What a week!! I got to Schoharie, NY last Sunday night in time for our volunteer orientation/meeting. We had between 80-100 volunteers ranging from high school students to adults on any given day. They were counselors, people helping with arts, nature, and recreation, and people helping with sign-in and snack. All these people made this crazy week possible for the 117 kids ranging from first through eighth grade. I love this week of camp!! It sounds ridiculous and that is because it is! There are a lot of kids, and only a few of us "running" the show but those people in charge are good people and know what they are doing. This week was a much more positive experience for me compared to my day camp week a month ago and it renewed my spirit in so many ways.
Now for a little background on the area and my connections to it, before telling you some fun stories of the week. I have spent a week in Schoharie helping with this community day camp through Camp Fowler each summer from 2007-2010. They were some of the craziest but best weeks of my summers. I spent them leading art projects and playing silly games and running between churches with an average of 100-130 kids. The people there are the most hospitable and kind people I have ever met. I am always greeted with hugs (even when first meeting them), and no matter what year it is I am welcomed back with kindness.
Last August the Schoharie Valley was hit very hard when Hurricane Irene ran rampant through the country. The whole area was severely flooded. Homes, churches, businesses, and lives were destroyed. The water level throughout main street was a couple feet high and can be seen on the sides of buildings in town even now. My heart broke as I found out that people I knew lost their houses to the flood. They were taken in by friends and cared for, but nothing can compare to being in the home that you've made for your family.
As I went back to town this week I wasn't sure what to expect. I had only been back once, and I hadn't gone through the village much. I knew that some of the houses and churches were being rebuilt, and that some had just been put up for sale, or left alone. One of the activities during the week was the service project where each camper took a pinwheel that they made along with a letter they wrote and we walked throughout the village and planted them along the yards of town. We saw the vast stages of repair that was still occurring. Some houses hadn't been touched and were still caked in mud. We past a few that were being worked on and we could see the pride people had in their homes. And a few were completed and you could see that people were back to living in them. It was a very difficult experience for some of the campers I was with. I was with some of the youngest kids, in second and third grade, and as they were talking they described how they had been effected by the flood. A few were telling me and another staff member what animal they could be if they could turn into anything, a turtle (because they can be on land and water, in case of another flood), and a fish (because they are such good swimmers). It amazed me how these little kids coped with such a brutal and tragic event. Many of them were still trying to figure out how cope with what happened almost a year ago. It was hard for me even as an adult, not having been there or lost anything, just having friends there. I can't imagine what they were feeling.
This week was a blast!! I came back this year to help, not attached to Camp Fowler, but as assistant head counselor, which meant that I was a glorified floater! It was kind of a great job. I was able to help the Fowler staff out with music and playing games with kids because I knew how the camp worked and I knew the types of things that needed to get done. I was also able to help with the little stuff like filling up water jugs and emptying the garbage. It was a nice balance. I wasn't in charge of anything specifically but there were still people looking at me as if I knew what I was doing which was kind of amazing to me. I re-learned how to listen to others and be a shoulder to bear burdens when people needed to vent. What made the week great for me was how many different roles I played. I sang songs, played silly games (yay Gold Rush and Who Moosenapped Bullwinkle?), and listened. More importantly I joined a real community. I haven't felt that included in quite a while, even within my own circle of friends. For one week, over 80 high school and college students, and adults joined together to create the best week possible for these kids. It happened! Despite the days that were insanely hot and humid, and the long hours, and all the other little things that might not have gone as planned, we all joined together and made a great week happen. If you have facebook about would like to see some clips of what we did, look up Schoharie Reformed Church. There you can find a clip of the parade from the service project, a skit from one of the worship services that the pastors did for the kids to explain the theme for the day, and then two of the songs that we sang.
I feel rejuvenated, I haven't felt this excited about and connected to my beliefs in a very long time. It is just a great feeling, especially going into such a drastic transition in my life. I feel slightly more at ease about what is to come, which doesn't make much sense logically.
This coming week is going to be difficult and draining. I've got to pack up my life and say goodbye to a good number of friends. My to do list keeps growing with things I need to get done before I leave for my new job, to get my new apartment ready, to pack up my things here, of people to see and say goodbye to, and just other life activities. It is a little stressful and as much as I am trying not to feel overwhelmed I drive away from here on the 28th and have to be ready to go by then.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
A Week Gallivanting Around Northern Virginia
Well I spent the past few days in Virginia doing so many things I can barely keep track. Part of me is feeling a lot better about the whole situation and the other part is just overwhelmed and still nervous!
Monday I went down from NJ with my Dad and we looked at two different apartment complexes before getting dinner. Everything is much busier than in Rochester, but I think given some time I will adjust, especially to the traffic. After dinner we drove by a few other apartment complexes, that we nixed right away just because of location and outward appearance.
Tuesday I went to the administrative building and filled out a lot of paperwork. I got just about everything taken care of and then sat through a benefits orientation. Oh was that boring, necessary, but boring. I did not feel old enough to be listening to information about retirement and life insurance. I know it's all important, but it was kind of crazy for me to realize that I'm finally an adult. After all of the paperwork I met back up with my Dad and then my Mom got into town and we all had lunch. My Dad went to look at a few apartments while I was in meetings in the morning so once he left in the afternoon to go back to NJ my Mom and I went back to look at the few he thought were worthwhile. One was out of the running real quick, which helped narrow things down in my head to two, out of six. For dinner that night we went to a restaurant called Not Your Average Joe's! It had an awesome gluten free menu. I had a great smokehouse turkey blt on a gluten free onion roll!! One of the first sandwiches I've eaten on g-f bread at a restaurant!! I will definitely be going back there! After dinner I made a pro-con list of the two remaining apartment choices and made my decision.
Wednesday morning I sent a few emails and did some work from the hotel and then after lunch Mom and I went to the hotel and put in the application for the apartment I wanted. I was approved, so I officially have a place to live and will be moving in July 29th! After filling everything out there we went to a little shopping center and walked around before getting dinner with friends of my parents. It was nice to meet some people close by that I knew I'd be able to visit and go see if I needed something. Plus they have a daughter about a year younger than me that everyone is absolutely convinced we will get along, so hopefully we will meet sometime soon and we will hit it off, or at least she can show me around DC a little bit.
Thursday was the biggest calming of my nerves. I met with my two math department heads, and was shown around both of my schools, which are built almost the same way. I walked into the first school and was met with a big hug by my first department head. She was so welcoming to both my mother and I, it just felt great! We were shown around the the school, I was given curriculum, teachers additions of the textbooks, a calculator (TI n'spire-so cool), and all sorts of information from other teachers. We went over to the other high school where I met the other department head, 2 assistant principals, the principal, and a whole bunch of other teachers. I was shown around that school as well. Another round of hugs and jokes and a warm welcome. It really felt good. After all of that I grabbed lunch with Mom and stopped at the credit union in town to set up direct deposit and then we were on our way out of town, which took a lot longer than planned. We were planning on stopping to see my grandparents in Delaware, which should only be 2 hours away. It took 4 hours to get there because of traffic. We went out to dinner with them and relaxed there for a little while before continuing on to my parents house in NJ.
Friday I relaxed at my parents house for a little while and then went to IKEA with my Mom to just get ideas about furniture for my new place. I am thinking about stuff for my living room and a new bed, so we just went to look. It was informative and a nice way to spend the afternoon. We had a nice dinner at home and just relaxed.
I got back to Rochester this evening, packed for day camp for next week and worked on some paperwork for certification stuff. When all is said and done I will have jumped through hoops in three states and have my certification in all of them. Oh well, at least now I have a job to show for it.
This week I'll be in Schoharie working another day camp. I'm super excited about this one. We are expecting 100+ kids and a bunch of awesome volunteers as well. It's going to be a lot of work and I'm not exactly sure what my role is, but I'm sure I will figure it out and fall in line. Either way, I get to spend a week outside playing with kids and working with adults, I really can't complain.
Once I get back I have to pack my life up and say goodbye (for at least a few months) to some great people here. I'm not really sure how to process everything that is happening. I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now. As much as this past week makes me feel better, knowing I have a place to live and that the people I am going to be working with are there to help and want to help. I am also going to have to pick up and leave a lot behind. I've struggled a lot the past year here and I know that picking up and starting over isn't going to be easy, it will probably be harder, but I have to try. I owe it to myself to grow up and do this. Socially, and emotionally I'm terrified, and the thought of saying goodbye to some of my best friends scares me more than I can put into words. I know the wonders of the internet and the phone will keep us connected, but its not the same. Knowing I only have a week to pack as much time in with these people before I leave (while trying to pack my life into boxes) makes it even harder.
Monday I went down from NJ with my Dad and we looked at two different apartment complexes before getting dinner. Everything is much busier than in Rochester, but I think given some time I will adjust, especially to the traffic. After dinner we drove by a few other apartment complexes, that we nixed right away just because of location and outward appearance.
Tuesday I went to the administrative building and filled out a lot of paperwork. I got just about everything taken care of and then sat through a benefits orientation. Oh was that boring, necessary, but boring. I did not feel old enough to be listening to information about retirement and life insurance. I know it's all important, but it was kind of crazy for me to realize that I'm finally an adult. After all of the paperwork I met back up with my Dad and then my Mom got into town and we all had lunch. My Dad went to look at a few apartments while I was in meetings in the morning so once he left in the afternoon to go back to NJ my Mom and I went back to look at the few he thought were worthwhile. One was out of the running real quick, which helped narrow things down in my head to two, out of six. For dinner that night we went to a restaurant called Not Your Average Joe's! It had an awesome gluten free menu. I had a great smokehouse turkey blt on a gluten free onion roll!! One of the first sandwiches I've eaten on g-f bread at a restaurant!! I will definitely be going back there! After dinner I made a pro-con list of the two remaining apartment choices and made my decision.
Wednesday morning I sent a few emails and did some work from the hotel and then after lunch Mom and I went to the hotel and put in the application for the apartment I wanted. I was approved, so I officially have a place to live and will be moving in July 29th! After filling everything out there we went to a little shopping center and walked around before getting dinner with friends of my parents. It was nice to meet some people close by that I knew I'd be able to visit and go see if I needed something. Plus they have a daughter about a year younger than me that everyone is absolutely convinced we will get along, so hopefully we will meet sometime soon and we will hit it off, or at least she can show me around DC a little bit.
Thursday was the biggest calming of my nerves. I met with my two math department heads, and was shown around both of my schools, which are built almost the same way. I walked into the first school and was met with a big hug by my first department head. She was so welcoming to both my mother and I, it just felt great! We were shown around the the school, I was given curriculum, teachers additions of the textbooks, a calculator (TI n'spire-so cool), and all sorts of information from other teachers. We went over to the other high school where I met the other department head, 2 assistant principals, the principal, and a whole bunch of other teachers. I was shown around that school as well. Another round of hugs and jokes and a warm welcome. It really felt good. After all of that I grabbed lunch with Mom and stopped at the credit union in town to set up direct deposit and then we were on our way out of town, which took a lot longer than planned. We were planning on stopping to see my grandparents in Delaware, which should only be 2 hours away. It took 4 hours to get there because of traffic. We went out to dinner with them and relaxed there for a little while before continuing on to my parents house in NJ.
Friday I relaxed at my parents house for a little while and then went to IKEA with my Mom to just get ideas about furniture for my new place. I am thinking about stuff for my living room and a new bed, so we just went to look. It was informative and a nice way to spend the afternoon. We had a nice dinner at home and just relaxed.
I got back to Rochester this evening, packed for day camp for next week and worked on some paperwork for certification stuff. When all is said and done I will have jumped through hoops in three states and have my certification in all of them. Oh well, at least now I have a job to show for it.
This week I'll be in Schoharie working another day camp. I'm super excited about this one. We are expecting 100+ kids and a bunch of awesome volunteers as well. It's going to be a lot of work and I'm not exactly sure what my role is, but I'm sure I will figure it out and fall in line. Either way, I get to spend a week outside playing with kids and working with adults, I really can't complain.
Once I get back I have to pack my life up and say goodbye (for at least a few months) to some great people here. I'm not really sure how to process everything that is happening. I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now. As much as this past week makes me feel better, knowing I have a place to live and that the people I am going to be working with are there to help and want to help. I am also going to have to pick up and leave a lot behind. I've struggled a lot the past year here and I know that picking up and starting over isn't going to be easy, it will probably be harder, but I have to try. I owe it to myself to grow up and do this. Socially, and emotionally I'm terrified, and the thought of saying goodbye to some of my best friends scares me more than I can put into words. I know the wonders of the internet and the phone will keep us connected, but its not the same. Knowing I only have a week to pack as much time in with these people before I leave (while trying to pack my life into boxes) makes it even harder.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Time Off
Being unemployed for a little while put me a bit on edge. I am so used to living day to day with a set schedule and having to fit everything into the random times in between being busy. So not having much of anything to do for a few days was really weird.
I spent July 4th by myself, just relaxing. It was enjoyable. I didn't do much of anything. I made beef jerky, watched a few tv shows, read outside for a while, and was a lazy bum!
Thursday was much of the same. I searched for apartments online and spent some time on the phone with the car shop trying to figure out what was going on with my car. I also got drinks with a good friend and just hung out at night.
Friday I got a massage (I love half priced online deals), made a cheesecake, and went to a friends house for a pool party. Another low-key day that was enjoyable.
I felt off the past few days knowing that life would be pretty busy the next few weeks/months, and that I won't have many more days like this. That also made me feel better about everything. Days like the past few made me feel lazy, and horribly unproductive. I didn't feel useful or helpful.
Yesterday I woke up and made a strawberry sauce to go with the cheesecake and then went over to my friends 4th of July party! It was my main goal for staying home the past few days. I knew it would be the last real party I could attend and it gave me an excuse to see a lot of people. We had a lot of fun throughout the afternoon and night, ate good food and just had a blast in general. It was also a celebration of the release of their new website. They have been working on it for about 8 months now! I suggest checking it out www.featsheet.com I think you'll really like it!
Today I'm carpooling with a few people down to NJ where I'll meet up with my parents and then we will head to Virginia to sign my contract and look for an apartment. I'll also be meeting one of my department heads (possibly both) and getting a little more information about what I'll be doing. I'm excited, nervous, and overall feeling pretty good about everything.
I spent July 4th by myself, just relaxing. It was enjoyable. I didn't do much of anything. I made beef jerky, watched a few tv shows, read outside for a while, and was a lazy bum!
Thursday was much of the same. I searched for apartments online and spent some time on the phone with the car shop trying to figure out what was going on with my car. I also got drinks with a good friend and just hung out at night.
Friday I got a massage (I love half priced online deals), made a cheesecake, and went to a friends house for a pool party. Another low-key day that was enjoyable.
I felt off the past few days knowing that life would be pretty busy the next few weeks/months, and that I won't have many more days like this. That also made me feel better about everything. Days like the past few made me feel lazy, and horribly unproductive. I didn't feel useful or helpful.
Yesterday I woke up and made a strawberry sauce to go with the cheesecake and then went over to my friends 4th of July party! It was my main goal for staying home the past few days. I knew it would be the last real party I could attend and it gave me an excuse to see a lot of people. We had a lot of fun throughout the afternoon and night, ate good food and just had a blast in general. It was also a celebration of the release of their new website. They have been working on it for about 8 months now! I suggest checking it out www.featsheet.com I think you'll really like it!
Today I'm carpooling with a few people down to NJ where I'll meet up with my parents and then we will head to Virginia to sign my contract and look for an apartment. I'll also be meeting one of my department heads (possibly both) and getting a little more information about what I'll be doing. I'm excited, nervous, and overall feeling pretty good about everything.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A few lasts
Well, the "lasts" are starting. My last day at Old Navy was Sunday. Both Saturday and Sunday went well. They were easy shifts, nothing too out of the ordinary. I've spent almost 3 years working there. It would have been 3 years in October, and while it never had any relation to my real career goals, it was a fun place to work, and I enjoyed it. Most of the time it was the job I knew I could go to, turn half my mind off and work on auto-pilot and just enjoy the company of my co-workers and occasionally the customers. It was a little bittersweet to leave.
Last night was probably the last dinner part I'll be able to host here in Rochester. Luckily it was easy prep for me. I just made Sloppy Joe's (recipe below), cole slaw, and french fries. And then we enjoyed the delicious sides everyone else brought as well. It was an interesting group of people, and watching the interactions happen was quite intriguing for me. I enjoyed sitting back for a few minutes and just watching everything around me happen. But once I was reminded that I needed to be social I snapped back to reality and did my best to actually engage with people, which for some reason was really difficult for me. You'd think knowing it was the last time this would happen would make it easier for me, but given the situation itself I felt more and more like I was window shopping on my life, for multiple reasons. It was kind of a weird experience. Overall a good night, people were well fed, and they seemed to enjoy themselves which is the goal to the whole thing.
Today is my last day working at Sylvan. This is a little harder for me. I've really enjoyed working there. It's not even necessarily about the specific kids or my specific coworkers, it's just that the environment itself is comfortable to work and teach in. After working at Mathnasium, which was similar but so unhealthy and towards the end I was so unhappy there, and then coming to Sylvan it was such a breath of fresh air to be treated with respect and given opportunities to just teach and not be expected to do more just because I was capable. As much as I do enjoy the job itself, I think it also marks the one of the first times I stood up for myself and made a decision for my own benefit that had such drastic effects on my life. I haven't looked back since making that choice and while it was difficult at the time it has been one of the best decisions ever!
The fact that I won't be working for the rest of the month makes me a little anxious. I have spent the past 3 years working either 2 or 3 years pretty much non-stop. While it has made me a little crazy at times, it's been what I've gotten "good" at. Balancing a schedule, working a lot, and just doing what needs to get done. While I will still be busy, it's a different kind of busy, I need to be self-motivated, and it's not something that is necessarily scheduled which is a learning curve. I have a few days off this week, then I'm going to Virginia for a week to sign my paperwork and look for an apartment and meet with a few people I'll be working with, and the week after that I'll be in Schoharie, NY working at another day camp! Then I'll be back home in Rochester for a week or two (depending on when I end up moving to Virginia) to pack up my life and then actually move it all down there. There is a lot going on and things are happening quickly, but I am excited about it.
Sloppy Joe's
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 bottle ketchup
1/4 bottle bbq sauce (I use Sweet Baby Rays)
Directions:
1) Brown ground beef and onion together. Once browned, drain fat.
2.) Add seasonings and simmer 5 minutes.
3.) Add ketchup, bbq sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer 10 minutes.
Last night was probably the last dinner part I'll be able to host here in Rochester. Luckily it was easy prep for me. I just made Sloppy Joe's (recipe below), cole slaw, and french fries. And then we enjoyed the delicious sides everyone else brought as well. It was an interesting group of people, and watching the interactions happen was quite intriguing for me. I enjoyed sitting back for a few minutes and just watching everything around me happen. But once I was reminded that I needed to be social I snapped back to reality and did my best to actually engage with people, which for some reason was really difficult for me. You'd think knowing it was the last time this would happen would make it easier for me, but given the situation itself I felt more and more like I was window shopping on my life, for multiple reasons. It was kind of a weird experience. Overall a good night, people were well fed, and they seemed to enjoy themselves which is the goal to the whole thing.
Today is my last day working at Sylvan. This is a little harder for me. I've really enjoyed working there. It's not even necessarily about the specific kids or my specific coworkers, it's just that the environment itself is comfortable to work and teach in. After working at Mathnasium, which was similar but so unhealthy and towards the end I was so unhappy there, and then coming to Sylvan it was such a breath of fresh air to be treated with respect and given opportunities to just teach and not be expected to do more just because I was capable. As much as I do enjoy the job itself, I think it also marks the one of the first times I stood up for myself and made a decision for my own benefit that had such drastic effects on my life. I haven't looked back since making that choice and while it was difficult at the time it has been one of the best decisions ever!
The fact that I won't be working for the rest of the month makes me a little anxious. I have spent the past 3 years working either 2 or 3 years pretty much non-stop. While it has made me a little crazy at times, it's been what I've gotten "good" at. Balancing a schedule, working a lot, and just doing what needs to get done. While I will still be busy, it's a different kind of busy, I need to be self-motivated, and it's not something that is necessarily scheduled which is a learning curve. I have a few days off this week, then I'm going to Virginia for a week to sign my paperwork and look for an apartment and meet with a few people I'll be working with, and the week after that I'll be in Schoharie, NY working at another day camp! Then I'll be back home in Rochester for a week or two (depending on when I end up moving to Virginia) to pack up my life and then actually move it all down there. There is a lot going on and things are happening quickly, but I am excited about it.
Sloppy Joe's
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 bottle ketchup
1/4 bottle bbq sauce (I use Sweet Baby Rays)
Directions:
1) Brown ground beef and onion together. Once browned, drain fat.
2.) Add seasonings and simmer 5 minutes.
3.) Add ketchup, bbq sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer 10 minutes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)