Well this post is entitled "Holidays And The End Of 2012," but 2012 has not ended. AT LEAST, not yet. I looked over my last blog post and it's been since the end of September that I last wrote here. Which has been 3(ish) months ago.
It doesn't feel that long.
The last few months have gone by so quickly. I can't even explain all that I did...well...because I did a lot. And I don't remember all of them, or will miss many of the little things when explaining.
But what I can say is this -- Snow has come to the southeast area of Wisconsin (and the southeast area of Michigan as a matter-of-fact -- and the autumn season is past. I left Wisconsin a few days before Christmas. Of course I visited a couple friends in Eau Claire and then spent a day visiting some state parks and exploring (Devils Lake is fantastic and I would for sure go again!) before heading over to the Detroit area. Met up with a friend in the Royal Oak area (had a ridiculous and eventful time), and saw many family members over Christmas that I have not seen in a while. It was probably the best Christmas that I had in a really long time, just because of how we all came together. Last Christmas, I spent the holiday with my sister and her family in Florida and that was wonderful as well, but this Holiday I was around multiple family members that I've grown up with. Talking together, seeing them -- it was like we were very close.
I've been relaxing this holiday break (and sleeping an insane amount too!), and it feels nice. But I also feel unproductive. Maybe it's because I haven't done much work, haven't kept busy, haven't been on the GO for the whole day. I don't really know the answer. But I have slowly been getting restless. I NEED to do something.
So. I've decided that I am just going to go out and explore. Maybe visit the DIA (haven't been there since...I don't even remember). Go ice skating. Build a snowman (now that Michigan has the snow). Go to a New Years Eve thing somewhere. Who knows? I have lots of options, and I better make them count.
And take photos too. Can't forget those.
Oh and maybe some people too. Definitely can't forget them.
Anyways, just want to send out an early Happy New Years (in case I get too distracted from exploring). I hope that whatever you all do, you have fun. Spend it with friends, family, strangers -- whoever you want. Drive safely (lots of crazy people out on the road that time of year), and enjoy the last bit of time left of 2012!
Until next year! Adios!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
First 4 Weeks...Has it really been THAT long?!?
It's been a while since I last wrote in this blog. I should be working on other things on my To-Do List...but maybe I should take a break. Yeah, I'll do that. At least for a few minutes or so. Just to catch you up on what's been going on with life.
So I've been here 4 weeks already -- and BOY it does not feel like it. I feel like I just started a week ago, but in reality I haven't. There's been so much to learn every week and I'm learning a lot about myself at the same time. New simulations, new classes, new kids names to memorize, new information in general...the list goes on and on. Every week has been different, yet somewhat similar. It's kind of exciting. To never know what your week will be like. And at the end of the week, it's just a big WOW. Literally. A big WOW.
It's very hard to tell you on paper (or in this case, online). The minute the students get out of those buses, you never know how much of an effect you'll have on them...or they on you. I mean, how could you EVER know? The dynamics of the groups are different, and so are the ages, and so are their state of mind. The group has individuals in it that are in each and every way unique. And it's also amazing how they can hold up and just go with the flow. Of course you have those complaints, but those turn into stories and those turn into legends. Or just ridiculousness.
I've been learning bits and pieces about how much I can handle and how much I can push myself. This past week was Land Lab and it was in some ways similar to Crex, yet in some ways different. There was no direct guidance -- everything is indirect. It's challenging to have the students figure out for themselves instead of just telling them. But if they don't figure it out themselves, then they wouldn't be a mentally strong individual; there would be one that would have to rely on others instead of relying on himself or herself. It's really interesting.
I'm just starting to understand things. Just starting to open my eyes and open my mind and to GET it. It's taken me 4 weeks to just start getting it. It's incredible. It also helps to try new things each week to see what works best. I can't always get things right the first time, and I have to accept that. It's okay. I can't be mad at myself, I can't look back and regret. I have to push forward, and have to change it for the better.
It's a life-long lesson. It's a life-long process. It's a life-long way of living.
Welcome to life and it's amazing-ness.
So I've been here 4 weeks already -- and BOY it does not feel like it. I feel like I just started a week ago, but in reality I haven't. There's been so much to learn every week and I'm learning a lot about myself at the same time. New simulations, new classes, new kids names to memorize, new information in general...the list goes on and on. Every week has been different, yet somewhat similar. It's kind of exciting. To never know what your week will be like. And at the end of the week, it's just a big WOW. Literally. A big WOW.
It's very hard to tell you on paper (or in this case, online). The minute the students get out of those buses, you never know how much of an effect you'll have on them...or they on you. I mean, how could you EVER know? The dynamics of the groups are different, and so are the ages, and so are their state of mind. The group has individuals in it that are in each and every way unique. And it's also amazing how they can hold up and just go with the flow. Of course you have those complaints, but those turn into stories and those turn into legends. Or just ridiculousness.
I've been learning bits and pieces about how much I can handle and how much I can push myself. This past week was Land Lab and it was in some ways similar to Crex, yet in some ways different. There was no direct guidance -- everything is indirect. It's challenging to have the students figure out for themselves instead of just telling them. But if they don't figure it out themselves, then they wouldn't be a mentally strong individual; there would be one that would have to rely on others instead of relying on himself or herself. It's really interesting.
I'm just starting to understand things. Just starting to open my eyes and open my mind and to GET it. It's taken me 4 weeks to just start getting it. It's incredible. It also helps to try new things each week to see what works best. I can't always get things right the first time, and I have to accept that. It's okay. I can't be mad at myself, I can't look back and regret. I have to push forward, and have to change it for the better.
It's a life-long lesson. It's a life-long process. It's a life-long way of living.
Welcome to life and it's amazing-ness.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
End of Training, Start of Teaching
This week has been about training for my new job. I will be working as an Environmental Educator for Nature's Classroom out in Mukwonago. It is an amazing place that holds a lot of opportunity, and I'm excited for all the things that I will be learning. This week has improved my knowledge IMMENSELY, but I have a feeling that this week is just the start.
The people that I will be working with are pretty awesome. We're more comfortable around each other since the start of the week (which obviously happens through time). We each have something to contribute to the group and we've all had different experiences, which will bring out different ideas.
I'm probably not going to write as often as I should on this blog after today. But, I don't know for sure. I might.
The people that I will be working with are pretty awesome. We're more comfortable around each other since the start of the week (which obviously happens through time). We each have something to contribute to the group and we've all had different experiences, which will bring out different ideas.
I'm probably not going to write as often as I should on this blog after today. But, I don't know for sure. I might.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Crex Summer 2012 = Complete
It's the end of Crex Summer 2012 - what a summer! It flew by so fast! Tons of wildlife were seen, new people were met, new projects were completed, birds were banded, trails were cleared, surfaces were painted - it all blends together but also does not. It was an intense summer, same as last year - and I learned a ton about myself.
Right now, I'm on the South Shore of Lake Superior. It's a wonderful lake. They're tearing down the Ore Dock - slowly and piece by piece. I sat by the water the other day and just listened to the waves hitting the rocks along the shore. And breathed in that familiar Lake Superior smell (if there is a distinct smell that defines it as Lake Superior).
In a few days, I'll be headed down to Eau Claire to visit my friend and then will be headed home. I'm excited to go home, and at the same time I'm not. But I think it'll be good for me to get refreshed. It'll also be good to see family.
Right now, I'm on the South Shore of Lake Superior. It's a wonderful lake. They're tearing down the Ore Dock - slowly and piece by piece. I sat by the water the other day and just listened to the waves hitting the rocks along the shore. And breathed in that familiar Lake Superior smell (if there is a distinct smell that defines it as Lake Superior).
In a few days, I'll be headed down to Eau Claire to visit my friend and then will be headed home. I'm excited to go home, and at the same time I'm not. But I think it'll be good for me to get refreshed. It'll also be good to see family.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Crex Meadows: The Kickstart to Life
I cannot tell you how fast this summer has gone by. It's already towards the end of the summer season for camp, our current session just left earlier today. We have two weeks left of camp and then we're done. It's incredible. But not as incredible as this past session.
This past session was probably the hardest and most stressful session I have ever dealt with. Full of oranges. I'm a blue, but do have some orange in me -- but not THAT much. However, even though we had some really tough times -- motivating kids, keeping them on task, having them stop talking so that they can hear others talk -- this session was a good one. To see the changes from each individual and from the whole group itself, I could see there was more comradery towards each other and a connectedness for the entire group.
Our last night of the session involved us writing down an idea/thought/lesson that we learned at camp and will take with us when we get back into the "real" world. There were so many heartfelt ones that made me think WOW. This is camp. This is why we are all here. This is what keeps us. This is not just only the counselors effort, but the campers as well.
This is the kickstart to life. Just being at Crex. And it is definitely incredible.
This past session was probably the hardest and most stressful session I have ever dealt with. Full of oranges. I'm a blue, but do have some orange in me -- but not THAT much. However, even though we had some really tough times -- motivating kids, keeping them on task, having them stop talking so that they can hear others talk -- this session was a good one. To see the changes from each individual and from the whole group itself, I could see there was more comradery towards each other and a connectedness for the entire group.
Our last night of the session involved us writing down an idea/thought/lesson that we learned at camp and will take with us when we get back into the "real" world. There were so many heartfelt ones that made me think WOW. This is camp. This is why we are all here. This is what keeps us. This is not just only the counselors effort, but the campers as well.
This is the kickstart to life. Just being at Crex. And it is definitely incredible.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Bang Biscuit!
So this weekend was the end of the first session of camp, and the beginning of the next. A lot has happened within the past two weeks -- it feels like it's been a month. Lots of good stories and laughter and quotes have been memorable as well. We caught a black bear in our bear trap (a big one), saw an American badger with a snake in it's mouth while going on a tour of Crex, and just interpreted lots of information on trail. It was definitely an intense session though.
The kids were great. Most of them had been here before, so it was really great so hear what they'd been up to and what their plans were for the future. Hansen (one of the most well-known campers in the history of Crex Meadows according to us) recently graduated from high school and probably will not be coming back to camp, so that was definitely a downer. He's definitely a beast, and a champ. We all love him. And the other campers too.
We'll miss all of the campers that graduated this past year. I have hope that they'll do something good and that they'll succeed. Whatever path in life they choose, they'll have the opportunity to experience and change in ways they didn't know they could.
That's what camp is about. It's about the experience.
The kids were great. Most of them had been here before, so it was really great so hear what they'd been up to and what their plans were for the future. Hansen (one of the most well-known campers in the history of Crex Meadows according to us) recently graduated from high school and probably will not be coming back to camp, so that was definitely a downer. He's definitely a beast, and a champ. We all love him. And the other campers too.
We'll miss all of the campers that graduated this past year. I have hope that they'll do something good and that they'll succeed. Whatever path in life they choose, they'll have the opportunity to experience and change in ways they didn't know they could.
That's what camp is about. It's about the experience.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Made it!
So, as you can probably tell I did make it to Wisconsin (YAY!). I enjoyed staying in Ashland and seeing several friends -- catching up and whatnot. Although it did rain pretty much the entire time I was there (Bay City Creek was pretty ridiculous), I was able to go for a hike out to Houghton Falls in the Washburn area. There are beautiful rocks there. The hike was not too long -- Scott, Jeff, and I spent a lot of time just looking at things and exploring. We were having an adventure. None of us had been there before, although Scott did say that he might have. But we won't count that.
At the end of the hike, there was the one and only Lake Superior. It was really gorgeous. Not very brown on this side of Chequamegon bay -- near Ashland it was brown due to all the sediments flowing from runoff into the lake. I felt very much at peace, just staring into the water and listening to the waves bounce off the rocks. It was all very mesmerizing.
I left last week and made my way to Eau Claire, to visit a friend and spend some time with her. We got a few things done involving preparations for her wedding come October. What I love most is the time we spent talking. I love how I can ask her any question, and she'll answer -- unless of course I put her on the spot and actually make her THINK lol. I've spent pretty much this entire week hanging out with her and her fiance, and I know that I'm going to miss it. She keeps trying to convince me to find a job in the Eau Claire area. I keep telling her that "we will see." Eau Claire does seem nice, so I will consider it :)
Spending some time with friends and just seeing what they're up to kinda makes me want to get my own place. Of course, I will be spending the summer at camp (which I have just arrived!), but I'm hoping that sometime soon after.
I do know that once camp starts, I'll be completely busy and won't be thinking about that. At least, not for a while. I know that some of the campers from last year graduated from high school (thanks to fb), and I'm very excited for them! I feel proud, kinda like a mom. But I'm more excited to hear them tell me. To see their excitement. And for them to make their own paths in life.
At the end of the hike, there was the one and only Lake Superior. It was really gorgeous. Not very brown on this side of Chequamegon bay -- near Ashland it was brown due to all the sediments flowing from runoff into the lake. I felt very much at peace, just staring into the water and listening to the waves bounce off the rocks. It was all very mesmerizing.
I left last week and made my way to Eau Claire, to visit a friend and spend some time with her. We got a few things done involving preparations for her wedding come October. What I love most is the time we spent talking. I love how I can ask her any question, and she'll answer -- unless of course I put her on the spot and actually make her THINK lol. I've spent pretty much this entire week hanging out with her and her fiance, and I know that I'm going to miss it. She keeps trying to convince me to find a job in the Eau Claire area. I keep telling her that "we will see." Eau Claire does seem nice, so I will consider it :)
Spending some time with friends and just seeing what they're up to kinda makes me want to get my own place. Of course, I will be spending the summer at camp (which I have just arrived!), but I'm hoping that sometime soon after.
I do know that once camp starts, I'll be completely busy and won't be thinking about that. At least, not for a while. I know that some of the campers from last year graduated from high school (thanks to fb), and I'm very excited for them! I feel proud, kinda like a mom. But I'm more excited to hear them tell me. To see their excitement. And for them to make their own paths in life.
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