What's Your Summer Fun Style?

Girls' Life, June, 2001 by Lisa Mulcahy

You've seen Legally Blonde four times. You and your BFF have road-tested every self-tanner Walgreens has in stock. That hottie lifeguard you thought looked like Colin Hanks? Tom Hanks is more like it--you got a closer look, and he's way too old for you. Face it--you're totally bored with summer vacation! But don't despair. The best way to beat a case of the summer snores is to do something totally different. Take this quiz to find out how to turn your summer from blah to hurrah. Plus, we tell you what summer job best matches up to your fun style, so cash in!

1 What's your standard summer fashion statement?

A. Super casual. You practically live in faded cut-offs and concert tees.

B. Neat and sweet. Nothing like a flowery sundress and strappy sandals.

C. Practical. Why even bother taking your swimsuit off'til September?

D. Attention-getting. A hot pink tank paired with a purple camouflage mini is a good standout.

2 Which seasonal food most makes your mouth water?

A. A Dairy Queen Blizzard with tons of Heath bar bits.

B. A tropical fruit salad with fat-free yogurt.

C. Fresh corn-on-the cob, spread thick with butter.

D. Steamers--you love the taste of those squishy little clams as they slide down your throat.

3 What song best describes your hot-weather 'tude?

A. "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Will Smith). It's so laid-back.

B. "Summer Nights" from Crease. You're already daydreaming about being Sandy in your school's play this fall.

C. "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Croft from your mom's old record collection. It reminds you how much you love being outdoors.

D. Joe Cocker's "Summer in the City," which you just heard on the classic rock station. The thought of toes toasting on a hot sidewalk might turn some people off, but not you!

4 Your boyfriend wants to spend a whole afternoon with you. Where should you guys go?

A. No farther than the bean bag chair in your family room. Watching DVDs and playing Game Boy sounds perfect.

B. To the mall, of course. It's air-conditioned, so he'll be comfortable waiting while you shop your brains out.

C. Rock-climbing. You've been dying to defy gravity.

D. On the fastest, most stomach-churning new rollercoaster at the amusement park. Hope he's willing to go at least five rounds with you.

5 Describe your sunshiney makeup vibe.

A. You're completely bare-faced--why bother?

B. You switch to waterproof cosmetics at the beginning of June. You can still wear a fill face of products but won't look all sweaty.

C. You wear sunscreen and lip balm to protect your skin because you practically live outdoors.

D. You go crazy experimenting with bright colors, glitter, the works--since you're not allowed to wear makeup to school.

6 What would be an awesome way to spend a gorgeous star-studded night?

A. Floating on an inner tube in your backyard pool, which can be really fun when it's dark out.

B. Giving yourself a purple pedicure with the air-conditioning blasting, of course.

C. Sleeping out in your BFF's backyard.

D. Going for a drive in your big brother's car. You and your dog both like sticking your heads out the window to catch the breeze.

7 Select Your summer nightmare scenario.

A. Your mom demands you sacrifice your daily TV routine of talk shows and soaps to "get some fresh air."

B. You arrive at your cousin's pool party to discover another girl is wearing the exact same tankini as you are.

C. You break your ankle after taking a slide into home base at a softball game, then find out you'll have to wear a cast for the rest of the summer and give up playing 'til next year.

D. Your folks choose to vacation in a musty old cabin in a dull little town, and there's nobody your age in sight.

8. How do you plan to spend Fourth of July?

A. Chillin' at a family barbecue.

B. Catching the town parade--lots of cute guys should be there.

C. Hiking into the woods for a picnic with your buds.

D. Hitting multiple fireworks displays--the bigger the bang, the better.

9. How do you feel about huge, noisy hot-night storms?

A. You can take 'em or leave 'em.

B. They terrify you-plus, rain makes your hair frizz.

C. You find them fascinating since they're such a cool part of nature.

D. They're totally thrilling--you love to sit out on your porch and count the lightning strikes.

10 What's one essential summer item you can't live without?

A. The hammock tied between two trees in your yard.

B. A light fragrance-you keep yours chilled in the fridge.

C. A wide-brimmed cap for super-sun coverage during your daily jog.

D. Blue cotton candy.

SCORING

If you scored Mostly A's, your Summer Fun Style is VERY VEG-GED OUT....

Maxing the relaxing is your main goal. And know what? Taking time for yourself is great! You work your tail off in school, so recharging the ol' batteries during break is cool. Keep in mind, though--there's a difference between getting the rest you need and being just plain lazy. If you find yourself snarfing Doritos by the bagful, sleeping the day away, or feeling generally listless and in a rut, it's time to work your veg-out vibe in a new way. Chill out more creatively! Why not rev up your brain cells by doing stuff that'll enrich you? Expand your movie universe beyond watching Meet the Parents on cable for the gazillionth time--rent a foreign flick (try Life is Beautiful), and actually read the subtitles. While you're at Blockbuster, pick up an exercise vid, like an MTV: The Grind Workout. Or take a leisurely walk to your local library and pick up a copy of I Was a Teenage Fairy. Or, heck, wrap your digits around a pen and write some deep, deep poetry. You don't have to become brain-fried just because the fahrenheit has gone up. Live, girlfriend, live! YOUR PERFECT VEG-OUT SUMMER STINT: Garage Sale Princess. Clean out your clutter! Slap a price tag on that old Candyland game. Put your Pokemon rejects on the market. You'll be able to walk a clear path across your room for the first time since 1997. Then comb the garage, basement and attic, and hold a yard sale every Saturday morning. By the end of August, you'll have raked in some serious dollars. Hey, you'd be surprised at the useless junk people will buy for a buck.