Dunk Tank Update

I was right. The dunk tank is scary and very ancient. I was the guinea pig because the seat wasn't sticking and we were trying to figure it out. And after one sit down on the seat, ants came boiling out of there. It was incredibly, incredibly, fear-factorish. Drew kept telling me to quit being a wuss and sit on there. Now, as you all probably know, I don't have a problem with ants. I am actually rather fond of them in general. But there was no way I was going to sit in a pile of them and wait to be dumped into that tank. No way. So finally Max was on my side and we got Drew to hose the ants off. Into the water below, but I guess you can't have everything. Then they proceeded to dump me 3 times just to test it out. The water was freezing! You had to be careful not to lean too far back or the seat would hit you in the back on the way down, but you couldn't lean too far forward or you would fall off and the metal on the edge of the seat would take off a layer of thigh on the way. You had to keep your arms in or you would bang them on the edges of the wood. You had to keep your legs straight or you would bang your shins on the edges of the tank. And hoisting yourself out was fun, let me tell you. Every time I would sit on that seat, it would just be horrible, waiting to be dropped. And I have lots of owies now. A layer is missing from my elbow--rather reminiscent of that volleyball dive I took on the rubber track that time in high school. I'm going to have a nice scab over that. It stings like whoa. I hurt my ankle from landing awkwardly at the bottom. I scraped my thigh on the metal and it's bleeding. I have bruises all over my legs, and I took the seat in the kidney because I wasn't leaning far enough forward. In other words, ouch! No more dunk tank for Jessie.
I also burned my hand on the rubber pirate ship bouncy slide. Carnival was just painful for me this year. I went on one of those obstacle course bouncy races with Emily and I schooled her. I came out the end and landed on my back and said, "I think I won!" And the guy in charge looked down at me and said, "I think you won by a lot...she's not even over the top yet!" And then here she came, ankles over teakettle, right down the slide. It was fun. We went on the big slide but that just left patches of upper leg on the slide itself. We needed gunny sacks to slide down, like they have at the fair for those rides.
Still, carnival was fun this year. I'm tired, but looking forward to evening activity.

Costumes, Carnival, and Color War

That title was very alliterative. True, however. Today is a huge day for costumes. I have to change multiple times, and for most of them, I am looking forward to it. It is a hot day, however, and I am already sweating.
Yesterday I went to the lake with bunk 21 and we had a blast. It was warm also, so being in the water for almost an hour was quite delightful. We took the big surfboards out to the aqua tramp and just played and splashed. I had so much fun. I just bobbed in the water with my life jacket. Extremely relaxing. I wish I had more days to do that, but sometimes my schedule is so crazy I just can't play.
This morning I was part of the Color War clue, so I dressed like a peasant with Charlotte and Heather. They had a treasure chest and I ran up behind them and hit Charlotte with my shovel so I could steal it. Then Heather got me with her shovel and I 'died' too. So basically I laid on the ground and played dead while they read the clue. It was interesting. We had charcoal all over our faces to be dirty.
Then I had to hurry and change so that I could be in the Wayne County championship gymnastics photo. We won it for the 27th year in a row. It was exciting to be included in the picture. I don't do much with gymnastics, but Bill said I helped by getting my girls there and he wanted me in the photo.
Later I have to put on my carnival costume, which is just my rain gear. We're going as months of the year, and I am April. I have to put my bathing suit on underneath, because guess who is in the dunk tank again? Yep. Great. I am a little apprehensive. Last year I was voted in but never actually made it in due to time constraints, which was lucky because everyone who went in the dunk tank was hurt in some shape or another. The dunk tank is ancient and scary.
And one more change after that! I am a fortune teller during the carnival itself, which greatly excites me. I found the coolest outfit to wear and I am going to be very creative with my fortunes. Good times all around.
It is hot out there! Not looking forward to that part.

Or Not So Much Relaxation

And the stress begins. Color War is beginning--the break hasn't happened yet, but we are embroiled in all the speculation and spirit chains leading up to the event itself, and that is proving to be just as stressful for me as last year. I hate the beginning of Color War. Once it actually happens, it is chill and I enjoy myself. At the moment, I just wish I could skip it all.
Last night I was the only one on OD with my girls--all 5 bunks decided to go crazy at once. I had two PDs come down to help me, which is unheard of. Normally I can handle it, but not last night. Their counselors were off, as it was Sunday, and it was just Bunk 1 leadership in there and they are no help whatsoever. More of a handicap, usually. I was tired and with each successive problem my tolerance and patience would diminish a bit more. Finally, I had to leave cabin row. I had nothing left to offer, and I couldn't even be around my counselors when they got back. Times like that you know when to wave the white flag and leave.
I am in the Color War break this year, as a peasant. I am interested to see how this is going to go. I'll relate more on that topic as things happen.
Tomorrow is Carnival. More stress.
Negative SFU came to play for us last night, and I really enjoyed that. I would have enjoyed it more had I not had girls with issues at every turn. I think I am just weary. Being tired causes everything to turn a color that it wouldn't normally be. I'll be fine after tonight--my night off, finally!

Relaxation

That is a funny word to use to describe any part of my camp experience. Nevertheless, that is how I feel lately. Most of my activities with my girls have been very relaxing.
Yesterday, for instance, I went tubing with bunk 21. I rode twice, once with a girl who didn't have a partner, and once with one of my counselors, Emily. It was probably the first time I haven't felt like I was going to fall out. I thoroughly enjoyed it. We did see a snake swimming in the water, which freaked out my girls--ok, me too, but I didn't admit it. However, I convinced them it was more scared of us tubing than we were of it, and they all agreed to get in. Then we jumped off the dock and had fun splashing and playing. I was enjoying bobbing up and down with my life jacket. It does all the work for you. Jumping off the dock with that is the definition of relaxing.
Yesterday was also phone call day for the lower jrs. Jenny Caine had the night off, so I basically chilled in the phone call room all morning and all evening. I missed some of evening activity, but that was ok, because when I got back, they announced ice cream night! That is always exciting. A later night, but oh well.
We also had the first Color War clue yesterday! And it begins. Someone rode in on a horse dressed like a knight to main campus. I love seeing how excited the girls all get. They literally stormed the main campus and had to be held back before they spooked the horse. I didn't even pay attention to the clue, so I have no idea what it was. I'm just looking forward to seeing what the break is this year. Last year, you might remember, was Star Wars.
Today I am planning some more tubing. It is Sunday, so that meant late sleep, and I went to church for the first time in 2 weeks! I still don't have much of a singing voice--I know, like there ever was one to begin with--and I cough on occasion, but I am feeling much better. And next Sunday will be our last in Honesdale. Craziness!

Themed is Better

We went out to Cooper's, in Scranton, for Liz's bachelorette party last night. It was so much fun. Cooper's is this themed seafood restaurant/bar. There was a pirate ship, pirates everywhere, and lots of sea life on all the walls. There was a huge lighthouse sticking out of the top and perched beside it was a massive octopus. I think that places like that, no matter how corny, are delightful. They make it so much more fun. I wish that we had more themed restaurants in Montana.

I took some good pictures of everyone hanging out. Here is a great one of Heather, Drew and I.

My cold is feeling much better. I am super-tired this morning. I also would love to go for a run today, as my run yesterday was awesome. My legs were tired and it was wonderful!

Less than 2 weeks of camp left!

Pirates!

This was the coolest restaurant/bar ever! It was very corny and pirate/sea themed, but I loved it! We had a blast.

Camp Mom and Sister

This is a shot of Heather and Charlotte and myself on Visiting Day. Check out the horrid polos we had to wear...ugh. Anyway, Charlotte is our camp 'mom' and Heather is definitely my camp 'sister', so this makes us a nice little camp family!

And Yet

I ran last night's evening activity. It did not go well. Sometimes I get so frustrated with the girls for their lack of...respect? I can't say that about all of them, but definitely the majority last night were stressing me out. Oh well. I praised the ones who did actually pay attention and make an effort, which is all I could do about the situation. I also lost my voice temporarily again. I got it back, but I had some major coughing fits in the process. I wish this cold would just leave!
Today is my day off. I already made a Honesdale run and did my laundry. Now I am going to go for a really long run--well, we'll see how I feel, as I haven't run for 2 weeks due to this cold. Perhaps a nap and then a movie later, and of course, tonight is Liz's bachelorette party. I'm pretty excited about that! It is being held at a seafood place in Scranton with a real pirate ship inside! I'm going to be the DD for everyone, so that won't be much fun to watch, but I am looking forward to the pictures we'll get.

Rapper K

This is a picture of Kaelan in his 'rapper' mode. He loves to pose like this. I found it when I was looking through some of my pictures. He's hilarious. Sadly, the sunglasses were eaten by the dogs--but I bought him a new pair of Diego glasses. Ok, ok, he also might look like the Unibomber...

2 Week Countdown

The summer has flown. We are definitely on the down portion of the roller coaster ride that is Lake Bryn Mawr 2007. I have mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, having my own personal time again will be amazing! I miss my family and Kaelan like crazy. I also miss getting enough sleep, although that hasn't been as much of an issue this summer. I think I'm turning--gasp--into a morning person. Who knew? On the other hand, I am going to miss this place so much. It is my summer home and everyone here feels like family. My girls this year are incredible, and the people I have met have made this summer even better than last summer. I wish all of you could come for a visit so I could show off Bryn Mawr!
The night of JCSD, all the junior GLs, minus Charlotte who had other plans, went out for dinner in Scranton to the Olive Garden. It was fun. We celebrated the end of JCSD, and a job well done. We also decided to be Grey's Anatomy for Carnival, which is coming up on Sunday. Scrubs will be easy to procure. Nothing will top last summer's Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum, but no one else can take Heather's place. That being said, I love my co this summer. Jenny Caine is amazing! No matter the reservations I may have had about her at the beginning, I think that we work so well together. I have gotten to know her and she's a fabulous person.
I was able to finally touch base with my girls last night, and just talk and joke with them. It was nice. I have been stuck in problem mode for so long, and busy with the special day, etc. It was really great to catch up and spend some time with them. I am looking forward to the next few weeks, just making every day fun. We have some tubing dates, and some gym dates, and of course, all the craziness that is the End of Camp.
I finished Harry Potter. Now I feel as though I can get my head back in camp life, instead of wondering and worrying about Harry!

Tubing, JCSD, Golf Carts and More!

So much has happened in the past couple days, I almost don't know where to start!
Yesterday I went tubing with my girls. I know I vowed last summer never to do it again, due to the crazy boat-driving of Gary Brown, but I just had to. My theory is that the things you are most scared of doing are the things most worth it, really. On a side note, Gary Brown calls me Jessie James, which makes me laugh because Kaelan calls me that! Anyway, so Jenny Caine, my co, and I hopped in the race-car tube and Gary proceeded to pull us behind the boat. I almost came out of the tube and Gary had to stop. He yelled, "Are you all right, Jessie James?" I told him I almost fell out but just to go! He did. Oh man. My life flashed before my eyes again. It was incredibly fun, though! Gary told me he wished he had a picture of my face when that happened, and I told him my theory and when he asked if I was scared of tubing, I said I was scared of falling out. I guess it wouldn't be that bad, right? I would skip like a rock, but at least I'll be wearing a life jacket.
We had our JCSD today! It was a Nancy Drew mystery that they had to solve. We filmed the break, all of the junior GLs terrorizing Bryn Mawr. We were dressed in garbage bags with paper bags over our heads so that no one knew who was who. Strategic clues were available if you were paying attention...Charlotte's angel, my watch, Ashlee's shoe, etc. The break was incredible! The film turned out awesome and the girls were so excited. We had moved things around and hung signs up all over, trying to turn Bryn Mawr into a boy's camp. Then we had a skit at the end where Bill interrogated us and Penny confessed. It was so much fun.
Jenny Caine and I rode around in Drew's golf cart all day, picking stuff up and moving it and planting our scavenger hunt clues. I think the girls had a really good time.
I smell really bad right now. I need a shower.

Odds and Ends

I have completely forgotten what happens to me on a day-to-day basis. I like to remember what adventures go on so that I can write them down, on here and in my journal. Time is slipping from me! I don't even remember if something I did happened yesterday or 3 days ago, blast it.
Today was late sleep, and since I still have a cough and no real voice, I didn't go to church but used my late sleep. I am hoping to get over it eventually. My goal is to not have it by the end of camp, 3 weeks hence.
Yesterday Brandt had the new Harry Potter sent to me. That made me happy. I don't really have time to read it, but I'm doing my best to fit in a couple pages every now and then.
JCSD is coming up--Junior Camp Special Day. 2 days! We are starting the filming for it tonight.
Let me see, what else? I can't believe camp has flown by so quickly! We are definitely on the down portion of our coaster ride of the summer. I am missing my family and looking forward to having a few weeks of quiet down-time when I get home. I am also looking into the possibility of visiting Bryan and Melissa in MA before I fly home.

Horrendous

Last night was the first night since I've been here that I wanted to go home. Nice that it has come so late, considering last summer was full of those moments. We only have 3 full weeks of camp left, after all. The problem is that it is Explorers weekend, which means we have 60 extra little girls here and the camp is focused on putting on a good face so that these girls will want to come to camp next year and proceed with their 9-year camping blitzreig that will culminate in one big Bunk One year sometime in the year 2016 or thereabouts. This puts a bit of stress on everyone involved. I have an explorer living in my bunk this year, which is a first for me. Of course she's in 19, where problems abound. Last night was talent show, and since we had so many explorers, it turned into a 2 hour ordeal. And it was freezing last night. I don't know where that weather came from. I had to wear a sweatshirt, pants, socks, 2 shirts and 2 blankets to bed last night! My girls didn't get settled with the lights out until almost 11, which is an unheard of hour for junior campers. I had to give B19 some tough love in the matter, too. I told 3 girls they weren't going to cry, we were done, we'd talk about it in the morning. It actually had results, as mean and unsympathetic as the method sounds. I was just tired. And my cough and sore throat came back, resultant of sitting out in the wind for so long in nothing but shorts and a long-sleeve t-shirt. The wakeup this morning was fairly grim.
Other than that, I am doing fine. My girls seem better this morning. I know they were all just over-tired and over-excited. Happens to the best of us.

My Favorite Spot

Every morning, I wake up early and sit in the green Adirondack chairs in front of the art Shac and either sit and listen to birds or read my book. It has become my favorite, de-stressing, spot in all of camp. They are located underneath a pine tree-well, at least it has pine cones, although I am not entirely sure of the species. A squirrel and/or a chipmunk loves to scold me for sitting there and I generally get pelted with tree debris. Whenever I hear the sound a pine cone makes when it detaches from the tree, I generally cringe a bit and cover my head. So far I have not been hit, but there have been many a close call. When Eric and Heather sit there with me, they generally have to cover their coffee cups, so much stuff is being thrown. This morning I was reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night and enjoying the clouds racing past. They were low and moving very fast, and I got to wondering where they were in such a hurry to get to. No one else was outside yet, so it was rather as though I had my own private showing. Beautiful.
We are getting close to Junior Camp Special Day, and this year have chosen Harry Potter as our 'fake'. So today we are all wearing lightning bolt scars on our foreheads. All our girls think it is for the JCSD, all the rest of camp thinks it is because the book comes out tonight at midnight. I am a fan of the books, but would not necessarily wear a lightning bolt on my forehead to demonstrate my loyalty, therefore I don't know if I will be wearing it for much longer. We'll see.

Camp Out

The first camp out for my girls happened last night, and I was all set for pandemonium, like last year's debacle. To set the stage, therefore, I pretty much laid down the law: they were going to go to the campfire, they were going to sleep out in the tents, and there was not going to be any complaints or tears about it, or we would have some consequences. It worked. They went, they sucked it up, and they didn't give me or any of their counselors grief about it. I was the only one on last night, so I had all 5 lower jr bunks. After I had the other 3 settled, I went down to the 2 at the campfire and made sure they were all settled and not crying or carrying on. All was well. It was even peaceful enough that I got a chance to watch the stars a little bit on my walk. There were fireflies zipping around the tops of the trees, and it was so amazing to look up between the spaces of leaves and see firefly flickers and far beyond them the familiar presence of the stars. All in all, I was happy with not having hysterical campers.
Today we are on rainy day schedule. It is pouring and looks to be so all day. I am rather content with that, to be honest. I've got my rain coat and my rain boots on. We also need the rain. Our water-table is so low that we can't have Aquarama this summer. We are approaching the draught stage very quickly. It hasn't been that humid, for which I am thankful. I am also slowly getting my voice back.

Harry Potter Excitement

Ahh for a much needed day off! I had last night off, as well, and that was doubly wonderful. Yesterday I ended up going into the lake fully clothed. Heather came with me to the lake with my girls from Bunk 21. I must say, they are my favorites--in spite of the fact that I know I shouldn't have favorites. Those girls are just so full of fun and they all get along, which amazes me. The other two bunks really are good girls too, but I can't help but love my Bunk 21 a bit more than the rest. I am constantly in 19 or 20 for one thing or another, but 21 is where I would like to be all the time, so I guess it does balance out. Anyway, Heather came down to get in some play time, and we were kayaking with the girls. That meant that of course our butts were wet anyway. So when they brought out the huge surfboards for a free swim...the temptation to stand on them was just too much. So Heather, the counselor in 21, Emily, and myself hopped on them as well. We all were able to stand, except Emily who did a nice belly flop in the attempt. Heather and I didn't end up going in on our stands, which was nice--slack-lining improves the balance! A couple of my girls returning from their soccer win decided to be pirates and take over my surfboard, thus rendering me in the water. The walk back up was wet and delightful.
We went out for breakfast today and watched Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix. I liked it. I had been hearing it was all dark and scary, but I don't think so. Not anymore so than the huge snake in the second one, or even the werewolf in the 3rd. Everyone here is speculating about the book coming soon...can't wait to read it. I myself have mixed opinions. I am looking forward to it, but in true Harry Potter geek-dom, am also going to be a little sad because it is all over.

My Baby!

New picture of Kaelan I just received in an email from Kat. I miss him so much! He's adorable! And all you Griz alums, check out the shirt!

Back to the Living!

I don't feel like death anymore!! Yesterday was horrid and all I wanted to do was sleep, which is so not conducive to my job at camp. I suffered through it, however--and definitely now know what a wuss I am in the 'real world', when I can drug myself into oblivion and sleep all day and not feel the horrific biological war that is being waged on my body--and yet still whine and complain about how sick I am. I felt every battle of this one, let me tell you. I couldn't take anything but Ibruprofin for my fever, because I couldn't afford to be drowsy. You have to be on top of your game here, and yesterday I let things slide, but I was determined it wasn't going to be because of cold medicine. I did the best I could, under the circumstances. Which brings me to a point. What are any of us doing 'under' the circumstances? Shouldn't we be working to get 'above' the circumstances? I'm going to work on it.
Gold Rush last night was tough for me. I dressed up like a cowgirl and did my deputy thing--but only arrested 1 girl. The rest of the time I wandered with my girls and watched the black jack table and dice games. It felt like it went by very quickly. I got a good night's sleep last night and today I feel much better! I still have a cough and cold, but my head is very much in the present. Tonight is my night off--finally!--and I plan on watching a movie and going to sleep. Tomorrow is Hershey Park day, so I have all day off. Heather and I are going to Harry Potter and then just hanging out. Should be wonderful.

Male Beauty and No Voice

Male Beauty was fun. I tried my hardest to really get into it, but my cold definitely put a damper on the situation. And then I lost my voice. I couldn't help any of my girls with their homesickness and I had to go up to Dan and Jane's for the usual after-visiting-day party without a way to speak. So I pretty much just sat in the corner the whole time, nodding and smiling, and making hand motions to show that I had no voice. Strange, I have never lost the whole thing before. I couldn't make a sound whatsoever. And today I just don't feel well at all. I was able to sleep in because of late sleep, but I think it would be wonderful to just drop prostrate and never move again. I feel cold all over and very achy. Probably a fever, to go along with the chest pain and dizzy head. Tonight is Gold Rush. Yippee.

Random Slack-Lining in Honesdale

Last day off, Heather and I went to Honesdale and set up the slack-line in the park. Two random local Honesdale boys showed up and were trying it, which was cool. Check out my sock-tan line! Pretty intense.

2nd Runner Up

Matt Johnson came in second. Check out those eyelashes!

Lower Juniors Male Beauty

Drew as a very beautiful woman. Alas, he did not win.

I Survived

With a bit of a sunburn, but otherwise intact. I dislike the collared polo we had to wear, but other than that, I was a-ok. I also did not eat nearly as much as last year. I just made the rounds, schmoozed parents, that sort of thing. I wasn't yelled at. I had a few close calls, a few parents I really wanted to avoid, but overall, it wasn't too bad. Considering I didn't sleep well at all last night due to my new camping companion--a lovely cold. It's a little one, as far as colds go, but still a cold nonetheless, and I did not feel well at all today. I have a very sore throat.
I am also beginning to suspect that I don't smell very good right now. Great. Oh well. We're going in the pool soon. I will be taking many pictures of Male Beauty tonight--you'll love my costume. I'm going to be an old man, and I have the sweetest plaid pants and 70s polyester shirt.
As far as the girls went, we had a rocky 20 minutes and Drew had to pry one of my girls off their parents. But after that, it was all ok. They are all smiling and eating food and getting ready for the festivities of tonight.

Countdown to V-day

That's Visiting Day...put in the theme music to Jaws, and you have it. No, it isn't that bad. I don't necessarily enjoy parts of it, but the girls are kept busy for a whole day and they are very happy. I must also say, I have never enjoyed being invisible more than I do than on that day. You become very superfluous, which normally would be a bad thing. I just bop around and smile, and they look right through me. The very nice thing is that no one knows what a GL really does for their kids--even though I know they all write letters about me and talk about me, because I've seen and heard it. So the counselors take the brunt of the parental front-line attack and that leaves me to wander.
We have lots of events coming up, so we've been visiting the costume room. I found the greatest old man outfit for Male Beauty tomorrow. I'm a judge and need to dress like a guy. Tonight I am going to be a camper and sit in Bill's girls' circle. It is going to be very entertaining.
Unhappy note--I have a sore throat and don't feel very well today. A cold has been going around and that is not cool. I hope my vitamins will fend it off.

Hula Skirts and Cabin Inspections

Today is green and gold spirit day, and I am wearing the same skirt I wore for chocolate banana night. I think I have a little bit of a crush on it, to be perfectly honest. I don't want to give it back. It is green with goldey-orange hibiscus flowers all over it. Very Hawaiian, very hula-ey, and it very much matches my aloha shoes. It is all poofy and fun to wear, especially with sneakers!
I just finished doing all 5 cabin inspections. Jenny Caine, my co, gives tons of tours during the day because she was a former camper. That means I get to have all 5 bunks on pretty much a regular basis. I am beginning to loathe tours. Anyway, half way through my bunk inspections, I was paged to the office. It did not make my morning. And now I have to have a bunk meeting with 20, and I have to run it. I'm a little nervous, not gonna lie. I have a fear the girls are going to attack one girl in particular, and I won't be able to keep it an emotionally safe environment. Crap.
On a happy note, I found a personal nail buffer kit and my nails are extremely shiny!

Walkoff

I was all set to loathe last night's evening activity--mostly because I had to run it and wasn't feeling very chipper. However, my counselors totally stepped up to the plate and did an amazing job. The girls had a great time and I even had fun. We just played random games on main campus, and then I decided we should have a runway competition. That is the sort of thing those girls love. They were all for it, so we did our thing, and it ended up being hilarious. The counselors sang some songs and the girls had walkoffs. And then they wanted Heather and I to have a walkoff. I must say, that was the first time in my life to ever runway walk. Very interesting experience. It was fun.
This morning I went to gymnastics with my girls. Bill (the gymnastics director) let me tumble with the girls on the mats. It was so much fun! I wish I had taken gymnastics when I was younger. I can't even do a cartwheel. I'll work on my flexibility.

Warm

Today has been a warm one. That is a bit of an understatement, really. I have been dripping since I woke up this morning. Yesterday was pretty hot, too, come to think of it, but I was inside for most of it. Today, however, of course most of our activities have been outside. I have a headache, and I was wearing both sunglasses and a visor, drinking water, and slathered in sunscreen. I played volleyball with my girls, dove for the ball, rolled in the sand, and ended up looking like a sugar-covered donut. Except with sand. And not as round. Anyway, I didn't have time to wash it off, so I had sand all over me until about 45 minutes ago, when I finally took a shower. I need a break. A long, long, long break. Unfortunately, I am the only lower junior GL on today and I am in charge of evening activity.

New Shoes

There is nothing better than being able to wake up whenever you feel like it, as opposed to something blaring in your ear--aka, an alarm clock. This morning I didn't have to be up at any specific time and I was able to wake up naturally. No, that isn't entirely true--reveille played at 8 and that woke me. However, I didn't have to get out of bed for reveille or be anywhere. I truly enjoyed that.
Today was my day off. Heather and I headed into Honesdale and slack-lined for a couple hours. I was enjoying just being able to stand on it, after 3 weeks of not doing it. I didn't get very far across it, but I could stand on it without a problem.
I also did my laundry and had a very interesting conversation with the new laundromat owners, Bob and Annie. They are from New York City, know about Bryn Mawr, and were quite fun to talk to.
I bought new sneakers. Have you ever noticed how prevalent it is to call them 'tennis shoes'? I don't know if it is a West coast thing or what, but I have always called sneakers 'tennis shoes'. Over here, if you say 'tennis shoes', you are referring to the shoes you wear on the court. If I were to tell my girls to put on their tennis shoes, they would tell me they don't have tennis today and give me a very strange look, like 'my GL has lost her mind'. Anyway, enough digressing. The point is that I bought new sneakers and because I couldn't choose between the Sauconys or the New Balances, I bought both. It was fabulous to try them both on, one on each foot--almost like a hug for my feet. They fit together very well. I think they could have been a pair in another shoe lifetime. My feet deserve a little pampering once in a while. I especially like my toes. They are now painted green, in celebration of life in general.
We finished the day off by going to Scranton and eating at Panera. I love their sandwiches. The paninis are delightful.
I am rocking a sock tan line.

Love Lower Juniors!

I have never been more happy to be with lower juniors than I was last night on cabin row. Everyone was having issues and running around. Me? I was strolling, enjoying the stars, the feel of the breeze, and the flicker of fireflies. Why? Because my girls were all quiet, with their lights either out or having some flashlight time. Ah, peaceful! Granted, it couldn't last, and they were still extremely quiet last night.
I had a wonderful morning--I almost forgot what I did already, which is pretty much the norm. A day feels like a week. I went to church this morning and one of the speakers didn't show, so I became the second speaker. I prepared something in 5 minutes and banged it out. It went fairly well, for me not having spoken in church in months and months. Anyway, Heather came with us, so that was really really nice.
After church, however, the fun began again. My bunks are just having issues this morning with respect and friendship. I had to talk to bunk 20. Holy buckets. I think I scared them, though, because they were asking if they had to go home. Now, I don't yell, nor do I raise my voice. I just talked very sternly to them and didn't coddle. They're 10. They need to know their actions have consequences. I was happy to see that it got through. We'll see for how long. I asked Eric if we could trade jobs for the day. I don't know how to throw clay, but I would sure give it a try if he'd be willing to take care of all the friendship issues. He said no, predictably.
Tomorrow is my day off!!!

Breaking and Entering

Or, ok, just entering. I didn't break anything. I had to go through the window of B19 this morning because my girls locked the door to their cubby room. It was my old room last summer, so I know how to handle things. I just took the screen off and hopped up and wiggled through. It was by far the most exciting thing I've done all day. My counselors said I'm their hero. I think that after my circus career takes off, I'd like to become a professional thief. Well, more for the breaking into than for the stealing...hmm. I wonder if that is a career? Breaking into things and not taking anything?
Last night was Chocolate Banana night!! I got to participate!!! It was my night off, but after dinner in Honesdale we hurried back because Eric had to open the ceramics studio and I had to be there to get all dressed in my banana yellows. I must say, I was in love with the skirt I wore. It matched my hula shoes. And this year I very much enjoyed my chocolate banana. Last year I wasn't too into it. I don't know what changed.
This summer is just smoking by. I think next summer I am going to drive here. I would love to go on a sight-seeing trip beforehand and see everything I have always wanted to but don't have time when I'm over here. And having a car here would be fantastic. Who knows. I'll be thinking it over.

2-Year Old Hair

I have a cold sore--like the mother-ship of all cold sores. It looks like an enormous bee stung me on the bottom lip. Very hot.
Our dance party last night was fairly uneventful. The amount of girls in the fieldhouse rendered it impossible to hear the stereo system, so if you wanted to dance you had to be right up near it. The problem was that I had to stand in front of it and fend off girls who wanted to turn it up or switch songs. So I heard everything reallll good, let me tell you. My ears were ringing. However, by the end, per usual, all the girls were dancing and having a blast and were so not ready for snack and bed-time.
I have 2-yr old hair again pretty much on a constant basis. I'm ok with that. My hair and I have long since made peace with the fact that it has a mind of its own. Besides, I am not looking for any summer romances.

5-Leaf Clover

Today has been super-busy. I've been going since I opened my eyes this morning. Granted, that is a fair estimation of my days in general here. However, today has felt more busy than usual. I had a bunk meeting with 20 and their counselors, Marjori, and Nancy. The girls in 20 decided they don't like their counselor, Kaz. She's from Austalia and at first I did have my reservations about her. She was the counselor I wasn't too sure about in the beginning. I have since then come to really appreciate her and enjoy her as a person. We get along awesome and she does good work in there with those girls. They are good girls, they just don't listen very well. Anyway, they have decided to attempt the old 'let's get her fired' routine and have been industrially spreading stories ever since. We were thinking they were exaggerating a bit, and in the interest of the girls, we were investigating. They had a check-in meeting with Jane and Nancy yesterday and apparently told some pretty incriminating stories about Kaz. We had another meeting today, and the purpose was for Nancy to catch them in their lies. We did. It was a horrid moment. The counselor was sobbing, Marjori was crying, I was crying, Nancy wasn't happy....and the girls, sadly, were probably only sorry they had been caught. Don't get me wrong, they did feel genuine remorse. However, the remorse was more that now Kaz was still around and they had to suck up big time to get back in her good graces. I was just so disappointed in them. It is never a good thing to know that someone is actively working to get someone fired for no reason other than they don't like her as well as the other counselor. Heartbreaking.
On a happy note, I found a 4-leaf clover and then a 5-leaf clover! If 3 is the norm and 4 is lucky, 5 must be super-fabulously wonderful! I laminated it and will use it as my bookmark henceforth.
We are also having a dance party tonight with all junior camp. I'm pretty excited about that. We let the girls pick their playlist and made up a 2 cd compilation. Optional clothing and everything. The GLs have chosen Sexy Back as our theme song to dance to. I'll get good pictures.

Meet Jack!

Heather gave me my own Bryn Mawr guy--the back story is that I gave Heather a 'Bryn Mawr' guy last summer, and his name is Blaine. We have a lot of fun with pictures of Blaine, and so now I have one of my own! His name is Jack. I think Charlotte and everyone else at the table thought we were nuts, but we took so many pictures of Blaine and Jack. It was pretty great.

Spectacular Birthday

I had the best birthday I have ever had at camp. My camp 'family' and I went out to dinner in Scranton to Applebee's and then to Wegman's for cake afterward. We actually didn't end up getting any cake because the people at Applebee's sang happy birthday to me and brought us brownies and ice cream, so we were thoroughly stuffed after that. It was so much fun, though. Heather made it wonderful! She's one of the most amazing people I have ever met, and I am so thankful she came into my life last summer. I opened my present at the table and we took pictures, which I will be including, so prepare yourselves for that. Then we drove home and when we got to Honesdale, they were lighting off fireworks and it was amazing! We got out and watched for a little while and it was so incredible. I love big fireworks! And since it was on the 3rd instead of the 4th, I like to think it my own little ending celebration!

Mom had balloons delivered to camp and that totally made me smile! And I got a phone message from Brandt that made me happy also. It was just a great, great day, all the way around. In the morning Heather and I jumped off the dock 3 times and that was also delightful. All in all, I am pretty happy with the way my quarter century B-day turned out!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Ahhhh! My counselors and my kids love me! They all made me cards and presents and have been singing and giving me hugs for two days straight. My birthday wasn't until today, but they are off to Dorney Park and therefore won't get to celebrate with me. I will get my special Bryn Mawr cake tomorrow, but that is strictly for the girls. Splitting it with 30 campers? Holy buckets. But tonight I'll get my own Wegman's cake! That makes me happy. I was also given a birthday crown that I wore last night around. This place has a way of making sure you feel like you're at home. I love it.

Episode

I plunged the toilet twice more yesterday. I have turned into the resident plumber. I think the toilet needs something. It is ancient, that much I can say. So perhaps the pipes are about the size of a dime? Who knows, but it gets clogged very quickly and often. And no one seems to be capable of using the plunger. I'm about to post a sign saying if you clog it, you plunge it, bottom line, end of story. Wow. Eric has been keeping a tally for me this summer and according to him, this is my 4th plunging. Definitely a record for me. Nice to know I could have a career to fall back on, eh?
Last night one of my girls had a hysterical episode that was the craziest, scariest, most-like-the-movie-exorcist moment i have ever witnessed in my life. All the general counselors were off and heading to staff night and I was on OD until 11:30 on cabin row. The bunk 1 leadership girls were heading in and I was walking over to do my routine goodnight checks, and one of my girls was crying hysterically, screaming something about a baby. I couldn't figure out what she was saying and when I finally got her to look at me, there was no one home. Her eyes, her face, everything was blank. It scared me. And then she started foaming at the mouth and I kid you not, projectile spit and snot was shooting everywhere. Of course I leaped back. Everyone was freaked out, the kids were crying, oh man. I got her out of there but she wasn't responsive at all. It wasn't like a seizure, it was like she was having a psychotic break or something. My co and I took her to the sink room and finally, like a switch, she was back. When we asked, she said she was just really sad. Holy buckets. I had to write up a report and I sat on her porch for the rest of OD. This morning I brought her to the health center and they checked on her and asked her questions. They told me it was just an intense, intense emotional outburst and she remembers the whole thing and why she was crying. I'm supposed to watch her and if she does it again bring her back to the health center. It was scary. She's 10.
And on that happy note...tomorrow is my birthday! Quarter century, yo.

Early Morning Adventures

I woke up this morning at 4:30 because I desperately had to use the restroom. So I trekked down the hall and of course, the toilet was completely clogged. I totally would have plunged it--I appear to be the only one in the back of the Manor House who knows how to plunge a toilet--but the plunger had been absconded with. So there I was, without a way to fix the toilet, at 4:30 in the morning. And when I say I desperately had to use the bathroom, I desperately had to use the bathroom. I tried to go back to bed but there was no way. I checked the door to the main part of the Manor House--locked, of course. We aren't supposed to go through that way, we might wake up the little ones, but I figured I could be quiet and it was an emergency. Finally I realized my only course of action was to walk all the way to the West Lodge and to keep my fingers crossed that it was empty. Sometimes random people live there during the summer. I made it in good time without meeting any skunks, and the moon was very bright so I could see where I was going fine, but then all the doors were locked! Holy buckets! I was fairly desperate by this time. However, one last door opened! So there I was, sneaking around trying to find the bathrooms--I've never been in there before and the place is huge! But I did find one, hallelujah. And that was my adventure for this morning.
I went to church today! I took the Sacrament for the first time in months! It was amazing. I cried. We had a testimony meeting and I was the first one up there, and it felt so great to be letting that out there finally. For me, feeling the Spirit this morning was like everything was trying to fly out of me--laughter and tears and perhaps dancing up and down. I contented myself with smiling and crying. I don't know, it was definitely a wonderful wonderful wonderful feeling and I am glad I had the opportunity to go finally.