Monday, December 31, 2012

Doctor Who and Martinelli's

While the rest of you are probably out partying it up and getting wasted, I'm staying in for the night. What's a better way to spend New Year's Eve than watching Doctor Who with some Martinelli's and cuddling your pup. Besides, I just got home from a double (lack of)sleep over. I don't think I would be able to survive another night of excitement without passing out before midnight. Before I begin my Doctor Who marathon I thought I would post my New Year's Resolutions before the clock strikes twelve...

2013 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Become a Model: Since my parent's won't allow me to get a real job I decided to give modeling a go. Everyone tell's me I should try modeling because I'm so tall, skinny and photogenic. The only reason I've denied modeling before is because I thought it was ignorant to be judged about what you look like, how much you weigh and if you're accepted as a beautiful person. I don't know if the persistence or if the realization of how much a model get's paid a job changed my mind. Whether this decision heads down the right or wrong path, I will take it as a learning experience. I'm going to create the beginning's of my portfolio next month and hopefully start contacting agencies. 

Volunteer at a Hospice: My EVIT teacher gave out volunteer applications for Hospice to whoever is interested. I think this would be a fantastic experience especially if I'm going to be surrounded by death when working in a hospital in the future. My parent's agree with me so I will turn in my application as soon as the third quarter of school begins and hopefully I'll land myself an interview. This not only benefits my community service hours but I would say not everyone can put Hospice volunteer on their application to colleges, jobs etc. 

Increase my GPA: I'm not quite sure what my GPA is at the moment but I'm predicting medical school's would not find it that impressive. Hopefully after re-taking geometry over the summer and fingers crossed I get mostly A's this year this won't be such a worriment. Don't get me wrong, I'm a wonderful student it's just my many absences and those blasted finals that get me. 

Travel to New York: I have been wanting to go to New York for a few years now. We could have gone this year during Spring Break but we went to Washington D.C. instead because we had someone to stay with and give us rides. As for the Big Apple, my family doesn't have any connections with anybody up there so if we were to travel to New York it would be one expensive trip and probably a birthday or Christmas present. Maybe this Spring Break... 

Compete in Two Figure Skating Competitions: Every time a competition comes around the corner I always delay the paperwork, make up excuses not to do it (usually has something to do with school), and avoid the subject from my parents. I don't plan on skating any further once I begin college so this is my last full year to compete. I guess I'm most terrified of loosing(besides falling on my butt). I know I sound like a sore loser but figure skating is so competitive, sometimes it's not even enjoyable. The girls are wretched and the skating moms are even worse. But come next competition, win or loose, I will go in smiling and confident and out no different.

Varsity Golfer: I'm hoping next year on the golf team will be better because this year wasn't as pleasant as I remembered from the year prior. I lost my skills near the end of the season and I honestly didn't enjoy the girls I was on the team with. I was sort of the loner on the team while everyone else was building their friendship's and drawing heart's on each other vagina's.   

Capture Camp Del Corazon 2013 on Video: Sadly, this is my last year as a camper. I'm already dreading the one year I have to go without camp until I can become a counselor. I don't want to just become a counselor to be able to return to camp, I just love all the kids at CDC. Their all wonderful and the younger kids especially seem to like me. Not only that but I want to be that inspirational counselor to someone like so many counselors are to me. 

Driver's Licence: First, I have to earn my permit. I would probably have it by now if I wasn't so traumatized. I think it was a little more than a month ago I got into a car accident with a friend on the free way. That was my first real accident and I rather not repeat the experience. Of course, I will eventually begin driving but I'm still paranoid someone is going to merge into our car, or rear end us, or we will rear end them or something of that sorts! 

Connect with Heart Transplant Patients: Lately, I have been connecting with a couple awaiting heart transplant patients in California. Whether it's being someone to have social interaction with, or being able to relate to, or just being a positive role model for other cardiac teens. These are perfect examples of how I want to contribute to the heart transplantation community.

I think my goals for 2013 are pretty reasonable. I tried not to set too many irrational goals unlike last year...

Goals for 2012
  • Volunteer at PCH(Phoenix Children's Hospital) over the summer
  • Save money for Christmas *check*
  • Apply for a job at the golf course 
  • Create the CDC Mural *check*
  • Learn the ukulele *check*
  • Blog on a daily basis *check*
  • Plan a Sweet 16 with Make-A-Wish *check*
  • Driver's License 
  • Attend Leakycon 2012 
  • Start a bank account for college funds
  • Compete in more figure skating competitions
Five out of my eleven goals this year were accomplished and I know I can do better. I'm glad the New Year approached quickly because I'm ready to start fresh. This year definitely had it's down moments. Moving to my mom's house was a big change for me and I recently broke up with my boyfriend which is/was definitely a hard coping process. Don't get me wrong this year wasn't a terrible year and it also had it's up's which would include my Make-A-Wish Sweet Sixteen, my ninth year attending Camp Del Corazon 2012, going to Disneyland with my best buddies over the summer along with our annual father-daughter-camping trip. This year wasn't perfect but it was still a great!

Happy New Year to all you peaches! 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Potter Enough?

When I was waiting for my second heart transplant in seventh grade I developed a few interests with all my spare time. Even though Harry Potter wasn't anything new, I became obsessed with all things HP related before the sixth movie, Half Blood Prince, hit theaters. Since then, Harry Potter has always been a topic that can stir conversation out of me. Even though the series is over, I will always be apart of the HP fandom. The other day I was on Tumblr (only used for Harry Potter purposes) and I found this character questionnaire. I figured why not post it on my blog. Even if you haven't read, watched, or heard about Harry Potter(shame shame) than this is just a way to learn about me but if you love Harry Potter as much as I do, you can steal this and re-post it about yourself.

Harry Potter: Tell us about a scar on your body

The scar I get asked about most frequently is surprisingly not the scar along my chest. I have another scar on my neck from when I was a baby waiting for my first transplant. This scar started as a tiny incision but has  stretched over the years and it has been beaten up through biopsy's which is why I guess it's noticeable.

Hermione Granger: What is your favorite book, how many times have you read it, and why do you love it?

Sorry Hermione, but I hate reading. If I had to list a book it would be any book from the Harry Potter series. I think their all brilliant but I've only read the series once.


Ron Weasley: Something you're afraid of?

Well, there are my pathetic fears like reptiles and clowns. And then there are my deeper fears which include; loving someone and having them walk out of my life (pertaining to friends, boyfriends, or anyone who is dear to me). The second is as simple yet complicated at the same time as third transplant.

Luna Lovegood: One thing that makes you different from everyone else.

I know my third heart already makes me different from everyone else but I would say my ability to embrace my originality is something very few people my age do. Even though I have always been socially awkward, especially in middle school, I never tried to be someone I'm not. Middle school is a corrupting place but it also gave me the opportunity to define myself. I didn't really care who was judging me and I figured I might as well be myself since everyone else is taken.


Fred Weasley: Can you do any magic tricks? What is the best one you can do? If you can't do any, what's the best one you've seen?

Well, in 4th grade I was in a talent show as a magician. My best trick was adding pictures and color to an empty coloring book with a few mystical words. That trick put me as a finalist but I ended up not winning. I was still very satisfied with myself since my class seemed to be in awe even after I left the stage.

George Weasley: What is the best prank you've ever played on someone?

A couple April Fool's ago, I called my mum with jittered, jumbled words of a horror-on-the-streets story going a little something like this:

Mum: Hello?
Me: Mom! I just got jumped!!
Mum: What?!
Me: I was walking home from school and these thugs walked up to me, beat me up, took my backpack, my cellphone (I called her on my home phone, just by the way), kicked me to the ground and ran off!
Mum: OH MY GOD! ARE YOU OKAY?! WHERE ARE YOU?! I'M CALLING THE POLICE!
Me: WAIT! You know what else is imperative to tell the police!?
Mum: WHAT!?
Me: This is an April Fool's prank...
Mum! OH MY GO -- wait... what? You terrible child you!


Neville Longbottom: Tell us an embarrassing story.

Which one? I guess one story that's not disgusting nor am I proud of is my first kiss. I was so nervous I missed the boys face by a landslide and ended up kissing his chin... Poor guy, no wonder we just stayed friends.

Narcissa Malfoy: Do you have a good relationship with your family? Who are you closest to?

I love my family but I am a total daddy's girl. He is the one I always see sitting next to me in the hospital, he always knows how to cheer me up on my down day's and I can practically tell him everything.

Voldemort: If you were to create a Horcrux, what would it be and why?

If I had to create a Horcrux I would pick something I have self pride in. One of the few things I'm proud of is my first place figure skating medal back in 2008. It's significant to me because it was my first winning competition and it was the last one I competed in before my second transplant.

Bellatrix Lestrange: Have you ever loved someone who could never love you back?

Unless you count fictional character than no. I never enveloped in boy's until I hit high school and even then I'm still very picky about who I date and even more about who I love.

Ginny Weasley: Have you ever been in love with an unexpected person?

Yes, I love my current boyfriend to that emotional point. But I never pictured myself dating him until I was single and ready to mingle and then everything just fell into place.

Hedwig: If you went to Hogwarts, what kind of pet would you bring?

Out of my choices of an owl, a toad or a cat; I would bring a cat. More specifically a Scottish Fold.


I mean c'moooon! Daaaaw :)

Draco Malfoy: Is it better to be feared or to be loved?

Loved. I don't want people to be afraid of me and that's definitely not the impression I give off.

Rubeus Hagrid: What it your favorite mystical creature?

I would choose a Phoenix. Throughout all the creatures in the entire Harry Potter series, Fawkes is my favorite creature. Reborn from his dying ashes, tears with healing powers and just being a general bad ass bird in the Chamber of Secrets are a few of his impressive qualities.


Dolores Umbridge: Make a list of rules that your family (or whoever) would have to follow if you made the rules?
  • Give Shelby awesome allowance (not allowance because it's awesome but allowance because Shelby is awesome).
  • Let Shelby get a job already!
  • Stop giving Shelby crap whenever she doesn't answer her phone.
  • Keep the refrigerator fully stocked and not just with condiments.
  • Don't have a heart attack whenever Shelby get's a C on her progress report.
  • Shelby get's to blare her music. Loud. 
  • Hire a chauffeur so Shelby is never late. 
And that's all I can think of... as of right now ;)

Lucius Malfoy: What is your most prized possession?

My memories.

Dobby: Who are you most loyal to?

I would say I'm pretty overall loyal person. I give my boyfriend the highest loyalty, my friends, my family and pretty much everyone I respect.

Sirius Black: Have you ever been accused of doing something you didn't do?

I'm accused of little things like loosing the TV remote...

Argus Filch: What's the worst job you've ever had?

Forever unemployed :(

Dudley Dursley: How many presents do you usually receive on your birthday?

After I stopped believing in Santa (exactly when the economy dropped), I think is when my parents were more decisive on what to get me for Christmas and not just...


And more like...


Peter Pettigrew: Are you a leader or a follower?

I prefer to be a follower but if a leader must be born than I will acquire the position.

Cedric Diggory: Have you ever had a near death experience?

Well there was that one time when I had a heart transplant when I was a baby... another time when there was fluid around my heart... and that other time when I caught "Kennel Cough" and pneumonia .. and not to forget about my second heart transplant, oh there was another time when I had the highest CMV count in America... so, yeah, I would say so ;)

I am Darth Vader.
Albus Dumbledore: What is the greatest obstacle you have ever overcome in your life?

After being released from practically living in the hospital, I think the hardest part is getting back on your feet. After a hospitalization, for any reason, is a bit of an eye opener to really appreciate life. When I get back to reality, school is my first priority and then I slowly return to the ice rink. Since my last hospitalization, I've added golf and different volunteer opportunities such as choreographing for younger kids and helping the elderly. To clearly answer the question, keeping myself motivated to have a hectic, exciting life which is the way I like it.

Minerva McGonagall: What is your favorite spell?

I say Confundus, which is used to confuse your opponent, on a regular basis so I guess that would be my favorite if I must choose.

Severus Snape: Are you a trustworthy person?

Yes, I can't tell a lie without being obvious that I'm lying and you could tell me your deepest, darkest, most shameful secret and I wouldn't hint or say a word to anyone.

Remus Lupin: If you could transform into any animal or creature, which one would it be?

I would probably transform into a llama. Not just because llama's are just so freaking majestic but if I transformed into my favorite animal I think it would be a little bit too conspicuous  Considering you don't see whales waddling down the street everyday...



Uncle Vernon: What is your favorite day of the week?

Saturday.

Arthur Weasley: What do you think is the best "muggle" invention?

We're all thinking it... Where would the world be without indoor plumbing?

Professor Sprout: What is your favorite class that is offered at Hogwarts?

Divination is a topic of fascination.



Nymphadora Tonks: If you could change one thing about your appearance what would it be?

One of a major turn off of mine is a bad mouth. I'm not referring to a bad habit of cussing but literally if you have crooked or yellow teeth, bad breath, or anything pertaining to your mouth I'm just immediately turned off. I know it only says one thing, but I would change two things; my lips and my gums. A medication I took when I was younger caused my lips to crack, especially on the corners. Not only that but a different medication caused my gums to become puffy making my teeth look tiny. So if I could, I would change my lips to look thoroughly smooth and my gums to be less prominent whenever I smile.

Moaning Myrtle: What is something that always makes you cry?

Besides animals dying in movies, I would say my transplant home videos. My family recorded some of the time I spent in the hospital waiting for transplant. Whenever I watch these home videotapes, I always have a tear or two because seeing my condition at its worse is heartbreaking but thank goodness it's in the past.

James Potter: Would you risk your life to save someone you truly love?

Of course.

Lily Potter: What is your eye color?

I wish I had brilliant green eyes like Harry but unfortunately I have brown. Everyone says my eyes have a glossy look to them but all I see is a toxic waste pool.



Professor Trelawney: Have you ever dreamt something was going to happen and then it happened?

My dreams are far too bizarre, random and completely absurd to actually happen in reality.

Mr. Ollivander: What would your wand look like?

According to Pottermore...
Length: 11 3/4 inches
Wood: Elm Wood
Core: Unicorn Hair
Flexibility: Pliant.

Lavender Brown: Who is the last person you texted and have you ever had a crush on them?

Well the last person I texted was my dad to pick me up from skating practice, and I'm not really into incest so, that would be a negative.

Cho Chang: If you were on the Quidditch team, what position would you play?

Not a seeker, I'm not that observant. Not a beater, I'm not that aggressive. Not a keeper, I'm not that coordinated. So I guess I'm left with a chaser which I'm fine with even though I still probably wouldn't be very good at it but hey, it's better than getting hit by a bludger.

Aunt Petunia: What is your favorite flower?

ATTENTION FELLERS: Orchid

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Another Great Year Must Come to an End

Day 5 :(

The last morning at camp always feels a bit off. Since there's no morning activities this is the one morning you get to sleep in until the breakfast bell rings. It's not like I don't enjoy sleeping in, usually on the weekend I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing with someone acquiring my presence when it's already past noon, but it's not everyday you can go on a hike or do yoga with your camp buddies. Sleeping in is for ordinary days and any day at camp definitely does not count as "ordinary".

I always do the Sunshine Dance full out (even when I'm not at camp) but it's even more exaggerated and crazy on the last day! As our last breakfast we had breakfast burritos and eggs which I remember was the same meal from the year prior. I loaded my plate with fruit and cereal since I'm allergic to whatever is inside the burritos and being the picky eater I am, I just don't really like eggs... Usually after breakfast we would head back to our cabins to get ready for our next activity, but before we headed back to our cabins to pack instead we did a camp sweep. A camp sweep is when everyone lines up by the dining hall facing the ocean and slowly but surely picks up every piece of garbage so the next session has spiffy looking camp grounds.

Jarred and I at breakfast :)

Emily and my bro Brandon!

My boys Dylan, Alex and Jarred during the sweep :)
The ladies covered the beach from the dock to Frog Rock, Girls Camp leading to the infirmary and Arts & Crafts while the gent's cleaned Boys Camp back towards the High Ropes Course. Cleaning after Art's & Crafts must be a real honor since it was easily the dirtiest... sparkliest and most colorful activity area ever. Once we finished, we went back to our cabins to stuff our luggage with all our clothes smelling like camp and to restore our cabin back in its original order for the Schooner girls in Session 2 and later on Session 3. All my clothes seemed to be scattered about the cabin... the longest part of packing was probably gathering all my stuff since something of mine seemed to be everywhere; in other suitcases, outside the cabin, on the drying rack, in the shelves, under my bunk... everywhere besides the squirrel box, thank goodness!

I was probably the last one to be 100%  packed! As long as my clothes make it back to Arizona in one piece it doesn't really matter how my clothes are packed since I'm practically going to dump my suitcase in the washer once I get home, however I'm a huge perfectionist (one of my more appreciative but annoying qualities) so it matters to me! I rolled and stuffed all my clothes to one side of my suitcase so I had enough room for my toiletries, sleeping bag and pillow which I also have to cram in my luggage. Our med nurse, Miffy, put our medications in our bag before we dropped off our huge Nick & Kelly bags at the boat dock. While we were cleaning our cabin a couple girls from Catboat came in to ask if we needed any help sweeping [heart... melted... from maximum adorableness]. Once we finished cleaning we passed time by signing shirts and taking final cabin pictures until the lunch bell rang.

Schooner with a couple Catboat girls <3

Schooner Cabin <3 You all have a special place in my heart!

The line of signing shirts
I ended up getting a medium CDC shirt since they were all out of smalls. In the end, I'm sort of glad I received a medium because the back of my shirt quickly filled up with loving messages from my cabin friends and counselors. Especially during lunch when I was racing around the dining hall to get signatures from all the other wonderful campers and counselors! We always have a final squirrel before we headed towards the field to wait for the boat to be unloaded of Session 2 campers and their luggage. It's a bit more complicated than a regular squirrel dance... Basically, a line of new counselors form a line from the squirrel box leading to the chosen counselor at the end. All the counselors pass along each item inside the squirrel box which is the amount of time you have to claim your lost item. If you don't claim your item before it is passed to the chosen counselor than that counselor must wear it... somehow. Even though none of my items were lost, I couldn't possibly pass up squirreling one last time before leaving.

"I WIN!"
After our final squirrel, we headed towards the field to sign shirts, once again, and wait for the boat to be unloaded and re-loaded. Between signing shirts and dismissal on to the boat we had a final cabin closing. Favorite part about this year at camp? My favorite part of this year, as usual, was creating stronger friendships with old friends and creating fresh friendship with new friends. Creating friendships at camp is definitely not like meeting new people at school. At school you walk into a class, introduce yourself, start a conversation hoping people will accept you for you. At camp, everyone is already accepting because we have all been-there-done-that in terms of not being accepted. Meeting friends at camp isn't difficult because everyone is so kind, easy going to talk to, understanding and just fun to be around! Some of my strongest friendships are thanks to camp and I'm lucky to have a gateway from everything worrisome in reality to just be normal and treated like an equal.
Our last cabin photo before going on the boat :'(

Waiting for the boat with Emily, Nicole and Tyler
The walk leading to the boat while saying good bye to all the counselors is probably one of the saddest moments of camp, for me at least. High fiving all my favorite counselors for one makes me super jealous knowing they get to stay for another session on the magnificent Catalina Island but I also get really choked up knowing I won't see them for a whole year because their all amazing and I'll miss them. The counselors are still waving goodbye to us when we're on the boat, but that's not all. When you think the counselors are going to walk back to the Dining Hall to greet the next session, they all jump in and continue waving goodbye from the water.

Counselors jumping from the dock
We landed a table of six on the second floor of the boat for the ride back to the main land. I sat with my friends Sammy, Dylan, Alex, Collin, and my boyfriend Jarred. The boat ride just seemed to fly by because before we knew it we were saying our last goodbyes to all the campers and counselors from California at the Catalina Express boat dock. This is probably one of my least favorite parts of camp. I hate saying goodbye to the California campers because I never know if I'll see them again before Camp 2013. As fast paced as Nick & Kelly is trying to load all the Arizona campers on to the buses, there is always time for a couple five minute hugs. I'm definitely going to miss all my California buddies, especially my three Schooner girls from Cali; Kasey, Katelyn and Brianna! <3

Once we loaded on to the buses, Jarred and I relaxed all the way to the airport. Practically falling asleep but managed to stay awake by listening to music (I'm so glad I brought my phone) and we went a little wild taking pictures.

One couldn't ask for a better boyfriend <3
"Practically perfect in every way" 
The heart couple <3
We arrived to the John Wayne Airport and quickly moved through security and back on a plane to the state of ridiculous heat and cactus. I sat between Jarred and my friend Alex and oh... my... goodness... Sitting between these two guys is like sitting next to Bill Murray and Jimmy Fallon... just uncontrollable laughter all the way back to Arizona. I don't think I ever laugh as hard any where else unless I'm with these two fellers. It never really hits me camp is "officially" over until I can see my parents visible faces while coming down the escalator. There was so much commotion around, the tears didn't catch up to me until I was home. I just disregarded my parents because I was too busy saying goodbye to EVERYONE! I said good bye to Jarred by blowing a kiss, even though we'll be seeing each other very soon at parties and Homecoming (pictures to come) and the rest of my Corazon Family! The last person I said good bye to was my nurse practitioner who was a counselor this year for the youngest cabin. She burst into tears when she was trying to describe what a leader I am to my parents.

There is such a difference in my whole attitude and personality when I'm at camp. You don't even have to talk to me to see how happy I am because it just shines through me. I wouldn't label myself as a leader or even anyone with much confidence, but I can definitely say camp has given me enough confidence to live my life the way life should be lived. I have received the gift of life twice and I'm not just going to let that go to waste. I have far too much to live for and no one will bring me down. As Elphaba would say, I'm defying gravity.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Adventure, Target Sports, Nature, Archery

Day 4

Well it's our last day of activities...

This is the day we live our lives to the fullest during each and every activity, enjoying the time we have left to spend with each other. This morning I decided to try something new. Instead of the morning hike, my cabin friends Sammy and Selena joined me to Yoga with Puppy Monster. Surprisingly, my boyfriend also wanted to come along! I actually quite enjoyed yoga because it woke me up, yet it was relaxing. Even after camp ended, sometimes I do yoga on weekend morning's just to wake me up.

After yoga we lined up by the bell to do the Sunshine Dance leading to another delicious breakfast, as expected. The era of Cleanest Cabin Queens has ended and we didn't win the title. But hey, there's always next year! So it didn't really matter to us whether our cabin was clean or messy, so I let my suitcase explode a colossus of clothes all round my bunk. Not my smartest idea to leave it that way considering the ants managed to have a little brunch party in my luggage.

I decided to unravel my tye-die shirt from Art's & Crafts and wear it today. I'm very satisfied with how it turned out! It has a lot of white showing and more color on the back than on the front. We made our way to our first activity which was Adventure with Puppy Monster, one of my favorite counselors. I haven't done Adventure since... 2009 I think, so I was surprised to do it again this year. We did a bunch of team building exercises with Yawl, cabin age ranging from 12 to 13, leading to an exercise that took a majority of the time. We all gathered on a long log and we had to balance while transitioning from tallest to shortest without falling down. Our goal was to do it in under seven falls but we ended up accomplishing it in ten falls instead, which is still pretty good, in what felt life thirty minutes .

Accomplishment yay!
We gave a camp appreciation to Puppy Monster and left for our next activity, Target Sports. We listened to the usual precautions given by Spider and Aladdin and finally started shooting. I used to not like Target Sports as much when I was younger because I wasn't very good at it, but ever since my second transplant I suddenly became a master in the arts of riflery. I guess I have Dakota to thank for that, the original master in riflery! I wasn't the only one who had skill in Target Sports, the rest of Schooner cabin did an excellent job as well! We all could have been on the A- team of top murderers or secret agents... Jedi masters or offspring's of Tom Cruise.

Schooner at Target Sports


Our sexy shots ;)
We left Target Sports and heading to lunch. Lunch was a little different this time since we had a Hawaiian picnic on the field. No mac n cheese but we did get challenged by Tsunami, 13 year old boy cabin, for a Volleyball Tournament during Quiet Hour. Whoever wins has to compost and clean the losers table during dinner. To make the game fair we asked a couple guys from Senior 2 to be on our team against Tsunami who had three guy counselors benefiting their team. So once lunch was over we made our way to the volleyball net and had some time to practice before the boy's came along. Our counselors were cheering us on and the game came pretty close to being tied. It was a game well played but in the end, the boy's won but being the gentlemen they are, they decided to give the win to us. Looks like we have someone to clean our table for dinner!

Jarred and I during the Hawaiian Lunch :) photobomb: Alex level
No time for losers, cause we are the champions!
We played till the last minutes of Quiet Hour and headed to our next activity, Nature. Last year we dissected Earthworms, this year we were dissected Owl Pellets. I remember doing something similar in 8th grade but I don't remember it being nearly as cool. Maybe it's just the effect of being at camp... camp makes science cool (coming from someone who already has a covalent bond in the subject). Our last activity of the day was Archery with Yawl again. I've done Archery since year uno and even with the help of Dakota, I'm still not very good at it. I've done it so many times, I just wanted to let the younger girls get their turn. One girl in particular, Amy, was so sweet and absolutely adorable! Ever since our first activity together she would always run up and hug me whenever she saw me.

Archery
Amy from Yawl! What a cutie :)
Tonight is the night of the dance so a couple girls in my cabin wanted me to do their makeup before dinner. Even after dinner, I had a couple girls from Sloop and Yawl wanting me to do their makeup. Next year I'm making sure to bring extra eye makeup brushes that way when someone asks me to do their makeup I won't get a sty a couple weeks after camp ends. My cabin headed to the Dining Hall looking very... Fabulous?

Pretty gorgeous eh?
Since day 1, my cabin was determined to receive signatures from every counselor in the handbook first. Of course, we had to do a couple hilariously ridiculous tasks but in the end we had the honor of sitting with a very special guest during dinner. That special guest being Captain Compost, the superhero of all things compost! While we were waiting for our number to be called out to eat, my boyfriend walked up to my cabins table and just stared at me... It took me a couple seconds but he was wearing his tye-dyed shirt with writing saying, "Happy One Year Anniversary Shelby <3". I couldn't even express the happiness through my smile I just had to give him a huge hug and continue smiling like a lovey dovey fool.

Sweetest boyfriend on this planet!
Everyone in my cabin, including my counselors, gave him huge boyfriend points and thought what he did was super cute. I think it's clear... he's definitely a keeper! I told him to wear the shirt to the dance tonight to show everyone what an amazing boyfriend he is and what a stud muffin I have. To make dinner any better would to eat mac n cheese and what do you know? We walked up to the kitchen and saw counselors serving mac n cheese on everyone's plate! SCORE!

After Tsunami cleaned our table, we went back to our cabin to get dressed and touch up. I quickly put on my flowery dress which tied into the Hawaiian theme very well, we took some cabin pictures of all of us looking spiffy and BEE-ah-OO-tea-ful and headed back towards the dining hall for a night of fist pumping and being monkeys!

Lovely ladies of Schooner!... oh and Amy :)
Our last night at camp was amazing! I loved dancing with old friends, new friends, meeting more people in one night, taking pictures, and once again slow dancing with my boyfriend. The costume dance last year was considered, "our first date" and now one year has passed and it's like deja vu. Different clothes, more memories, stronger feelings, and slow dancing in the same spot from the year prior.

Heart Couple <3

My little buddy Christian is growing up!

The gang :)

My friend Brandon:)
It was a perfect way to end the night and to end the session. We skidaddled back to our cabins for our final cabin closing... How much has camp impacted you? What does camp mean to you? I have been going to camp since 2004 when I finally met the age requirements and I have never missed a year. Being this close to my final years as a camper sort of feels like growing up. You know you're growing up when you move out, or you enter college or you begin worrying about things you didn't have to worry about before. My graduating year at camp will be really hard for me because I'll feel like I've reached my expiration date as a kid. As much as I want to move out and experience the world myself, there is always that fear in the pit of my stomach of how my life will turn out. Camp has taught me to put a better, more positive perspective in life throughout all the difficult times I've come across. Camp has always been that shimmer of light to motivate me to get back on my feet whenever my heart has brought me down. I guess I thank camp not for just giving me five days of feeling normal and loved but I thank my whole life to camp. Thank you for giving me the confidence I have today, the memories that will last a lifetime, the friends you don't find anywhere else and the want to come back every year!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Kayaking, Giant Swing, Court Games, Notes

Day 3

You know how you're completely unaware of where you are for about five seconds after waking up from a really intense dream? Whenever I wake up at camp it takes me about five seconds to realize where I am. I'm not in my bed, I'm in my sleeping bag. I don't have an obnoxious alarm to wake up too besides my counselor and the sounds of the oceans. These are one of the rare moments when I literally wake up with a smile on my face. No nagging parents or math class to start off the day... just pure happiness.

Yesterday, I went on the morning hike with my friend Sammy. While hiking around a different trail than the day before, we created possibly the best GRACE that ties perfectly into the Olympic "love America" theme:

I pledge alliengence, to this Breakfast
Of the Camp Del Corazon Kitchen Staff
And to this Dining Hall in which we stand
One camp under Big Kahuna and Xena
With Good Times and Seconds for ALL!

Now that it has been recorded, I will never forget it and keep it in mind for next year! This time I went on the morning hike with my favorite man, my very studly boyfriend. I remember last year, before we were even dating, we went on the morning hike together every morning. DEJA VU!

View of the dock, the amphitheater, girls camp, and the courts

And he gave me his sweatshirt one cold morning :)
Hit It Gumbi!

Hey Hefi How Bout Seconds?!

After the sunshine dance, breakfast and we composted our food, we chugged down what's left in our cups to play the cup game. Once our cabin starts the cup game sometimes other counselors and campers will join in and it becomes one huge, loud line of synchronized cups. We didn't win cleanest cabin queens at our last attempt so we swept till the floor was clean enough to lick... theoretically.

This morning was cold but thankfully it started warming up during breakfast. Just in time for kayaking! I would say the weather was definitely on our side. I partnered with my friend Sammy and we kayaked to "Bird Terd Rock" while singing and motivating each other the entire time. Like usual, we played Piano Keys which is where you try to switch with someone else in a different kayak while grabbing hold of each others kayaks in a drifting line. I switched twice yet still ended up in the same kayak. So, Team Shemmy (a name collaboration Sammy and I created) raced the boy cabin, Tsunami, back to shore for our next activity which was the Giant Swing.

The Giant Swing is probably my favorite activity. You put on an a harness that looks much like a pair of overalls. Once you're strapped in, your cabin pulls on a rope bringing you higher and higher into the air (or whatever height you're comfortable with). You let go of the rope your cabin is pulling on and you fly through the air like Tinkerbell! I love the dropping sensation and the rush of the wind in your face while floating through the air. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures... on my camera. So maybe I'll post those pictures once I get them from my friend who took pictures on her camera!

We gave a camp appreciation to Ooops and walked towards the Dining Hall for lunch. Before every meal, besides breakfast, Sammy always says, "I HOPE WE'RE HAVING MAC N CHEESE!". She successfully got the whole cabin into a huge craving for mac n cheese. We didn't have Mac N Cheese for lunch this time but we knew we were going to eat it either for dinner or sometime tomorrow! We headed back to our cabin for Quiet Hour which was the perfect time to plan out our skit for tonight. On the first day during the camp tour, we were given a box with mysterious props inside. Our props consisted of a huge collection of sailor hats so we wrote a poem with a shipwrecked theme to it and ended our skit with free styling to Rihanna.

We continued with our day and headed to Court Games. We decided to play Apples to Apple in the Dining Hall and finished the activity hoolahooping and played tether ball with the boy cabins until we had to leave for Notes. Every year we write to the sponsors of Camp Del Corazon telling them how much we appreciate camp. Last year I wrote EVERYTHING I could think of, taking up all the blank space available. This year I kept it simple with writing one paragraph and a camp appreciation to the sponsors.

During Court Games
We ran back to our cabins for shower hour and got ready for tonight's skit night. We first went to dinner, eating spaghetti instead of man n cheese. No worries, we still have many more meals to look forward to for some cheesy delciousness! Besides, this meal was so delicious I managed to grab seconds and be apart of the Clean Plate Club.

My peasants Dylan and Jarred ;)

Team Shemmy! 
Once dinner was over we rehearsed our skit one more time and headed towards the amphitheater for skit night! I don't know why I was so nervous for our skit. It was very simple and short there was nothing to be nervous about. Now that I think about, I'm nervous every year for skit night. Especially last year when I was rapping about the Wizard of Oz. Good times! We were one of the last cabins to perform since we were one of the older cabins and I think we did splendidly. I also give props to Senior 2, Clipper and Senior 3! Your skits were Hill-ARE-ee-US! It was a perfect way to end the night leading to cabin closing. My high of the day was the giant swing and once again I didn't have any lows!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Arts & Crafts, High Ropes, Wall, Swim

Day 2

The night before, our cabin decided what morning activity we wanted to do. You have the choice of answering trivia at Wake N Wind, going on the Morning Hike or entering enlightenment in yoga with Puppy Monster. As usual, I chose the morning hike like last year. After hiking on a trail wrapped around the camp grounds in my footy pajama's and bunny slippers I was completely awake to do the Sunshine Dance. No matter what, I always have to do the Sunshine Dance FULL OUT, whether I'm in my bedroom or I hear the song playing at the mall or I'm actually at camp (feels less ridiculous when everyone around me is doing it too)!

Once all the cabins were lined up by the bell it was time to do the Sunshine Dance. My friend Marissa and I were chosen to do the Sunshine Dance in front of everyone, since we're such pro's, to demonstrate to the new campers how it's done! Afterwards, we sat down waiting for our number to be called intoxicated by the delicious camp smells of breakfast. Breakfast is my absolute favorite meal of the day at camp! I always over load on the fresh fruit and, how great is it to start the first day of activities with fluffy pancakes and sausage!

YUM!
On the Morning Hike with Aries
Obviously... we haven't done the Sunshine Dance yet

My footy pajama wearin' counselor, Izzy!

Known these girly's for two years; Sammy and Marissa!
Once we finished breakfast it was time to go back to our cabins and attempt the title of Clean Cabin Queens. I have never gone to camp and NOT won Cleanest Cabin Queens so I was a determined little rascal to really kiss up to the med nurses once again this year. After sweeping and placing our shoes into the shape of a heart, we left for our first activity, Art's & Crafts. I made sure to pack a white t-shirt since we were tye -dying shirts this year in Art's & Crafts. I used yellow and blue to make green and I just sprinkled that all over my spiral looking shirt. As of the moment, I don't know if it will turned out good or not but all I do know is that I am definitely wearing it on the last day of activities just because it's lime green!

After giving the Art's and Crafts ladies a bit of a fail camp appreciation we left for the High Ropes Course! Last year, I made it my goal to stand up on the Eagles Perch but I ended up just sitting up there. I don't know why I'm so undefeated by this wobbly telephone pole, but it's completely different when you're actually up there looking down at your cabin cheering you on. This year I had to conquer this thing... it wasn't just a want, IT'S A NEED! I was the first one to volunteer to go first and my belayer, Zoe, was so energetic and reassuring I can do this! It didn't take me long to get up there, but it took me awhile to move both my feet to the surface. Personally, after you have one foot there and you just have to rely on gravity for two seconds while getting your other foot there is the hardest part. That's when I feel like I'm going to fall BUT I'M NOT! My adrenaline was rushing but I kept telling myself, "YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FALL! YOU'RE ON A HARNESS! CMON', MOVE THAT FOOT!!" I guess my pep talk worked because I managed to stand on top of the Eagles Perch for a firsty! I was doing the Sunshine Dance, the Squirrel Dance, and shaking my booty while up there but once I lost the feeling in my legs from shaking so bad I figured it was time to come down.
Going up...

Half way there!


Just chillin ;)
After accomplishing my biggest goal for this year, I was ready for anything! I decided to do the Rigidy Bridge and the Catwalk before Lunch.

Made it across the Rigidy Bridge!

#YOLO

Meditation really does exist!

Strutting across the Catwalk!
The bell rang for lunch and I was so ready to eat and relax during Quiet Hour. After that much activity, all I wanted to do was lie down in my bunk before our next activity which was the rock wall. The rest of my cabin was focused on finishing first for this competition to do specific, silly tasks like telling YNOT, "Hey, I'm allergic to bacon..." or asking Ooops, "How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a woodchuck would Chuck Norris?" or showing Flipper some amazing hair flips as our best "flip" and in return get a counselor's signature. So far, we are the cabin with the most signatures so we were so confident we were going to finish first to win the mysterious prize!

It seemed Quiet Hour didn't last very long considering I was still tired but I was soon ecstatic once I remembered the rock wall was our next activity! Two years ago, I made it to the top of the wall in 45 seconds. Last year, I made it to the top in 36 seconds. I'm pretty satisfied with my record, so I went up the wall once, recited a quote and supported the rest of my cabin as they went up the rest of the time.


Our next activity was swimming at the waterfront and I was probably most excited about this activity since we were with Senior 2 and Ketch. After jumping on the trampoline with the littliler ones and chillaxing in the water with the other cabins I was freezing and ready for Shower Hour! Before heading towards girls camp, my boyfriend and I were talking about the dance, which led to him going down on one knee and asking me to the dance with his lovely offering of quartz.

What a gentleman! :)
After he totally made my day, I skidaddled to our cabin for Shower Hour and got ready for dinner and tonight's evening activity. I'll never forget my counselor, Mrs. Boinic, staring at me while I curled my hair. A couple of the girls who were in my cabin last year recalled how I did their makeup which I did again for them this year (which might be why I have a sty on my eyelid the size of a tic tac. Future reference, don't share makeup)! I would say my red and white striped shirt, my American flag shorts and shades along with my blue and white eyeshadow matched the theme well since tonight's theme was all about the Olympics. Our last delicious meal of the night led to an Olympic competition. A team composed of multiple cabins would compete in several obstacles against the other teams. I think our team had a bit of a disadvantage since we only had two other cabins with us, Tugboat and Monsoon (which I may add are two of the younger boy cabins), while everyone else had a team consisting of four cabins. Despite that, I think we did an excellent job Team Alpha Awesome! 

A few of ladies in Schooner!
Even though Team Alpha Awesome didn't win, our name still implied that we are awesome! The night was coming to end and we returned to our cabins for cabin closing. This time my high's of the day was accomplishing my biggest goal by reaching the top of the Eagles Perch and having my boyfriend propose to me on the beach. That was just so sweet! My low's? Pretty sure there are no such thing as a "low" at camp!