New Perspective

So, I have recently been laid off from my job since all of the new or 3100 hires in Dade-Sounty Public Schools have been let go. This has brought forth an interesting situation for myself. I have now taken into the picture the profession of child life at the moment and have begun my application process in order to go ahead with the second step of interning. I feel as thought I have a lot of support here at camp and exprienced CLC specialists who can help me through it! I am excited. Another thing has been thrown my way....for the past six months, I have been seeking a camp position at a therapeutic recreation camp. I hope something comes my way. If not, then my hope is that when all of the new camps open up next year, something will come up.

So the things I need help with.....should I relocate now? I wonder if this is an opportunity to spread my wings as I originally wanted to and make a big move. I never originally intended on staying in Florida. I wonder if this is my shot. I hope I can secure a CLC internship in Miami...but if I don't then.....

So, in the meantime, I think I will work on getting to be a licensed yoga instructor and working part-time somewhere.

Toodle-lu

Camp lalala

Camp has been quality! Kentucky isn't what I thought it would be. I really thought people here would be country music fans and line dancing fools....but boy was I wrong. It is so freaky...I am like that....so I feel like I should be the Kentuckian and they should be the Miamian. Anyhow, the first week is done and tomorrow begins a new session.

I have the youngest girl campers and there are so spirited and adorable. I am learning a lot and I am definitely feeling at home and at my best here at camp. I know this is my absolute passion and it feels fantastic to finally be here. I have been counting down the moments until I get here for months and months.

I have been faced with some difficult moments and I have come through them. I have faced confrontations and have learned some lessons on communicating and I am learning more and more about myself. I feel that I am more open now and more likely to express something as I feel it rather than hold it in and pigeon hole myself.

I do miss all of my friends back home though. There are a lot of younger counselors here this year and I feel like the minority....but I have a few other people I can relate with who feel the same.

Hope all is well with you! I just got back from the CMA Fest in Nashville, had a YEEHAW of a time, and bought some new boots on super sale!

Camp has reeeeeeeeeturned

Hello one...hello all. I am back! I am definitely going to be a blogger this summer because I want to keep up with my journey. As of the end of this month, I will be working at another camp in Kentucky...and whoah am I excited!

I will be in the country whooo hooo and close to music city...Nashville! I am sure I am going to get to see plenty of wonderful shows! So, I have created a new camp identity that I am going to try out. Rather than being my usual Kitkat Krista...I think I am going to be Krista Cowboy since my last name means gentelman or cowboy in Spanish. I have purchased a couple of cowboy hats to wear around camp. It is going to be LEGEND!

So, my journey has evolved and now after the research and my experiences last summer, I want to work at a camp full time and I am currently seeking work in the field. Lets hope I get something in the next few years. As for now, I am teaching.

I will be using this blog for my experiences at camp so you can keep up with me and life updates, thoughts, and well as new discoveries. Hope all of you are well!

Krista Cowboy
YEEHAW

LON-MIA

Hey everyone! So, my serviceship can come to an end and I am headed back to the states today. I can tell you this much-I will be updating my blog. It is quite difficult to do that overseas. Over the Wall camp was ingenious and quite a different experience. Oh, in the spirit of England, it was 'brilliant.' I had the Red Boys, or youngest boys both of the weeks I volunteered and they were absolutely fanastic! I have many fun stories, pictures, and all of that fun stuff to share.

Keep a watch for my posts. As of now, I have some things to take care of before going on the tube.

But please, I feel so disconnected from your lives...I would love comments and/or email with life updates. I miss all of you dearly and I cannot believe The Center has moved already! Ahh.

KristaSerious

Camp in the Midlands is Done...Onward to Scotland

Quick update!

I have returned to Birmingham, England to travel to Scotland tommorrow morning. Camp has come to a close in the Midlands and let me say, it has truly been an experience. So many stories and tidbits to share with all of you. Off to eat and shop around a bit...see Birmingham and will report more later. We are leaving to Scotland tommorrow early morning to arrive first in Edinburg tommorrow to stay for two nights. Which means, another exciting train ride for us and plenty of fatigue to try and recooperate from from the likes of camp madness.

Camp is so hard to express to all of you and I will make sure to express the highlights and prize winning moments as soon as I get the chance. Just a taste before I leave you, imagine amazing British boys ranging in ages 8-10 (varying in accents from the North and the South) climbing and running around, alongside of little Scottish lads......and you have got a whirlwind of character and of a group.

Cheers!

Apologies for my lack of posting

I will make sure to catch up on postings and reflect on my experience at Victory Junction Gang Camp. I have safely arrived in London, England since Thursday 19 August (Written like it is here.) I met up with Mr. Brian Gordon and Ms. Hilary Oneil. We have been having a brilliant time and are looking forward to beginning camp in the Midlands in a couple of days.

Will make sure to report on our activities, but for now, let me say....

London is astonishing and full of beauty, culture, and the arts. One look at St. Paul's Cathedral and I was captivated and sold on this city. I am moved by the history and significance of the bustling, yet sophisticated streets of London. One look, and you never want to turn back. I have been able to satisfy my thirst for the arts and culture while staying these past couple of days. The most monumental moment for me (ha, no pun intended) was definately St. Paul's Cathedral and the National Gallery. I have lost count at the number of times my jaw has almost reached the floor at the many encounters with famous and endearing pieces I have treasured long since learning about their meaning and existence. My imagination while studing art years past does not come anywhere close to the extent of the chills that pass through your spine as you restle with what the artist is trying to convey while up close and personal. I now understand the emotional experience parred with viewing a most treasured and personal piece of artwork. I so wish I could share it with all of you.

In other news, I have met some interesting people along the way in my hostel from France, Spain, and many other countries, not to mention a fellow FSU alumni. I have learned so much already about the streets of London, the culture, and the perceptions of us 'crazy Americans'. It is fun to spit back wit in conversations with them and take part in their eloquent flow of rich words. I can feel my vocabulary already expanding. Not to mention, the independence of traveling in a foreign place is both invigorating and exciting for me. I have made an adjustment and smooth transition. Hilary and Brian are a stitch and we are enjoying ourselves and already have assigned alter-egos to our personalities. I will only share that in time...we are still making minor improvements. Hope all is well on your side. Take care and know all of you are in my thoughts. Specific details to come. So many memoirs and unforgettable moments to share.

Cheers
KristaSerious

Wowsahs Camp has flown by!

Hey everyone! Sorry it has taken me so long to log back in here. I had to remove some entries until I recieved approval to have this site up with the Hole in the Wall name up. Anyhow, camp has reached its fifth session, which means I have completed my time here at Victory Junction Gang Camp.

This experience has gone beyonf what I could have ever imagined it to be. I said at a cabin chat this week, which is where you pass around a candle and ask your campers reflection questions and the question the first night of this past session was, "What goal would you like to set for yourself this week?" After the campers answered, I answered that I wanted to leave camp tired from playing so hard this week. Anyhow, as my fellow staff members have told me, I accomplished my goal, because not only am I exhausted from my research here and role as a camp counselor for the past 7 weeks, I have come down with a massive cold. It is awful...eyes tearing, major nasal conjestion, incessant coughing...well, I made it through the week and had to stay in the medical center part of a day with a fever and still gave it my all this last week. My campers really touched me the past week in that they made me a get well card and kept asking about me and ran up and bear hugged me when I returned. I had the oldest group of campers, which was quite an experience because they would not return to camp next year. It was very emotional for them.

Camp ended this past Thursday and I am leaving tommorrow to embark on my next journey to London. It will be hard to leave North Carolina...I have fallen in love with NC and of course, this camp.

Will be reflecting more on camp experiences and kids that have really touched my heart, along with my goals.

Must get back to entering data for the research study...

Miss you guys SO MUCH! Will be in Tallahassee on Monday afternoon! Hoepfully I can pass by the Center next week sometime.