Wowza. So, my apologies for never updating this thing. In my defense, I have a few excuses. Such as living in three different places over the course of approximately one and a half to two weeks. Or moving into an apartment. Or starting college (again). Man, these things are time consuming!
Good news: I'm all caught up with homework! Unfortunately, that's not much of an accomplishment, seeing as I've only had one class. And, mark my words, that's probably the last time you will EVER hear me say that again this semester.
Camp seems like a million years away. I've been trying to keep it close to my heart by playing camp songs on the guitar, writing messages to people, looking at the pictures, jotting down inside jokes, and most importantly, working on the "Camp Shrine," complete with pictures and song lyrics and memories from the summer. (I'm afraid it has now been put on the back-burner; I just didn't seem to have the time to finish it before school started, which is a little upseting.)Camp still lives on a little, though. For one thing, it taught me how to manage my time much more effectively, which I've been putting into practice since I've gotten back to school. I haven't really been messing around on the internet or watching mindless TV. I've also made it a point to stay active and go to sleep at a reasonable hour. And my stomach has been loving this eat-healthy thing I've been trying - the camp food all summer was what convinced me that good food makes you feel really good too. (Thanks, sister. You'd be proud of me and my salmon.) I've also kept in touch with people, which has helped things stay fresh in my mind as well.
More importantly, I've been trying to stay in the Word and talk to God a lot, which really makes all the difference in the world. I miss Camp most of all for that - solitude, alone time with God. You have to search harder for it here, and it's certainly not in the pristine wilderness that we've got up there. But, I guess God lives in Madison too. :) And, I've gotten so accustomed to singing all the time that I'm even thinking about joining Gospel Choir. I know, you guys are all falling off your chairs with laughter right now, but I'm pretty set on it! (My roommates convinced me ... !)
Now it's back to routine time again. Starting schedules is always difficult, but I think organization in the beginning of the year helps a lot later on. I'm certainly trying to fit a lot in! There's planning and teaching Emerging Leaders; Student Leadership meetings and committee work; church, Primetime (weekly Campus Crusade gathering/worship), and Bible study; Gospel Choir, tutoring middle schoolers (if it works out); working out; taking care of the apartment and myself; hanging out with friends and roommates; sporting events, and oh ... I'm missing something ... oh, right. Classes. I had almost forgotten. Well, those classes will certainly be an inconvienient addition to my college experience. Good gracious. It looks awful when I write it out like that. Maybe I won't think about it!
Funny story of the day: I was sitting around before my English seminar started, just chatting to some of the other people around the discussion table. One was a junior, one was a senior, and both were English majors. And then they laughed a me when I said I was taking two English classes this semester. "Oh, that's rough. Good luck on having a life." Wait a minute ... we're English majors! Isn't that what we're supposed to do?! Take English classes?! I knew it would be bad, but sheesh ... We'll see how the semester goes! Looks like it will be intense.
Well, I should get going. I think I will hang out with my roommates for a little bit before I retrieve my cousin from his job in Middleton. Aaadaaam ... why are you depriving me of sleep!? That's okay, I really don't mind. :)
I miss you all and wish you God's blessings at home!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Summer Runs Down
Crusher is dyyyyying.
Crusher is being cruuushed.
Oh, right. You guys don't know my new self. The really hardcore self. Or, the self that is still not that hardcore at all but has an ironically hardcore nickname. Get it? Haaa.
So WHEN did the summer decide to have four days left? I'm really confused. All I have is a half week of counseling left. Just the little 2-4 graders. They can either be SO cute or SO annoying. Last week I had the annoying kind. They got better, but sometimes little children really piss me off. Is that a bad quality as a counselor? Oh, don't get me wrong. I love em. But gosh, do you have to ask EVERY DAY what we are doing after Bible study?! WE"RE GOING TO CLEAN OUR CABINS, just like we have FOUR days!!! So many questions. All the time. All you really have to do as a counselor is know a schedule and tell the brats what you're doing next. Okay, sorry, I'm really tired. I'm not actually that mean all the time. Really.
Oh, the lovliness of 3rd-5th weeks. You've got the new kids, often coming to Camp for the first time. They always have ailments, like stomachaches. ALL THE TIME. Or twisted ankles. NEVER FAILS. Or bug bites. GET OVER IT. Or, in my case this week, panic attacks plus all the above. Cute kid, but honestly, pull yourself together. You're not going to die in a boat. Unless you're in the Titanic, then you might. But we don't have ocean liners in the Upper White River Mill Pond. Just rowboats. That's all. You'll be okay. BREATHE. Then there's the constant wetness and dirtiness. You really might as well just not shower. (Well, okay, basically I didn't. No news there. Haven't shaved in a good three weeks either. Meh, it's sleep or shaving. Something's gotta give.) We get thrown in the lake, doused with GALLONS of ICE COLD WATER at Campfire when it is approximately 55 degrees outside at 9 at night, slimed with gallons of icey, old, green-dyed apple sauce. (Alright, I'll say it again: I DO NOT LIVE A NORMAL LIFE! And that is completely okay with me!) Then there's the random tangents ... Where do these thoughts come from? It makes me confused. All in a day's work! :-)
As tired as I am, as low as my patience is running, as much as I am craving just reading on a couch or taking a nap, you will have to pry me away from this place. Leaving on Wednesday is going to be AWFUL. You can't make me.But I'll write more reflectively on that later. Camp deserves more than a three line paragraph.
The next days of my life will be packed: Campers, cleaning Camp like crazy (oh, good aliteration Nikki), packing up my life, driving to Madison, unpacking my life, meeting my parents and moving in, going back "home" (what's home anymore, really ... ?), and hoping that I will catch up on sleep, friends, and naps before going to SCHOOL. I'm just a little confused, because I'm pretty sure I just left school.
Alright, my time here is running low. Looks like a movie is commencing!
Love, as always.
Crusher is being cruuushed.
Oh, right. You guys don't know my new self. The really hardcore self. Or, the self that is still not that hardcore at all but has an ironically hardcore nickname. Get it? Haaa.
So WHEN did the summer decide to have four days left? I'm really confused. All I have is a half week of counseling left. Just the little 2-4 graders. They can either be SO cute or SO annoying. Last week I had the annoying kind. They got better, but sometimes little children really piss me off. Is that a bad quality as a counselor? Oh, don't get me wrong. I love em. But gosh, do you have to ask EVERY DAY what we are doing after Bible study?! WE"RE GOING TO CLEAN OUR CABINS, just like we have FOUR days!!! So many questions. All the time. All you really have to do as a counselor is know a schedule and tell the brats what you're doing next. Okay, sorry, I'm really tired. I'm not actually that mean all the time. Really.
Oh, the lovliness of 3rd-5th weeks. You've got the new kids, often coming to Camp for the first time. They always have ailments, like stomachaches. ALL THE TIME. Or twisted ankles. NEVER FAILS. Or bug bites. GET OVER IT. Or, in my case this week, panic attacks plus all the above. Cute kid, but honestly, pull yourself together. You're not going to die in a boat. Unless you're in the Titanic, then you might. But we don't have ocean liners in the Upper White River Mill Pond. Just rowboats. That's all. You'll be okay. BREATHE. Then there's the constant wetness and dirtiness. You really might as well just not shower. (Well, okay, basically I didn't. No news there. Haven't shaved in a good three weeks either. Meh, it's sleep or shaving. Something's gotta give.) We get thrown in the lake, doused with GALLONS of ICE COLD WATER at Campfire when it is approximately 55 degrees outside at 9 at night, slimed with gallons of icey, old, green-dyed apple sauce. (Alright, I'll say it again: I DO NOT LIVE A NORMAL LIFE! And that is completely okay with me!) Then there's the random tangents ... Where do these thoughts come from? It makes me confused. All in a day's work! :-)
As tired as I am, as low as my patience is running, as much as I am craving just reading on a couch or taking a nap, you will have to pry me away from this place. Leaving on Wednesday is going to be AWFUL. You can't make me.But I'll write more reflectively on that later. Camp deserves more than a three line paragraph.
The next days of my life will be packed: Campers, cleaning Camp like crazy (oh, good aliteration Nikki), packing up my life, driving to Madison, unpacking my life, meeting my parents and moving in, going back "home" (what's home anymore, really ... ?), and hoping that I will catch up on sleep, friends, and naps before going to SCHOOL. I'm just a little confused, because I'm pretty sure I just left school.
Alright, my time here is running low. Looks like a movie is commencing!
Love, as always.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Program Staff Adventures
Exhaustion.
It's been an innnsaaane two weeks! So great, but so insane. Let's re-cap my two weeks of Program Staff:
Week One:
Successful Campfire, on the "Intergalactic Recieving and Transmitting Agency of the Milky Way and Other Galaxies." (i.e., see how loud I can scream as I lead "Rooted," and watch me get doused with a bucket of cold water. :) Always entertaining.) Successful devotion on being covered in the dust of your Rabbi. Successful evening game, where the kids go on a quest across the galaxy to gather data chips for the US Space Station. 20 sessions of Outdoors Sports, led with varying success. (It's sooo hard to think of stuff to do sometimes ... ) But hey, I survived! And I was wet the entire week. Kids like hoses, let me tell you.
Week Two:
Successful Campfire, on the Love StorE. I was Trudy Love, and me and my husband, Jaun Love, even found Matthew love because of the good potions sold we at our storE. So fun. I also had Photography Specialty ... hmm. I'm not sure how that went. Seeing as I knew nothing about 35mm film or really what's involved in taking pictures, it could have gone much worse than it did. This week was so incredibly filled with last minute planning for Photography, leading it rather hestitantly (I tried really hard, I really did.), eating lunch, then heading down for Ropes all afternoon. I enjoy Ropes, but it's hard to stay motivated doing it for app. 20 hours in a week. And it was hot. So hot that I cried on the first day as I tried unsuccessfully to set up a ladder for my Ropes "boss," Amy. Okay, that ladder was heavyyyyy. Then we laughed, cuz I'm so pathetic. Luckily, the weather cooled down and my muscles got used to working again, so the rest of the week went much better. The highlight of the time at Ropes was getting a little autistic boy, Matthew, a few steps up a pole. I was so proud of him just for trying because he had been so scared. So I had another devotion on Wednesday. This one was difficult. Nothing was striking me about the passage, and after trying for a long time to get something down, I went to clear it with the big guy, Matthew. Hmm. While meeting with him, we came to the conclusion that it was best to scrap it entirely and start over - 2 hrs before campfire, with one of them spent on SALT Growth (a wonderful time every Wednesday, for the entire SALT Staff to get away for an hour and be with each other). I was incredibly nervous, seeing as this was rather close-cut. Matthew sent me out with a passage from Exodus, where God tells Moses not to worry, because He would give him the words to say. I laughed and knew everything would be okay. I went out by myself for awhile, and the devotion started to come to me. Then Growth was an absolutely amazing worship service and communion, leaving almost everyone crying at the end. Wow, I loved it, and it was amazing encouragement. Despite the fact that I wrote most of my devotion during Campfire, it went very well and I was quite pleased. God pulls through again in the clutch!
Well, it looks like the library is kicking me off the internet. Boo. It's time to get the laundry ...
Peace out, all.
It's been an innnsaaane two weeks! So great, but so insane. Let's re-cap my two weeks of Program Staff:
Week One:
Successful Campfire, on the "Intergalactic Recieving and Transmitting Agency of the Milky Way and Other Galaxies." (i.e., see how loud I can scream as I lead "Rooted," and watch me get doused with a bucket of cold water. :) Always entertaining.) Successful devotion on being covered in the dust of your Rabbi. Successful evening game, where the kids go on a quest across the galaxy to gather data chips for the US Space Station. 20 sessions of Outdoors Sports, led with varying success. (It's sooo hard to think of stuff to do sometimes ... ) But hey, I survived! And I was wet the entire week. Kids like hoses, let me tell you.
Week Two:
Successful Campfire, on the Love StorE. I was Trudy Love, and me and my husband, Jaun Love, even found Matthew love because of the good potions sold we at our storE. So fun. I also had Photography Specialty ... hmm. I'm not sure how that went. Seeing as I knew nothing about 35mm film or really what's involved in taking pictures, it could have gone much worse than it did. This week was so incredibly filled with last minute planning for Photography, leading it rather hestitantly (I tried really hard, I really did.), eating lunch, then heading down for Ropes all afternoon. I enjoy Ropes, but it's hard to stay motivated doing it for app. 20 hours in a week. And it was hot. So hot that I cried on the first day as I tried unsuccessfully to set up a ladder for my Ropes "boss," Amy. Okay, that ladder was heavyyyyy. Then we laughed, cuz I'm so pathetic. Luckily, the weather cooled down and my muscles got used to working again, so the rest of the week went much better. The highlight of the time at Ropes was getting a little autistic boy, Matthew, a few steps up a pole. I was so proud of him just for trying because he had been so scared. So I had another devotion on Wednesday. This one was difficult. Nothing was striking me about the passage, and after trying for a long time to get something down, I went to clear it with the big guy, Matthew. Hmm. While meeting with him, we came to the conclusion that it was best to scrap it entirely and start over - 2 hrs before campfire, with one of them spent on SALT Growth (a wonderful time every Wednesday, for the entire SALT Staff to get away for an hour and be with each other). I was incredibly nervous, seeing as this was rather close-cut. Matthew sent me out with a passage from Exodus, where God tells Moses not to worry, because He would give him the words to say. I laughed and knew everything would be okay. I went out by myself for awhile, and the devotion started to come to me. Then Growth was an absolutely amazing worship service and communion, leaving almost everyone crying at the end. Wow, I loved it, and it was amazing encouragement. Despite the fact that I wrote most of my devotion during Campfire, it went very well and I was quite pleased. God pulls through again in the clutch!
Well, it looks like the library is kicking me off the internet. Boo. It's time to get the laundry ...
Peace out, all.
Monday, July 24, 2006
God Rocks My World
Can I just say that God is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING?
Just because He is. For no reason, and for all reasons. He's just been way good to me lately, and I just feel the need to express how happy I am to be here at Camp. I had a few hard weeks in there, but lately things have just been shifting for the better. I'm just enjoying things so much and feel much more confident. I guess these things just come with time, but I had to battle those insecurities head-on. It's still an uphill climb, but it is now one that I can see more clearly that God has wanted me to walk.
::Sigh::
I'll take you through the last few days/weeks:
-A time to get some sleep at home and to reevaluate how I was doing ... I wasn't too pleased with myself then.
-Some time to serve as program staff, making me remember that I'm here not for my own doing, but for others
-AN AMAZING CABIN! I had 8 girls that I am SO happy that I got to know! I was so proud of them: Their servant hearts, their happy attitudes, their love for the Lord, their happiness in each other. So cool!
-A half week of Nite Owl, AKA the craziest most uncoventional camp ever introduced to the WELS. Think: canoeing at 2am and doing the ropes course from like, 10pm to 4am. And a million other FUN things, coupled with a small, FUN staff and just 14 campers ... 13 girls, 1 boy. HILARIOUS! And I got to be the photographer, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
-A GREAT midsummer eval, which calmed down A LOT of my fears and worries and insecurities and misconceptions.
-A road-trip to Michigan! I got to know some insanely awesome girls much better and got to play in God's creation on the sand dunes on the coast. And Laaaaura's mom made us food in Chicago on the way! Whoot! And if you get the chance, hike the friggin dunes. SOOOO FUN.
-SALT Staff Retreat! Some GREAT chill-time in Steven's Pt, WI. You have not experienced a true board-game experience until you've played with Camp people. Nor have you experienced a rummage sale at its fullest until you go with Camp people. And if you have never played the game Warewolves, make sure that when you do play it, you play it in front of drunk people ... they will be very confused when you accuse others of being possessed!
Now I'm on a weeek of program staff again - Got devo tomorrow! Pray for me, and that God may speak through my inadequacies to further His Kingdom in those little 3rd-5th graders!
Much love.
Just because He is. For no reason, and for all reasons. He's just been way good to me lately, and I just feel the need to express how happy I am to be here at Camp. I had a few hard weeks in there, but lately things have just been shifting for the better. I'm just enjoying things so much and feel much more confident. I guess these things just come with time, but I had to battle those insecurities head-on. It's still an uphill climb, but it is now one that I can see more clearly that God has wanted me to walk.
::Sigh::
I'll take you through the last few days/weeks:
-A time to get some sleep at home and to reevaluate how I was doing ... I wasn't too pleased with myself then.
-Some time to serve as program staff, making me remember that I'm here not for my own doing, but for others
-AN AMAZING CABIN! I had 8 girls that I am SO happy that I got to know! I was so proud of them: Their servant hearts, their happy attitudes, their love for the Lord, their happiness in each other. So cool!
-A half week of Nite Owl, AKA the craziest most uncoventional camp ever introduced to the WELS. Think: canoeing at 2am and doing the ropes course from like, 10pm to 4am. And a million other FUN things, coupled with a small, FUN staff and just 14 campers ... 13 girls, 1 boy. HILARIOUS! And I got to be the photographer, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
-A GREAT midsummer eval, which calmed down A LOT of my fears and worries and insecurities and misconceptions.
-A road-trip to Michigan! I got to know some insanely awesome girls much better and got to play in God's creation on the sand dunes on the coast. And Laaaaura's mom made us food in Chicago on the way! Whoot! And if you get the chance, hike the friggin dunes. SOOOO FUN.
-SALT Staff Retreat! Some GREAT chill-time in Steven's Pt, WI. You have not experienced a true board-game experience until you've played with Camp people. Nor have you experienced a rummage sale at its fullest until you go with Camp people. And if you have never played the game Warewolves, make sure that when you do play it, you play it in front of drunk people ... they will be very confused when you accuse others of being possessed!
Now I'm on a weeek of program staff again - Got devo tomorrow! Pray for me, and that God may speak through my inadequacies to further His Kingdom in those little 3rd-5th graders!
Much love.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Back at Camp!
So that last post was a little random. I just had never published it till now.
Obviously it's a lot later. A lot happened when I was home. Not all of it was great, especially in the friends scene. Mostly it was Nikki-Tracy time, which I'm entirely okay with. But soon it was back to Camp, which was GREAT. It felt so good to be back.
Oh, but I guess I don't have time to write for now. Ah well ... gonna chill out for awhile. I'm going to be Camp Photographer next half-week; wish me luck on my DVD making abilities. Dad, I shall be calling you a lot.
Obviously it's a lot later. A lot happened when I was home. Not all of it was great, especially in the friends scene. Mostly it was Nikki-Tracy time, which I'm entirely okay with. But soon it was back to Camp, which was GREAT. It felt so good to be back.
Oh, but I guess I don't have time to write for now. Ah well ... gonna chill out for awhile. I'm going to be Camp Photographer next half-week; wish me luck on my DVD making abilities. Dad, I shall be calling you a lot.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
EXTREME Summer
A lot has happened in the past few days! In mere hours I've gone from being immersed in Camp to becoming a part of real world! Here's how ...
Last week's session was a random one. After my bouts of hysterics about my campers not liking me and not knowing how to handle/connect with them, things started to look up. We had some time to get to know each other some more and I think we all got used to each other and even started to enjoy each other's company. Then on Wednesday things got weird again and I got this 24 hour flu thing, where my head spinned and I puked a lot. I got to have some time off, totally crashing from quiet time to dinner. Luckily I soon got on my way to feeling better, because Thursday I had to be in shape to drive a 15 passenger van down to Devil's Lake. I didn't feel so hot in the morning, but we made it there without any "EXTREME PUKING" mishaps ... and without getting lost. (Boo-ya to all you staff who put bets on me winding up somewhere in Minnesota or other adjacent state.) It ended up being such a fun day! Our little road trip down was made into an 80's dance party and oldies at the top of our lungs. (I think they thought Karen and I were crazy ... !) Thursday ended up being an amazing day of rock climbing. We had perfect weather and we all survived the brutal hike up the bluffs, though I did think that my heart was going to pop out of my chest on more than one occasion. I've always wanted to go, but I have now decided that rock climbing is the greatest thing since ... surfing. I think I need an EXTREME VACATION someday. (Have you noticed that you can make anything sound exciting when you but the word EXTREME in front of it and scream the phrase in a LOUD VOICE? I have.) Here's some pictures of me being EXTREMELY HARDCORE. Kay, I'm done.
Last week's session was a random one. After my bouts of hysterics about my campers not liking me and not knowing how to handle/connect with them, things started to look up. We had some time to get to know each other some more and I think we all got used to each other and even started to enjoy each other's company. Then on Wednesday things got weird again and I got this 24 hour flu thing, where my head spinned and I puked a lot. I got to have some time off, totally crashing from quiet time to dinner. Luckily I soon got on my way to feeling better, because Thursday I had to be in shape to drive a 15 passenger van down to Devil's Lake. I didn't feel so hot in the morning, but we made it there without any "EXTREME PUKING" mishaps ... and without getting lost. (Boo-ya to all you staff who put bets on me winding up somewhere in Minnesota or other adjacent state.) It ended up being such a fun day! Our little road trip down was made into an 80's dance party and oldies at the top of our lungs. (I think they thought Karen and I were crazy ... !) Thursday ended up being an amazing day of rock climbing. We had perfect weather and we all survived the brutal hike up the bluffs, though I did think that my heart was going to pop out of my chest on more than one occasion. I've always wanted to go, but I have now decided that rock climbing is the greatest thing since ... surfing. I think I need an EXTREME VACATION someday. (Have you noticed that you can make anything sound exciting when you but the word EXTREME in front of it and scream the phrase in a LOUD VOICE? I have.) Here's some pictures of me being EXTREMELY HARDCORE. Kay, I'm done.
So yeah. It was just a blast. Oh, and here's the cheer my girls came up with:
We are climbing girlsAfter that the week went quickly, bringing me to Saturday, where I got to go home! It's been sooo nice. When I finally stepped in the house a few hours later, my mom actually squealed. My parents grilled out and Leslie came over to enjoy that real food with me. (Not that I don't love Sysco ... ) I pretty much sat around the rest of the night and loved it. Loooooved it! Tracy eventually came over, and we discussed our now separate lives and all the things that have happened over the past month. It's so weird not being able to talk to many of the main people in my life ... She stayed over for a while, but I crashed after she tucked me in and I got to SLEEP IN the next day!
In a rocky world
It's fantastic -
Helmets are plastic!
We don't brush our hair
Got bruises everywhe-ere
We've got muscle -
You better hustle!
Come on rockers let's go climbing
(Ah-ah-ah yeah)
Come on rockers let's go climbing
(Oo-oh, Oo-oh)
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Creepy Crawlers
Okay, there is definitely something skittering around here in the basement of the Registration building and I'm totally freaked out. AAHHHHHHHHH. Ciao, folks. I'm running to the dining hall.
A Bumpy Ride
Yeesh ... the highs and lows that are all a part of my summer job! It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster here for the past few days. I think it's a sign that it's time for a break and some sleep.
My first full week ended on a high, but tired, note. It felt good to sweep the last of the never-ending pile of sand out of the cabin and pull away to get some FOOD! It was such an incredible weekend! Me, Jones, Chrissy, and Callie Dublinski(a Jr. Staffer) all spent some time at Karen Eggert's (another Jr. Staffer) family cabin about 10 minutes away, and it really could not have been any better! We started off with a trip to Subway and the "sketch" laundrymat ... but they all got a little impatient with my folding, so Jones stormed in, undid my piles, and threw my clothes around and shoved them into my bag. I was very upset - but it did force us to move on! When we did make it to the cabin (after turning right at the ugly tree and left at the weird bridge) we got into
"Camp Inappropriate Swimwear" and chilled on rafts, without the obligation of playing Marco Polo or Stuck in the Mud. Ah, the blessedness of having no campers. It started to storm, so we all got into comfy clothes and cuddled up in blankets and drank hot chocolate and did a puzzle ... I'm not even going to lie, it was so incredibly cozy! Ahh! After awhile of that, we decided that we should pull our butts into civilization, so we all went out to Christiano's, for some of the best pizza to ever hit your lips. (Oh, this was after we managed to break into Karen's house to reclaim the keys locked inside. Proof that the low ropes course builds real life skills.) We pretty much pigged out, and then we "cruised Hwy. 21" to head back to Camp for a covert operation of stealing Time's Up (a.k.a., the best game ever). It was such a fun time, and I do not believe I shall ever forget Chrissy's impression of Plato or Jones' impression of Grover (the monster on Seasame St, not the president). Pretty much died laughing. We forced ourselves to stay up till 10:30, and then completely crashed onto real beds for the longest sleep I've had in four weeks. A-MAZING. The next day we woke up refreshed and ready for a Heeeuggge breakfast at Charlie's, the best coffee house in at least five counties. A great way to start the week!
After the thrills of the weekend, it was hard to get in the swing of things again. This was made more difficult by the fact that I was certain that my campers hated me. I had five girls come together, so they all could talk and talk about stuff they knew about, and they really had no need for my input on the coversation. Almost all of them are going to be freshmen, and I've had a hard time relating to them. To top things off, I felt like most of what I was saying was going in one ear and out the other. Example:
Me: Hey, could someone close the door when they leave?
Them: Oh, I really like that girl's hair color. ::run toward the dining hall::
Me: Hey, who can pick up these lunch trays?
Them: ::blank stares::
Me: So what did you guys like about the ropes course today?
Them: Eh, we've all done it before.
ARGH. SO FRUSTRATING. Then little things start piling up, and before you know it you've spent a half hour in the bathroom bawling because you forgot that your cabin was supposed to be color coordinated for breakfast. Over-reacting? Maybe. Karen, my amazing Jr. Staff and one of my favorite people (and not just because she has a cabin), told me to relax, I can't be Camp's Counseling Goddess in my second week here. Older staff are quick to give advice, but I guess it's all about first hand experience.
Luckily, things started looking up today as the day went along. We had a successful low ropes experience and some time to just relax and get to know each other some more. I've got a little better perspective on things, and hopefully that can carry over to make the next few days more enjoyable and take me cruising to a weekend home!
My first full week ended on a high, but tired, note. It felt good to sweep the last of the never-ending pile of sand out of the cabin and pull away to get some FOOD! It was such an incredible weekend! Me, Jones, Chrissy, and Callie Dublinski(a Jr. Staffer) all spent some time at Karen Eggert's (another Jr. Staffer) family cabin about 10 minutes away, and it really could not have been any better! We started off with a trip to Subway and the "sketch" laundrymat ... but they all got a little impatient with my folding, so Jones stormed in, undid my piles, and threw my clothes around and shoved them into my bag. I was very upset - but it did force us to move on! When we did make it to the cabin (after turning right at the ugly tree and left at the weird bridge) we got into
"Camp Inappropriate Swimwear" and chilled on rafts, without the obligation of playing Marco Polo or Stuck in the Mud. Ah, the blessedness of having no campers. It started to storm, so we all got into comfy clothes and cuddled up in blankets and drank hot chocolate and did a puzzle ... I'm not even going to lie, it was so incredibly cozy! Ahh! After awhile of that, we decided that we should pull our butts into civilization, so we all went out to Christiano's, for some of the best pizza to ever hit your lips. (Oh, this was after we managed to break into Karen's house to reclaim the keys locked inside. Proof that the low ropes course builds real life skills.) We pretty much pigged out, and then we "cruised Hwy. 21" to head back to Camp for a covert operation of stealing Time's Up (a.k.a., the best game ever). It was such a fun time, and I do not believe I shall ever forget Chrissy's impression of Plato or Jones' impression of Grover (the monster on Seasame St, not the president). Pretty much died laughing. We forced ourselves to stay up till 10:30, and then completely crashed onto real beds for the longest sleep I've had in four weeks. A-MAZING. The next day we woke up refreshed and ready for a Heeeuggge breakfast at Charlie's, the best coffee house in at least five counties. A great way to start the week!
After the thrills of the weekend, it was hard to get in the swing of things again. This was made more difficult by the fact that I was certain that my campers hated me. I had five girls come together, so they all could talk and talk about stuff they knew about, and they really had no need for my input on the coversation. Almost all of them are going to be freshmen, and I've had a hard time relating to them. To top things off, I felt like most of what I was saying was going in one ear and out the other. Example:
Me: Hey, could someone close the door when they leave?
Them: Oh, I really like that girl's hair color. ::run toward the dining hall::
Me: Hey, who can pick up these lunch trays?
Them: ::blank stares::
Me: So what did you guys like about the ropes course today?
Them: Eh, we've all done it before.
ARGH. SO FRUSTRATING. Then little things start piling up, and before you know it you've spent a half hour in the bathroom bawling because you forgot that your cabin was supposed to be color coordinated for breakfast. Over-reacting? Maybe. Karen, my amazing Jr. Staff and one of my favorite people (and not just because she has a cabin), told me to relax, I can't be Camp's Counseling Goddess in my second week here. Older staff are quick to give advice, but I guess it's all about first hand experience.
Luckily, things started looking up today as the day went along. We had a successful low ropes experience and some time to just relax and get to know each other some more. I've got a little better perspective on things, and hopefully that can carry over to make the next few days more enjoyable and take me cruising to a weekend home!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Rule #1: Don't Let Nikki Near Objects With Wheels
Well, I have a few spare moments so I thought I'd take the time to update you all on my life!
This is our SECOND half-week of campers! My cabin from Sunday-Wednesday was great. There were ten 5th grade girls, and only one got homesick, and her only for a few minutes before she calmed down. They were all pretty talkative and good-natured, and got along well. The only problem was that they all came with someone else, and so it was hard to get them to "mix" with each other. They were real good kids, but I was still glad when the last parents minivan pulled away on Wednesday - I was getting a little sick of singing the same song every time we stepped out of the cabin. And hey, variety is a good thing.
We had about an hour off before the next round came storming through. These girls are mostly 6th graders, and seem a little more mature. I only have six this week, and I'm still trying to read their personalities. Sometimes they are SO much fun and I'm just laughing like crazy, other times, I'm like, "Dude, you're a brat. Stop talking." Well, in my head at least ;) We'll see how it goes. There's one that I will have to pray and pray for patience with. She's a ... different? ... child. Very ... imaginative. And talkative. And okay, downright weird. But, this too will pass. Luckily, like last week, I have a Great junior staff (Stephanie Geske). They have been such a big help! I'd go crazy without those volunteer highschoolers to keep me sane and provide intelligent conversation (i.e., conversations not centering around your mom's sister's best friend's cat's gastrointestinal infection ... Gah!). Kids are funny ...
It's great to be surrounded by such great staff. We've been having such a good time lately, because we've been longing for each other's company. So everytime we get together is ultra crazy and hilarious. But, I'm not gonna lie, I've gotten some good teasing lately. And believe you me, I deserve it! Why?, you ask? Well, let's just say I will soon have another scar to add to my collection on my forehead. In a scene only possibly made up with a Carow girl, I completely crashed on my friend's bike on my way to go visit Jamie Tuets for a massage. Let me tell you, handlebars driving into your temple do not feel good! I didn't realize how good a gash I got until I got to Jamie's and she told me I was like, thisfar away from needing stiches. I felt like a child, with sand and gravel in my hands and elbows and knees. I may have had a minor concusion as well, as I was pretty out of sorts the rest of the night, with a pounding headache and a seeming inability to communicate with clarity or sense. Once again, thank goodness for amazing junior staff! I've got some pretty solid bruises and I'm still a little sore, but luckily nothing was majorly hurt. At any rate, I've come to the conclusion that bikes and my family were not - in any way, shape, or form - made for each other. (Jen, Jamie especially appreciated my condition, openly laughing with me about our complete lack of biking skills ... )
Aside from my now widely acknowledged clumsiness, all is well at Camp. I need to get cracking on working on some stuff, but I'm wishing you all happiness and fall-free bike rides!
This is our SECOND half-week of campers! My cabin from Sunday-Wednesday was great. There were ten 5th grade girls, and only one got homesick, and her only for a few minutes before she calmed down. They were all pretty talkative and good-natured, and got along well. The only problem was that they all came with someone else, and so it was hard to get them to "mix" with each other. They were real good kids, but I was still glad when the last parents minivan pulled away on Wednesday - I was getting a little sick of singing the same song every time we stepped out of the cabin. And hey, variety is a good thing.
We had about an hour off before the next round came storming through. These girls are mostly 6th graders, and seem a little more mature. I only have six this week, and I'm still trying to read their personalities. Sometimes they are SO much fun and I'm just laughing like crazy, other times, I'm like, "Dude, you're a brat. Stop talking." Well, in my head at least ;) We'll see how it goes. There's one that I will have to pray and pray for patience with. She's a ... different? ... child. Very ... imaginative. And talkative. And okay, downright weird. But, this too will pass. Luckily, like last week, I have a Great junior staff (Stephanie Geske). They have been such a big help! I'd go crazy without those volunteer highschoolers to keep me sane and provide intelligent conversation (i.e., conversations not centering around your mom's sister's best friend's cat's gastrointestinal infection ... Gah!). Kids are funny ...
It's great to be surrounded by such great staff. We've been having such a good time lately, because we've been longing for each other's company. So everytime we get together is ultra crazy and hilarious. But, I'm not gonna lie, I've gotten some good teasing lately. And believe you me, I deserve it! Why?, you ask? Well, let's just say I will soon have another scar to add to my collection on my forehead. In a scene only possibly made up with a Carow girl, I completely crashed on my friend's bike on my way to go visit Jamie Tuets for a massage. Let me tell you, handlebars driving into your temple do not feel good! I didn't realize how good a gash I got until I got to Jamie's and she told me I was like, thisfar away from needing stiches. I felt like a child, with sand and gravel in my hands and elbows and knees. I may have had a minor concusion as well, as I was pretty out of sorts the rest of the night, with a pounding headache and a seeming inability to communicate with clarity or sense. Once again, thank goodness for amazing junior staff! I've got some pretty solid bruises and I'm still a little sore, but luckily nothing was majorly hurt. At any rate, I've come to the conclusion that bikes and my family were not - in any way, shape, or form - made for each other. (Jen, Jamie especially appreciated my condition, openly laughing with me about our complete lack of biking skills ... )
Aside from my now widely acknowledged clumsiness, all is well at Camp. I need to get cracking on working on some stuff, but I'm wishing you all happiness and fall-free bike rides!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
On the Scene at Camp Phillip
Hey guys!
Following the lead of my lovely older sister and her husband, I decided to keep a blog too. We're all pretty busy people, and it just might be fun to keep everyone updated on my life ... However, I can't gaurantee the Excitement that seems to be so prevalent at the Frahm household!
But things are never simply "normal." At least, not at Camp Phillip. My co-workers and I have often asked ourselves what people would say were they to walk in on a regular day at Camp:
-Serious battles going on in the woods. Last week, our favorite woods game gave one Jr. Staff a broken wrist and another a black eye that only someone like Chuck Norris could give. Ahh, all for the love of the game. (Don't worry mom, I didn't put up too much of a fight when the campers tried to catch me ... )
-Insane song periods. What would YOU think if you walked in on dozens of people running around with trumpets and horns and drums and accordians, screaming at the top of their lungs about a tin solider?
-Games with names like "Zoogle" and "Screaming Yellow Zonkers" and "Kaholtzen" and "Tweener." Don't knock em till you've played em!
All the craaaaaziness of Camp leaves you pretty whipped by the time Saturday rolls around. And to think, we haven't even had real campers yet! My two weeks of training and my week as Program Staff/Work Horse/Group Leader during Jr. Staff training are now over, and the real stuff begins on Sunday! Needless to say, I am completely exhaused tonight, but I am glad for the chance to be able to scavenger for food and play some cards with some buds on a night off. Though last week was filled with not-so-fun activities such as hauling logs, moving stones, building firepits, clearing the woods, raking out new campsites, and the like, it was still a very fulfilling week. Camp is a wonderful place to work hard and to have fun by letting your wild side out, but it is also a place that brings you so much closer to your Creator and Savior, and for those reasons and so many more, it is truly a blessing to be working here. God always knows what He's doing, even when He leads you to a place you had almost forgotten about ...
Well, I should get going. It looks like a game of Euchre will be brewing soon! I'm thinking about you all back home, but I know that Someone bigger than me is holding down the fort, and that things will be just where they need to be when I return!
Love!
Following the lead of my lovely older sister and her husband, I decided to keep a blog too. We're all pretty busy people, and it just might be fun to keep everyone updated on my life ... However, I can't gaurantee the Excitement that seems to be so prevalent at the Frahm household!
But things are never simply "normal." At least, not at Camp Phillip. My co-workers and I have often asked ourselves what people would say were they to walk in on a regular day at Camp:
-Serious battles going on in the woods. Last week, our favorite woods game gave one Jr. Staff a broken wrist and another a black eye that only someone like Chuck Norris could give. Ahh, all for the love of the game. (Don't worry mom, I didn't put up too much of a fight when the campers tried to catch me ... )
-Insane song periods. What would YOU think if you walked in on dozens of people running around with trumpets and horns and drums and accordians, screaming at the top of their lungs about a tin solider?
-Games with names like "Zoogle" and "Screaming Yellow Zonkers" and "Kaholtzen" and "Tweener." Don't knock em till you've played em!
I've had a lot of cool learning experiences already. During training, I learned countless techniques for working with campers, I became certified as a Ropes Course Aide (I got a 93 on my test!), and I also got introduced to other important stuff like CPR. That was a little scary, but so was learning how to do shallow water sweeps in case of a waterfront emergency and how to use an epipen and an AED (that shocky thing for heart attacks n stuff). Not fun stuff to think about, but it's important! It's also a relief to have an amazingly talented and dedicated staff around at all times. There are so many times when I just sit back and say to myself, 'Wow, if I could have half their [fill in the blank with a desirable trait]!' I think I may just be learning the most from my peers!
All the craaaaaziness of Camp leaves you pretty whipped by the time Saturday rolls around. And to think, we haven't even had real campers yet! My two weeks of training and my week as Program Staff/Work Horse/Group Leader during Jr. Staff training are now over, and the real stuff begins on Sunday! Needless to say, I am completely exhaused tonight, but I am glad for the chance to be able to scavenger for food and play some cards with some buds on a night off. Though last week was filled with not-so-fun activities such as hauling logs, moving stones, building firepits, clearing the woods, raking out new campsites, and the like, it was still a very fulfilling week. Camp is a wonderful place to work hard and to have fun by letting your wild side out, but it is also a place that brings you so much closer to your Creator and Savior, and for those reasons and so many more, it is truly a blessing to be working here. God always knows what He's doing, even when He leads you to a place you had almost forgotten about ...
Well, I should get going. It looks like a game of Euchre will be brewing soon! I'm thinking about you all back home, but I know that Someone bigger than me is holding down the fort, and that things will be just where they need to be when I return!
Love!
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