Monday, July 30, 2007

they have arrived

The participants have arrived. Sometimes during staff training it feels like the participants will never get here. We are preparing and waiting and planning and waiting. The staff has managed to bond and grow together in ways that didn't seem possible just a few days ago. But now our dynamics will change- it's about the participants now. . . the staff time is over. Feelings going into the program- excited and nervous, but confident.

Other stuff: I had coffee with Nichole on Saturday. We spent more than an hour catching up and making small talk and completely avoiding talking about what happened last summer. Finally in the car after we left the restaurant we started getting down to it. I'm not going to go into details about it, but there were some tears. Basically, I'm still not sure how I feel, but I have to give her credit for reaching out and I know I missed her this year. Does that mean I forgive her. . . maybe not completely. Maybe it means that my eyes are a little bit more open. We agreed to try to talk. We'll see how that goes.

Kickball update: Science for the People played our last regular season game on Sunday against the Drinking 40's. Unsurprisingly, we lost 25-7. We are, however playing in the post season. . . look for us to go up against Always Drunk (who really live up to their name) in the Best of the Worst right before the championship. It might actually be a game that we can win.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Sleep deprivation is fun!

staff training is intense. . . Harry Potter is great, I'm almost finished. . . these two things combine to shorten my normal amount of sleep. Tired does not even describe it anymore. . .

Friday, July 20, 2007

end of one, beginging of another

For the past six weeks I've been working at a summer day camp for middle school students. For me, camp had a rough start. I didn't really want to do the camp, I didn't think we were ready to do it. Really, we weren't ready to do it. The first week was kind of a disaster- my ipod got stolen, I felt miserable, we weren't prepared and the staff fought the whole week. After the first week, things got a lot better. I relaxed and we were more ready. We had some fun field trips and great guest artists. The kids had fun, I think. We finished it all off with three days in the mountains; horseback riding, swimming in cold lakes and hot springs, chopping wood, scary stories and s'mores. Camping was great. It was actually a lot less stressful than I had expected and I had a lot of fun. From week one to week six there was an amazing turn around. I'm happy we did the camp (even though I still think we weren't really ready for it). Today was my last day at the YESS Institute. It was actually kind of sad. I have never left a job before I hated it before. Usually when you quit your job, it is because you can no longer imagine ever setting foot in that building ever again. With this job, I expect that I will be back to volunteer and visit. I really didn't hate my job. Weird.

Tonight was the first night of staff training for the next chapter: Building Bridges for Peace. BBFP is a program that I have been involved with off and on for the past 9 years. After a two summer hiatus, I am returning as a counselor for the third time. Tonight was great. People I haven't seen in years: got to see them. People that I met for the first time, but I'm sure that they will be great friends: got to see them. I'm so excited for camp. . . it's been too long.

Other things: I saw Nancy Drew the other day. . . the critics have no idea what they are talking about. It was great. It was exactly like the books and seeing it with Wendy and Amanda was awesome. Next: Serial Novels Picnic- get your bobby socks ready!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

into the woods

I'm off to the woods. I'm excited about going camping. I'm nervous about going camping with 20 middle school students. Have you ever been camping with middle school students? I don't think I have since I was actually in middle school. I think I would be more excited if I was feeling better, but I'm still a bit sick (sore throat now), and the prospect of non-stop pre-teen action for three days . . . well it's not for everyone. Wish me luck. Pictures in three days.

Kickball update: score of today's game- Tag Team- 17, Science- 2. Even though that looks like a blowout, it was actually a really fun game and we played really well. It is the first time ever that we have lost to TT by less than 20 and we actually scored, so we avoided shutout. Go us.

#23 likes #101

The weekend was a smorgasbord of parties and events. The mid-summer party hop began on Friday with Iyabo's birthday and continued all day Saturday.

My first event was a baby shower for Deegan and Brandi. Deegan is my mom's best friend's son. The baby shower was lovely- garden party brunch, kids playing in the pool out back, adults chatting in the shade. The only strange thing about it is that Deegan and Brandi weren't actually there. . . because they live here. We passed around phones and spoke to the parents to be. All of the gifts will be packed in suitcases and sent down when friends and family make the trip down to Costa Rica over the next few months. The best thing about this baby shower. . . no games. :)

After that (and a nap) I went to the opening of my friend Jaime's design show. Kagen had a puzzle box in the show and there was lots of fun, funky furniture and other functional pieces. Design can be fun but it can also be a bit strange. I love to look at all of this stuff, but I think I would probably have a hard time buying things. I have the same problem with a lot of art. I love it, I really do, I just often have a hard time imagining that I could spend several hundred (or thousand) dollars on a painting. This is my dream: someday, I will have enough money to buy art.

After the design show I party hopped over to birthday parties for Aaron and then Emily. I finished the night up with a stop at Hermans for the Flobots. If I were a Flobot, I would be #23. #23 likes #101. He might just be my new secret crush.

Today: Science for the People vs. Tag Team. TT is undeafeated and currently in first place. Since we have very little chance of winning, our plan for the day is to BBQ and try to get really drunk. This may be my last kickball game depending on my camp schedule for the rest of the summer. I'm going to make it a good one. BDK baby.

Friday, July 13, 2007

The return of. . .

Cooking Club-

after a month off, cooking club returned with a vengence. . . and video games. We cooked up fun themed like our favorite pastimes- I made Mario Mushroom Tarts. We played Mrs. Pac Man and Space Invaders and gorged ourselves on food that looked like qbert and pac man as well as other mushroom treats. We also played on Goodrich's Wii. I think I love the Wii. In addition to cool games and realistic sports and random good times, you can make your own little video game person, a Mii. Honestly, we had as much fun making Miis for everyone in Cooking Club as we did actually playing the games.


and Twin Peaks (also with fun food!)

Thanks to Rick and Margi for making log lady cake.

Yummier than actual logs! Pitch gum (actually star burst) included.

Monday, July 9, 2007

under the weather

Even though it is nearly 100 degrees and my face feels hot, I have chills. I can't breathe through my nose and breathing through my mouth makes it dry and sore. Every time I stand up I feel dizzy and probably look a bit drunk. The pounding in my head just won't stop. That's right, I have it. . . the summer cold.

It came upon me last night while flickin it up at the art museum. By the time I got home, my nose was sufficiently stuffed and I didn't get any sleep. I feel like it is always worse to be sick in the summer. In the winter, at least, I don't feel so bad about bundling up with a hot cup of tea and a good book or some bad TV. But right now, in the middle of the fun season, all I want to do is sleep all day and all night and not leave the house. "There is so much to do!" my brain tells me, as I contemplate missing my meeting tonight and skipping the outdoor movie fun. "You'll feel better if you rest," my body tells me, forcing me to collapse on the couch. I went home early from work today (camp planning) hoping to be feeling better as soon as tomorrow. If I don't feel better tomorrow, it will really suck since we are taking the kids river rafting. Not too fun when you feel like shit. Because of that, I think I will just stay in tonight. I'm almost done watching the first season of Heroes and that sounds pretty good to my body and my brain right now.

Friday, July 6, 2007

It feels like Sunday, but with fireworks!

My fourth was great, I spent it with Mica's family- her aunt lives a few blocks away from the stadium that has the big explosions. Ohhhh, pretty lights. We walked over to the park to get a better view. The park was full of amateur blowing things up and lighting things on fire. While I really do enjoy fireworks, living in the hot and dry part of the country that I live in (yes, Denver is a desert!), people playing with fire always scares me a bit. . . Anyway, good solid 4th- bbq, crazy family (even if it wasn't my own) and fire. Fun.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

feel the burn

Different kinds of burn I am currently feeling:

a. sunburn
b. emotional burnout
c. fried brain
d. overall hotness (temperature wise)
e. all of the above

I'm feeling burned out and burned. It is hot. I am tired. I'm tired of the complaining. I have never met kids that complain so much. No matter what activity we choose they have something to say about it. They never give us suggestions for what we should do, but whatever we are doing is the wrong thing. This holiday came at just the right time. Two days off. Then two more weeks. Just two more weeks. Only two more weeks. I just need to make it through two more weeks.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Ok, so now you can stop asking

My application is in. For the past two years, I have been "working" on my application to the Peace Corps. PC is something that I have always wanted to do, literally since I was four years old. My parents are RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) and have been involved in the PC association in Denver since before I was born. When I was a kid, we would go to meetings and my name tag would say "Rebecca, Future Volunteer: Location unknown 2004-2006" 2004 being the year I should have graduated from college (if I hadn't continued to get my MA). So I'm a few years late, but I'm finally following through. This is the right time for me to go. My job ends in August and although I could have extended my position another year, I don't think that this is exactly what I want to be doing. I'm not married, don't have a boyfriend to keep me here. I have been living with my parents for a year and have saved a significant amount of money. There is no reason not to go. I'm ready. I hope that they are ready for me.