Off to Camp.................

Well, I am off to camp in one more day. Camp is so weird to me. Just preparing for it is an emotional task. It's hard to explain.
I thought I had 8 to 10 yr old boys this year. A nice age. I found out today I have the 11-13 yrs old boys instead. This is a whole nother ball game. This is a challenging age of kids. If they don't like you, you're screwed. I think I'll buy some extra candy.

Once again, we were asked to bring a sacred item. We did this last year. I come to realize, I don't really have any "sacred" items. How many years in a row can you bring something that is sacred to you and share about it?
I finally decided on my favorite picture of my kids. They are about 6 and 8 and they are asleep on each other's shoulders. It is my favorite picture in the whole world. It might be nice to have it at camp.

I'm anxious to see what this year at camp brings. Each year there is something new. The emotions and the perspective you experience are unbelievable. I always seem to be in a funky spot in my life when I go to camp. This year is no different.

I'm hoping I can let go of it all and focus on the experience. I need to put my outside life away for a week. We are in our own little world at camp. It feels like this far away place where noone knows where we are.
And this year, I'm hoping to capture that damn flag.
jb

Paper or Plastic? Neither, thanks...........

I'm forever pondering the paper or plastic question. I switch them up depending on my need.
The plastic bags I use to take my lunch to work. Paper to sort my recycling.
I need no more paper or plastic!! And I always have the dilema that both are using resources up and isn't there a better way?
Lo and behold I come home today to a coupon in the mail from Fred Meyers. They are offering 3 large reusable shopping bags for free! Now, I have always kinda made fun of people that use these. Somehow I associate these bags with Birkensocks, dirty hair and vegans who look so frail I wonder how they even carry their bags. They are for Trader Joe shoppers, not a Fred Meyer girl like me!
Well, I am rethinking my evil thoughts.......
It is the perfect solution to my overpopulation of bags in my house and it is the right thing to do! I'm actually quite impressed with Fred Meyers for taking this step.
So, I will add myself to the population of earth friendly people and go get my free bags. My apologies for all my bad thoughts to those of you who have taken this step long ago. You were doing the right thing long before the right thing came to me by way of a "free" coupon.
Whatever it takes to get us there...........

jb

On the road again.....

Well, I am off to lovely Cerritos, Ca again tomorrow. I just packed in about 20 minutes. It was weird. My small suitcase is only about 1/2 full. This has never happened. I figured it's because I am only packing for business, no fun this time. Who cares what you wear in a class? There was just no thought to it at all. Maybe all this travel will rid me of packing disease.

I am actually happy to be away from the office for 3 days though! I think I might check out the hot tub at the hotel this time. I could use a little stress relief.
Cerrito's dosn't offer too much. You can shop, eat, and go to Starbucks. That's about it.

I'm traveling with my boss, which will be interesting and slightly awkward. I told her I would try to behave. (read: not get mouthy with the security people when they tear apart my backpack)

I will have to put my usual self on the shelf. I think she finds me a bit much sometimes.

Looking forward to coming back home allready!! I have a peanut buster parfait to look forward to.

jb

Hilary Clinton...

I am truly starting to believe that Hilary Clinton will be our next President. I really do. I know she has the democrat side won, and I just think the "right wing conservatives" arn't as strong as they were our last election.
People are seeing Right wing republicans pass laws that ban the very things they are doing in their private lives, they are seeing the lies, the hypocrosy, the "war on terror" that is costing us billions in dollars and thousands in lives, and seeing the overall hell this administration has gotten us into. I know lots of die hard conservatives that our getting fed up with it all.
I have been listening alot to Hilary. I truly admire her outspoken ways. I love that she apoligizes to noone. She stands true to her words (in my opinion.)
The mere thought of having a woman for President and having one as strong as her pleases me greatly. I will not vote for her because she is a woman however, I will vote for her because I believe she will make a great President.
It's going to be an intersting next year and a half.
jb

Camp Starlight........

Seems like only yesterday that I was writing about camp coming up; but that was a year ago!
Well, it is once again looming upon me. I found myself actually dreading it this year. I have so much going on with work and I feel like I'm never home and I have to go out of town for business again soon. My lawn needed to be mowed, I havn't bought groceries in forever, and overall I feel like my life is in disaray. I really wanted to bail on camp.
The thought of an emotionally and physically draining week at camp was just sounding more like a burden than a joy. "I don't have time to go to camp!" I just kept telling myself. "I have too much to do."
So, while at work going over deadlines yesterday, someone asked about my vacation and where was I going? I told them about camp and they replied how great it was that I gave up my vacation for such a nice cause. (the usual response)
My reply was "it's the one time I give back". This was the realization I needed.
Camp is not about me! It is about the kids of Camp Starlight. There is nothing in my life that is so critical that it can't be put aside to be with these kids for a week.
Yes, camp would go on without me, but if a bunch of me's bailed, where would those kids be?
I was reminded in my head of those kids, the candlelight circles, the skipping around the dining hall when someone screams at you to do just that, the circle ups every morning where the kids share their feelings or funny thoughts, the tears, the hugs, the bonds, the taking kids to "club med" to take their medication. The escape those kids are given for one week because of camp, is something I cannot put ahead of my own life.
I was suddenly reminded of our purpose at camp. How selfish of me to think my own life was too chaotic or stressful to attend camp this year.
Those kids are living with, or being affected by, a terrible disease every single day. Suddenly, I felt redicilous of my looming dread.
So, with my newly found perspective, I am looking forward to camp. I will skip around the dining hall when asked to, I will wear some crazy outfit with a feather boa, I will share tears with kids and fellow volunteers, I will sing songs under the moonlight, I will play an instrument in the Starlight Morning band , I will get beat to hell playing capture the flag, I will cheat playing kickball, and I will give my full attention and love to the kids of Camp Starlight.
To do otherwise, is unthinkable.
jb