Fifteen.

Today is the first time in fifteen years I am not going back to camp.

Fifteen.

That's over a decade.

That's half way to two decades.

It's the only Summer I can remember.

It's my childhood and early adult life.

But,

Growing up sometimes means sacrificing things that you love.

Transitioning into a new stage in my life and learning to deal with situations I don't want to handle...

sucks.

HARD.

But that is life. And I know that the change will be for the better.

The past fifteen years will mean NOTHING if I don't continue on with my grad school program.

Even though it's Summer.

Even though Camp is like my second family.

Even though I'm going to miss those kids more than anything.

God has a reason.

I may not like it.

But I know it will be the best choice for my life.  

The cool thing about the past fifteen years though...

I will always be Halo.

I will associate with my Wolves forever.

Those children have impacted my summers and I have impacted theirs.

I've watched them grow up.

Start to work with me.

And become counselors making the same impact on kids of their own.

Camp is a wonderful place and my memories there will always be something I have with me.

Fifteen years shapes a person.

My friends are there.

My friends are family.

I've been married there so many times it's ridiculous.

I've been there when people have been born and now they are almost teenagers.

I love camp.  

A LOT.

Punkies.

Beaver Bunny Bear.

Grandma Porch Club.

CILT's.

Weasels.

Mustangs.

Penguins.

Wolves.

Tea Parties.

Facing Fears.

Meeting New People.

Having Them Turn Into Best Friends.

Childhood.

Stupid Kids Songs That Get STUCK in your head FUR DAYZ.

Tree Cookies.

Camp Weddings.

Ready Set Go/ Echosmith.

Mentors.

Sunburns and Sunscreen.

Crazy Dress Up Days

Pictures to Last a Lifetime.

Tutus. (everyday).

Breaking In.

Breaking Out.

Counselor of the Year.

Dances.

Thumper.

Group Songs.

"What's Halo's favorite color?---ORANGE!

What color does Halo hate?---PINK!

Where do you go when Halo gets hungry?---SUBWAY!

Are you ready for a swim test?---YEAAAAA!"

"A stepping stone of the past can be a foundation for the future."

Everything I have experienced and learned from camp has shaped who I am and what kind of teacher I will be.

I would say farewell,

but I know it is not truly goodbye.

 

That Welcome Thing

Well hello there.

You're wonderful.

You know why? Because you're reading this.

And if you can read this... you should thank a teacher from some point in your life because they got you this far.  Yup.

Blah.

Ok. Anyways. HI!

This is a place where you will come to get to know me a little bit better.  It's kind of like a glimpse of the tangled spiderwebs that hold my thoughts in my brain.  I apologize if they are ADD.  I write what I feel.

If you don't like that, then I don't like you.

Just Kidding!

I'm not like that.  

But this blog is intended for me to speak freely, and as you'll soon learn I am known to speak my mind.

I hope you enjoy my active stream of consciousness.

Ready...Set...Get Tangled!