I feel like I was just cleaning up a classroom yesterday. Now, I'm reorganizing and moving stuff into a classroom. Where has the summer gone? I was in a Kindergarten classroom last year as a parapro (teacher's assistant). I moved all the kidney tables and kitchen stuff and started traveling the East Coast. My first stop was Williamsburg, VA. I have some family friends who recently moved up there and welcomed us with open arms. My friend, Lucy, met me there from Connecticut.
Here are the parents with the kiddos.
After a great visit, I ventured down to Destin, FL to spend a week and a half with the family I live with. It was just the break I needed. I am a true beach bum. We rented a boat and hung out on Crab Island. We also saw dolphins while we were riding around on the boat. It was the coolest thing to see the dolphins playing in the wild.
Crab Island
Dinner at Fudpuckers
After a great and relaxing time at the beach, they dropped me off at the Jimmy Buffett concert, where I met some friends. The next day, we all left to travel to Gordon, GA (which is in the middle of nowhere) to counsel at our church camp. I have gone to this camp since I was in first grade. I have made some lifetime friends at that place. I always say those are the people who truly love me for who I am because they have seen me at my sweatiest (this place never gets below 70 degrees...I'm certain of it). This summer, a group of my close friends and some new friends counseled about 80 high schoolers for the week. From luaus to the city (NYC that is), we celebrated community and friendships all week long.
Counselors
Talent Show...Notice the giant mugs of coffee. That is necessary at camp :).
A beautiful and serene sight
Childhood Friends-Corey and Sara
Childhood Friends-Harrison and Joseph
Counselors
Small Group
My rockstar cabin-The Monogram Cabin
After Camp, I was home for a week babysitting. Then I went BACK to camp (in the middle of nowhere) to direct a camp. It is a wonderful outreach project that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) do every summer. This camp hosts children from the surrounding areas of camp (Gordon, GA) and pays for their three days of a camp. We provide a day camp for them, complete with recreation, community, swim time, lunch, snacks, and fun! I counseled this camp for three summers in high school, then came back for two summers to help out, and am now directing! This is my second summer directing this camp and I can't wait to start planning the third!
I then flew to White Plains, NY to hang out with my best friend from college for a week. It was so great! We ventured to Old Greenwich, CT, Samford, and NYC. We were in NYC for the 4th of July with another friend from college. I am glad I had the experience of NYC on the 4th...it was pretty, but we also watched the show on TV when we got home. I also got to go to Mets game (I am an Atlanta Braves fan so that was hard) and experience part of a summer WITHOUT humidity!
I finally stopped traveling and took a class for my Master's program. I also started helping the family I currently live with (only for two more nights), pack up their things. They are moving to Louisiana in a few days. Now, I am moving my stuff into a fourth grade classroom. Everything is brand new. I am confident I have what it takes, but I am anxious about what the year will bring. When I reflect over this summer, it has been a whirlwind, but every trip and every minute has been worth it! I am looking forward to my new adventure, and am reminiscent over the adventures that have helped shape me.
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