14~6~25 #Day15

Well, I kinda get used to the routine ald. Although I wanted to play frisbee so much. I just couldn't get up in the morning. 

I missed it but I was able to play Juice can in the afternoon with the kids beside the beach. Every time I saw the kids swimming like a fish in the sea. I felt so envy. I wanted to get into the water. I used to but now whenever I get into the water, I will remember how I drowned last time. It wad kinda suffocated, hardly forget that feeling. but how could I gave up so easily? It is the kids spirit that I should learn about I think!

2 kids normally get to in charge of the bendost and waiter call so they will get to the kitchen at 7.25. At 8a.m, we all gathered at the chapel island, today we learnt about the story of the old man who pumped the water in the desert

14~6~17 #Day6

We had jungle trekking to sunrise mountain today.

It was kind of awesome. But my calf get so pain after that. Perhaps I am not fit enough. Then, we had a series of clinic training going on. I chose arts and crafts clinic, drawing and painting clinic, as well as dance clinic.

American here had loads of ideas about the artist such as Michelangelo. We planned to do dot, negative spacing, pictorial,arts and crafts such as tie dye, candle.

Then, We had our international meeting with Jodi. I was trying to ask her if it is possible for me to join the irish people for performance and the reply was I had to do both!

Well, after that we were distributed to our own village. The way they made it was fun as we were instructed to close our eyes and made a circle!

Then, we packed all our stuffs and prepared for overnight stay in the mountain!

There are Bandits, Nit Nots, Argos, Ewoks, Utopians.

Well, My calf muscle was so pain after the mountain climbing this morning. When we get up to the mountain, we started to light up the campfire. There were so much to learn. I learnt to pick up the twig, branch and big chunks of wood.We were instructed not to get the wrong one such as " mushmallow" because it can cause respiratory disorder! There were other plants such as elder berry that we were not supposed to touch! Then, we put all carrots, onions, potatoes and meats in the shining side of the foil paper, put in some pepper and salt and heat it. It tasted so nice!

Then, we had marshmallow burned and together with chocolate, we put it between the biscuit! It tasted so nice! I love it so much!

I missed one important part! There were branches fall down and luckily no one get hurt!

sumac

dogwood

elderberry

poison elder

Then, we had lot of cheer to do such as

B,a bandit

Be, a bandit

B-a-n-d-i-t-s, bandit village is the best

clap your had,3times

stamped ur feet, 3times

move to the rhythm of the bandits right

clap

go, bandits!

and the other one

Oh ogawa

oo, ogawa

bandits have the power

bandits have the right

Walking down the street

.....

Also, we did some talking about why we were here and boundary breakers whereby we talked about stuffs that we want to throw away!

Then, we slept in the tree house and about 2am. It started to rain so heavily and the raining water kept splashing on my face! Still, I slept soundly....still...

14~6~19 #Day8

Today I had my first day off!

Yeah! I am so happy...I didn't go anywhere.

Instead I spent my day just to laze around

I got my new sleeping bag, I updated my blog, I had 2hours long chat with my mum and friend.

14~6~18 #Day7

We woke up at 7am,an awesome day. We all survived!

So, we had baget with phildorough cream and some banana as breakfast.

Then, Mo brought us to the part behind the car park. We tried some balancing board( werewolves) , Tarzan Swing and Spider web. It was fun.

Then, we get our dinner resting time.After lunch, we tried out some squirrel flying.

It was fun!

So, after everything, I went back to dining room for the backpack101section and what we were taught was to bring yourself safe and first!!!Roger!

And yeah, we had our day off today!It was awesome. I went Warmart to get torch, mosquito repellent and bug spray. I had great comapny Jet from Hong Kong.Nice chat.

Today, 2 new housemates were moving in. Both of the, are from Australia and I really had great tom chatting with them!

14~6~16 #Day5 Be vegetarian and be proud=)

Today morning I woke up and everybody seemed to be ready.
I tried to take shower but the water was super cold!
I just got frozen.
We had our belay check.

Alex explained to us how to do the buckle, squeeze and helmet check.

The first station to go for today were drug test. I tried to pee so much but maybe I didn't drink enough amount of water.

Then we had our group games in the field.
We played lot of games such as how to move our legs by attaching it to the one next to you, how to move a chair without using your hand, how to surround a goose in a big circle...

Then, we went for parent communication talk.
We learnt that the most important people we need to take note of is camper itself rather than their parents.
Then, we had our caunselor session such as what kind of caunselor that you think is the best....

After that, I went to get my social security number done and I played square games with them on the athletic field!

 I love it so much! Only then we had our lunch. The lunch was awesome but I planned to change my diet to vegetarian....

I went to join the CPR training.
Though I had joined it before, I would like to refresh my memory.
Then, we had some games such as name memorise games such as the one that all of us had to lie flat on the floor and one stand up to read out all the names of others, and another one that u put your hand overlap and need to clap on floor one by one, the doctor saver, and game that need to run all over the field to get the energy of hyperactive kids run off.

Then ,we attended the  cabin challenge whereby we were required to sing a song and well, basically that is it. The last activities after dinner was awesome.The whiteboots! We danced like grand party was on......

So, tonight we were having our weather devotion...
(whereby we need to tell how is our mood and describe it as weather, if we are in bad mood, then we have to tell that it is rainy day or something like that)

14~6~15 #Day4 I will try my best!

I woke up quite late this morning at 7.00a.m.

We went to the Ranger meeting which was not supposed to be for us.

Then, we had our morning greeting in chapel island, singing the song "on the loose"

Today was Father day so we had our pancake breakfast.

We were asked not to queue up as they will serve us but It has been a while.

I know some still waiting.
I felt really sorry when I realize they are still waiting after we finished our meal.

After that, we had our swimming test. I was so scared.

I had no idea how deep the water is.

It is about 4 feet. I tried but I realize I couldn't really swim in cold water.

I swam so slow and when I arrived.
I was asked whether I would like to continue to do few lapse for 10 feet or not.
I gave up totally and and I felt bad that I don't even give a try.
We had another 2 programs which are the policies and rules and the children behavior management.
I felt sleepy and well wearing sunglasses to cover it though.
I was thinking it is important for me to set rule to teach child how to keep cabin clean!

Then, we had our lunch. They always made lot of cheer such as repeat after me cheer but I hardly get the joke I guess.

After lunch, I went for the international staffs meeting with Jodi.
I met lot of other staff members internationally and this guy, Chong Luo Hao, from Hong Kong can actually speak Cantonese and Chinese.
I was like oh man! finally there is someone of the  same species! Yeah, that is exactly how I felt.

After dinner, I went to office to get another blanket and then I went for the skit thing where we had to create a short skit for the performance at night later.
Well, Maddy, the one who lead us how to dance was dancing so enthusiastic.....so enthusiastic.... Well, they talked bout double dream hand which I have no idea what is that. Whatever, I just followed.( Well, although I son't feel like it turned out to be good. Well, they seemed pretty happy about it.So, I am totally fine with it.)

So, after that, we had counselor meeting to decide what to teach. I decided to teach frisbee and painting and I would really love to try mountain boarding.

At lunch time, I sat with Luo Hao as we were instructed not to be with the same person again and well, I bet I don't really know him( the truth is I have no friend here).
He is actually having intern here and he is doing physical subject, love badminton a lot, basketball and soccer. He is 20 yo this year. Well, he was so surprised that I am 21 yo. Well, maybe I looked too young for that....

So, we had our campfire at night, is pretty awesme I mean, short and sweet. People here really get high  easily. Sometimes maybe they are not but they do make themselves seem like one...

We had devotion at night. I did tell them my problem as not really able to interact with them...and well, not much changes after that I guess, whatsoever, I WILL TRY MY BEST!

14~6~14 #Day3 Get to know more about the Camp

I woke up so early in the morning, 6.30a.m. to get myself ready!

Today we had a lot of programmes going on.
After breakfast, we went to cheer for those who joined fun run.

I planned to join at first but we needed to pay 20USD for that so I decided not to.

After that, we had the circle games.
It is something like a station games whereby we had to choose 5 stations that we are interested in.
I went for the art and crafts, how to be counselors 101, how to handle bad weather, ice breaking sessions, songs and skits.

We learn to to do friendship bracelets in arts and crafts session.

As a counselors, we need to have a clear mind of what we are going and what we actually doing, be positive.

To handle bad weather, they said it might seem to be a bad weather for others but we have to be positive, take it a liquid sunshine!

Instead of outdoor games, we can have something like huckle buckle bean sprout ( they hide the wooden thing and we need to find it)
the card game( guess the word start with same alphabet)
mafia
Thor game( somebody shack your hand and you die if they tickle your hand)
villain and Dame zone( you have to aim on 2 people and make sure your villain and Dame zone)

the physical kind of exercise (like one group as pepsi, the other is coke and ask pepsi are called,they need to run over to the other group, I want you!, turn-around ,high five)
and the squeezy thing( all of us have to squeeze tgt)
and paper scissor rock
( hre I found it interesting is that one thing Malaysian don't do is to put hand below the other so thre is no diff in the no of counting)

Wow, it was kinda awesome for the songs and skits sessions.
As they asked us about the best songs I love.
I can think of nothing else but Muffins song which involve father mother brother!
Then, they introduced us different kind of songs such as Pizza song, chilli, show me how to  get down , bom chika boom( this is repeat after me song, they have diff styles such as lady, cowboy, janitor, motorcycle and underwater), boa constrictor and soo...

Their skits was so good! Especially the worm skit, the airplane skit. Well, they used different techniques such as camera action, remote( bean), let's cheer, let's do it in Spanish, on fire, cheat game,laughing way, fart and so so...

Personally, as an Asian, I was thinking we can have our unique kind of game too..such as hai dai,

I had came out with my own skits though, I remember those related to liang popo, maybe I can relate it to Disney movie such as Mickey, Mini, Goffy, Donut, Daisy....Popeye, Harry Potter stuff

梁婆婆重出江湖

I remember the one that Donut mess up with the music instrument,

I even think of the cheer for kids such as Einstein story( we are a team, go team go team!)

They always go for cheers like row a boat, mary has a lamb

They have fun greeting game such as 007, butts bumping game, hand forming pistol game, shoes lacing game, c game( I learn sme technique though, initiation is very imp), throwing smile game,ball passing game( reverse or free), shoes game( sth like wind blow game)

After lunch. we had our gaga game.

The last session was fun. We get to arrange ourselves in ages, height,years in camp jewell and name....so that we can know each other better

14〜6〜13 #Day2 Just a climb but the view is great!

I woke up at 6a.m. early in the morning.
The night before is unbearably cold!

I didn't open up my blanket as we were going to move out today.
I  only get to greet the one sleeping next to me this morning.
Her name is Emma.
I tidied up my bed and ready to start my day!

Quotes of the day- personal relationship is the fertile soil to all advancement and success- all achievement grows.

It seems like everyone has their schedule. I only knew that Filcrah and Steven were off today!

Jessica told me that it is better for me to get to know my schedule from Jodi so I went to see her.

I met Becky and she said Jodi is going to be here at 9a.m. so I waited.

Steven came by and talked to me. He is from Galway, Ireland, 20minutes drive from Baren itself.

Galway always remind me of the " Galway girl" song by Steve Earle in his album transendental blue as I always heard this song in the bar.

The lyrics sounds like
"Well I took a stroll on the long way walk ayeayeaye

And I met a girl and We started to talk, fine soft,aye aye

And I ask you friend

What a fello do

case her hair was black and her eyes were blue!

And I knew right then, I did been taking a whirl"

We talked about Ireland weather, culture, interest places.
I get to know that he worked as volunteer in Assenberg in South Africa last time and he loved it a lot, mainly because they don't really have electronic device.
So, they live simple life and self- contented.
He told me they are all positive people!

During lunch time, we ate burger....and I sat with Aly,Luke, Lans, and Tyrone.
Luke was blind-folded as they were under training to eat with the help of others.
Steven came and joined us after that.
He just came back from gym and he offered to bring me around since I am still a newbie here.

He is really nice.
It was raining so heavily and still he was willing to show me around.
We went to the thunderstorm and climb up to the higher stairs to have a better view of the lake.

It seems so nice and cool from this angle.
We talked for some times, talking about archery, rifle, Irish music, Donegal, Glendalough, Galway, St Patrick Fay, Irish food.
Also, we talked about the bar tender with lead poisoning
( with syndrome such as jaundice, memory loss and practice photography memory whom I met the other night in bar.

Then we went back to cabin to move all our luggage out.

At 5p.m., we welcomed all the new stuff members. They are from all over the world, I know Kate, Katerina.

I get to know my new cabin housemates as well, Gabrielle, Taylor, Molleigh, Holly, Mag.....They are awesome people.

After that, I wandered around the dining room and I met Kate.
We had nice chat together.
She was trying to get her phone charge, get a new towel, get another pair of shoes.
I love to chat with her and she is really friendly...
I have the feeling we can be best friend....

14~6~12 #Day1 First Day in Camp Jewell =)

Today was the day I was heading towards my campsite, butterfly in my stomach.
I had no idea where I got the courage to explore it all by myself.
All my friends went back home other than my crazy friend, Cindy and I, always talked about how crazy we need to be at the age of 21st (I just reached this golden age of my life past 2 days. )

My crazy travelling partner!

I slept without switching on my alarm.

As usual, I jumped out of the bed at 2p.m.
Perhaps I never feel secure anywhere other than home.

Still remain unconscious, I slept back.

Only get to realize I was late at 7.30p.m. Then, I quickly brushed my teeth and took my luggage. 

After one transit in metro station, I reached Port Authority Terminal and boarded the bus JUST in time.

My mum had been calling me for few times. 

Although I planned to call her this morning but I didn't make it.

I was so happy to know that Peter Pan bus line actually has wifi! 

So, I called my mum. I guess I made too much noise! 

The girl sat right left front of me turned and asked me to keep my volume down!

I felt so ashamed and I told my mum I will call her back later.

I slept for a while and the moment I thought I arrived when I heard the driver shouted " Stop for those going down in Windsted".
Once I got down, I realised I was in Torrington!

I guess he was actually shouting "next stop to Windsted!" instead of this!

I had no choice but to borrow phone and called CCUSA camp staff!
(Now I realised the importance of phone as I am always stubborn anought to get a phone and thought i will never need it!)

What I always thought!

What I feel RIGHT NOW!

Within 15 minutes, he arrived and told me not to worry. I felt so sorry as he had been waiting there for almost an hour because the bus delayed and furthermore I got down from wrong station.

His name is Grag( if I didn't misspell it).
He is from New Jersey, a friendly guy, just graduated a year and working for camp for almost 9 months. 

He was surprised that I can actually speak fluent English. 

We went on talking about the places I had been to so far in these 3 weeks and well, he was not the first who asked whether I like San Francisco or not! Perhaps it is really a nice place and I am totally agree with it!

We reached there within minutes, in the middle of forest, but as I knew there is going to be public transport that you can use to access to town. And I had been told that the kids will start moving in 9 days! Excited!

So, I was brought to my cabin.

(haha, I guess it is time for clean up! But anyway, they said we are going to move the next day anyway)

I first met Enic. She told me since I just over 21 years old, I can actually work with kids from age 14 to 18.

Then, Jawi came, the only girl I knew so far before I came into this camp, together with a guy with an earring on his nose( stylish I guess). Jawi hugged me when she saw me and greeted me.

The guy name is Alliac( if I spell it right). 

Grag asked them to show me around so they did.

I kind of falling in love with the view here actually, in the middle of no where

trees and bushes all around, with lots wooden cabin,with different names, Teeket, Sheta, Hartadom Lounge, West Lounge, East lounge, cabin 1 to 12

Teeket cabin

staff bathroom

sunrise mount

But sill, I went in...

big wooden house behind my cabin

cabin 11

Rock Climbing!

We went to the dining room where everyone gathered and chatted. I met Nikki, Chloe
( both of them are so friendly and approached me in first hand to know whether I am doing fine and so) 

Then they brought me to the cabin where we are going to stay with all the kids, 

the mini farm with lot of animals( horses, goats, rabbit- huge one I had never seen before, chicken), arts and crafts room, gym room, rock climbing site, office, bandits' playground, fitness room, basketball court, chapel island, and lot more, way till we reached the boat house! wow! I love it! 
The view from far was nice and the kids are going to swim here
(a bit worry as I cannot really swim).

dining hall

Hartadom Lounge

office opp to dining hall

mini farm

hulk- huge rabbit i ever seen

pig Stanley

joey- female

golden- male

basketball court

chapel island-scenicz,

hidden place on the island

map of campsite

Arts and crafts room- I had no idea they just painted it- stupid enough for me to touch it!

fitness room

Then, we turned back to dining room. All these way we met George, Paul, Mole.She is a talkative lady, looking much elder than us, but actually she is not, but she has a lot of experience, as this is the fifth camp she goes for. They had long conversation, talking about Trippers, Bandits, Nit Noits, Ranches Driver, but I have no idea what is all that! Then, when we entered the dining room again.
I totally get it, it represents different age groups that you are going to work with!I even found Thum Ying Ying, my senior's face over there!

Dinner started at 5.30p.m. I was late so I missed dinner time. Nevertheless I still get my sandwich and I am grateful for that!

So, Enic approached me and talked to me a lot, about her passion on language. 
I can see how much she wants to learn Hindi. She finished her 5 years of bachelor for sociology this year and decided to further her study in international language school. 
She never been to other countries before, not even the neighborhood countries. 
However, she is knowledgeable enough. She told me that she had Chinese housemate before and they have problem to understand her and she was worried that she speaks too fast. But I guess not if compare to Irish!

We talked about food a lot! She must be a good cook.
She even told me that one of her Indian friend couldn't even cook so she was so so surprised. Repeatedly, she told me how come an adult not knowing how to cook? 
And blah blah blah.....

A lot of friendly people here. 
They approached you first and talked to you. I get to know Thai and Land. 
Together I called them Thailand!

Tommy is nice too...he had been working for CCUSA for 2 years and this is the fifth one he joined. 
I guess he has as much experience as Mole! 

I got to know Steven and Venesse as both of them are from ireland. Venesse is from Dublin as well if I am not mistaken!

I had my dinner with Milac from America, Aly from Mexico( she only speaks Spanish and the first word she taught me was Vapo which means handsome and she told me Mexico speaks different kind f Spanish) , X1 from South Africa and David from Dutch!

After dinner, we all gathered in the living room, doing our own stuff, then Alliac suggested for Berrytree yogurt! Since he asked me to go along, I just followed as Lonnenc who works here as intern said he got a car. So, together 4 of us with Aly went there. 
Well, since we were in the middle of no where, just walking to town itself took 4 hours. 
On the way, we talked about random stuff like 
How bear attack people

Horror movie in Connecticut

All of them can speak Spanish well and I was kinda left out as Aly cannot understand English well so in order to explain to her, sometimes they speak in Spain such as basta which means better.

I was quite surprised to see the owner of that yogurt shop is a Chinese. 
She moved here from China 3years ago. We chat for a while. 

Tomorrow, 100+ stuffs are going to move in.I hope things will go well.

Thankful day.....