End of Orientation

I'm reporting that Orientation is almost over. We have a couple of things to do tomorrow, but Wednesday morning our first round of campers arrive!

This week has been... amazing, unusual, not-what-I-thought-it-would-be, exciting, challenging, exhausting, thrilling, scary, informational, and fun. I've learned so much about what is expected of me as a counselor. It's a really exciting job and I'm looking forward to trying my hand at it come Wednesday!

I'll be living in a cabin with the "Unit Counselor" who is a counselor assigned to our unit, not any cabin in particular. A "floater" if you will. Her job is to fill in for cabin counselors as necessary, and be around to help out with anything and everything! She's really fun and I like her a lot. We were especially glad to have been assigned to live together last night, our first night in our big empty cabin!

To give you an idea of what I've been up to over this past week, I've sat through countless hours of informational meetings and training sessions. Mixed in have been numerous ice breakers and team building exercises. We've also started rehearsals, and had some fun activities in the evening such as endless pizza and a live swing band, a staff canoe trip, and a trip to the movie theatre. Tonight is the Staff Talent Show, so that is sure to be a lot of fun.

Random Fun Facts:
~Breakfast is at 7:15 every morning, and we usually fall into bed around 11 every night.
~Everyone runs around with right hands outstretched just waiting to meet another fellow counselor.
~There are some REALLY talented musicians here. I talked to one guy who will be teaching the younger part of camp. He is halfway through a Master's degree at NEC, and did his undergrad at Peabody... nbd.
~I don't mind the uniform at all. In fact... I kinda like it... ;)
~I miss you all a lot, and it's almost time for dinner. So I'm done here.

Airplane Adventures!

I thought that I would go ahead and post tonight because I honestly don't know what the next week holds, and there are lots of things I have to say about my experience getting from VA to MI!
5am: Departure from home to Norfolk International Airport
7am: Flight from Norfolk to Chicago
8:30... 7:30...? MUCH confusion about the time change, but no confusion finding the next gate.
shortly after that: Still confused about what time it is... but enjoying a Starbucks breakfast and seriously considering purchasing a small teddy wearing a Chicago Tshirt.
10am: Sitting at the gate waiting for my next flight.
11:19am: NOT on a flight. Sadly waiting for the delayed flight.
12pm: Flight from Chicago to Grand Rapids
2:30pm: Safe and sound and in the car with Kris.

Memorable Moments:

• My seven-year-old seat partner giggling uncontrollably during takeoff from Norfolk.


• Checking my carry-on plane side... Dad was right. It was too big both times.


• Seeing no fewer than four dogs traveling by plane! One of whom was a small fluffy dog dragging along a small, (too) skinny, (too) tan, middle-aged woman wearing four-inch platform heels.


• Two brothers arguing loudly for twenty minutes about stats and tactics for some online game. Perhaps WoW or Runescape?


• Meeting the beautiful Birkholz children


• Snuggling with Owen while the girls got ready for bed.


• Watching "Country Strong" with Kris.... Kaye.... why did you tell me that was a good movie?!?

Looking forward to starting Orientation tomorrow!