I know many of you want to know how my summer is going at Kippewa for the second time...
just kidding, Hi mom!
We are well on our way into second session. First session I was with 4th grade for my 3rd session and they were adorable as always. I had asked for a change at the beginning of the summer and after first session I still wanted a change. After saying in every single one on one that I really really didn't want to be with lower seniors I was placed with 7th grade and I'm loving it. I truely find my girls adorable and I love spending time with them. Their awkward and very middle schooly but they also make me laugh every day.
Today Rachel D and I had the campers making some very legitimate crepes. They look like restaurant crepes. I think people need to know that.
I have fantastic cos and we have been together all summer. I know I've been lucky cause that can make or break a summer. So thanks Kyra and Jessica, I will forever be indebted to you for your support and love all summer. One day the girls came up to me and said "I can tell you all are going to be friends for a long time." and that is why I love camp.
Camp is one of those experiences that can be so different every year and every moment. I have had two great summers and I'm so happy I decided to come back. I know most people just think of the bad but it's moments like campfire and lip sync when the whole camp comes together and the girls make me so proud that make me fall in love with camp all over again. It's the quiet moments when a camper is crying and you don't care that you are sacrificing sleep for them because you adore them. It's when they come up with creative and original ideas on their own that make you proud you are a camp counselor. I am so happy I came back.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Camp Kippewa x2
I've had a really hard time coming up with the appropriate way to announce this but
I'm going back to camp!!!!
There are so many different ways to say it and so many things I want to say. I can't believe I didn't think of this blog post earlier.
The decision didn't come easily some would say but in my mind it was a very simple decision. I deliberated and asked for everyone's opinion until I realized, with some friend's help, that I was just waiting for someone, anyone's approval. It's a personality fault of mine that I need constant and reassuring approval, not only from the people I love but from people I don't know and don't care about. It's the one thing I have to work at every day. Well anyways, I digress, I asked and talked and thought and realized I was annoying even myself. One of my most special and thoughtful friends (looking at you Elisa) constantly reminded me that I'm the only one that needs to be happy with my decision. Decide for myself and everyone else can just deal with it.
The decision was made in the most clique way but I'm going to say it anyway (I'm looking at you Lauren, don't judge me). I decided that the next time I felt strongly one way or the other my choice would be clear. I was with a bunch of friends talking and laughing and I walked into a room by myself to get something and I realized at that moment I wanted to be at camp more than anything. I was happy too. I wasn't upset with my day or bored with my job, I just wanted to be at camp.
So there it was, decision made. I emailed the camp directors the next day. I knew I wanted to be at camp but I wasn't going to waste my time, I was still practical ( or at least I like to think I am). I asked if there was a cooking or sewing instructor position still available and lucky as I am there was a spot as a cooking instructor made just for me. I get to work with my favorite friend Natasha and another counselor named Rachel that we get to meet in 7 days.
I leave in 7 days and I'm so unprepared as far as packing and everything I'm leaving behind but Natasha and I have been talking about wanting to just be at camp for about..... since I had my contract 2 months ago so emotionally, I'm there. I know that most people don't understand it and they never will. I'm fine with that. I understand that and so do all my favorite Kippy girls.
and remember,
it's not goodbye, it's see you later
I KNEW IT! i knew it :)
I'm going back to camp!!!!
There are so many different ways to say it and so many things I want to say. I can't believe I didn't think of this blog post earlier.
The decision didn't come easily some would say but in my mind it was a very simple decision. I deliberated and asked for everyone's opinion until I realized, with some friend's help, that I was just waiting for someone, anyone's approval. It's a personality fault of mine that I need constant and reassuring approval, not only from the people I love but from people I don't know and don't care about. It's the one thing I have to work at every day. Well anyways, I digress, I asked and talked and thought and realized I was annoying even myself. One of my most special and thoughtful friends (looking at you Elisa) constantly reminded me that I'm the only one that needs to be happy with my decision. Decide for myself and everyone else can just deal with it.
The decision was made in the most clique way but I'm going to say it anyway (I'm looking at you Lauren, don't judge me). I decided that the next time I felt strongly one way or the other my choice would be clear. I was with a bunch of friends talking and laughing and I walked into a room by myself to get something and I realized at that moment I wanted to be at camp more than anything. I was happy too. I wasn't upset with my day or bored with my job, I just wanted to be at camp.
So there it was, decision made. I emailed the camp directors the next day. I knew I wanted to be at camp but I wasn't going to waste my time, I was still practical ( or at least I like to think I am). I asked if there was a cooking or sewing instructor position still available and lucky as I am there was a spot as a cooking instructor made just for me. I get to work with my favorite friend Natasha and another counselor named Rachel that we get to meet in 7 days.
I leave in 7 days and I'm so unprepared as far as packing and everything I'm leaving behind but Natasha and I have been talking about wanting to just be at camp for about..... since I had my contract 2 months ago so emotionally, I'm there. I know that most people don't understand it and they never will. I'm fine with that. I understand that and so do all my favorite Kippy girls.
and remember,
it's not goodbye, it's see you later
I KNEW IT! i knew it :)
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Cruises vs. Camp
" The real value of this somewhat monstrous technological marvel is to give us a kind of ancient simplified life of small communities where you can walk everywhere, seeing the same people everyday. The people that share your values and interests and passions and experiences. A place to be foolish and comfortable and joyful and proud and somehow these days we require an awful lot of complexity to get back to simplicity.
Now I know that cities are valuable and that the internet is lovely and that we can't live that sort of insular life everyday but I'll tell you what; 6 days didn't even feel like long enough. Does it have to be on a boat that consumes a gallon of gas every 12 feet? Maybe not but I don't know how else to pull it off. I will be thinking about that though. "
Well Hank Green it sounds an awful lot like you just camp in perfection; so thank you.
original video found here
Now I know that cities are valuable and that the internet is lovely and that we can't live that sort of insular life everyday but I'll tell you what; 6 days didn't even feel like long enough. Does it have to be on a boat that consumes a gallon of gas every 12 feet? Maybe not but I don't know how else to pull it off. I will be thinking about that though. "
Well Hank Green it sounds an awful lot like you just camp in perfection; so thank you.
original video found here
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
It still feels like a dream.
I'm desperately searching for words as to how I'm feeling. I'm trying really hard to get out what I'm going through. Not necessarily in words but I just want to sort it out in my head.
How do you go to a place for 3 months and meet people that changed your life in ways you couldn't imagine and then come home and face the reality that you may never see them again.
I really want to go back to Kippewa.
and I get it, that makes no sense to some people. I was paid less than 2 dollars an hour (if I'm generous with math). I worked over 48 hours with a 1 hour break on multiple occasions. I went through some of the hardest days of my life at camp, because of camp, because of the nature of camp.
and yet here I am.
Back to the blog because that is the only place I have been entirely honest about my feelings this whole time. I have written in journals and talked to people and poured over my pictures trying to make sense of it all but I just can't. It stills feel like a dream. No matter what I do.
How do you go to a place for 3 months and meet people that changed your life in ways you couldn't imagine and then come home and face the reality that you may never see them again.
I really want to go back to Kippewa.
and I get it, that makes no sense to some people. I was paid less than 2 dollars an hour (if I'm generous with math). I worked over 48 hours with a 1 hour break on multiple occasions. I went through some of the hardest days of my life at camp, because of camp, because of the nature of camp.
and yet here I am.
Back to the blog because that is the only place I have been entirely honest about my feelings this whole time. I have written in journals and talked to people and poured over my pictures trying to make sense of it all but I just can't. It stills feel like a dream. No matter what I do.
Monday, September 16, 2013
So, how was camp?
This whole thing is a funny business. You live somewhere for 3 months and when you come back no one understands. Not a single person "gets" what you just survived. And it's funny because you sit in your quiet room on your laptop with a cell phone sitting next to you and anything you want or need within your home AND you have the time and energy to go and get it... but you'd rather be at Kippewa.
You would rather have 10 munchkins fighting for your attention and not a moment of silence or rest. You would rather be teaching lessons in the gross, cold lake than sit in one more class. And it's funny because you don't remember the lake as gross or cold and you don't remember the kids as needy and loud. You remember your co-counselors and getting back to your bunk at 1 in the morning to a duct-taped cookie and a hilariously cruel note. You remember when one of your kids comes and sits on your bed and tells you about a book they're reading or what their parents are like.
You remember all these things but no one else does.
That's why sometimes Kippewa feels like a dream. No matter how many stories you tell, they'll never understand.
And fellow Kippy girls, help me with this one; how do you respond when someone asks,
Because I can't get my response beyond a huge smile and
You would rather have 10 munchkins fighting for your attention and not a moment of silence or rest. You would rather be teaching lessons in the gross, cold lake than sit in one more class. And it's funny because you don't remember the lake as gross or cold and you don't remember the kids as needy and loud. You remember your co-counselors and getting back to your bunk at 1 in the morning to a duct-taped cookie and a hilariously cruel note. You remember when one of your kids comes and sits on your bed and tells you about a book they're reading or what their parents are like.
You remember all these things but no one else does.
That's why sometimes Kippewa feels like a dream. No matter how many stories you tell, they'll never understand.
And fellow Kippy girls, help me with this one; how do you respond when someone asks,
"So, how was camp?"
Because I can't get my response beyond a huge smile and
"It was quite the adventure."
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Maine was all I wanted and more. It was a home for 11 weeks. I made life long friends there and the thought of not seeing them again is leaving a ache in my heart.
I am exhausted and drained of everything. I'm also incredibly happy and not just because I'm home but because I know I accomplished something great. Something that not everyone could do. It was tough, it was hard and yet here I am thinking about next summer and going back. I'm also thinking about the girls that I have met this summer. The people that have changed my life. Kippewa means the world to me now. It's not because this summer was all rainbows and butterflies and that every moment I loved it. Instead it's because walking away from Kippewa was one of the most difficult things ever. It's the silliest place on Earth. It's a bubble of ridiculous. Sometimes it's a bubble you can't escape and something you try to hide from or get space from but you always seem to want to be back inside that bubble (and sometimes you don't). Nowhere else in the world is it socially acceptable to stand on benches and sing Hey Juliet. It's not socially acceptable to randomly break out in dance because you are bored or the person you are with is bored and you need to entertain them.
There were also hard days. Terrible days. Days when I couldn't remember why I went. Times when I didn't want to sing and dance just to cheer a kid up because I wanted to sit and cry with them. Days when I consoled a homesick child for hours when I would have given anything to see my parents. Hours when you help a co-counselor in a time of need when you felt like you already had too much weighing on you. Moments when you were never by yourself but you felt so alone. Yet, here I am sitting in my room, in my home and all I want to do is talk to Elisa. I want to hug Lauren. I want to walk down to the lake and see Katie, Lindsey and Sian. I want to tell Natasha about my day. I want to giggle with Jade. I want to eat in the lodge and listen to the kids mindless chatter. I want to fall asleep to the sound of Maine.
It's good to be home but it's see you later, not goodbye.
I am exhausted and drained of everything. I'm also incredibly happy and not just because I'm home but because I know I accomplished something great. Something that not everyone could do. It was tough, it was hard and yet here I am thinking about next summer and going back. I'm also thinking about the girls that I have met this summer. The people that have changed my life. Kippewa means the world to me now. It's not because this summer was all rainbows and butterflies and that every moment I loved it. Instead it's because walking away from Kippewa was one of the most difficult things ever. It's the silliest place on Earth. It's a bubble of ridiculous. Sometimes it's a bubble you can't escape and something you try to hide from or get space from but you always seem to want to be back inside that bubble (and sometimes you don't). Nowhere else in the world is it socially acceptable to stand on benches and sing Hey Juliet. It's not socially acceptable to randomly break out in dance because you are bored or the person you are with is bored and you need to entertain them.
There were also hard days. Terrible days. Days when I couldn't remember why I went. Times when I didn't want to sing and dance just to cheer a kid up because I wanted to sit and cry with them. Days when I consoled a homesick child for hours when I would have given anything to see my parents. Hours when you help a co-counselor in a time of need when you felt like you already had too much weighing on you. Moments when you were never by yourself but you felt so alone. Yet, here I am sitting in my room, in my home and all I want to do is talk to Elisa. I want to hug Lauren. I want to walk down to the lake and see Katie, Lindsey and Sian. I want to tell Natasha about my day. I want to giggle with Jade. I want to eat in the lodge and listen to the kids mindless chatter. I want to fall asleep to the sound of Maine.
It's good to be home but it's see you later, not goodbye.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Kids change everything
Quick update.
For mom: I have a bunch of bumps and bruises because I always have been clumsy and being at camp has not stopped that. I got a fairly bad set of scrapes down my leg during orientation a week ago and they are still there so I think they will scar but that's my own fault. My legs will be eternally bruised no matter where I am.
Moving on, the kids are here and it is a whole new ballgame. It's absolutely nuts. I work for about 15 hours a day. It's so hard to explain because if you called me all I would want to do is complain about how hard the day has been and what my difficult child kept doing. However, I love my kids to pieces. They all have such strong and different personalities. It's so rewarding to do swimming especially because it is boiling here. In between classes I always jump in the lake to cool down. The kids always come back for shower hour completely drenched in sweat. It's kinda nasty but also the girls are just plain exhausted that it works out in our favor.
I wrote in my diary that the only way to explain why it's so difficult is to put it this way... In 3 days I was placed in an arranged marriage with 2 girls, we moved in together, adopted 8 kids, and then kept full time jobs at the same time.
Meals are interesting. If I was to talk about them it would turn into a rant. Short version: we got 8 chicken nuggets to feed 11 people. This repeats with every meal just the food changes. However, the meals are a lot of fun and the kids are getting into the songs and dances.
Thursday is a beach day so I'm very excited to get off camp, even though the kids will be there.
See you soon!
For mom: I have a bunch of bumps and bruises because I always have been clumsy and being at camp has not stopped that. I got a fairly bad set of scrapes down my leg during orientation a week ago and they are still there so I think they will scar but that's my own fault. My legs will be eternally bruised no matter where I am.
Moving on, the kids are here and it is a whole new ballgame. It's absolutely nuts. I work for about 15 hours a day. It's so hard to explain because if you called me all I would want to do is complain about how hard the day has been and what my difficult child kept doing. However, I love my kids to pieces. They all have such strong and different personalities. It's so rewarding to do swimming especially because it is boiling here. In between classes I always jump in the lake to cool down. The kids always come back for shower hour completely drenched in sweat. It's kinda nasty but also the girls are just plain exhausted that it works out in our favor.
I wrote in my diary that the only way to explain why it's so difficult is to put it this way... In 3 days I was placed in an arranged marriage with 2 girls, we moved in together, adopted 8 kids, and then kept full time jobs at the same time.
Meals are interesting. If I was to talk about them it would turn into a rant. Short version: we got 8 chicken nuggets to feed 11 people. This repeats with every meal just the food changes. However, the meals are a lot of fun and the kids are getting into the songs and dances.
Thursday is a beach day so I'm very excited to get off camp, even though the kids will be there.
See you soon!
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