It’s such a fun activity and it will totally make you feel like a kid.

6. Wave Pool - Once you get over the long lines (littered with small children), wave pools/water parks are the perfect summer date. You can grab a tube and lounge in the lazy river, dunk each other in the wave pool, or race each other to the bottom of the water slides. Plus, there’s the whole “rubbing sunscreen on one another” factor, which is always fun.

Well ladies, that’s what I’m looking forward to this summer. What about you?

When I moved to college, the first thing I did after unpacking my shower caddy and twin extra long sheets was buy a parking spot. I had to have my car. Had to. It gets cold in Colorado, obviously, so walking all over campus in the winter was not an option. Plus, I got so used to having a car for errands, Costco runs, etc., that I just couldn’t bear to be without one.

I am sure most students feel the same way, especially since I can never find anywhere to park on campus these days. Ugh. Why do I even have a car if I can’t use it to drive to class?!

But I digress.

All of this campus street congestion that is no doubt a problem on college campuses nationwide has led many schools to start a revolution…with bikes.

The University of New England is one of a few schools (that will soon be many) that is offering free bikes to any student who leaves their car at home. Other schools are setting up bike share programs, which entice students to pedal around campus instead of hopping in the car. These schools are hoping that by giving students a real alternative, they will not feel the need to bring their car to campus.

And it looks like it’s all working – for more than just the parking sitch:

“We did it as a means of reducing the need for parking, but as we looked at it from the standpoint of fitness, health and sustainability, we realized we have the opportunity to create a change.”

The whole idea is really quite smart. By opting for a bike instead of a car you could help the environment, save money on parking (and parking tickets…), get healthy, and free up some of those parking spots for the rest of us reduce the number of cars clogging your campus streets. And all for free!

This looks like a total win/win.

Let’s be honest: anyone can pop on a necklace, carry around a $500 hobo bag, and call it a day. To be a true pioneer of style, you should learn to strut your stuff in truly unique ways that no one will copy.

Regarding bags, why not go for one that is actually supposed to carry stuff rather than just look good? True, you can stuff an awful lot of crap into a hobo bag, but laptop bags are a great way to rock some style while keeping your computer safe. And if you’re going to walk all over town or lug your textbooks to class, you can customize a backpack for a really cool and personal look.

And have you ever thought about a beautiful umbrella? They say the greatest inventions are marriages of function and design—and if that’s true, an eye-catching umbrella is the equivalent of a couple that’s been happily married for at least 50 years.

As long as you’re out and about, why not pimp out your ride? No, I’m not talking about your car—gas prices are through the roof, and one great way to save is by buying a bike you love and adding personal touches until you love it even more. You don’t have to go as all out as this guy did, but just a little bit of style is never a bad thing.

Finally, remember when you were in third grade and you doodled on all of your notebooks? Well, now is the time to do the same thing, only in a more refined way. With the pennies it costs to buy a few craft supplies, you can really make a statement and be unique by personalizing your school (or work) stuff.

What are your best tips for accessorizing unusual things?

[Image courtesy of flickr.com.]

This is why I like bicycles. They actually take you places – useful! – while providing you with the toned leg muscles and mighty forearms of a god. Also, if you ride in the city, biking can totally kill you. That’s always exciting.

I’ve just started biking in New York. This weekend, I rode from 125th Street to the South Ferry. That’s right: I traversed pretty much the entire island of Manhattan. You may all bask in my accomplishment now. (Note: I am aware that some people ride much harder, and for much longer distances, than I have. I don’t want to hear from them! Get your own blogs, hippies.)

By the end of the trip, I was sweaty and exhausted, I looked like hell, and I was riding a wave of pure giddy euphoria. This, for those keeping score, makes biking exactly like sex, except for the fact that your bike can’t give you chlamydia. I highly recommend it.

Here are some tips.

Things That Will Help You

Water! It’s summer. You’re going to sweat in ways and from places you never imagined possible. Stop when you need to, and when it’s practical, and drink some water, so that you don’t collapse.

Helmets! There are lots of ways to die on your bike. (This is part of the appeal for you, remember? You are a badass.) Keep a helmet on, and it’s marginally less likely that you will die from a head wound. Key word: marginally.

Ugly Clothes! Your skinny jeans are not a good choice for biking. Nor are heels. Nor are skirts. Nor are shoes with laces (they will tangle around your pedals and mess you up). Wear shorts, Vans, a tank top. Look at pictures of Starbuck for inspiration. In fact: look at pictures of Starbuck, period. It never gets old. The woman fights Cylons! You can definitely face the modern-day equivalents of Cylons, which are cabs.

Friends! It’s good to ride with someone who has more experience than you do. They can show you the ropes and point out what you could be doing better. They will also make you feel ashamed to puss out and ride more slowly, more fearfully, or for a shorter distance than you really want to. Shame: the key to accomplishment!

Common Sense! Keep your eyes on the road. Analyze the obstacles that are ahead of you, and the obstacles that may arise. Keep your ears open, too, so that you can hear things coming up behind you. The best way to avoid danger is to see it coming, and steer clear of it.

So, my darlings: if you keep these things in – HOLY CRAP A CAB – in mind, as I said, you will – WATCH THE DAMN ROAD – you will stay safe and – KEEP YOUR KID OUT OF THE INTERSECTION DICKWIPE – enjoy your time – ROLLERBLADES? WHO THE HELL HAS ROLLERBLADES? – biking in the city. I hope.

WATCH THE BUS!

[PHOTO 1: This girl is not wearing ugly clothes! Danger! Courtesy of backcountry.com]

[PHOTO 2: An artist's representation of how far I biked. Did I mention, that, by biking, you can help to save the planet? That's right. Bask in the glory. Courtesy of fas.org]