Note: Muffins Weasley told me to introduce this some way when we were talking in Latin earlier today, but I forgot what she said... so I'll just introduce it like this. It's been around 2 months since my last post, so I should probably try and finish this camp stuff which happened around 3 months ago xD
7:32 am 8/3/10
Apparently at 7:30 am today the polar bear swim was supposed to happen, but there are no lifeguards here. Well, one showed up eventually, but I don't think she's very happy about being here. I got up to take a shower because someone's alarm went off at 7, plus it was nice to cool off from the hot night. I wore shorts last night and used the fleece part of my sleeping bag as a blanket and the sleeping bag itself as sheets for the bed. (Why on earth did I bring a *cool* weather sleeping bag?!?) I'll head to taizei at 8 I think.
7:55 am
The candles aren't lit yet (thank goodness), but the music is nice. Taizé is actually spelled like this, I've just learned. The song books are really neat! They're in all sorts of different languages (including Latin, and I actually understand it!) I also just noticed I'm using an RCTC pen. A cruel reminder that when camp is over (not that I'm not still counting down the days until Friday or anything...) I'll only have a short amount of time until college starts.
9:34 am
Breakfast was biscuits, gravy, eggs, potato cakes, and apple juice. I had lemon tea this morning and it was really good, even by my standards. I actually slept really well last night for some reason. I should definitely wear shorts to sleep from now on. It's really nice out right now, so I'm hoping it doesn't get warmer during the day and make it really hot tonight. It's day 3 of camp. I leave in 3 days. Still counting down. I love camp, but I just feel more comfortable in my air conditioned home. Plus I don't know as many people this year and I feel left out. I guess I'm just letting my shyness get the better of me (like Yuki from fruits basket) At home I'm not shy, but I guess with my church friends is a different sort of atmosphere than with my friends at home, especially since at home I'm not really close with any of my church friends. They're the sort of prep/ jock type of group, but not as dumb blonde-ish as "Rachel" whereas I'm more of an artsy/nerd/theater type. There are lots of musical/artsy people here from the cities, but the only person I know is actually into the technical side of theater is Erica, even though she is primarily an actress. I know I'm horrible for labeling people like this, but that's really how the world of a teenager works. I'm not really an adult, but I'm pretty sure the adult world works like that, too. They're just better about hiding it. Mom says her work is kind-of clique-y sometimes. Speaking of Mom, she wouldn't let me bring my phone so I'm pretty much out of reach from all of my home friends right now. I've got to be in the Rec. Hall for morning activity (another movie) and family group stuff again by 10:30. It's almost 10 o'clock now and I really want to read before going back.
1:19 pm
For morning activity instead of a movie Wade talked about the future of camp and what we would like to see. He said that less people are coming to camp number-wise, although senior high is the biggest. Then, in our family groups we went to the lake to discuss things using an imaginary budget of $50,000. Then I read a bit before lunch. We had sub sandwiches that were really good. "Rachel" gave me a candy apple lollypop when I got here and I've been saving it for the ride home, although I sorta want it now. Speaking of wanting something, according to Wade someone broke into the freezer last night sometime and took ice cream. Now it's bunk time and people are resting- we just finished practicing our cabin skit for tonight. My line is "which boy?" for a joke we're doing at the beginning (instead of doing background dancing.) Out of context it probably sounds silly, but we're supposed to be acting out Veggie Tales in the pretend camp bathroom set... and Veggie Tales is silly. Larry is played by Abby, Bob is played by Sam, Little Asparagus is played by Leah, the Peach is played by Maggie, the girl who's name I don't know is the narrator, and the Grape is played by "Rachel." The rest of us are just girls in the bathroom as back-up people. I've got about 50 minutes before "drawing club" workshop with a staff who's name I forget (It's Jon). All I know is that it isn't Ben, who looks sorta boyish and apparently passed out drunk last night in Collin's room the other night (according to Collin's mom, the health nurse).
For workshop I was thinking about going on the pontoon, since I haven't gone on it here, but I don't think the point is very big or open to have a lot of fun on the pontoon. I also thought about going on the picture hike with RJ (Ron, our pastor's, son) but I brought my art stuff and I've got plenty of pictures from last year. The scribble in the corner of this page (non existent online, obviously) is because the pen started running out of ink, so I'll take that as a sign that I should read; and write later.
11:00 pm
After drawing for an hour, which was very relaxing, I went over to the dock to hang out. I was going to go swimming, but we had vespers planning soon and I wasn't in a huge hurry to get changed. Then I had a peanut butter sandwich in the dining hall before hanging out with David Becker, the camp director, and some of the other campers I rarely hang out with. After seeing my sandwich they made Cody be a waiter and get them food from the dining hall, too. It was funny. I don't think I'll be swimming much this summer, but I'm fine with just hanging out by the water. Just before vespers planning I was spraying on bug spray on my left leg and I saw a mosquito bite my right leg. I was pissed off.
Then I helped the message portion of vespers by summarizing the bible verse we read.
"Samuel 1; 20, 1-42 summary:
The friends David and John were talking. John was the son of the king and David was next in line to be king. David wanted to know why John's father, Saul, wanted him killed. John and David made a plan for John to find out whether Saul actually wanted David killed because John was unsure. After the plan succeeded and John found out that Saul did, in fact, want to kill David, John went to tell David instead of letting Saul get away with the murder."
Vespers went very good tonight, I thought. It centered around friendship and how that connects with religion. Earlier today we were talking about relationships in the afternoon group time. I was "Bill Clinton" and had to find Hillary Clinton and explain how our relationship was good- which I found ironic since theirs wasn't very good. Then we had to do some stuff using communication things (connecting communication to friendship) and non verbal communication (no hand signals, either) to get in order of our birthdays. It was interesting how people mouthed words and wrote down the date on their arms. We also watched a Youtube karaoke of "lean on me." Then we got into our family groups (we now call Mary "Mom") and did some friend- making activities like this thing with toilet paper where we said things about ourselves for each piece of toilet paper we had. Afterwards we went to vespers. Along with our "message" part, Kirk, Leah, Sam, and Eric helped with the ritual part. Tonight we did a baptism ritual where we went to the beach and got water from bowls and more washed our hands than anything, but it was the symbolism that counts. I'm waking up tomorrow for Taizé again with Abby.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Camp Communication: Day 2- Morning!
7:44 am 8/2/10
I woke up at 6:30 this morning after little rest and much itching from all of the bugs. I brought a cool weather sleeping bag by accident, but I took the fleece out this morning and will probably be sleeping under that tonight. I got up and took a shower in the guys bathroom at the annex (because before breakfast and after vespers girls can go in either at the annex- the guys sleeping in the lodge can use girls or guys there.) The floor was wet and the water was sorta cold, but it was much appreciated after a hot night. Soon it will be 8 and I will be going to the tai-zen event in the peace lodge up on the hill near the Rec. Hall. It's these early mornings that energize me here, but I hate at home, lol. All I know is that by Friday I'll be tired and ready to see my family again- but now with new religious knowledge. I never think of myself as "Christian" until I get up here and see the peace I'm getting away from technology and the world. I'm not really sure if it's God that sent it to me since I'm pretty sure my parents paid 600 dollars to go here, but I'm glad for it anyway.
9:35 am
I just got back from breakfast. It was french toast, apple juice, and bacon. I got a chance to draw this morning during tai-zen It's very peaceful sitting up there. I had to leave early to set up for breakfast, but this whole place is relaxing so the tai-zen is just like an added bonus. It's cabin time right now- for us to clean up and have free time before going to morning activities at 10:30. That's when we get in our family groups again. I wish they printed out schedules and gave us actual name tags like at CYE, but I guess there's no helping it. It was so foggy out this morning that I could barely see. It reminded me a lot of before we left last year. The one day it was cold and wet. It's so muggy out this year, but at least it's sunny today.
12:18 pm- AM/PM...? I get so confused. It's around noon.
I've got some free time before lunch at 12:30. The movie earlier was better than yesterday's, although we spent the whole time working on our group flag and playing with play-doh instead of discussing it. Our family group's name is "sangre devida" which is Spanish for Blood (of life). The "of life" part is so it can be more appropriate for church camp, but we have a bloody cross on our flag so I don't think the 'appropriate' thing is working. I had to put bug spray on for the first time this summer (eek!) because I swear they're trying to eat me alive. I'm really hoping it doesn't storm today and it stays cool, because the lightning last night coming back from Rec. Hall was sorta scary.
1:22 pm
It's cabin/bunk time. It's normally nap time around here, but it's so hot in our cabin I don't think anyone will be napping except for Rochelle who seems un-fazed by any heat. We're supposed to be thinking of an idea for cabin skits, but I don't think I'd be really interested in it. I'm really not excited for square dancing either. Apparently it's required (unlike swing dancing which was optional last year)
4:48 pm
I'm sitting at the beach after our scavenger hunt. It's super hot and I'm really drained from all of the running. I would go swimming but there's only half an hour left and I don't really want to change. Free time like this is the best, but I'm still dreading what comes next. The water in the lodge is freezing, but it's great to have on hot days like this. I might not drink water much outside of camp, but it's really easy for me to get dehydrated here because of all of the exercise we do.
7:05 pm
At 7:30 I'll be leaving for the Rec. Hall to do *ugh* square dancing. I just got back from dinner which was Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Bread, and butter (and gallons of water/ juice). Everyone really just wants to sleep, I don't know why they're making us square dance, especially when we're already dehydrated. Rochelle keeps staring at me from her bunk on the bottom and to the left from mine. She somehow acquired a lighter, too. Fire has always just freaked me out and I have a hard time talking to people I've never hung out with before. I wish I could tell her to cut it out, but I'm afraid she'll be offended or something. Plus she's really the only person I know here besides the people from church I came up here with and the few campers from last summer. The people from church I came here with aren't unfriendly, but really only polite since I'm not in the same social circle as them in school. I'm heading for Rec. Hall now before I write any more.
11:03 pm
During Cabin time earlier we decided that for our cabin skit we're going to sing the Hairbrush song from Veggie Tales- silly songs with Larry. Those who aren't playing vegetables are dressing in towels (over our clothes of course) to be background dancers and to be choreographed by Cecilia, a staff member and choreographer/ future minister. She sleeps in the bunk below mine and bunks next to Julia, the other staff member in our room, and of course Rochelle. Above Rochelle is Maggie from our church who goes to Century high school and across from Maggie is Sam (also from our church and my school.) Below Sam is Emily from my family group and a new camper this year. Across from me on the top and next to Emily are 2 sort of Preppy girls I remember from last year, but I don't know their names. The one across from me is Rachel, I think. On the other side of the one I'm calling Rachel is Leah from my church and school and below her is Abby. Abby goes to our church and school and is a year older than me, she's Sam's older sister. Everyone else I believe is my age (with the exception of the counselors) Across from Leah and above Julia is an empty bunk where we put all of our stuff. Maimey (I think I spelled that correctly) from last year's camp was supposed to be there, but she's sick. I also feel really bad about kicking the girl out who won Ms. Sibley county (or whatever her title and name are- she's fair royalty in any case) because I didn't know no one was there. Plus Rochelle was supposed to be in South Annex instead of North and it just got really confusing.
Anyway, after square dancing to a song and overheating and then doing the hokey pokey and also drinking lots of water and Gatorade, we went to relax for a while before vespers. The instructor for square dancing was strange and threatened to leave whenever we were only a little noisy (ignoring the fact that it's echo-y in there and there were 2 fans blowing loudly)
Vespers was very calming and I just wanted to relax and rest before lights out for the night (11:30! We're early tonight *sarcasm*) I went to the dining hall to snack quick, but they had oreos and I despise chocolate so I just had red drink. That's what everyone calls juice here, because it's not kool-aide but it's basically the same thing (however, it's vegan friendly) so they just say the color of the juice + drink. I kind-of like it, honestly. It's different in any case. Now I can tell I'm getting tired because I'm rambling about juice. I say lights out for Haley is earlier than the lights actually being turned off tonight.
9:20 PM 8/21/10
Quick Unrelated Note: I was featured! Please check it out by clicking here
I woke up at 6:30 this morning after little rest and much itching from all of the bugs. I brought a cool weather sleeping bag by accident, but I took the fleece out this morning and will probably be sleeping under that tonight. I got up and took a shower in the guys bathroom at the annex (because before breakfast and after vespers girls can go in either at the annex- the guys sleeping in the lodge can use girls or guys there.) The floor was wet and the water was sorta cold, but it was much appreciated after a hot night. Soon it will be 8 and I will be going to the tai-zen event in the peace lodge up on the hill near the Rec. Hall. It's these early mornings that energize me here, but I hate at home, lol. All I know is that by Friday I'll be tired and ready to see my family again- but now with new religious knowledge. I never think of myself as "Christian" until I get up here and see the peace I'm getting away from technology and the world. I'm not really sure if it's God that sent it to me since I'm pretty sure my parents paid 600 dollars to go here, but I'm glad for it anyway.
9:35 am
I just got back from breakfast. It was french toast, apple juice, and bacon. I got a chance to draw this morning during tai-zen It's very peaceful sitting up there. I had to leave early to set up for breakfast, but this whole place is relaxing so the tai-zen is just like an added bonus. It's cabin time right now- for us to clean up and have free time before going to morning activities at 10:30. That's when we get in our family groups again. I wish they printed out schedules and gave us actual name tags like at CYE, but I guess there's no helping it. It was so foggy out this morning that I could barely see. It reminded me a lot of before we left last year. The one day it was cold and wet. It's so muggy out this year, but at least it's sunny today.
12:18 pm- AM/PM...? I get so confused. It's around noon.
I've got some free time before lunch at 12:30. The movie earlier was better than yesterday's, although we spent the whole time working on our group flag and playing with play-doh instead of discussing it. Our family group's name is "sangre devida" which is Spanish for Blood (of life). The "of life" part is so it can be more appropriate for church camp, but we have a bloody cross on our flag so I don't think the 'appropriate' thing is working. I had to put bug spray on for the first time this summer (eek!) because I swear they're trying to eat me alive. I'm really hoping it doesn't storm today and it stays cool, because the lightning last night coming back from Rec. Hall was sorta scary.
1:22 pm
It's cabin/bunk time. It's normally nap time around here, but it's so hot in our cabin I don't think anyone will be napping except for Rochelle who seems un-fazed by any heat. We're supposed to be thinking of an idea for cabin skits, but I don't think I'd be really interested in it. I'm really not excited for square dancing either. Apparently it's required (unlike swing dancing which was optional last year)
4:48 pm
I'm sitting at the beach after our scavenger hunt. It's super hot and I'm really drained from all of the running. I would go swimming but there's only half an hour left and I don't really want to change. Free time like this is the best, but I'm still dreading what comes next. The water in the lodge is freezing, but it's great to have on hot days like this. I might not drink water much outside of camp, but it's really easy for me to get dehydrated here because of all of the exercise we do.
7:05 pm
At 7:30 I'll be leaving for the Rec. Hall to do *ugh* square dancing. I just got back from dinner which was Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Bread, and butter (and gallons of water/ juice). Everyone really just wants to sleep, I don't know why they're making us square dance, especially when we're already dehydrated. Rochelle keeps staring at me from her bunk on the bottom and to the left from mine. She somehow acquired a lighter, too. Fire has always just freaked me out and I have a hard time talking to people I've never hung out with before. I wish I could tell her to cut it out, but I'm afraid she'll be offended or something. Plus she's really the only person I know here besides the people from church I came up here with and the few campers from last summer. The people from church I came here with aren't unfriendly, but really only polite since I'm not in the same social circle as them in school. I'm heading for Rec. Hall now before I write any more.
11:03 pm
During Cabin time earlier we decided that for our cabin skit we're going to sing the Hairbrush song from Veggie Tales- silly songs with Larry. Those who aren't playing vegetables are dressing in towels (over our clothes of course) to be background dancers and to be choreographed by Cecilia, a staff member and choreographer/ future minister. She sleeps in the bunk below mine and bunks next to Julia, the other staff member in our room, and of course Rochelle. Above Rochelle is Maggie from our church who goes to Century high school and across from Maggie is Sam (also from our church and my school.) Below Sam is Emily from my family group and a new camper this year. Across from me on the top and next to Emily are 2 sort of Preppy girls I remember from last year, but I don't know their names. The one across from me is Rachel, I think. On the other side of the one I'm calling Rachel is Leah from my church and school and below her is Abby. Abby goes to our church and school and is a year older than me, she's Sam's older sister. Everyone else I believe is my age (with the exception of the counselors) Across from Leah and above Julia is an empty bunk where we put all of our stuff. Maimey (I think I spelled that correctly) from last year's camp was supposed to be there, but she's sick. I also feel really bad about kicking the girl out who won Ms. Sibley county (or whatever her title and name are- she's fair royalty in any case) because I didn't know no one was there. Plus Rochelle was supposed to be in South Annex instead of North and it just got really confusing.
Anyway, after square dancing to a song and overheating and then doing the hokey pokey and also drinking lots of water and Gatorade, we went to relax for a while before vespers. The instructor for square dancing was strange and threatened to leave whenever we were only a little noisy (ignoring the fact that it's echo-y in there and there were 2 fans blowing loudly)
Vespers was very calming and I just wanted to relax and rest before lights out for the night (11:30! We're early tonight *sarcasm*) I went to the dining hall to snack quick, but they had oreos and I despise chocolate so I just had red drink. That's what everyone calls juice here, because it's not kool-aide but it's basically the same thing (however, it's vegan friendly) so they just say the color of the juice + drink. I kind-of like it, honestly. It's different in any case. Now I can tell I'm getting tired because I'm rambling about juice. I say lights out for Haley is earlier than the lights actually being turned off tonight.
9:20 PM 8/21/10
Quick Unrelated Note: I was featured! Please check it out by clicking here
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