Camp Counselor

So if you have been reading my blog for a while, you have probably read many posts about my time in Washington as a camp counselor. I did this 2 years ago and while it was a trying time in my life it was also one of the experiences I look back fondly on. I shared with you about my server life so now I want to share with you about my counselor life.

 

Here is what I learned for those fun 3 months.

 

1.) You will never catch up on your lack of sleep. You have to be the last to go to sleep and the first to wake up which means maybe 4-6 hours a sleep a night. And when the weekend comes there is just too much fun to be had so you stay up even later and get up even earlier.

 

2.) Everyone has that one kid who drives them crazy. I found myself showing more love to those kids. Whenever their counselor would shoo them away, I would come up beside them and talk with them. It definitely made me practice patience, but for some reason I have a love for kids who are defiant.

 

3.) Every camper just wants to be loved. They all want to be your favorite (even the ones who act like they hate you). With that said, you do not tell one camper they are your favorite just let them all be your favorite.

 

4.) Your camp name is your secret weapon. The instant those kids know your first name you've lost control. I was Indy for the entire summer and I only had one week where the girls in my cabin figured out my name because it was on my blanket. Live in your camp name because no one back at home is going to call you it, they will just look at you like you are some weirdo.

 

5.) Good luck not smelling like campfire. This is my least favorite smell ever, but I rocked it for 3 months.

 

6.) Cherish break time. Don't get caught up in staff drama. Take your break time to shower or catch up on sleep. You do not need to check facebook.

 

7.) Forget about wearing makeup and if you can't do that, then wear it minimally. Campers don't care what you look like.

 

8.) Swim with your kids. All my campers wanted me to do was swim with them so I would; plus it doubles as a shower, just not a super clean one.

 

9.) Sing those camp songs at the top of your lungs, because no one at home is going to love them as much as your camp friends.

10.) Cherish your camp counselor friendships. Even if you live in different states, they will be some of your closest friends.

I am sure there are more things, but these are my top ones for right now.

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The Next Step

The end of the beginning has been on my mind lately.

College was my beginning, but it's over.

Seattle is my beginning and I have no idea when it will end.

 

I am trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I am heading in a new direction and so are my best friends. We all have a different path in a different state. I am sad to think we will be separated, but I have also not realized how difficult it will be to not live so close to each other.

 

If I think of Seattle, I stress myself. Therefore, I do not think of Seattle too much, but then I wonder if I am avoiding the unavoidable. It's coming and I know it, but I can't feel it yet. I know I need to accept it and prepare for it, but I am not sure how I do that since I am not there.

 

I am not really sure what this post is about other than my ramblings of the next step.

I'm scared, nervous, excited, anxious, and curious.

What is to come?

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Bachelorette Week 1: Meet the Bachelors

It's here! The new season of the Bachelorette started last night and I love Des!

 

Here's a snippet of the men who appeared last night!

Brad. 27. Accountant/DJ.

He gets bonus points for thinking Seattle is the most romantic U.S. city.

I am not sure about his job combination. Sure it's secure and he is still doing something he loves, but a club DJ only sounds like trouble.

Brandon. 26. Painting Contractor.

His bio shows his risky side. He wants adventure and I do not think Des is as adventurous as he would need.

Brian. 29. Financial Advisor.

A guy whose favorite movie is The Notebook is not a guy for me. He also said he sees himself exactly the same in 5 years. I think Des is looking to start a family and I am not sure Brian is.

Brooks. 28. Sales and Marketing.

He totally understands the family card and he needs to know that to face Des' brother. When asked about his career he answers vaguely which makes it sound like he doesn't have one.

Bryden. 26. Iraq War Veteran.

Werewolf-that's the first thing I thought when I saw him and he probably has very strong arms. He wins major bonus points for saying he hates when his date is rude to servers. I think I could marry him, forget Des.

Chris. 27. Mortgage Broker.

I have no thoughts on him.

Dan. 30. Beverage Sales Director.

He seems very serious in finding a wife. I see him sticking through most of the season.

Diogo. 29. Marketing Manager.

When asked what does his ideal mate look like he said "Girly." He seems very unspecific, I hate that. I think he'll be gone quickly.

And I was right, he was sent home last night after wearing that awful knight suit.

 

 Drew. 27. Digital Marketing Analyst.
He seems like he has a goofy side, I predict he will be the funny guy.

James. 27. Sales.

He seems like a player. I don't like him. Nice smile though.

Jonathon. 26. Attorney.

He seems too young.

And he is gone too. This guy was too aggressive and clearly an idiot.

Juan Pablo. 31. Former Pro Soccer Play.

Love this guy, those looks, the fact he plays soccer--love him!

Kasey. 29. Advertising Executive.

The last Kasey on the bachelorette was bad news, I hope this guy isn't.

Larry. 34. ER Doctor.

He wants to have lunch with Bill Clinton for changing the world and ladies. WHAT? NO!

Yes, he left too. He definitely seemed a little insecure, good luck next time!

Micah. 32. Law Student.

He has a great smile! He also seems like he falls in love quickly.

Poor guy, he got sent home too. He seemed very nice.

Michael G. 33. Federal Prosecutor.

 Seems decent enough, he might become one of my favorites.

Mike R. 27. Dental Student/Model.

Seems too good to be true.

Sorry buddy, you were sent home after the first night too.

 Mikey T. 30. Plumbing Contractor.
No thoughts on him.

 Nick M. 27. Investment Advisor.
I love the fact that he understands communication is key to a relationship. I think he will go far as well.

Nick R. 26. Tailor/Magician.

Not sure about the career department, but he might have a chance.

I was wrong, he had no chance. He did steal her away though.

Robert. 30. Advertising Entrepreneur.

Des and Rob would make some beautiful babies.

Will. 28. Banker.

He loves pranks, I love pranks. He lives in Washington, I'm moving to Washington.

Maybe he'd be a better guy for me.

Zack K. 28. Book Publisher.

It seems he may have some relationship baggage. Is he really ready to have a Mrs.?

Zak W. 31. Drilling Fluid Engineer.

Humorous, but serious. Now what is a drilling fluid engineer?

Ben. 28. Entrepreneur.
He seems nice, maybe too nice?

Maybe I should apply to be the bachelorette?
Or maybe in 10 years if I am still single.



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Weekly Thanks

Another week has passed to be thankful for.

 

 

Hangover Part III with my besties and capturing candid shots of them all week.

 

Crafting this beautiful for quote and giving it to my best friends for Graduation.

 

Going through memories and finding these references my boss wrote me my Freshman year of college.

 

Never catching on these two's antics.

 

 

New Cheetah Flats.



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The Restaurant Life

In all my years of blogging (4 to be exact), I have never really blogged directly about my life working in a restaurant.

 

For the past 5 years, I have been working for family owned restaurant and catering business. My employers are Christians and I consider them as my second family. I love my co-workers and I love the restaurant (Pipers in Indy). The restaurant has blessed me financially, relationally, and spiritually over the years. It has also taught me many valuable business lessons. Recently, I was promoted to server. I start as a hostess at the restaurant and now I serve full-time.

 

In the weeks I have been serving I have learned a lot about people. It's actually the perfect job for someone who is interested in working in the counseling field.

Here is what I have learned:

 

1.) Some people are just plain rude. There are some people in the world that you can not make happy; they simply just love to complain and make your life not fun for a year.

 

2.) People love when you are personal. Since I recently graduated, I have told my tables about my graduation or my move to Seattle and they get excited for me even though we just met. I won't lie, it also can help with tips sometimes. That is not why I tell them though.

 

3.) Customers love when you recognize or remember me. We have a lot of regulars at pipers who love coming to eat just to have conversations with us. The friendlier you are, the better. Build relationships with your customers, some people need it more than you think.

 

4.) Sow and Reap. Servers are blessed financially so I believe it is key to bless others. I used to never tip at coffee shops, but now I try to remember to at least leave a dollar to show my appreciation. If you tip, you'll be tipped. Simple as that.

 

5.) The customer is always right until they treat you like you are not a human, then they are wrong. I believe many customers forget that you are a human being and you should be treated with respect. As a server and a hostess, I have been belittle, yelled at, received anger, and hurt from customers. Sometimes I believe it is necessary for you to remind your customers that you are human and mistakes happen; forgive and forget. You can take a lot of pain with you from work, but you have to remember that they are human as well. We all mistakes; let it go.

6.) Some customers are just crazy. They'll ask you a billion questions that they know because they will correct you if you answer wrong. They will ask you to re-heat food because its cold even though they haven't taken a bite out of it and they will say "that's not what I ordered" when it actually is.
 

  

If you are a sever or eat out a lot, just remember everyone has their up and down days. Be patient and be thankful.

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A long-lost post

I found this beauty while cleaning out my email.

I wrote it February 13, 2011

 

You ever look a picture of yourself, and see a stranger in the background?. It makes you wonder how many strangers have pictures of you. How many moments of other peoples life have we been in. Were we a part of someone’s life when their dream came true or were we there when their dream died. Did we keep trying to get in? As if we were somehow destined to be there or did the shot take us by surprise. Just think, you could be a big part of someone elses life, and not even know it.

We don’t always get to choose the truths God reveals to us—But we do get to choose what we do with that truth—Whom we share it with and how. - Carol Goodman 

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Conviction

With my move out from Anderson and preparing for a move to Seattle, I have been going through things deciding what I can live without or cannot live without. In the process, I ran across pictures from friends of all walks of life and the memories began to fill my mind. There are countless stories of adventure and fun, but I was also reminded of the pain and hurt from these relationships. Over the years, we have changed-some of us still have friendships today and others of us not so much or at all. 

Through the process I was able to see my role in these fall-outs and it saddened me that I got caught up in the drama or that I instilled pain/hurt into these individuals who were so close to me. While I fully believe we have individuals in our lives for all different kinds of seasons, it does not dull the fact that they were once important to me and that it was a relationship I cherished. 

I was convicted of the pain or hurt I was still carrying. They say grudges age you immensely and I do not want wrinkles on my face to show those grudges. I want laugh marks and smile lines. My point is to say that whether the relationship is gone or still going, remember the good times. The bad times or tough times can shape you, but they are not what matter in the end. In the end, its important to remember what they added to your life, what they taught you, what they meant to you and what they mean to their creator.

Cherish life, cherish those around you, and cherish the life you've been given. 

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