And We Have A Baby!

William Stanley decided to grace us with his presence last night...and here we were thinking he'd need to be induced. Brandt called us last night at 1:3o AM to tell us that they were at the hospital and Ashlie was in labor for real. Then we got another call at about 3:40, telling us he was here. And he has a good set of lungs. I could hear him the whole time. He was 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Thus far we have only see him on Skype, but we are planning on heading up there after Mom and Dad get home from work.
Welcome to the family, Will!

Iced Again

For those of you who do not know, I have very bad luck with ice. There was that time when I was 5 or so--I could have been 6 or 7, I don't really know--when I fell on the ice while sledding and could not walk on my leg because my knee wouldn't work. Then there was the time that I was running to the car because dad was driving us to school and we were late and I hit the tailgate we were using as as a makeshift bridge and my feet flew over my head. There was no lasting damage from that one, but I remember it. Then there was the ice-on-crutches incident outside of my class in college when I cracked my rib. Then there was the time that I fell down coming out of the Institute a mere couple weeks after I had gotten rid of my crutches and sprained an ankle, tore some ligaments in my thumb, and hurt my knee yet again. I sat in physical therapy with ice packs on every inch of me for almost 2 hours, completely embarrassed. AND finally, today: we took the boys sledding out in the yard--I pulled them around to every small hill we could find, basically. And then when we were heading back into the yard I hit a patch of ice in the driveway and was looking down at that when I was blasted off my feet by Plato, Kurt and Kat's moron-dog. It probably would have been fine had I not been on ice, but since I was both legs went out from under me. And it HURT! I was half-convinced I had hurt my trick-knee for real. After icing it and much time not on it, it feels half-way decent. It is still a little swollen, but that's par for the course.

Home For the Holidays

We are officially back in Montana for the entire holiday season. Bring on the eggnog! Ok, so I don't actually drink eggnog. I think I've had it once, but I guess a more accurate phrase would be bring on the fudge!

Pictures and news to follow.

Merry Christmas!

Whew!

I am all finished with my Christmas shopping! And now I am listening to Kaelan shriek upstairs because Kat is cutting his hair--"It hurts my hair!" Interesting.
Anyway, we are about two days away from that awful drive back to Montana, where we will remain until Baby Will puts in an appearance--either on his own time table or on the 30th when Ashlie is induced. Either way, we will see him soon and I can't wait to meet him.

Musings

I ran a 10-minute mile tonight! I am pretty happy with that, and VERY happy that it didn't hurt my lower back! Yay! My lower back does not enjoy sitting for 8 hours every day and it has been reminding me of that more and more lately. But now that I have started at my new gym--thank you, Kamil!--no more back pain! Well, in time, I hope. I was a little bit unsure about doing any running whatsoever, because I was afraid it would hurt, but I hopped on the elliptical and it felt AWESOME!!
Soon to be home for Christmas, and hopefully Baby Will will put in an appearance soon. My 3rd nephew! All is well in Jessie-land.

Ugly Sweater Party

We had our Ugly Sweater Party this weekend. Due to some unforseen events--Dan having to work, then Dan breaking down--we had to postpone the party until Sunday at about 5:30, but we all had a good time and made it home not too terribly late for the boys' bedtime. The boys and I in our Ugly Sweaters

What an Ugly Sweater family...

They make Ugly Sweaters look cute
Check out Dan's pants! They had pheasants all over them and were corderoy...and I think Kurt wins the Ugly Sweater contest with his turtleneck and massive cardigan. Notice the flowers all over it...

Working It Off

I don't know about you, but this is how I am working off my Thanksgiving dinner...

Movies, Jobs, and Breaks

I have been watching many movies this month of November--mostly on DVD, but Kurt and Mick and I went to 2012 this weekend. That one...hmm. I can appreciate the fact that although it was foretelling most of the planet's doom, it was done for entertainment purposes, thus I did not take it very seriously whatsoever. It didn't even make me cry. I did speculate as to how I would want to go out were that situation to ever come about: to be dropped down a huge crack in the earth and incinerated, to be smashed under millions of tons of water, or to be fireballed from a very big volcano. OR to be squished by something just prior to the dropping, smashing, and fireballing. I do like John Cusack, though. I would watch anything he has out. I told my friend Dan that we need to make friends with someone high up in the government so they can get us smuggled onto whatever ship or boat or way they have to save at least some of us. In the event of a earth crust displacement, we need to be prepared and warned ahead of time. Anyway, the other movie I watched recently was once again Star Trek, this time on DVD. And yes, Spock was still sexy.

In the case of my job, this is what has been going on: I work from 9 to 5, sometimes 8 to 5 if I need to cover for Sandy, and things are going well. I have been involved the entire month of November in fitting my first mastectomy patient--well, the first one that I have been responsible for. And it has been a challenge! I am due to fit her tomorrow with the lastest and hopefully she will be satisfied. It is kind of like a puzzle...trying to find which size breast form, how to rotate it, etc. And in this case, what is too big and what is too small.

And lastly, Thanksgiving break is coming up! I work a whopping total of 2 days this week, and then we are driving home to Montana! Brandt and Ash will join us for dinner on Thursday, and then we are all going to Helena to tour the Fire Station on Friday so the boys can see everything and maybe even sit in an actual fire truck. They are super excited. Then Saturday is Ashlie's shower, and then we drive back to Casper on Sunday.

Just in time for the Ugly Sweater party I am throwing the beginning of December...

The Turn

My new project? Turning around on my slack line! I can do the turn, I just can't get started in the opposite direction. I will practice!

Halloween Party!

So my costume sucked this year...I just wasn't feeling it. I was a Survivor contestant who got voted off. About the only thing I did have going for me was my torch. Oh well. We played Apples To Apples and ate too much food. It was a good party.

Kat's cake--it was a big hit.

Bumblebee!

Kameron's costume was awesome! He was a little Batman, complete with cowl and cape. He looked good.

Zombies

I just watched Zombieland. Other than the gore, it was more of a feel-good movie than Where The Wild Things Are! And since I don't mind the blood and guts, it was definitely more of a feel-good movie! If the makers of Zombieland can turn zombies running amok into a positive, why couldn't the director of Where The Wild Things Are for a children's story?? Ok, I'm done talking about that movie.

My favorite part of Zombieland? The Woody Harrelson, Bill Murray reenactment of Ghostbusters, with vacuum cleaners. Awesome!!

Where The Wild Things Are

We took Kaelan to see Where the Wild Things Are today...and I have one major gripe with the movie. I loved the book as a kid...the very idea of Max escaping his punishment by going on this amazing adventure where the Wild Things live and being crowned their king is so cool. And in the end, he comes home because he's done. They had a great time--their wild rumpus took them on all sorts of adventures--but after the Wild Things go to sleep, Max goes home.

In the movie...well, I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but suffice it to say that there is not much happy about this version. I really did like how they brought the Wild Things to life. Their wild rumpus was very believable. But why did they have to be so...disfunctional? They were supposed to be uncivilized in a good way! Wild but not burdened with the problems that face us on a day to day basis. I guess you could argue both sides of the coin. They were very human-like in their emotions and feelings which means they were relatable.

I guess what it all comes down to is that when I finish the book Where the Wild Things Are, I never cry. In the movie, I bawled. It just isn't supposed to be sad. It is supposed to be happy and leave your imagination all fired up for your own wild rumpus. And it isn't quite the kid's story it should have been.

And So It Is

I have really been struggling with working from 9 to 5--not because I hate my job, but because there is no time to do anything but work! I am not a workaholic. I don't understand that mentality. Maybe if my job were skydiving or slack lining or working for the circus...all things I can see myself doing a lot of. But I get up, I go to work, I come home tired from work, and I have maybe 4 hours to do anything...not nearly long enough to fit all my hobbies in!

I am preaching to the choir, aren't I?

I know, I know...be thankful I have a good job that pays well and suck it up. But when someone finally wants my books and I don't have to work 9 to 5, or I get brave enough to run away to the circus, I will be a happy happy girlie.

Piracy

What are your thoughts on piracy?

I'm not talking about illegally downloading music or movies...I'm talking about the modern-day pirates who are plying the waters currently around Africa. I did a paper on them for my Globalization and Lit class my senior year of college, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It made writing a 25-pager much more entertaining when the subject matter interests me. And yes, before you ask, I would definitely run off to become a pirate. In fact, during graduation, my friend Roger told me that he would join my crew if I asked. It was a nice goodbye.

Anyhow, the reason I bring this up is because I am putting pirates in my book. I don't really know the angle yet, but I'm working on it. I'll keep you posted.

What Happened To Fall?

We skipped my favorite season--figures. As soon as October hit, we went straight into snowstorms and extremely cold weather. No mild leaf-strolling for us...I am completely unhappy with that. That being said, it won't ruin my Halloween! I have a few different costume ideas I'm working on. The problem will be deciding which one to do...

My Bow!

I got my bow! It is 64 inches long and has a 25 pound draw. In addition to that, it is beautiful and shoots like a dream. I took it to Dan's tonight and he showed me how to string it and then we took it out to the target and started practicing. It took me a couple shots to get the feel of it, but once I did it was awesome. I am working on the mechanics of shooting--doing the same things everytime. The hardest for me is to get my pointer finger to the corner of my mouth and then instead of letting go to stop holding on--yes, there is a difference. Letting go involves my hand flying out into space. So the few times I managed to stop holding on, I had the bow drawn back too far and I got a wicked fletching burn on my face. Not fun. And then it was too cold to continue. But I'm excited to see what else I can do with this thing. My bow is also, incidentally, an oldster. 1950s or thereabouts. I did a little research online.

Adventures In Outlaw Country

Outlaw Canyon!

Checking out the pictographs

The cave where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid out.

Today we drove to Outlaw Canyon, outside of Kaycee. It was the coolest place I've been in a long time! I brought my slack line but I didn't ever put it up. It was windy and wonderful there. We made hotdogs and hamburgers--well, antelope burgers, I guess they were. Dan and Juanita brought those. Then we took many pictures and explored everything. There wasn't time to go down into the canyon to find the cave that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid out in. That we'll save for another time, when we don't have a 4-yr old and a 1-yr old along. Then we went to the pictograph cave and looked at that. I was fascinated by the cool rock formations--little bumpies all over the rock, like warts, or softballs sticking out of the surface. All in all, it was pretty cool. It might be my new favorite place.

Bow

I bought my first bow! Dan found me a good one on Ebay and I entered into the great adventure that is an Ebay auction...I'm lying. I actually DO NOT enjoy bidding on Ebay items. I am too competetive and I don't think, "The best man won!" whatsoever. I get annoyed and grumpy when someone else bids and think uncharitable thoughts about them. Anway, the point of the story is that I won! And my new bow shall be arriving soon.

And for this weekend? Slack lining, putting together my sweet scrapbook that Heather D made me at camp for my birthday, figuring out my jewelry storage situation, and my creativity project!

Counting

Today was the longest day ever...I had plans originally to set up my slack line in the front yard, but longer so that I could walk something more than 10 steps, but when I pulled into the drive all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep. So I put on a movie and did not set up my slack line. And now I am having to count all the good things I currently have going on right now just to pysch myself up for tomorrow.

1. I can walk my slack line no matter the set-up or the height!

2. I am in the process of buying my first bow! I'll keep you posted on how my Ebay adventure pans out. So far I am the highest bidder.

3. The weekend is coming up and I have many plans.

4. I have a great project in the works that is going to help my creativity when I write.

And now for more relaxation and the rest of my movie.

Slack

I took my slack line to the park tonight and set it up while the boys played and Kat read a book for class. Dan came too and we practiced. I had it set up really loose and wobbly, because I figured if I could walk it on there I could walk it anywhere. And guess what?? I can! It was the coolest feeling, to sway all over the place and still be able to walk it. Then we set it up super-low to the ground so that Dan could get on and try to teach his leg muscles to stabilize. Just get the feel for the rope. And he was doing it! It was so cool. And then I learned that I can walk it low, too! It was a good time. It was such a high. I didn't want to leave. And then we realized it was 7 and the boys were starving.

I can't explain the way it feels to suddenly know you can walk that thing--and to know that I finally have a marketable circus skill! It is the biggest rush. I never wanted to quit. More later, definitely.

Archery!

I have been bitten by the archery bug--or something like that. At any rate, I have been loving it ever since I came back to it at camp this summer. Granted, I was shooting with 11-yr olds and using a bow that 11-yr olds can pull without any problem. Tonight I shot with Dan, and the bow I am using is a lot harder to draw. I can get it back to my cheek, but then my wrist starts to wobble all over the place. I shot a few good ones, at any rate. It just takes lots and lots of practice. And I am up for it! Dan told me my shoulders and arms might be sore tomorrow--as far as that goes, I think only my wrist was affected. It hurts!

I Would Rather Be Walking!

I have discovered, after a week being back at work, that I am no longer used to sitting down for any amount of time. After a summer of activity, this sitting business is killing me! My lower back was so stiff all weekend that I came to the conclusion that something different must be done. So I switched chairs, and that seems to be helping. I have been trying to get up and walk as much as possible, strech it out, but that only goes so far. The fundamental problem is still there. I do not want to sit anymore!

Whoo!

My room is almost finished...I still have to find a spot for my bookcase, unpack my boxes of books, move the armchair into the boys' playroom and bring in my Pappazan, and get a few more organizational things. I am feeling much more settled now.

Bright and Shiny

Not the cult on BubbleBoy...

More my outlook on life at the moment, which after last night I never would have thought possible. Last night everything was awful and pessimism abounded in my thoughts--I had so many negative words I could have written my own negative thesaurus. And then Kameron kept me up from 2:30 until 5:30, kicking his crib and yelling "No!" every 10 minutes. Oh. My. Goodness. I was so tired his morning.

And then I went back to work and everything was like it was when I left...except Jean wasn't there, and that makes me sad. However, I remember how to do everything, I got a raise!!!, and it was just good to be settled down again. I still miss camp. Ah well. And after work I took my car through the car wash, something I never do, and now it is all bright and shiny too.

AND THEN, Kat was having a jewelry party here so I got to try on some pretty great pieces--I even bought a few. I have been more and more into jewelry lately, I don't know why. Bronze pieces in particular. My new fave? A bronze chain with an airplane and a tiny swallow. I got quite a few compliments on it today at work.

And we begin again tomorrow...

Vacation Wonderland

My parents rented a house on Echo Lake, near Bigfork, MT. So the whole family was there for one glorious week--very stress-free, if you don't count Kameron getting a cold and being extremely grumpy the whole time. Ashlie couldn't make it, with it only being her second week of teaching kindergarten, but Brandt came down for a couple days. We had some good times jumping off the dock, staying up late playing games, and going golfing. I haven't golfed since I dislocated my wrist doing it a few years ago, but I tried again. I golfed a sucky 61 the first time, and then the second time we went I golfed a 48! It was pretty sweet. I think I've got the golfing bug again.
The boys and I by the water--we wore our pjs a lot. Hey, we're on vacation, right?

Taking the paddleboat for a spin--Easter came with us.

I set up my slack line while we were there and left it up all week, which was so much fun. I even made it all the way across!!! A new personal record. I haven't quite gotten the turn and start back move yet, but I am sure that will also be the next thing to happen. Walking it felt so steady after two tries of it. Part of the first walk across--Dad got the beginning at least.
We took Kaelan to the waterslides. For the first time ever, I got stuck on the waterslides! Does that mean I'm getting old?? No, maybe my suit wasn't made out of slippy material. There were a couple fat ladies who were bombing down those things. I went fast when I was in the tubes, but then it was almost too fast. I don't know. I guess maybe I'll just chalk it up to not having a slippy suit on, and not being fat enough to go super-fast, and that the waterslides are getting old.

And now...I packed up my stuff and made the horrid drive back to Casper today. I go back to work in the morning. I am more than a little unsure about that situation right now, as I sit here. I miss camp!

Slacklining In the Park

I have brought the sport of slacklining to Casper...well, at least I haven't seen anyone else doing it, but perhaps now they might. We set up the slackline in the park at our impromptu BBQ tonight with Mick, Lisa, their kids, and Dan. Kameron walked on it, too. That little guy...he immediately knew he was supposed to put one foot in front of the other and he was laughing the whole time. As for the rest of us, I made it 4 steps (personal record), Kurt got up on it once, and Dan was having trouble with the muscle stabilizers in his leg to even get up once, but at least he tried. He also helped me set it up. I did remember how to tie a clove hitch! I am going to set it up at home and keep on--after I get a new anchor. The rope I have now isn't doing it. I need more webbing I think.

Rest and Relaxation

I've actually almost forgotten what is like to not be busy 14 or 15 hours a day...I'm just now starting to remember how to read a book for longer than 20 minutes at a time! I drove to Casper on Monday and have been hanging with my nephews. Kaelan was so excited to see me. Kameron wasn't too sure about me at first, but by that evening he was ok with the situation. We have big plans for the next couple of days and my main goal is to set up the slackline in the park.

It's Over

My Lake Bryn Mawr summer 09 is officially over...

I flew in last night at 11:10, after an extremely bumpy ride--so turbulent, in fact, that it was kind of scary. There was lightning outside the plane and the guy sitting next to me was so freaked out that I stopped listening to my Ipod so that I could calm him down. We talked about the vacation he was going on--he and his wife, who was sitting two rows behind us, were going to Glacier and up into Banff. That seemed to work, but every 10 minutes or so we would hit a really rough patch and be tossed around. It was starting to make me feel a bit unsteady, which never happens to me on an airplane, but the dude was starting to make me nervous by being so nervous himself. Needless to say, I was glad to get off that plane.

Saying goodbye to everyone at camp was just as hard this summer as last summer. I cried a lot. It isn't fun to say goodbyes. I will miss everyone like crazy. However, the best part of Bryn Mawr is picking up exactly where we all left off the next time we see each other, like 10 months haven't passed. It was hard to say goodbye to my girls in 14 and 12. They all hugged me and cried. I was pretty much over 15, so I didn't even mind seeing them leave. Is that bad to say? It is how I feel. I was sad to say goodbye to Livvy, though.

The bus ride was good. The girls were really good--there was one pucker, and she made it into the garbage bag so I didn't have to clean. The parents picked up their kids and peaced, so there was no stress there. And then the driver picked us up early and we didn't have to wait for an hour! It was great. He drove us right through New York, so we got to see the city. We made good time to the airport. I did get stuck paying an exorbitant fee for my bags, but I was so ready to get out of there at this point that I didn't even care. I met up with the same group as last summer and we all sat at McDonald's with red eyes, extremely tired, hating life...and didn't want to leave each other when it came time to go. I was on the same flight as Tanya and Erica, so that was good.

And now I am home, and I washed all my laundry because it smelled really bad. Then I will pack up again and head to Casper to see my boys!

Gold Wins!

For the first time since I have been at Bryn Mawr--4 summers--Gold has won Color War!!! It was a pretty exciting race. There was something like 18 points separating them before going into Sing--unheard of in the past. In previous summers Green has always come from behind to win, but this summer Gold won Color War and even though Green won Sing, it wasn't enough to bump them over.

The Final Fight, or the Conflict Resolution as they called it, wasn't much of a fight. It was Gladiators trying to bump off the Green and Gold representatives. Very funny until Beau whopped Josh with a mat as he was flying through the air off the tumble track into the Bunk One girls. There were a few tears and more than one ice bag after that. Poor Josh felt awful. It probably hurt him too. Not a very soft landing. After that there was a dance off between the Green and Gold representatives. Drew was once again the giant hotdog, but he didn't dance. Bummer. The dance moves were hilarious and the girls really enjoyed the production.

I have been cleaning all day today. I do not like today or tomorrow. Cleaning and packing are not fun. I was hot and sweaty and grumpy today.

My stuff is mostly packed. A few last minute items to stuff and then I will be done.

Lightning Strikes

Last night we had a humdinger of a storm--there was a high wind warning, a golf-ball size hail warning, and severe thunderstorm warning. I had last night off and had just barely made it out of the dining hall when the heavens opened up. I was stuck in 22 by myself while everyone else was stuck in the dining hall--with 300 kids, lucky them! Anyway, I had just closed all the windows and was listening to it downpour outside (it sounded like a waterfall), when there was this sizzling noise followed by a BOOM so intense I could feel it in my bones. It hurt my ears and the whole bunk felt like it was shaking. You've heard it described as a thunderclap before? This was just like a giant hand had clapped next to my ears. I'm pretty sure either the building got hit or right outside got hit. And of course I'm the only one in the bunk. I called my parents and Dad asked if I felt anything, but all I felt was the soundwave afterwards. It was kind of cool. And now the topic of lightning fascinates me. Getting struck would suck, but Brandt told me that once you fall down your heart will restart from the jolt of falling. Good to know.

Finalization

Color War has been humming right along--and I apologize for not updating this sooner. I've been pretty busy and then the internet decided to go out...not a happy event. However...it is working right now! The lack of time and the many things going on does necessitate a list.

1. I started to read The Time Traveler's Wife. I like it so far.
2. I really like my new counselor in 15. She makes me laugh.
3. I really really like my old counselor in 15, Livvy. Today in her exit interview with Britton she said some very nice things. They made me choke up a little bit, actually. I really appreciate her and all the hard work she's put in. I know it hasn't been the easiest time in 15, but she's stuck with it. Plus she's just a nice person. So lovely to be around.
4. Gary Brown is a kick in the pants. He told me yesterday he wants to come visit me in Montana. He said that my parents must be very nice people and he'd like to meet them.
5. I got to serve snack today for the first time ever! Granted, it didn't last very long but I liked it while it happened.
6. My girls in 14 are such good kids.
7. I have been having very good times with all my girls in general. We've been laughing a lot.
8. I am tired.
9. Today was the hottest day all summer--96 I believe. That doesn't sound that hot, but to all of us here used to 70s and rain, this feels like being broiled alive.
10. I got all my paperwork done!!!!!

Color War!!!

Color War broke last night--it was an Indiana Jones, National Treasure sort of thing. Instead of fighting, like we normally do, it was just a series of scenes starting with a huge volcano down in the ropes course with our good archeologists and the two bad ones. The whole premise was that they were trying to get the pieces of the halo to join them together and unite Bryn Mawr. I was a fallen angel without my halo, and I held a torch along the path to adventure and then on the nature trail while we sang the Alma Mater. It was a pretty cool thing. The girls walked along through the nature trail and all the torches to Wembley where there was the final event in the Cave of Lost Angels--and Gary Brown as the knight/advisor like in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the archeologists had to pick which angel to put the halo on. If they chose wrong, they died, sort of like drinking from the wrong grail in the movie. I thought it was done very well overall. I don't have any pictures, but the video is up on the website.

A week and one day left at camp.

Rainy Days, UFO Chasers, Lane Judging and Benny and the Jets

UFO chasers for Carnival...I was applying for the position of Galactic Ambassador, but you can't read my plate from here

Getting my palm read at Carnival--check out my sweet face paint by Aaron!

Yes, I am wearing a toga--and my tinfoil hat is amazing. Check out the height!

Enjoying some pretzel and showing off the face paint!

Carnival was yesterday--and it poured! It was the first carnival in my 4 summers at camp that had to be indoors. Boo! And at the same time, we made the best of it and the kids had a good time. And I loved loved loved my face paint that Aaron did and my carnival costume, which was basically a toga with a sweet tinfoil hat. I also added a plate advertising the fact that I was applying for a job as Galactic Ambassador. Everyone else went tinfoil-crazy, but I wore exactly what I would wear were I to actually be a UFO-obsessed individual, complete with the advertisement.

Today Gary Brown asked me to be a lane judge for the swim meet. Of course I said yes! I have never actually done that before, but I figured I'm a reasonably intelligent individual. How hard can it be? Harder than it sounds, let me tell you! It was a little bit stressful at times, trying to figure out who came in what order--especially with 8 teams and some of the older girls being right on top of each other. But I never screwed up! I had a good time.

Tonight Anita and I went to eat at this random little diner/restaurant in Honesdale. It came complete with mini quarter-jukeboxes in your booth. Anita was messing around with it and ours starting playing, at a very loud volume, Rod Stewart. We were getting some dirty looks from the poor diner-goers of Honesdale who were trying to eat and not appreciating Rod Stewart blasting into their dinners. Ooops. There was just one problem...we couldn't get it to turn off! I was semi-embarrassed, but Anita just pulled out a quarter and said we had to redeem ourselves after that song. So what else could we pick but Benny and the Jets?? We rocked out to that song and I saw quite a few people nodding happily along with Elton. Much better than Rod!

On another note, I have a new counselor in 15, a former Bunk 1 camper who left in 05, which was the year before I came to Bryn Mawr. She seems like a cool kid.

Celebratory Dock Jump

To celebrate the successful reappearance of my lower lip--no more blisters or scabs of blisters--I jumped off the dock today with Anita and Rachel. No pictures, sorry. It was a quick after-snack-before-5th-period dock jump. And it was AWESOME!!! I love jumping off the dock.

From 9 to 6

I started out with 9 counselors in my 3 bunks--3 for each. I have 6 original counselors left. I guess losing 3 isn't that bad of a number, but sheesh...it's the most that I've ever lost in one summer. One of them was moved from the bunk into another cabin in the same age group, one was moved from the bunk into a different age group, and now one has quit/been fired. I'm not sure what you would call it--perhaps a bit of both? Remember the counselor I was so afraid to have that talk with, the one I was sure didn't like me? She had some unfortunate pictures in the bunk and the girls saw them. Coupled with some personal problems, it was enough for her to no longer be with us. Bunk 15 will be getting a new counselor starting Sunday, a former camper who is super-excited to be doing this for the last 2 weeks of camp. I feel...torn about the situation. On the one hand, the counselor in question and I had achieved a really good working relationship. We were getting along just great and I think it was a battle hard-fought and won for me. So it is sad to see her go now, after everything we've gone through. And yet, I also am glad that one source of drama has been removed from my summer. I no longer have to hold her hand constantly.

On an up note, today is my day off and when I went into lunch I was absolutely BOMBARDED with girls, both mine and Tina's, who were so excited to see me and had missed me all morning. We sat together and had a great lunch, laughing and joking. I really do love my girls this summer. I don't even want to think about leaving them all in 2 weeks.

I Said LOOK!!

Superhero Posse in action, with two of our Super Villains--Erica, Tina, Meredith, Yari, me, Rachel, Heather, Jess and Danielle in the front. Or our Superhero names: Flash, The Tidalwave, The Cannonballer, The Dancer, The Balancer, The Charming Enigma, and The Morpher. I don't remember the two Super Villain's names.

Random 4th of July photo--I think it was during Olympics--Erica, me, Tina, and Jess

MC, Hike, JCSD, Movie Night

Superhero Final Fight pose!

So much has been going on the past couple days and I haven't even gotten a chance to write it all down! I also have pictures.

On Sunday night I hosted the Junior Camp Trash Bag Fashion show--which I renamed the Trashion show, and Drew liked, so I think it has officially been renamed. Anyway, it was fun. The girls had a good time. That one never gets old. They always make something new, and some of the outfits they come up with really look cute. My Bunk 14 made the best little formal dress ever.

After hosting the Trashion Show, my co-host Jess and I with the judges.

Then Drew told me I would get to do morning announcements for Tuesday, because he was on a trip and it was going to be JCSD. So I was super-excited about that and I some time putting together a superhero script. Drew helped me pick music and then showed me how to do the morning announcements--there are a lot of steps involved.

On Monday the entire Upper Juniors went on a hike to the Promised Lands, which is a small area in the Delaware National Forest. We didn't leave PA, but it was about 40 minutes from camp. It was fun, not very long at all--not really a hike, more of a nature walk. But for these girls I guess it was a hike. They sure complained enough. Then after the hike we took them to a park on the lake and grilled for lunch. The problem with that was that the adventure and trek boys are used to grilling for 20, not 50...we started at 12 and I didn't get to eat until 2:30. And even then we ran out of most condiments and buns and all the potatoes. We wrapped veggies and either hamburgers or hotdogs in tinfoil packets and put them on the grill that way. It was very good, just extremely long. The girls did pretty well with the wait, considering they are used to being fed on time and they aren't used to waiting for other people whatsoever. Gil set up the slackline while we were there and we got to do that for a bit--of course the girls all wanted to try, so we spent most of our time walking them across. I didn't get back from that until snack time and then immediately had a bunk meeting, so I was pretty much tired afterwards.

On Monday night we broke JCSD. The theme this summer was Camp Superhero--which basically means that we were all superheroes and since the Super Villians were attacking Bryn Mawr, we had to train the Junior Campers to defend. The video that Matt put together for the break was amazing! I will have a way for you to watch that later. I was the Cannonballer, able to reach the speed of both light and sound if properly propelled from my cannon. It was a good break and it led to an even better Junior Camp Special Day. I did the announcements and that went really well. It was freaking hot that day, and the morning started out badly by Danielle and I having a disagreement over something stupid--basically, we were both in the wrong but she overreacted very badly and when I tried to make it right she didn't want to have anything to do with me. So I walked away and she found me at breakfast and apologized for taking out her bad day on me. Yikes. After that things went much smoother and we had an awesome final fight in the gym against the Super Villains.

Last night I happened to be on, so I got to accompany my girls to the movies. We watched G-Force, which for those of you who don't know is about a trio of Guinea Pigs who are trained to be FBI agents. Yeah. You heard me correctly. However, what made it even better was that it was in 3-D! Yes, we wore the glasses and had things leap out at us. My favorite part, actually? Going up into the projection booth with Bill and the owner of the theater while he showed us how the 3-D part was done. It was pretty trippy up there.

I was really tired after all of that, and then I had to sit OD until after 11. Consequently, this morning I am dragging.

Tubing and Awesomeness

I went tubing yesterday with my girls in 14. We had an Explorer and although she wasn't too sure she wanted to try tubing, she eventually decided that if I was her partner and we went really slow, she was game. It was a good time. Gary Brown made sure we didn't almost fall out and the Explorer enjoyed herself. And then of course we had to dock jump. I do love the dock jump.

Last night on OD I had this surge of complete and utter happiness. I have been struggling with something all summer and last night I felt it snap back into place--of course I had to do some joyous airkicks! I probably looked pretty special on cabin row doing some utterly ungraceful hops up and down, but whatever. I was feeling it at the moment. And THEN Charlotte brought us cookies and Puchi gave us soda and then I saw a huge FROG in the middle of the road that made me smile.

And today was late sleep!!!! I am at the point of my summer where I am starting to get extremely tired. All I do on any time off now is sleep or sit around. There is no more fun trips planned at this point, just what can I do to ensure I'm in bed early on my time off...And once I do get home, I think I sleep and do nothing for at least a week. But I am not ready to think about coming home yet! Camp has flown by and I am having too much fun with my girls.

Last night I had so much fun walking around with them and laughing about anything and everything. We have really bonded this summer and I enjoy all of them.

Times

I went to Philly to pick up Explorers yesterday--there were 4 of them, not that hard a job. The drive up was long and I didn't really enjoy it. You know how sometimes you can have a good conversation with people you've just met, and sometimes you know there won't be much of one at all? Yeah, that was pretty much the drive up. I knew within the first 3 seconds that the driver and I were not going to be conversing well. We still could have, I guess, but it definitely would have been a stilted, limping conversation that would take more effort than it was worth. So as soon as she got on her phone, I plugged in my Ipod. And enjoyed every second I got to listen to my music. Picking up the girls was good. The parents were very pleasant and very interested to hear what was going to happen with their girls this weekend. The drive back was extremely short--the girls fell asleep, I fell asleep, and we all woke up near Honesdale.

JCSD is fast approaching. I am excited for it and a little bit anxious as to how the day is going to go down. We are still working out some logistical things right now.

My lip is feeling better--still blistered and gross, but the swelling has gone down and it doesn't hurt as bad. I will be doing a happy dance when it eventually is gone completely! I think a dock jump is in order!

I played in the lake on the surfboards with 14 yesterday. We have an Explorer in our bunk and they were pulling out the stops to show her a good time. We had some fun times. I stood on my surfboard 3 times and then had to abandon further attempts because my girls like to try to dunk me too much.

Everything else is going well--I won't even say how many days left we have, because I will cry.

Sunburn

My lips are sunburned! Ok, just the bottom one...remember I said I had a sunburn from Visiting Day? Well, that included my lips and they are now blistered. Gross, huh? And it hurts sooooo bad! The first day the blisters made their oh-so-welcome appearance, it hurt so bad to talk that I tried not to all day long. And today they are feeling a teeny bit better, but they still look very gross. I am extremely unhappy with this situation. :( :( :(

More Pics and A List

Gold Rush!

I really like this poster

List time!

1. Gold Rush happened, as you can see from the above photos. Last summer it got cancelled due to weather and I was completely ok with that. This summer, I enjoyed myself. I was in the final Shoot-Out, and although I only lasted until about 30 seconds in, Jacque and I had a great duel and killed each other. Then I got to just lie on the grass for another 5 minutes until the Shoot-Out was over. It was a good spot to watch from, provided I didn't get stepped on.

2. I am picking up Explorers on Friday in Philly! I am so excited! More on that when it happens.

3. Today is Hershey, which means I am on my day off. I had to wake up with the girls and make sure they made it on the bus, but after that I went straight back to bed at 8:30 and slept until almost 11, when I put my laundry in.

4. I talked to my family last night, including my two very favorite boys in the whole world and they completely made my day! Kameron talked and laughed into the phone and Kaelan told me all about his bike and said I needed to come home and see him ride it. It made me homesick for them.

5. JCSD is in full-throttle planning mode. I think it is going to be amazing this summer. I'm excited.

6. Visiting Day went by in a blur of sun and wayyyy too many cookies from the cookie tent. Ok, I only ate 5 this summer, but the fact that I ate pretty continuously up to that point makes it more serious. And yes, I once again got sunburned...see the picture of Drew and I if you really want to see the evidence. But all my girls were good and no one cried too hard and I didn't get ambushed by any parents.

7. Male Beauty was fun. No pictures this summer yet again--except of us GLs dressed like the guys. We decided that it would be fun to dress up like the male staff that was our Male Beauty. Mine was Drew--I wore a button to campaign for him with my girls, and we won!--and I just basically borrowed everything he had, including his socks, shoes, and watch. I also wore his crazy wig to make it a little bit more clear who I was supposed to be. I think I more looked like Ronald McDonald in the wig, but oh well.

8. In the land of my job, I have been handling more and more friendship issues. They haven't been too overwhelming for me--or maybe I'm actually getting better at this?? Perhaps. But I never used to know what to say to these kids, and now I feel as though it is getting so much easier and working better. Bob Ditter is amazing. It could also be that I have been here for 4 summers and have learned a thing or two along the way.

Picture Catch-Up!

Bill and Anita--Anita was Bill for Male Beauty judging Drew and myself--I was Drew for Male Beauty Judging, but this was afterwards when I was cold. (And yes, he is still wearing makeup. Lovely, Drew!)

All the GLs in our judging attire

Dressed like superheros for filming the JCSD break

Aquarama!!

Frustration

I was so upset with myself today. I had zero patience, right out of the box. It wasn't like it evolved to this point...I just woke up without a shred of patience in my body. My entire body, if you can imagine. I knew early on that I was going to have to change my attitude or I was going to have a rough day. And the rough day part lasted pretty much all morning, but then Heather D and I played a sweet game of lawn tennis and my mood improved. I still needed to be more patient with my girls, though. And I did not snap at any one of them--but I could feel that the potential was there. I definitely didn't d0 much playing and joking around with them today. I hated being like that. Was it a sleep issue? I don't know. I do know that the Visiting Day clean-up got to me and my counselors came through like champions. At least tonight I get to go to bed early.

Books and Cubby Cleaning

I came to camp with the usual amount of books--6 that I hadn't started yet. And normally by this point I am buying more because I have already finished them. At least in past summers that has been the case. Currently, I am still working on book number 2. What does that mean?? Either I'm really not into the Tom Robbins book I am reading--Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates--or I don't have as much time to read as I normally do. That could be because on OD at night I am generally with the kids or dealing with an issue and then too tired, and in the mornings I haven't been getting my consistant adirondack chair time. Bummer.

We are cleaning for Visiting Day--which is on Saturday, can you believe it?? Not me. I'm feeling way too relaxed for it already to be Visiting Day. Anyway, I spent all morning in 15 helping with cubbies because they only had one counselor, only to walk into 14 and be blown away by the fact that even though they have 2 counselors, nothing was done. I have to do all the cubbies in the back still. 12 looks amazing, I won't even worry. But why do I always have one bunk every summer that stress me out about cleaning? Riddle me that...

I saw the new Harry Potter last night. I will give it a thumb to the side--which means neither up nor down. I liked it...I think. There were awkward parts, like with Ginny Weasely, and the ending sucked big time. That is all I will say. I need to reread the books when I get home. Brush up on my Potter and reestablish my liking for the series.

Learning

I have the day off today, and I was sitting here waiting for everyone else to get ready so we can go out for b'fast at the Trackside and I started to think about the past couple days and what has been happening. I also realized I haven't been updating this thing as often as I should, but I am going to try harder. Anyway, yesterday I woke up early and because we didn't have morning meeting I was able to sit in the adirondack chairs and read so much of my book. It was absolutely amazing. One of my very favorite places on camp! And then the day began...it was Aquarama, which is almost one of my very favorite days. It's chill and I love to run around and go on the water rides with my girls. Except today was not going to be that kind of day at all. One of my counselors was moved from the bunk and for a while there it was looking like she would go home. I was very upset because she could be a great camp person if she was in the right place here--a healthy, safe place for her, which Bunk 15 was not. I won't go into reasons on here, but suffice it to say that I was upset and Marjori told me I could go hide out for the morning. So I rode around on the golf cart with Drew and then hung out in his office until lunch. After lunch I was feeling a little bit better and I was able to play with some of my girls before jumping back into the fray with the counselor again. I felt like I was standing underneath the other shoe about to drop on my head all afternoon--and then she said she was staying! That put me in a great mood and my Bunk 14 girls made it even better. I have decided that they are the ones that cheer me up when I'm feeling like I don't know why I come back to do this job. Don't get me wrong, it's amazing and unique and worth it and all those colorful adjectives, but it is also extremely HARD sometimes. I realized yesterday that I had lost sight of what they tell us in Leadership week--when you feel like you can't do it anymore, go play with the girls that you love, who don't have drama going on all the time, and who love you back and are excited to have you around. I got to do that yesterday with Bunk 14 and it made my entire week. They made me a bracelet, they wrote the best campaign song to get Drew for Male Beauty, and we had fun. After that I was sufficiently ready to go back into 15 and be their counselor for the evening. I sat in there and we read a chapter of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and they went to bed. I was there until almost 11:20, when their other counselors got back.

Looking back on yesterday, I think I learned--or relearned, I guess, which I think I am constantly doing in my life--that I need to ask for help and not be bothered that I can't do everything, that I need to focus on the girls who don't need something every second just as much as the high-maintenance ones, and that I really and truly love Bryn Mawr! Ok, the last one I didn't really need to relearn, but it is definitely in my thoughts.

I wish my entire family could come here and see just how special this place is. It is hard for those looking in to understand--you need to experience it, to meet everyone here. I was interviewed for the Poplar Post by one of my former campers from the past 2 summers the other day, and she asked if I was going to stay until I got my Angel. That will be next summer, summer number 5 for me. And I said of course I would, but after yesterday, I know there is no way I couldn't come back. My time at Bryn Mawr is far from over, and that also makes me happy.

A Meh Day

Meh as in, 'How's your day?' 'Meh', with a shoulder shrug.

I felt very...tired today. Tired and not very mentally or physically present, which is tough because to be successful here you need to be both very much mentally and physically present. And yet, I feel that everyone here gets this way once in a while. The trick is not to have it happen more often than it doesn't. And I can say that this is the only time I have felt like this. I have had hard days, oh my yes, but wanting to cry and not have a conversation or having a tough time with my girls is not the same as just not really feeling it. And I was not really feeling it today. I took a nap and then felt almost sick, so that wasn't the answer.

I went to archery with some of my kids today and really enjoyed that activity. I was actually pretty good at it! I could hit a bull's-eye from 30 feet back and I was pretty consistant with hitting the target in the same spot. I even hit 3 arrows in one spot at one point. I felt very Robin Hood-esque.

Tonight is my night off, and I am making the most of it by watching a good movie and relaxing. Early bed is also on the agenda.

Plastic Bubble

So my trick knee has been giving me fits for the past couple days. Nothing too bad--just swelling at odd moments and some pain that makes me stop walking and make funny pain faces. I have been icing it like whoa and trying not to aggravate it too much. Last night, it hurt so bad and I couldn't figure out why, until we had a mother of a thunderstorm and I knew why: pressure! My knee gives me fits when it gets cold out or we have a huge change in pressure and last night was a doozy. People's ears were popping and getting sore, and my knee hurt. So Charlotte gave me something for the pain, something Canadian and something that I found out contains Codeine. And we all know what that does to a person...I was almost loopy sitting on OD last night and when I finally went to bed at 11 I pretty much passed out and don't remember waking up until this morning. At least it was late sleep. And the important thing was that my knee didn't hurt! Then this morning I rammed my knee on the breakfast table and that about sent me through the roof. I held my breathe and writhed in my seat for a few seconds. And THEN at lunch I hit my shin on the bench at our lunch table and now have a large raised bump on my shin bone. What does that signify? Drew and Heather both told me I need to be in a plastic bubble. Like I haven't heard that before.

Conversations

I feel as though yesterday was the day to have conversations with people--good or bad.

I had a counselor that I really needed to talk to because I was positive she just didn't like me. And who wants to ask someone why they don't like you and then have to hear the answer? I was a nervous wreck yesterday morning. I couldn't put it off anymore, because Marjori told me it needed to happen and I agree with her. But I would rather go on Possessed 5 times in a row, than have that particular conversation. Finally I wrote down some points I wanted to hit and then Drew and I went over them together in his office. I cried and felt like a big wuss, but it was nice to get that out in the open and I feel very comfortable with Drew. Then the conversation happened and it was all a huge misunderstanding and went soooo well and now things are good! Or we are working to make them good and they are going to get there eventually but at least the weight has been lifted.

Then last night at evening activity I had to have more conversations--one with a kid who had her feelings hurt and then two more with the two bunks that caused those hurt feelings. That one was rough. I didn't even want to go in there after that. I was mad, disappointed, hurt, and upset. I think sometimes girls can be mean.

Tonight at long last is Transformers!!!

Yellow Hats

Yesterday was Dorney Park--and if you remember, I mentioned hoping I would get to be a Yellow Hat. The morning of the trip, I got my yellow hat and walkie talkie! I really enjoyed being able to float from group to group. Heather D. and I walked around together and helped out kids and counselors who needed it, and we also went on a couple rides.

I went on the most intense ride I have ever been on. It is called Possessed, and I have included pictures. I rode it with Drew and Gil, but Drew and I were sitting together because Gil was too cool and collected for me. I was comfortable being a wuss in front of Drew. My heart was pounding so hard before we got on this thing. It was way more intense than skydiving! The ride itself was awesome after the first two drops, but those first two drops almost hurt--it was just a very intense stomach-drop. After that, my adrenaline-seeking was pretty much satisfied. I stuck to a nice safe Ferris Wheel ride with Heather.

Here is a shot of the entire ride--not very big, I apologize.

And here is the front--see how it twists at the top?
And the back of it.

We bought shirts for Charlotte and ourselves with our Bryn Mawr guys on them: Blaine for Heather, Jack for me, and Rico for Charlotte. I'll include pictures of us wearing those in the near future. I had a headache by the end of the trip and was very tired, but it was a good one. We didn't have any problems with missing campers and all the girls were safe. Tired, but safe. I hope I get to be a Yellow Hat for Hershey.

Life At Camp

Two of my favorite people at camp, Drew (in the 4th gear) and Bill

Here is what's been going on since I last wrote.

1. 4th of July and an incredibly awesome fireworks display. AND, if that wasn't good enough, Shooter Jenning's 4th of July song was playing in the background! Drew makes the best playlists. Ok, so I kind of helped him with that one, but he was thinking the same thing I was.
2. I went to the Sunshine Spa yesterday during rest hour--in Bunk 16. I got a massage while they were giving me a mani. I will include a picture of my nails so you can appreciate them.

3. We go to Dorney Park tomorrow and I am a wee bit nervous. As of right this minute I am scheduled as Emergency, which means that if a counselor for some reason does not go on the trip in the morning I will take her place with her girls. If that doesn't happen, I will be a Yellow Hat and get to float around the park. My vote? The Yellow Hat. In a perfect world that will happen. In the other case, I'll be with a random group of girls that I don't know. Oh joy. Probably the Manor House who don't get to go on roller coasters.

Birthday Shots

My Happy Birthday shirt and posing with Charlotte, my camp "Mom"

Getting my birthday cake--Marjori is beside me, singing Happy Birthday.

Today Is Somebody's Birthday

And that someone would be me!
We did the extra special dock jump today and here are some pictures!
In the lake afterwards, Drew, Rachel, Heather D. and me! (clockwise)Jumping off. Yeah Rachel with the Spiderman leap! Also, I got a shirt and a Rub A Dub marker and everybody signed it. It was pretty spectacular.

Tonight is the cake!

And my brother called me and by complete and utter happiness because it is my birthday and the universe loves me, I happened to be in my room putting on my swim suit at the time so I got to talk to him! It was fabulous.

I am loving my summer family. That being said, I miss my actual family :(

Birthday Dinner

Last night was Jess and I's joint birthday celebration dinner. There were about 18 of us and we went to Scranton to eat at TGI Friday's. It was a good time. Heather D. did an amazing job arranging it. We got sung to in an embarrassing way that only restaurants and camp seem able to do, and then we just hung out and talked. Because there were so many people at the table, I had to take individual section shots.
Shu, me, and Erica
Heather R, Jess R, and Angela


Erica, Danielle, Tanya, Meredith, Liz, and Andrea (from clockwise)
Anita, Rachel, Lacee, Charlotte, Jess the other birthday girl, Joe, and Heather D (also clockwise)
The entire table.

Tennis

For the first time in the almost 4 summers I have been at camp, I played tennis with my girls. And boy do I suck! I have always had an inkling that when it came to actually playing the game--ie, doing the drills--I wouldn't know what to do. To my not-surprise, I don't even know how to do a front or back swing! I finally got the front swing down, but my backhand sucks. But I kept going, through all the drills with the girls, and finally was starting to improve a teeny bit. I think I'll keep going. The girls enjoyed watching me try and I would like to get better at it.

10:30 Bedtime

I never made it to the Transformers movie. Heather D. and I had a pedicure that was definitely on the other side of pain--I squirmed more than once while the dude was shoving my poor cuticles up my leg and using the roughest brush in the world to scour at my feet. Sheesh. At least the end result was good and I like the color. Then we went out to eat dinner, ran some errands, and made an appearance at The Wayne to be social. And I was in bed by 10:30. With the result that I am rested and refreshed this morning! Off to tennis with my girls...perhaps I'll learn how to actually play it!

Walk-Off

Last night was the first GL night for Upper Juniors--which just means that instead of the camp coming up with evening activity for my age group, I had to. Well, me and my co-GL. But it was my idea, so I'll take the heat for this one.

Two summers ago I did an impromptu walk-off with my girls on main campus and it was so much fun. Last night I thought I'd give it a try again, just more organized. Bill let us hold it in the Bill Widman Gym, because it looked like rain, and that is a prime spot that not many people get to use. I'll just chalk it up to the fact that Bill is awesome and he likes me. Anyway, we had costumes for the girls and we had two of the male staff do their own walk-off to show them how it was done. I was a little nervous we weren't going to fill the entire hour, but we could have gone longer. It was a lot of fun.

I did not get to go to bed until after 11 last night, but that was because we had Leadership and the girls always get riled up when the Bunk 1 girls come in. They are a little bit harder to settle down after that. No real criers, although I did have to take 4 girls to the health center for varying reasons. As a result, I woke up tired this morning.

It is my night off tonight!!! And the new Transformers movie is calling my name.

And That's Why I Love Camp

The bus ride yesterday went like a dream--usually dealing with parents can be intimidating. And since I was going to Long Island, I was fully expecting more than a few incidents when I would regret going. HOWEVER...it was cake! The ride up was good, the parents were beyond good, and Joe and I had a very smooth transition. After they got on the bus and we pulled away, we had to go around with a thermometer and take all their temperatures. It was one of those that you stick in their ear and wait for it to quit beeping, so it wasn't very hard. We had one slight temperature, but it wasn't over 100. Then the long ride back was great. They gave up cell phones, candy, and passports without a fuss. I was so impressed with how relaxing the entire day turned out to be.

After they got here, I had a couple criers in the dining hall--I didn't get to finish eating dinner. But we got them to stop and then headed down for the evening activity. Then I got all nervous, because we had to dance the Hoedown Throwdown. And that ended up being great. I only slightly screwed up once, but for the most part we were all in sync. It was a good time.

I have to get used to sitting on OD. I'm used to being able to go to bed when I'm finished, but now I have to wait another hour and a half. I was in bed by 11, which is pretty fantastic for the first night of camp!

Let's see how the rest of the day goes.

Lice checks...I am a little bit scared that I have lice, even though my head hasn't ever itched...irrational fear, I know. Still. I'll keep you posted on that.

That's How We Roll

And it is official: I know the Hoedown Throwdown in it's entirety. Not only that, but I can keep up with the music. And a good thing, too, because tomorrow night we are doing it in front of about 500 people.

More to come tomorrow, after the girl's arrive.

Yay for a bus to Long Island!!!!

Toga Designs

If I were living in ancient Greece, or anywhere else they wear togas all the time, I think my calling would be as a toga designer. I have always enjoyed the wearing of togas, and since rarely is there a choice opportunity to do such, the idea of wearing a toga. How awesome would that be, for that style to come back in? I would wear a toga all the time. Anyway, for Staff Olympics tonight the Group Leaders came out in togas to the olympics music. And I tied about half the togas. Heather D. tied the other half, and then eventually helped me with the style I wanted to fashion for my own toga. Who knew I had such a toga talent? It was a good skill to discover.

While we're on the topic of skills, we slack lined tonight behind the office for half an hour or more. It was so much fun to get back on a slack line. My slack line is currently hanging in my room, waiting for warm weather and two opportune trees. Perhaps when we go to Echo Lake for our family vacation I can get the slack line out for some family slack lining.

I managed to whack the ball of my thumb on something--not my thumb, per se, just the fat part at the base of my thumb. I don't know on what, but it swelled to about twice the size and hurts like a mofo. So I made my way to the Health Center and got some ice for it and some Ibuprofin to take the swelling down a bit. Then I rode around with Drew in the golf cart for 45 minutes while he did errands and I iced my thumb. And now, the swelling is down a teeny bit but it still really hurts. My guess is that I bruised it severely. Oh joy.

Unpacking Day

I loathe unpacking day. It is stressful, hot, sweaty, uncomfortable, and brings back to me my complete and utter dislike of packing and unpacking in general. I don't even like to pack or unpack for myself, why would I want to do it for 36 11-year olds? That being said, today went as well as it has ever gone in my past 3 summers at camp. It went quickly, it wasn't too stressful, and although it was hot and sweaty I think it actually wasn't as bad.

I am on a bus on Saturday to pick up the girls--I go to Long Island, NY. I like that trip. I get to drive right on through New York and see everything. I also enjoy being on a bus in general. Dealing with the parents doesn't bother me. For the most part they are all nice people and I like that I get to be somewhere and have some experiences, rather than waiting back at camp with nothing to do but busy work.

Tomorrow we have half the day off, and I don't know what is going to happen but I am pretty sure buying some navy shorts is in order. This year my Bryn Mawr leadership Polo is a size small and wonder of wonder it actually fits!! I'm digging that.

So You Think You're An Upper Junior

My counselors have been chosen. My cabin bed assignments are complete. My calendars are finished. I have a few other little things to do, and then tomorrow is the dreaded unpacking day. And then Saturday it begins.

Jane and Dan took the whole camp to the movies on Monday night as we always do every summer--I saw the Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Renolds and quite enjoyed it--and then when we got back to camp at 9:30, all the GLs dressed up like pirates and kidnapped the counselors, bringing them to the fieldhouse. There we proceeded to tell them their bunk placements and who their co-counselors were. No tears this year!!!! I was way too tired to deal if there was, and I'm sure it would have resulted in tears myself. At this point it was about midnight and I couldn't wait to go to bed.

I have met with my counselors and I think all will be great. I am not super excited about any, nor am I super bummed. I think the middle road is a good sign for right now. I'll take it.

Today we are finishing up some last minute things and then tomorrow the unpacking begins. I loathe that day. I don't like packing, either, but unpacking comes first so I'm just going to hate it a little bit more right now. I hate feeling hot and tired and stressed and sweaty.

On a happy note, we have sunshine!!! With a bit of a breeze to keep things cool. And I have already gotten quite the sock tan line. I think this year's is going to be a thing of beauty. I'll have to take pictures.

List Time

1. The weather has partially improved today--at least we got to see some sunshine! It is a wee bit cold still, but no rain is a good thing.

2. Last night was the best Rick Kelly show ever--mostly because it was short. However, I did enjoy the beginning of Rick Kelly, before it started to pour on us and we all got completely soaked. Dancing in the rain is as fun as it sounds, until the music started to slow down and I felt like I had jumped into the lake with my clothes on without the fun of actually doing it.

3. I heart the Ice Cream Cottage.

4. The General Counselors are all opening up and beginning to show us their personalities. I think we've got a good group this year.

5. I love Drew, in a platonic, PD/GL way. This morning I was a bit late getting out of bed and so I didn't get to have my usual adirondack chair sit before Revielle so I went into Drew's office and we picked the music for tomorrow morning.

6. I finally finished my calendars for the bunks!

7. I just remembered I have to be in the Dining Hall to serve lunch for the cheerleaders. Peace!

Getting To Know You

The General Staff is here. I hopped in a van with Joe, the fitness and sports conditioning PD and we drove to Newark airport to pick them all up. He took the luggage and I took the bus back to camp with the new counselors. They were all very tired from traveling and that bus ride is the longest in the whole entire world. It was a fun experience for me, though. No one was late and we didn't leave anyone at the airport. Mission accomplished.

The weather? Not so good. Rain mostly. How am I going to get a good sock tan line if the sun never comes out???

I have been getting to know many people lately. Some PDs, some male staff, and of course all the new general counselors. It has been a good time. I like everyone here thus far, and I really enjoy getting to know people better.

Today at our tour, Bill told my group I am his favorite GL. Then he gave me 2 suckers. It made me smile.

Tonight is the GL fashion show--I chose to be dress all in Gold to showcase Spirit Week, and to wear my Chocolate Banana Night skirt. Gotta love that thing. Remember? The green skirt with the orangey-yellow-gold hibiscus flowers all over it? That thing rocks my socks.

Ice Cream Cottage

Official Ice Cream Cottage count for the summer of 09? 3 times in the past 4 nights and I am planning on including it for tonight too. Ah the Ice Cream Cottage.

Today is our day off and we hit Trackside for b'fast this morning. Love the Trackside. Then we all came back to camp and hung out until lunch--Rachel and I cannot watch Twilight together. We ruin it for other people who actually want to take that movie seriously. Oh well. Lesson learned. Then everyone else went to play a rousing game of indoor soccer and I chose to take a nap. We had some extremely loud people last night and I was tired this morning when I woke up. My nap was delightful. Then I think we are heading to McDonalds--or Old McDonalds, as Kaelan calls it--and then the Cottage. Good times.

I have decided that there is no real purpose in going to Scranton on my days or nights off, unless I need something desperately. Otherwise I just spend money. So while I am sure there will be the occasional Scranton trip, I am cutting back.

My mom just became the new State Steward for the State of Montana. Congratulations, Mom! (It's a Postal Service thing, in case you were wondering what that means)

Days

Today was an exceptionally good day. I can't really think of a reason for this...it just was. Perhaps because we did some very awesome sessions and group activities. Perhaps because we had our Division Head dinner with all Junior camp GLs and Marjori. Perhaps because we get late sleep tomorrow. Or maybe because Thursday is our day off. Whatever it was, I was digging it.

I had my meeting with Jane and Marjori about the girls in my bunks. I have 36 campers this year, a new record for me. Hoo boy. I think it will be a challenge to learn all their names and to get to know them all. I have definitely been spoiled in previous years, especially since I had the same girls for 2 years in a row. We are told to come out of our comfort zones during the summer and I am especially going to be doing that this particular summer.

We get late sleep tomorrow and then Thursday is our day off. After that is the day the general staff counselors arrive, and I will be the one to pick them up in Newark. I've never done that before, so that should be a good time.

And I have nodded off. Talk to you later.

F*** Personal Growth

The above title is how I feel currently. Just know that it is mostly a facetious statement. However much I find it amusing--Heather D. and I had a good laugh about it last night--I do recognize the importance of personal growth in my own life and I do, albeit grudgingly, appreciate the fact that I have so much opportunity every summer to achieve it.

That being said, let me explain the reason behind the comment.

GLs received age group assignments and co's last night. I was fully expecting to get Upper Juniors, and no surprise there, I did. I haven't had these girls yet and I'm a tad bit nervous about how they are going to be...there are a few girls I remember from last year as being difficult. My co GL, however, was a surprise and only partially what prompted the title. It feels like every summer I have been here--with the exception of my first summer with Heather D.--that I have been paired with someone that I have zero in common with and someone I am flat-out apprehensive about working with. It isn't like we only see each in passing once or twice a day. We are pretty much non-stop together, so you can see how working with someone you have nothing in common with would be a challenge. And yet again, this person is someone I have little or nothing in common with and someone who approaches life and her position as a GL completely different than me. That can be a good thing or a bad thing. Last night wasn't the brightest for me, hence why Heather D. and I came up with the 'f*** personal growth' thing.

I slept on it and am feeling much more up to the challenge this morning. I met with Marjori and told her that I can do it and I'm not even really that worried about doing it. Is she the person I would have chosen? No. That being said, perhaps this summer will end up better than last summer--I got along fine with my co from last summer, but things didn't end up the way I would have liked with the girls in the end. They were all attached to me and made my life double as hard.

Taking a deep breath. And let the personal growth begin. (Sorry about taking your name in vain, personal growth.)

Two-Year Old Hair and Blindfolds

And once again, my 2 year old hair is making an impression--and it is clearly here to stay. I figured I might be able to combat the frizz this year. Humidity is proving a worthy foe and I think I'm going to lose the battle. In past summers I have always just accepted and even embraced my 2 year old hair. I might have to do the same this summer.

I have a bed that is like one of those old jail house beds made completely out of metal. You know the kind I'm talking about, with the sketchy guy handcuffed to it? Yeah, I sleep on one of those. The problem being that one side of the springs is broken so I sag to one side every night. Not cool. I requested a board for underneath my bed, and Bill, bless his heart, made it happen today. I could not sleep yet another night on that thing. One side of my body went numb from trying not to change positions all night.

Life here is good. I am happy. I am not digging the humidity, as previously stated, but I can live with that.

Oh, one more thing. Today we did teambuilding in the Field house. We were split into 3 teams and had to do a challenge at each one--passing each other over a rope fence without touching it, swinging from a platform to a circle without touching the ground, and crossing a gap with 2 boards and nothing else. The catch? Two of us on each team were blindfolded and the rest of the team had to watch out for them. Yes, you guessed it. I was blindfolded. Things are not good when you can't see what the heck you're doing. I was passed around and led from spot to spot and swinging off that platform blind was kind of scary--but exhilarating at the same time. I think going off the zipline blindfolded would be sweet. In one respect.