Where do I even start?
I flew out to Boston beginning of June to live with Steph and her family for ten weeks. Steph was the one who helped me get a job working at the same summer camp she's been working at for the past couple years. I arrived in Mass 2 days before work started, and left the morning after it ended.
A week into training I found out I was assigned to work with 5-6th graders as one of four Earthkeeper counselors. Instead of spending every other day on the farm yard like most other groups, Earthkeepers get to learn about Native Americans and how to use the earth for their survival. Wow, talk about not qualified? Once a session, Earthkeepers also get to do an overnight camp-out. So for three 2-week sessions I helped 11 year olds saw down small trees to make a NA longhouse, build campfires, then use coals from the fire to burn out bowls, weave grass mats, make leather pouches and moccasins, practice stalking, and lots of running games. On the overnights we let the campers set up their own tents, cook burritos over the campfire, s'mores for dessert, a guitar sing-along as it turned dark, and a crazy scary solo night hike right before bed. I have lots of poop stories, better told in person.
The last session of camp for the summer, is only a week long, and focuses all on the farm. So all of the earthkeeper counselors were reassigned to different camp groups for the last week. I was with the Tickle Turkeys -half day, pre-k. I had 15 in the morning, 20 minute lunch break, then 15 for the afternoon. Wow, what a change of pace! The campers were absolutely adorable, but struggled with things like trying to carry their backpacks, crying when mama left, never getting to be line leader, and crazy small bladders.
Work was from 8-4 Monday-Friday (not including overnights). When not at work Steph and I had fun swimming across a local pond, playing basketball, sewing skirts, looking out for the tooth fairy on warm summer nights, hiking a mountain, walking ALL over Boston stalking Paul Revere and natives, acting like cows, and watching for whales.
But now I'm home, and getting ready to head back to Provo next week. I'm already having day dreams about snowboarding =]
<3Susie
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Unless he's stupid, he won't.
My visit home has turned out to be a lot more fun than I ever expected.
We pulled out the old croquet set, and my family has had a couple wild games already with it. We just keep it set up in the backyard, for when friends come over. It's the perfect summer pastime.
The single's branch has a lot of the same peeps, doing exactly the same thing as when I left them -But enough new peeps to keep it interesting.
My back was roasted after spending a day chilling on the beach of Santa Monica. I had forgotten how much I love the west coast =]
Been doing some surfing here in Lindsay, on the flowrider. Finally started getting the hang of it last night.
Orange Works is still heaven. They had banana yesterday =]
Watched a couple of local plays. The after-school program's production of "The Emperor's New Clothes" was pleasantly entertaining, but I still think I directed mine better.
Had nothing to do one Friday night. So I made a skirt. I purposely waited to go to the fabric store 45 minutes before closing, or I could have been there for hours.
Seth and Jordan had their mission farewells within a week of each other. They're the last of my cohort to take off. It will be a long time until my little Sunday school group will be together again.
Helped out with the Activity day girl's Fashion Show. We practiced walking with books on our head, and wearing Susie's heals. I was the photographer as they walked down our Christmas light runway.
Pulled weeds for Grandma, laid down irrigation lines for Aunt Pam, and picked fruit at Sister Rice's. At least they fed me lunch.
Dentist, Doctor, and Ophthalmologist all taken care of. I'm pretty much set to take off to Massachusetts at the end of next week.
Hope your summer is going just as dandy!
<3Susie
We pulled out the old croquet set, and my family has had a couple wild games already with it. We just keep it set up in the backyard, for when friends come over. It's the perfect summer pastime.
The single's branch has a lot of the same peeps, doing exactly the same thing as when I left them -But enough new peeps to keep it interesting.
My back was roasted after spending a day chilling on the beach of Santa Monica. I had forgotten how much I love the west coast =]
Been doing some surfing here in Lindsay, on the flowrider. Finally started getting the hang of it last night.
Orange Works is still heaven. They had banana yesterday =]
Watched a couple of local plays. The after-school program's production of "The Emperor's New Clothes" was pleasantly entertaining, but I still think I directed mine better.
Had nothing to do one Friday night. So I made a skirt. I purposely waited to go to the fabric store 45 minutes before closing, or I could have been there for hours.
Seth and Jordan had their mission farewells within a week of each other. They're the last of my cohort to take off. It will be a long time until my little Sunday school group will be together again.
Helped out with the Activity day girl's Fashion Show. We practiced walking with books on our head, and wearing Susie's heals. I was the photographer as they walked down our Christmas light runway.
Pulled weeds for Grandma, laid down irrigation lines for Aunt Pam, and picked fruit at Sister Rice's. At least they fed me lunch.
Dentist, Doctor, and Ophthalmologist all taken care of. I'm pretty much set to take off to Massachusetts at the end of next week.
Hope your summer is going just as dandy!
<3Susie
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Boogyamos
I've been home for about 2 days now, and I have already experienced the polar ends of Lindsay culture.
Steven, Kelsey, and I drove into town a little before sunset yesterday evening. The last hour of the drive was surprisingly pleasant as we rolled down the windows and discovered that the orange blossom season hadn't quite ended yet. We kept poking our noses out the window to breathe in the intoxicating aroma. As we pulled into town, I was reminded at how beautiful my hometown is. Palm trees line the main street into town, and a couple of murals can be seen from the main road as well. Traffic was a little slow by Sweet Brier plaza, where the friday night market was in full swing. We were about two weeks too late to see the wildflowers cover the foothills according to Mom, but there were still enough along the side of the road to enjoy, and trigger memories of wildflower seasons past. And the sky is still clear enough to see the mountains. It won't be much longer until the summer smog will obscure this breathtaking view.
Dad showed us around the yard shortly after we had settled in. He had installed a new shed, and done quite a bit of pruning since our last visit. Kelsey started sneezing the moment we walked out the back door. The sun set was gorgeous. I walked right up to the orange tree that sits outside my bedroom window, and drank in the most enticing smell I have ever to encounter. It's the smell of home.
Mom had ordered pizza for dinner, but that doesn't really matter. What matters is that she also had stopped by one of those strawberry stands off the side of the road earlier in the day. Wow, if theres anything that compares to my love for orange blossoms, its my love for fresh-picked strawberries. I've eaten about 5 baskets of them so far.
Mom and Kelsey stopped by Orange Works on their way home from Porterville yesterday afternoon. Homemade orange and pomegranate icecream! Best icecream in the world =]MaryDawn and I have made plans to go there for lunch on Tuesday. Saturday night the family went to a Richard Glazier concert. He's a famous piano player apparently. We enjoyed an evening of listening to the melodies of George and Ira Gershwin. We arrived home around 10pm. Just in time to go out and track down Tony. We lucked out and found the taco truck on our first try just outside city limits by the local gentleman's club. Another taste of home.
Five hours of church today. Hit the first two hours in Lindsay ward, narrowly escaped substituting in primary, and then headed over to the single's branch. Steven tried his hand at the BBQ again, and the family dined on ribs tonight.
Hoping to meet with a couple previous employers tomorrow, see if I can get some work for a couple of week. If not, then I'll start another sewing project.
<3Susie
Steven, Kelsey, and I drove into town a little before sunset yesterday evening. The last hour of the drive was surprisingly pleasant as we rolled down the windows and discovered that the orange blossom season hadn't quite ended yet. We kept poking our noses out the window to breathe in the intoxicating aroma. As we pulled into town, I was reminded at how beautiful my hometown is. Palm trees line the main street into town, and a couple of murals can be seen from the main road as well. Traffic was a little slow by Sweet Brier plaza, where the friday night market was in full swing. We were about two weeks too late to see the wildflowers cover the foothills according to Mom, but there were still enough along the side of the road to enjoy, and trigger memories of wildflower seasons past. And the sky is still clear enough to see the mountains. It won't be much longer until the summer smog will obscure this breathtaking view.
Dad showed us around the yard shortly after we had settled in. He had installed a new shed, and done quite a bit of pruning since our last visit. Kelsey started sneezing the moment we walked out the back door. The sun set was gorgeous. I walked right up to the orange tree that sits outside my bedroom window, and drank in the most enticing smell I have ever to encounter. It's the smell of home.
Mom had ordered pizza for dinner, but that doesn't really matter. What matters is that she also had stopped by one of those strawberry stands off the side of the road earlier in the day. Wow, if theres anything that compares to my love for orange blossoms, its my love for fresh-picked strawberries. I've eaten about 5 baskets of them so far.
Mom and Kelsey stopped by Orange Works on their way home from Porterville yesterday afternoon. Homemade orange and pomegranate icecream! Best icecream in the world =]MaryDawn and I have made plans to go there for lunch on Tuesday. Saturday night the family went to a Richard Glazier concert. He's a famous piano player apparently. We enjoyed an evening of listening to the melodies of George and Ira Gershwin. We arrived home around 10pm. Just in time to go out and track down Tony. We lucked out and found the taco truck on our first try just outside city limits by the local gentleman's club. Another taste of home.
Five hours of church today. Hit the first two hours in Lindsay ward, narrowly escaped substituting in primary, and then headed over to the single's branch. Steven tried his hand at the BBQ again, and the family dined on ribs tonight.
Hoping to meet with a couple previous employers tomorrow, see if I can get some work for a couple of week. If not, then I'll start another sewing project.
<3Susie
Monday, April 26, 2010
I sold my soul to Liberty Square.
Wow, what a month. It has been insane.
-DC Best of' went well. Sold out shows.
-Easter with the cousins in Lehi. New family tradition birthed: Egg curling.
-Human Alphabet turned out to be a hit apparently.
-Booked my flight to Boston for June 4th. I have a 3 hour layover in Texas.
-Reading days rocked. Tucanos, bowling, pool, off-roading, lava monster.
-Finals ended up being more hectic than expected. But with only a minor breakdown this time.
-Still managed to finish by Tuesday night. Took 3 tests that day.
-Got to be a ninja during Fugitive. Then burned stats and geography =].
-More slurpee runs in the last month than the rest of the year combined.
-Still unbelievably worried about BIO 100. I might just vomit if I have to take that class again.
-Saw Erin for the first time in 12 months!
-Somehow packed, cleaned, and moved out in time for LA.
-DC trip to LA was incredible.
--Drove all day Thursday.
--Stayed in the Marriot in downtown Los Angeles.
--Workshops Friday, then a play.
--Build-your-own Burger place for lunch.
--DISNEYLAND/CA ADVENTURES all day Saturday =D
--Back to Provo Sunday.
-Homeless and living out of a backpack until I go back to CA on Friday. Staying with Melissa 'til then.
-Looks like I'll be getting the minivan when I come back in Fall.
That about covers it.
<3Susie
-DC Best of' went well. Sold out shows.
-Easter with the cousins in Lehi. New family tradition birthed: Egg curling.
-Human Alphabet turned out to be a hit apparently.
-Booked my flight to Boston for June 4th. I have a 3 hour layover in Texas.
-Reading days rocked. Tucanos, bowling, pool, off-roading, lava monster.
-Finals ended up being more hectic than expected. But with only a minor breakdown this time.
-Still managed to finish by Tuesday night. Took 3 tests that day.
-Got to be a ninja during Fugitive. Then burned stats and geography =].
-More slurpee runs in the last month than the rest of the year combined.
-Still unbelievably worried about BIO 100. I might just vomit if I have to take that class again.
-Saw Erin for the first time in 12 months!
-Somehow packed, cleaned, and moved out in time for LA.
-DC trip to LA was incredible.
--Drove all day Thursday.
--Stayed in the Marriot in downtown Los Angeles.
--Workshops Friday, then a play.
--Build-your-own Burger place for lunch.
--DISNEYLAND/CA ADVENTURES all day Saturday =D
--Back to Provo Sunday.
-Homeless and living out of a backpack until I go back to CA on Friday. Staying with Melissa 'til then.
-Looks like I'll be getting the minivan when I come back in Fall.
That about covers it.
<3Susie
Friday, April 2, 2010
Elrond? Isn't he the guy from LOTR?
My mom shared some interesting information with me during our most previous weekly phone call.
California is ranked as one of the worst states in the country when it comes to education. Only a couple of the Ozark states are ranked lower. There are seven schools from my county that are listed in the bottom 5% of California schools. I attended 2 of these schools.
One of my elementary schools, and my high school both made the list as two of the bottom 5% of schools, from the bottom 10% of states in the nation. No wonder I struggle to keep up with BYU curriculum.
Some highlights from the past 2 weeks:
-Hit the jump on my last run of the season.
-Finished my poetry file a week early.
-Class canceled, played racquetball.
-Bought Krispy Kremes with the $20 we found on the ground.
-Spandex fairy emerged while procrastinating writing a paper.
-Tricked a missionary into believing Steph is engaged. Best reaction letter ever.
-Stole food from freshmen parties.
With love and hugs,
Susie
California is ranked as one of the worst states in the country when it comes to education. Only a couple of the Ozark states are ranked lower. There are seven schools from my county that are listed in the bottom 5% of California schools. I attended 2 of these schools.
One of my elementary schools, and my high school both made the list as two of the bottom 5% of schools, from the bottom 10% of states in the nation. No wonder I struggle to keep up with BYU curriculum.
Some highlights from the past 2 weeks:
-Hit the jump on my last run of the season.
-Finished my poetry file a week early.
-Class canceled, played racquetball.
-Bought Krispy Kremes with the $20 we found on the ground.
-Spandex fairy emerged while procrastinating writing a paper.
-Tricked a missionary into believing Steph is engaged. Best reaction letter ever.
-Stole food from freshmen parties.
With love and hugs,
Susie
Monday, March 22, 2010
Definitely a Frosting Kiss
As much as I despise doing homework for my TMA 202 class, this class really is a great fit for me to fill the Civ requirement. Today's lecture was on MUSICALS =] We definitely had a class sing-along featuring favorites from "Crazy for You" "South Pacific" and "Phantom of the Opera". I was in "South Pacific" my freshman year of high school. It was the last time I was in the chorus. I was a Honeybun girl.
I made it to bio 100 today, surprisingly. Good thing too. Apparently we had a test open up this weekend and it closes tomorrow. I should probably get on that..
I played racquetball for the first time on Saturday. Oh wow, was that fun! It was just like tennis, only better, because I could smack the ball as hard as I wanted, and in any direction I wanted. Also saw "New Moon" for the first time on Saturday. Absolute riot! Abby and I were on the verge of tears. Verge of tears appeared again that night when we pulled out the leg wax.
My RMYL 189 field trip was earlier in the week. It was exactly what I needed. I actually found someone who has my dream job. I want Pat Davis' job. She is hired by the Heritage Center here in Provo, to direct plays for their students. The Heritage Center is a long-term care facility that focuses on therapeutic recreation for troubled youth. The students live and go to school there, and are introduced to all different forms of recreation to help give their lives more direction and meaning.
Edward came on the trip too, along with a few other of my favorite props to help out with the impromptu skit night. Then, instead of going to bed, we, being a class full of Leisure majors, decided, of course, to stay up late playing Murder in the Dark, and Signs =]
Finally, finally, finally heard back from Drumlin Farm, and I definitely got the job! Woohoo! I'm not the biggest animal person, but I've been around farms my whole life, so I'm sure I'll survive. This summer should definitely be an adventure. Santa Barbara caught fire when I visited Elise last summer for four days. Who knows what will happen to Massachussettes when I visit for 2 1/2 months, hahaha.
St. Patrick's day definitely does not go unnoticed in my family. One day, rest assured, I will visit the little village in Ireland called Ingoldsby.
<3Susie
I made it to bio 100 today, surprisingly. Good thing too. Apparently we had a test open up this weekend and it closes tomorrow. I should probably get on that..
I played racquetball for the first time on Saturday. Oh wow, was that fun! It was just like tennis, only better, because I could smack the ball as hard as I wanted, and in any direction I wanted. Also saw "New Moon" for the first time on Saturday. Absolute riot! Abby and I were on the verge of tears. Verge of tears appeared again that night when we pulled out the leg wax.
My RMYL 189 field trip was earlier in the week. It was exactly what I needed. I actually found someone who has my dream job. I want Pat Davis' job. She is hired by the Heritage Center here in Provo, to direct plays for their students. The Heritage Center is a long-term care facility that focuses on therapeutic recreation for troubled youth. The students live and go to school there, and are introduced to all different forms of recreation to help give their lives more direction and meaning.
Edward came on the trip too, along with a few other of my favorite props to help out with the impromptu skit night. Then, instead of going to bed, we, being a class full of Leisure majors, decided, of course, to stay up late playing Murder in the Dark, and Signs =]
Finally, finally, finally heard back from Drumlin Farm, and I definitely got the job! Woohoo! I'm not the biggest animal person, but I've been around farms my whole life, so I'm sure I'll survive. This summer should definitely be an adventure. Santa Barbara caught fire when I visited Elise last summer for four days. Who knows what will happen to Massachussettes when I visit for 2 1/2 months, hahaha.
St. Patrick's day definitely does not go unnoticed in my family. One day, rest assured, I will visit the little village in Ireland called Ingoldsby.
<3Susie
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Stephalicious
Evidence that the Daily Universe is Socialist (Sorry Katie, its all in good fun)
It was section day again in my TMA class on Friday. This time we were discussing the different forms of theater that developed during the Socialist Revolution in Russia. Each group was assigned to portray a recent article from the Daily Universe using one of these different forms of theater.
Constructivism was a movement that pushed for art as a practice directed towards social purposes. Through the use of biomechanical and dactile movements, the performers portrayed different parts of a machine.
Our group chose an article interviewing the Rugby team. We each took a quote from the article, and moved in robotic unison to the Rugby starting position. It was slightly thought-provoking.
I went and saw "Blood Wedding" this afternoon. Just some more avant-garde in my life I don't quite understand. Hopefully the three-page paper I have to write on it will give me some more insights.
I am still waiting to hear back from Drumlin Farm. I am really hoping I get this job, because I have basically dropped all other back-up plans except for Togo's. I hope I don't end up spending another summer at home. It would be so exciting living with Steph this summer. Colorado is the farthest east I have been. And a summer without Steph, why, its not a summer at all =]
In other news, gay man broke up with his girlfriend. We're still friends.
DC hoodies arrived last night in time for our show. We felt like a gang walking into Applebee's with all of us wearing them. I also got to call the show for my first time during the 9 o'clock. Fun stuff.
It is snowing again, hooray! It is unfortunate that this always happens on days I can't head up to the mountain.
Genesis 38 is such an entertaining chapter of scripture =]
<3Susie
It was section day again in my TMA class on Friday. This time we were discussing the different forms of theater that developed during the Socialist Revolution in Russia. Each group was assigned to portray a recent article from the Daily Universe using one of these different forms of theater.
Constructivism was a movement that pushed for art as a practice directed towards social purposes. Through the use of biomechanical and dactile movements, the performers portrayed different parts of a machine.
Our group chose an article interviewing the Rugby team. We each took a quote from the article, and moved in robotic unison to the Rugby starting position. It was slightly thought-provoking.
I went and saw "Blood Wedding" this afternoon. Just some more avant-garde in my life I don't quite understand. Hopefully the three-page paper I have to write on it will give me some more insights.
I am still waiting to hear back from Drumlin Farm. I am really hoping I get this job, because I have basically dropped all other back-up plans except for Togo's. I hope I don't end up spending another summer at home. It would be so exciting living with Steph this summer. Colorado is the farthest east I have been. And a summer without Steph, why, its not a summer at all =]
In other news, gay man broke up with his girlfriend. We're still friends.
DC hoodies arrived last night in time for our show. We felt like a gang walking into Applebee's with all of us wearing them. I also got to call the show for my first time during the 9 o'clock. Fun stuff.
It is snowing again, hooray! It is unfortunate that this always happens on days I can't head up to the mountain.
Genesis 38 is such an entertaining chapter of scripture =]
<3Susie
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