Goose poo!

Herro! We are now in August! Where has the time gone? I have about 9 more days of camp left. I have finally posted some pictures on this blog so check them out! I didn't label them yet but most are from the various events that I held such as World Cup, dance parties, Amazing Race around camp, and day off trips to Woodstock, Bish Bash Falls, nights off at Sidelines and my Frozen birfday party. I have my flight in order for the 13th, appointment for my ankle, and starting work at the Westin soon after. I've also been applying for various internships. To be frank, as camp comes down to the last week, it has been a good experience but I'm not sure its for me. I've gained some different skills and met some great people that I hope to one day visit again in Australia or UK. I suppose you learn from any experience. Recently we had 50's night, a talent show, and tmrw is Halloween night. At night I wake up to the lovely sound of the geese hooting and howling. I also seem to always step in their poo. Last night I had the great pleasure (sarcasm) of sitting on Head OD which means I basically stay up till 12:30am guarding the bunks to make sure kids dont sneak out. It was freezing! I didn't think New York would get so chilly at night. Today I had some free time so I explored the art barn where I made some leather bracelets, halloween decorations, and hopefully make a ceramic pot soon. Thanks for reading and check out the pics! :)

Driving through NY!

I had a great day off with a few of the head staff the other day. We went to a nice lake then to the town of Woodstock for lunch and window shopping. Woodstock is a neat little area that is pretty hippy! It was very artsy and made for a nice walk. The head staff and I then saw the movie Tammy which was alright. Days off are so refreshing! Real food and no screaming kids! I booked my flight home to Orlando for august 13. Camp life has been going well as usual just busy. My showers have become warm now and I'm adjusting to buying drinking water and food outside of camp when I have the opportunity. Yesterday I drove 3 hours to JFK to drop of kiddies and about 3.5 hours back to the camp. What a long day. I've lost a few pounds since I dont eat as much at camp anymore so thats good! My ankle still isnt looking too well but hopefully when I get home I'll get it checked out further. Last week we had Las vegas day and Carnival day. It made for such a long day but I think the kids had fun! About 2 weeks of camp left now! Thank you for the cards, postcards, and treats! :)

Half Way to 46!

So much has been happening I havent had too much time to update the blog! Everything is going well. We have had Sadie Hawkins events, DJ Parties, Tribals, Campfires, MTV night, and tonight is the musical. I had my birfday celebration a few days ago! I had all the supplies in the theme of Frozen from Tim and Lori to complete the party! A group of head staff went out that night for some drinks and real food too! The water system has been out lately so showers have been slim and I've gotten used to always buying water wherever I can since the water here doesnt mix well with my tummy. I've taken French campers and Israeli campers around the mall and driven so many different vehicles. I finally swam in the lake! It wasn't as bad as I had thought but it does leave you smelly afterwards. This morning I ran from the geese and their droppings! We have a few more weeks left. I'm now planning for Las Vegas night which will be Tuesday. My ankle is doing alright but still not fully healed. Thank you to those who sent postcards and birthday cards!

Unclog the toilet!

Welp its another day at Camp Eagle Hill. When I find the time I write a bit on the blog here. Generally its been pretty busy. The days and nights are long and always on the move which I like to a certain extent. You're never really bored here and there always seems to be things on the "to do" list if you will. Last night we had the Miss Eagle Hill competition with Marie and I as MC for the evening. In short, each girls bunk is given a male counselor in which they dress up for the competition. The 13 males each competed in an evening wear, swim suit, and talent portion. It was hilarious! And I must say some of the boys made pretty females! haha! The kids loved it! I think I do pretty well on stage. I dont have any nerves anymore so its pretty easy to get up in front of 200 people. Unfortunately I was on OD (on duty) last night and didnt get to go out with the rest of head staff so Sals (pizza/beer place). Tonight I will hopefully get out though! OD is basically where one of the adult staff must stay up till 12:30am looking after the bunks and making sure everything goes well, nobody sneaks out, give out snacks, and check people in and out. For the 4th of July we had the staff/kids from each country come up to sing their Anthem. This was pretty neat! We have staff/kids from about a dozen different countries. Tonight the evening activity is Sadie Hawkins where the girls chase the boys and pull a sock out of their back pocket. When you pull a sock that means you "marry" that person. The kids love this activity apparently and afterwards we have a "newlywed game show" type of thing where they each have to answer silly questions about each other. On another note, the water here isn't that great or perhaps its just different than what I'm used to. I ended up buying a case of water so that works out. The past two days were very rainy so we had to change the plan for the kids. I did bingo and some other games inside with the younger kids (ages 4-6). They are a much easier group to work with than the boys ages 10-13! While it was rainy the kids piled in the office to use the restroom...what a disaster! The toilets dont flush very well here sooooo having a plunger is gold. Also making sure you stock up on the TP is essential. The important things in life! I'm enjoying this experience so far! Its hard work but nonetheless another learning experience in life. Working with the international staff has been great as well. Hopefully I'll chat with them more about various opportunities in their countries. I'm still looking to pursue a masters abroad but keeping an open mind for different opportunities I hear about. I was talking to Liane from Wales about her experience using campleaders (3rd party) to obtain her position at CEH. What better way to see a different place and meet people why doing something you enjoy. Anyways, time for lunch! :)

So much room for activities!

Herro! We started the daily schedules with the kids. There are 6 different periods and the kids basically get to pick from different "major" and "minor" activities. Theres all sorts of activities from swim, archery, zipline, climbing tower, volleyball, guitar, ceramics, woodworking, basketball, martial arts, cooking, dance, gymnastics, hockey, soccer, and theatre. Last night was the campfire and Luke and I ended up staying up till 12:30am working on the matrix, majors, and minors for today. It took forever! But it got done. We both got awarded the "Ya Gotta Love It" camp badges for our hard work! This morning I was in charge of volleyball! It went...haha I had 23 boys at about 10 years old. I got to deal with a kid crying for the first time too. After volleyball I got to take a rental car back and forth and then worked in the office. Tonight the event is "battle of the sexes" where the girls and boys compete against each other at various activities. Food has been great but its getting a bit old since I eat the same things over and over. The salad bar is the best! I always get the beets, fresh hummus, tomatoes, cottage cheese, oranges, pears, and usually whatever the main course is.

Battle of the Sexes went well but the boys won so the girls had to clean their dinner plates the next day. Last night the neon DJ Party went pretty well. I struggle a bit with using the AV and PA equipment or whatever you'd like to call it but I suppose I'm learning and trying to be a good DJ. haha at least the kids had fun! Things are starting to run more smoothly and we even got AC in the office! Volleyball is going alright but with the younger ones we usually play a game called newcomb. Newcomb is basically volleyball but you throw and catch the ball so its easier for the little ones. I never realized how hard it was to get 20 little boys quiet to explain instructions! Tonight is the kids talent show and tmrw is Miss Eagle Hill. The girls will dress the boys for a pageant show!

All is well! Thank you Tim and Lori for the cute postcard! Thanks for reading everyone! I'll try to post more often when I can!

The kids are here!

Yesterday the kids finally came! Friday night I hosted my first event, the World Cup Staff Party! We had great music, costume contest, and a trivia contest. It went well and I was up till 1:30am! I woke up at 6am to take a bus with Luke to pick up 15 kids from Yonkers. It was a long bus ride! I came equipped with barf bags, snacks, waters, med kit, and other stuff. Luckily, Bruce the driver stopped by so we could get coffee and breakfast! We took a pit stop because of course I had to pee after drinking coffee and Luke (from London) snuck over for some Mcdonalds which apparently was yummy. (ew) We got to our destination where the fun began. Parents, bags, kids, medicine, paperwork, money, questions, and more. There were 13 boys and 2 girls. Luke was in the front with Bruce and I was in charge of the kids. We had graham crackers snacks and waters. I got to show my tough face and make sure every kid was buckled in. Oh, the best part was taking 11 boys through a supermarket to use the restroom. Counting heads about every 2 seconds. We made it back to camp in time for lunch and carried on through the busy day. Last night I hosted the Staff Talent Show for the kids! Wes (theatre director) worked with me on stage and we had a great time! I think the stage is calling my name! Anyways, things are going well, helping where I can, planning events, and doing office things! I'm also the volleyball specialist so I'll be doing a bit of coaching as well. My ankle is doing much better just sore and bruised. Thank you Tomi and Ron for my favorite chocolates and card! So sweet! I must get going to lunch. I rarely have much free time! Thanks for reading!

Life at Camp!

Herro Herro! Once again sorry I'm having a hard time keeping up with the blog as much as I'd like to. I've been rather busy! I have moved into a private room at camp with a full size bed and my own bathroom area. All of the staff is now here and we are preparing for the kids to come on Saturday. There are a little over 200 campers including overnight and day campers. It's been interesting and I still have lots to learn about the camp, rules, procedures, and even things that I'm working on! A theme at camp for the staff is "flexibility and adaptability" so I suppose I fit into that. The food has been great! A salad bar has been open and there is a great variety of food. I saw my first groundhog yesterday and a few chipmunks! The days are long from 7am-10:30pm. Showers are now warm. I mostly work in the office on the evening activities and special events that will be taking place. I've been gathering materials needed, decorations, dj music, ordering parts, making lists and forms, phones, typing, printing, and just about anything that is needed. We have been doing some orientation games to get to know each other as well as rules. Unfortunately, as some have heard I did end up in the local medical center about 45min away from camp. Safety first but accidents do happen. Others have told me that I stepped on a ball but hell if I remember it was so painful! My ankle is very swollen and black/blue colored. Luckily though, its just a severe sprain so I should be good in a few days. The people here are great! People from all over from California, Alabama, England, Australia, Japan, New England, Spain, and a few other places. Overall I'm doing well! Today I even shared my lesson plan for teaching volleyball! (Of course I was unable to play with my ankle) Thanks for reading! :)

Elizaville!

I apologize for not blogging in a few days! I've been rather busy at camp! I met 18 of the head staff at Grand Central and we took a train to Poughkeepsie where we were picked up in the bus to drive 30min to the camp. Everyone is wonderful! There are only two americans, the rest are from UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan it seems. The accents are great! haha Food is amazing actually! We've had everything from mash potatoes, pizza, salad, mac n cheese, eggs, chicken, meatloaf and so much more. It's all actually like home cooking! The eggs are from a local farm as well. The cabins dont have air condition but at night its actually pretty chilly. The property is 200 acres! Lately I've been working in the office with Luke, the other assistant director, on behind the scenes work for the most part. I will try to post later but for those reading now I'm safe and happy here! Making new friends here and enjoying the work. I'll try to take pictures soon and post them. Thank you Ron and Tomi for the postcard! Its the first piece of mail received at camp! :)

The Phantom of the Opera is Here!

On Monday I woke around 7am and headed over to Times Square! I decided to hold out on eating since I was going to the Carnegie Deli. I was able to take the elevator for Top of the Rock early which was nice since it wasn't crowded at all. The view was great! I think I made a good decision to do the Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State Building. This gives you a nice outside view from all around the building. I then ate at Carnegie Deli just near by. The sammich was huge!! The meat was good but the sammich was plain. I then walked down 5th avenue and the corner of Central Park. I went inside FAO Schwarz (toy shop), Tiffanys, and of course the chocolate shops for samples. There was a long line to get in to Abercrombie! Just about every shop you can think of. I just couldnt find the TJmaxx and Marshalls! I counted at least 4 H&M stores, Lids and Lindt. I headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up and ready for Phantom! I walked around Times Square a bit and had dinner at a small cafe in Hells Kitchen area. I had a yummy apple salad. The Phantom was packed!!!! It was amazing! Costumes, makeup, singing, and techy aspects were great. I sat pretty close to the front but in that theatre any seat prbly wouldve been good. There was even a chandelier that crashes on the stage! This might have been my favorite part of NYC. Tuesday morning I slept in till 7am! I walked around the west village area and somehow ended up in SOHO area and then Chinatown again. I guess I walked alot! My foot is still messed up. Likely a sprain that I havent let healed yet. To be frank, I've been stopping at just about every church and park to take a break and stretch my foot. The churches have been so peaceful and air conditioned! Also restrooms most of the time! I haggled some post cards and a tank top in Chinatown and a large american flag. I'm hosting the World Cup orientation party at camp! I was trying to find a cheap shirt or something with all the flags on it so that I remain neutral at the party but I suppose rooting for USA will have to do! I checked out of the hotel and made my way to Grand Central where I'm currently writing this at the apple store. Grand Central is huge with lots of restaurants and a market! The clock is disappointingly small though. I'm reading through some emails for work, eating, then meeting my group to travel to camp. If anyone has any creative ideas for activities and special events for children 4-8 years old let me know. Also, any ideas for the World Cup party!

Table for one!

I woke up around 5:30am and was out the door by 6am! The sun rises around 5am here! Somehow yesterday I took a funky step with my right foot and woke up with a nice sharp pain towards the bottom of my foot and outside ankle. I got a foot brace and advil and carried on with the day though! For the first time, the streets were moderately quiet. I saw quite a few yellow cabs trying to hunt me down as well as what I thought was a beautiful woman standing near the subway with her friend. As I got closer, I slowly realized that this boobalicious “lady” was a man with a deep raspy voice! The subway was slightly emptier at 6:30am. There were a few other tourists and many homeless people sleeping on the benches of the subway. I got to Battery Park and walked around till about 7:15am. I was in the front of the line to board the ferry but when we went through security I was pulled aside. While being questioned about my purse people were passing me! Security thought I was carrying some form of weapon in my purse but turns out it was only two brass bars used as hotel keys. I was able to get a decent seat on the top of the ferry and saw the Lady! I admit the statue was smaller than I had anticipated. Once on the island, there is not much to do other than take selfie pictures and climb the pedestal. With my foot not looking hot, I just walked around and ate at the café. I paid $12 for a yucky Panini and water. I boarded the ferry to Ellis Island where I also just walked the Island and peeked in the museum. I made my way to the financial district where I saw Wall St, the Stock Exchange, and the bull. Trinity church is beautiful! I was able to walk in during a rehearsal. The organ sounded great! I also saw St. Pauls Chapel. I grabbed an espresso iced coffee drink and walked around the 9/11 memorial. It was very tastefully done in my opinion yet far too overcrowded. Freedom Tower is neat and seems to touch the clouds. The newly opened museum was far too crowded as well but I was able to get through the line pretty quickly. I wouldn’t call it a museum though. It was definitely a beautiful memorial. I have a few pics and will explain them there. There was a gift shop inside the museum as well as outside down the street. While it seems to be controversial, I didn't mind it too much I guess. There is a sign right in the front to let you know all profit goes towards the museum and memorial. The books are fine of course, but why is there a need to sell doggie firefighter jackets and cheese plates. I then walked to Little Italy where I had a nice romantic dinner! I had some kind of vodka pasta with wine and a cannoli. The host seemed to have liked me and asked me for my number and drinks later. Somehow I always attract the older men. I then walked through Chinatown and worked my bargaining skills! I got a two perfumes and a fedora hat. I walked some of the Brooklyn Bridge then used my taxi skills to get back to the hotel. Tmrw is Top of the Rock and Phantom!

Oh, Hello New York City!

The time has come…I’m in New York! Everything seems to be going rather swell. Last night I got an email at 8pm from JetBlue telling me my flight was canceled and rescheduled for late today…of course that wouldn’t fly with me. I was able to catch another packed flight at 6am to JFK. The flight went well, I got two cups of OJ and Doritos! I took the AirTrain to Jamaica station where I took the E line for almost an hour to 14^th street. I believe the subway system turned 110 years old today...and it sure smelled like it! I got a metrocard from the machine and put $15 in for my $11 cost but lucky me $7 in coin dollars came back. The Jane Hotel is only a few blocks away but I went in a few circles until I figured out that the streets go in numerical order…duh! The staff at the Jane Hotel have been friendly and held my bag while I walked around Greenwich area. I got a sangria tea from David’s Tea and headed back to the hotel to check-in. The room is tiny as expected but quaint and just about all I need for 3 nights. Theres a rooftop bar and inside club as well! I dropped my bags off and took a walk along Highline Park where I got a really yummy iced coffee to wake me up. It was way too crowded but the trail was nicely done. I ended up walking all the way to Times square! WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE! It was an interesting site nonetheless and I suppose something one must experience in NY. It was pretty overwhelming and I really didn’t know what to do with myself! I got a slice of pizza and sat down outside. Yummy as well! I found the Majestic theatre and then made my way to the Elektra theatre for 50 Shades the musical! There was a neat bar inside the theatre so I took myself on a date and bought myself a delicious expensive cosmopolitan drink. To be honest, I wouldn’t recommend the musical. I have a good sense of humor and love a dirty joke, but this was extremely cheesy. I left pretty fast and caught a subway back to the hotel. Its very windy! Now I'm getting ready to shower and check out the rooftop bar before bed. Lady Liberty Ferry early in the am!

I want to be part of it NY, NY!

As Frank Sinatra sang (sing it), "Start spreading the news I'm leaving today I want to be a part of it New York, New York".

Welp, here we go again, off on another adventure! Last summer I biked across the country from NC to SD for affordable housing. This summer I will be traveling to New York to work as an Assistant Program Director for Camp Eagle Hill located in Elizaville, NY.

Visit this website to learn more about Camp Eagle Hill: http://www.campeaglehill.com/

If you enjoyed my blog last summer 2013, please read on this summer 2014! I will try to make this blog as interesting, informative, and humorous as last year. And no, I will not be biking north to NY! I will be flying JetBlue. :)

I believe my sense for adventure and "go getter" personality has led me to this opportunity...and I'm running with it! This will be my first time working at a summer camp and in the big apple! I suppose everyone must visit the city at least once-whether you like it or not it just seems like an American thing to do. I will be traveling to the city for a few nights before I must report for work. Below is my basic itinerary:

Saturday:
Arrive in NY and check- in to my hotel.
Chelsea Market
Meat District Area
50 Shades the Musical!

Sunday:
Statue of Liberty
9/11 Museum and Memorial
St. Pauls Chapel
Chinatown/Little Italy
Brooklyn Bridge

Monday:
Central Park
Carnegie Deli
Top of the Rock
Grand Central
Phantom of the Opera

I'm pretty excited! Especially for Broadway! If you have any advice for me prior to my departure please share. I will be staying a The Jane hotel, which is a neat (relatively cheap) hotel right on the Hudson in the Meat Packing district and Chelsea area. The hotel was originally built for sailors with cabin-like rooms but in 1912 it was used to house the survivors of the Titanic. In recent years, The Jane has been restored and used as a hotel with of course a Titanic theme. And yes, I will be singing Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" in the showers. Please visit this website if you're curious to learn more: http://www.thejanenyc.com/

My trip to the city wouldn't be complete without seeing a Broadway show! I bought a ticket to see Phantom! And I'm towards the middle and only 3 rows back!!! I bought a cute red dress to wear and will be taking myself on a nice date! I bought a decently priced ticket through BroadwayBox for $100 and spent $49 on a front row ticket to see 50 Shades as well.

The plan is to update this blog with mostly pictures and detailed entries while in the city and then when I can while working at Camp Eagle Hill. I'm not sure how much internet I will have once at camp but I will do my best. I'm glad I took the time last summer to keep track and share my experiences and pictures with everyone. I ended up creating a book from my experiences as I wish to do at the end of this summer. I only wish I had done so when I traveled to Israel a year and half ago!

I'll be leaving in about 2 weeks! Please comment or share any advice on traveling through New York. Also, send me love letters this summer! You might get a postcard in return ;-) I'm really excited for yet another adventure! :-)