Back in Chicago, after my crazy roller coaster of a summer. Haven't unpacked yet, but it's still nice to be back. Mel & kylie were here for a night, and Katie was around for a few days. I finally got to hang out with Yoni after like 3 years of them dating. He's a cool kid--I approve. And now that she's back in Austin (beginning her student teaching!) I can get my apartment back in order.
The last 2 weeks of camp, family camp, went really well, so camp ended on a positive note. I worked on the ropes course, doing high ropes and climbing. So fun to just be a specialist and not have to do any of the planning...plus I had a great time with the staff that stayed, and made new friends too...
Very different from the summer, having most nights free. Tons of bonfires and just hanging out. A little too much diesel used in the fires, but what can you do? Here are a few pics, one of me, Ian & Jessie, and one of one of our crazy fires. As Jessie says, "More wood +more diesel = more fire!" More
pics are up on my
homepage, from the end of camp & post camp. I wasn't quite as camera-happy this summer as I normally am, which is probably a good thing.
So, my ever-changing plan... The newest thought is to go to Israel for Succos (beginning of October) then from there backpack around Europe for a couple months or so. The plan was seeming pretty vague & tentative, so I bought
Let's Go Western Europe yesterday and started looking through it to decide what I really mean when I say "Europe" and where exactly I want to go. Next step is figuring out how/if I can afford this... If anyone wants to meet up with me for part of the trip, or has suggestions on where I should go, let me know!!
Slight face-lift on the blog, just figured it was time for a change. Follows the theme of my life right now...
My baby brother is the cutest thing
ever!!! Check out this
video of Josh as a "Rookie Reporter" for the Steelers. Quick fyi, this is take two of his video since the mike got messed up with take one, hence all the (slightly awkward) pauses. But I still think it's fabulous. Love ya, Joshy!!
This whole Reuters doctored photo scam is a bit crazy.
LGF has the whole
post with the possible original photos that shows the doctoring. It's actually pretty interesting stuff, but kinda crazy what passes by editors. One glance at the photo and it looks doctored to me, so how did it make it as far as it did before Reuters issues the Photo Kill?
All the old SITs (staff in training) were up at camp yesterday for the alumni BBQ. A little crazy how many people were in camp. The SITs have some cool traditions, but too often they let their traditions get in the way of the rest of camp. SIT traditions, SIT programs, should never negatively impact campers. Staff shouldn't be able to just ignore their campers because old SITs are in town. It's so foreign to me--I couldn't imagine another camp allowing that to happen. Then again, there are a lot of things that happen here that I couldn't imagine happening somewhere else. It seems like there's so much negativity here, too many stressed out people taking it out on those around them. I need to keep reminding myself I'm almost done...
Just spoke with Ron, and it's finally (almost) official. September 1st, peace out.
sigh of relief... Not that everything here is bad, it's just so not the right place for me. But for a couple more weeks, I can hang in there. And then....who knows. Staying in Chicago, for now. Looking for suggestions for life plans, and short term plans... Ideas? What should I be when I "grow up"?
Awesome camp articles in
Slate Magazine:
Minor Gods:Why Camp is for Counselors and
You Are How You Camped.
Found the link to "You Are How You Camped" on Jeff's myspace page. I hate the process of grieving...I hate how much it hurts at first, and I hate how you learn to live with it, and continue with life as normal. The fact that now I'm writing without crying...when a few weeks ago I couldn't stop crying no matter what. The cycle of pain, the cycle of life...Brad & Shaina had a baby, Julie & Josh had a baby, a Bogrei Nativ was killed in Lebanon (
here's the article), Jeff was killed...and Shabbatot come and go. Life continues. And I sit here, trying to make sense of it all.
Very different from the summer, having most nights free. Tons of bonfires and just hanging out. A little too much diesel used in the fires, but what can you do? Here are a few pics, one of me, Ian & Jessie, and one of one of our crazy fires. As Jessie says, "More wood +more diesel = more fire!" More pics are up on my homepage, from the end of camp & post camp. I wasn't quite as camera-happy this summer as I normally am, which is probably a good thing.
