I think you should all go read these books. No excuses.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime- written from the perspective of 15 year old
with autism. It is absolutely fascinating and so enlightening about how many people with
autism think.
- Look Me in the Eye- John Elder Robinson- His memoir of growing up with Asperger's without a diagnosis. If you know anyone with Asperger's, you will love this.
- Running with Scissors- So incredible and undescribeable. Go read it and you'll know what I mean.
-Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster. But first go read Bitter is the New Black, Bright Lights Big Ass, and Such a Pretty Fat. These books are laugh out loud, pee in your pants funny and are so much fun to read. So read all of them. Really.
- Riding the Bus with My Sister- a really touching story about two sisters, one with special needs and their journey together. A great read, especially if you've worked with special needs.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Apparently I'm a slacker
I feel completely like a slacker but really I could blame my lack of updates on the fact that I dont actually have internet access during the week and I spend 90% of my weekends sleeping but I wont. So for those of you who I havent seen in a while, here's an update on my life at camp and everything in between.
The third week of camp went really well and since it was near the 4th of July we all got to go on a hot air balloon ride. Granted the balloon was tied to the ground so we didn't go too high, but it was a hot air balloon none the less. I've learned so far that the "old lady" cabin is really pretty fun, especially when they can't stand the creepy clown show and they hate it. My favorite camper from the week was definately this adorable woman named Miss Pat who totally had an attitude. She was completely ridiculous and therefore I loved her.
I got to celebrate the 4th in Nashville with the wonderful Allison Renfro! I was so incredibly excited to see her- it has been far too long! I love being reminded how wonderful and amazing my friends are. We got to go to downtown Nashville, hang out at Spa Renfro by the pool, and celebrate at the gorgeous Renfro farm. The farm is absolutely beautiful and it was so wonderful to be in a place where I could just relax and be with such wonderful friends. Oh and Caroline? We can still go to Mephis. I think the best part is that we ended the weekend by going to Barnes and Noble and going to Ben's house to read. Seriously, we're nerds.
Fourth week of camp was...interesting. We had some really fun campers but I did get smacked in the face a few times. Oh, and choked by a 60 year old. That was an experience and yes, my parents asked to see a picture of the lady who smacked me. That was comforting. Other than that, our campers have really fun so far and I have really enjoyed getting to know them as people, not people with special needs. I feel like we are all learning that really we all have disabilites and the best thing is to focus on everyone's abilities, not what they can't do.
That weekend (sorry this is such a long update...) my cousin got married and I got to go with my wonderful friend Nate. My parents had just gotten in from Vegas so I got to catch up with them and here all about their trip. They did call me from the Hoover Dam which made me uber jealous but hey, the present from Cirque Du Solei really helped :) I feel very blessed to have parents who I get along so well with and we all had so much fun at the wedding. Apparently, the Ritters can really throw a party. I got to see so many of my cousins, dance to "Shout" with my mom (if you know us, this makes perfect sense, see my sweet little cousin MC, and tear up the dance floor with Natey. I really cannot think of a more wonderful wedding weekend.
I just finished up with the 5th week of camp and now I feel like I'm on the downward slope of camp. I cannot believe that we have already have 5 weeks of camp. It feels like just yesterday we were all meeting for training and somehow we've already finished 5 weeks. I've really gotten to know so many amazing counselors and I feel like we have been bonded in so many ways. My favorite day was when a bunch of us went up to the lake at night to pray and share about our lives. I dont know if we are all realizing what this summer means for us quite yet but I know that this summer is something big. My cabin this week was fun and they wanted to do something in the talent show so I was really excited...gotta love that Camp Rock.
These campers mean so much to me and I realize that they are teaching me so much about myself- that I need to relax and go with the flow sometimes, what it means to be truly selfless, how wonderful it is to put people before yourselves and how special the little things in life are.
Well friends that's been the last 3 weeks of my life. I wish I was able to share with all of you absolutely everything about this summer so if I see you and make some crazy comment, its probably from camp and I've forgotten that I'm not there. I hope you all are having wonderful incredible summers.
So until my next chance to have internet....adios amigos.
The third week of camp went really well and since it was near the 4th of July we all got to go on a hot air balloon ride. Granted the balloon was tied to the ground so we didn't go too high, but it was a hot air balloon none the less. I've learned so far that the "old lady" cabin is really pretty fun, especially when they can't stand the creepy clown show and they hate it. My favorite camper from the week was definately this adorable woman named Miss Pat who totally had an attitude. She was completely ridiculous and therefore I loved her.
I got to celebrate the 4th in Nashville with the wonderful Allison Renfro! I was so incredibly excited to see her- it has been far too long! I love being reminded how wonderful and amazing my friends are. We got to go to downtown Nashville, hang out at Spa Renfro by the pool, and celebrate at the gorgeous Renfro farm. The farm is absolutely beautiful and it was so wonderful to be in a place where I could just relax and be with such wonderful friends. Oh and Caroline? We can still go to Mephis. I think the best part is that we ended the weekend by going to Barnes and Noble and going to Ben's house to read. Seriously, we're nerds.
Fourth week of camp was...interesting. We had some really fun campers but I did get smacked in the face a few times. Oh, and choked by a 60 year old. That was an experience and yes, my parents asked to see a picture of the lady who smacked me. That was comforting. Other than that, our campers have really fun so far and I have really enjoyed getting to know them as people, not people with special needs. I feel like we are all learning that really we all have disabilites and the best thing is to focus on everyone's abilities, not what they can't do.
That weekend (sorry this is such a long update...) my cousin got married and I got to go with my wonderful friend Nate. My parents had just gotten in from Vegas so I got to catch up with them and here all about their trip. They did call me from the Hoover Dam which made me uber jealous but hey, the present from Cirque Du Solei really helped :) I feel very blessed to have parents who I get along so well with and we all had so much fun at the wedding. Apparently, the Ritters can really throw a party. I got to see so many of my cousins, dance to "Shout" with my mom (if you know us, this makes perfect sense, see my sweet little cousin MC, and tear up the dance floor with Natey. I really cannot think of a more wonderful wedding weekend.
I just finished up with the 5th week of camp and now I feel like I'm on the downward slope of camp. I cannot believe that we have already have 5 weeks of camp. It feels like just yesterday we were all meeting for training and somehow we've already finished 5 weeks. I've really gotten to know so many amazing counselors and I feel like we have been bonded in so many ways. My favorite day was when a bunch of us went up to the lake at night to pray and share about our lives. I dont know if we are all realizing what this summer means for us quite yet but I know that this summer is something big. My cabin this week was fun and they wanted to do something in the talent show so I was really excited...gotta love that Camp Rock.
These campers mean so much to me and I realize that they are teaching me so much about myself- that I need to relax and go with the flow sometimes, what it means to be truly selfless, how wonderful it is to put people before yourselves and how special the little things in life are.
Well friends that's been the last 3 weeks of my life. I wish I was able to share with all of you absolutely everything about this summer so if I see you and make some crazy comment, its probably from camp and I've forgotten that I'm not there. I hope you all are having wonderful incredible summers.
So until my next chance to have internet....adios amigos.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Today's the day....
that Virginia is finally 21! Hooray for celebrating at the only bar in town that is not completely sketchy! I can't imagine going there with anyone else but you. Its been a crazy 7 years (wow that makes me feel old) but through it all you are there to laugh, cry, vent, or drool over Zac Efron with. You are the Nemo to my Dory, the Flounder to my Ariel, the Eve to my Wall-E. So happy birthday love and many many more!
Hottie Boy at 10 o'clock
I probably should have counted how many times I heard that phrase uttered in Cabin 12 this week but I doubt I can actually count that high. To say that they were boy crazy is putting it lightly; every boy was a hottie and no one was immune from their obsession. The good news? I'm sure all of the boys at camp have increased self-esteem and according to my campers, Matt and I are perfect for each other and will be getting married in a double cermony with Rodney and Shelby. So that's how my week went...absolutely ridiculous things that my campers say that never cease to amaze me and make me smile. I did, however, how annoying it is to be sick at camp and feel awful; but I certainly felt much better knowing that one of my sweet campers prayed for me to feel better at lunch. I feel like there are so many things that I am learning at camp, about my campers, about myself. Rarely would you ever meet a group of people so loving and unconditionally accepting as you will at camp. Their love and devotion is inspiring and truly I must say I feel blessed to have met some of my campers. I think my favorite part is the sense of pride I feel when the complete somehting they didn't think they could or how proud they are after the talent show. The past 2 weeks have already been a whirlwind that I don't think I could adequately describe to someone who hasn't been there. But as much fun as it is, I'm not quite sure I have ever treasured the hours from 1 to 3 as much as I do now. Either I get some much needed rest or I go to Starbucks or Leopard Forrest to check my email like an addict. Or I find out all at the same time that Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson all died. Seriously, talk about shock. Oh and the governor of SC? He totally went missing but was really in Argentina with his mistress. Really??? Apparently a lot can happen in a few days without connection to, oh say, any form of communication. Now I feel like I need to catch up on a weeks worth of Perez Hilton posts which is a lot. Sure I could just ask someone but I needed a dose of biting humor (I did like that one of campers finally caught onto the sarcasm I constantly spew- I liked that one a lot.) I guess I must need some sort of flow of information to keep me connected to the world but I am learning that certain things just aren't necessary to check all the time. Example, I no longer excessively stalk people on facebook. Certain people occasionally but the mass stalking that news feed enabled has been squashed. Progress I say. But still I refused to believe any of the news until I read it somewhere because I am sort of incredibly gullible. Alas, so much had happened in my 2nd week of camp that I am still processing it. I keep feeling like there are stories to share but then I am reminded how exhausted I am so I stop thinking. I'm sure at some point there will be many stories but until then enjoy a list of some of the funny, albeit not always socially acceptable quotes and notes from the week.
- One of my campers thinking she was a cat. I wish I could say this was made up but its true.
- A Barefoot Contessa obsessed camper who will sometimes talk to Ina herself.
- Our pet butterfly we kept in a box with holes in it. I have no idea how it actually lived 3 days. Resilient little bugger.
- One camper telling me that both of my bosses were hotties. To their faces. Awkward.
- Being told I was a radically cool friend because of my love of the Little Mermaid.
- He then told me I would be the one person he would choose to be a merperson with.
- It's culture!
- Fantasia 2000 with a little Toy Story thrown in
- Anything ever said by Paul Benton. I quote him often.
- The enormous spider we found on a campers bed. I was in no way calm.
- Escaping to Starbucks at any chance.
- Seeing my favorite professor at L.F.- it felt like the real world finally.
- Being smothered in the pool by Henry and Joel.
Now I'm going to go a take a shower...without shoes! And get into a bed without the fear of bugs! Little victories I say.
- One of my campers thinking she was a cat. I wish I could say this was made up but its true.
- A Barefoot Contessa obsessed camper who will sometimes talk to Ina herself.
- Our pet butterfly we kept in a box with holes in it. I have no idea how it actually lived 3 days. Resilient little bugger.
- One camper telling me that both of my bosses were hotties. To their faces. Awkward.
- Being told I was a radically cool friend because of my love of the Little Mermaid.
- He then told me I would be the one person he would choose to be a merperson with.
- It's culture!
- Fantasia 2000 with a little Toy Story thrown in
- Anything ever said by Paul Benton. I quote him often.
- The enormous spider we found on a campers bed. I was in no way calm.
- Escaping to Starbucks at any chance.
- Seeing my favorite professor at L.F.- it felt like the real world finally.
- Being smothered in the pool by Henry and Joel.
Now I'm going to go a take a shower...without shoes! And get into a bed without the fear of bugs! Little victories I say.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Can I ask you a question?
The first session of camp is done and I feel exhausted already. A good kind of exhuasted but exhausted none the less. We had a lot of fun this week despite the fact that it rained, oh every single day. Ever been in a cabin with a bunch of people terrified of thunder storms? That was fun. Oh, and I got married I think three times to a 10 year old who calls me his honey and apparently believe that it is ok to have 4 boyfriends. Camp definately does something for your self esteem because at some point, I think we all had someone who thought we were their boyfriend or girlfriend. The good news is that this first week was a lot of fun and definately a learning experience. Even though we are all so tired and were so ready to return to places with internet access, I miss camp and all of the funny things that happen there. The good thing? I am learning that really it is not necessary to check facebook 20 times a day. I think that is a positive life change.
Things I learned at camp this week:
- Modesty is an interesting thing at camp- it doesn't always exist
- Campers love when you lip synch to miley cyrus. love it.
- Chelsea Garber was right- when in doubt, bleach it.
- I have never been more excited to go to Walmart in my life. Ever.
- Having someone give you an imaginary crown and tell you a princess can make your week.
- Fighting imaginary giants is harder than it looks.
- Nap time is a good thing. A very good thing.
- Being cut off from the media can be really refreshing.
- Just say no questsions- that always works.
- Never forget that you're diabetic.
- If you think you've stepped on a snake, just run and don't look back.
- It is possible to forget what society is like in a week.
- You don't realize how dirty you are until you're in public and you realize that everyone else is a lot cleaner than you.
- Always wear shoes. Always.
So until my next access to internet,
here's to many more stories of ridiculous things that happen at camp.
Things I learned at camp this week:
- Modesty is an interesting thing at camp- it doesn't always exist
- Campers love when you lip synch to miley cyrus. love it.
- Chelsea Garber was right- when in doubt, bleach it.
- I have never been more excited to go to Walmart in my life. Ever.
- Having someone give you an imaginary crown and tell you a princess can make your week.
- Fighting imaginary giants is harder than it looks.
- Nap time is a good thing. A very good thing.
- Being cut off from the media can be really refreshing.
- Just say no questsions- that always works.
- Never forget that you're diabetic.
- If you think you've stepped on a snake, just run and don't look back.
- It is possible to forget what society is like in a week.
- You don't realize how dirty you are until you're in public and you realize that everyone else is a lot cleaner than you.
- Always wear shoes. Always.
So until my next access to internet,
here's to many more stories of ridiculous things that happen at camp.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Live from Leopard Forrest...
So my friends this will have to be quick because I have precious few moments on the internet here at Leopard Forrest. Somehow with only two days under my belt I am already exhausted! As always I feel like I need a nap. The first two days have been a whirlwind of stories that I wish I could put into words. I am doing well without facebook which is a huge accomplishment for me! Our campers are really fun to be around and of course are stoked that our theme is Camp Rock. There may in fact be some dancing to Camp Rock at the talent show. I hope you are all having a wonderful summer and I really cannot wait to tell all you so many hilarious stories!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Can I have some hand sanitizer?
So we survived the first week of training at camp and what a week it was. There was lots of cleaning, painting, mixing a beautiful mauve color that Marty hated, shoveling a little dirt, learning how to string fishing line, dance parties, movies, painting Camp Rock lyrics on the walls, and a little bit of digging for worms. And there was the part where we all stared at our cell phones on the way to the Wal-Mart in TR to get service. I don't think I have ever seen a group of people so excited to go to Wal-Mart on a Tuesday night or probably ever will again. And the movies, oh the movies. Where else would you watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Holes, Mean Girls, Rent, and Wild Hogs all in the same week while laughing hysterically/hyperventilating/making weird animal noises (cough Becca cough). And the classes where Shawn slept and Ben and I made up MASH for Cuadrado while Eric said some really, really awkward things. Oh, and hand sanitizer. Lots and lots of hand sanitizer.
Here are just some of the highlights:
- I'm wearing a watch!- Cuadrado
- Cuadrado's subsequent panic attack
- I'm like Beetlejuice...- Shawn
- Triplets? That's like twins with 3 right?- Shawn
- Unnawares?
- Seriously, just don't do the split.
-Man capris? No thank you.
- Artic blast
- Miss Allison, that's a rat!
- Let's get freaky in the pool! Yeah, don't ever say that to a camper- that's bad.
- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, you choose.
-Ben's mad crazy dancing skills
- The WTF face
- You're a twin!?!?! No way!
- Can we take Mimi, Tuck and Ling Ling too?
And perhaps the greatest thing of all....
Cuadrado wearing Chacos. Yes Chacos.
Here's to the next 8 weeks.
Here are just some of the highlights:
- I'm wearing a watch!- Cuadrado
- Cuadrado's subsequent panic attack
- I'm like Beetlejuice...- Shawn
- Triplets? That's like twins with 3 right?- Shawn
- Unnawares?
- Seriously, just don't do the split.
-Man capris? No thank you.
- Artic blast
- Miss Allison, that's a rat!
- Let's get freaky in the pool! Yeah, don't ever say that to a camper- that's bad.
- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, you choose.
-Ben's mad crazy dancing skills
- The WTF face
- You're a twin!?!?! No way!
- Can we take Mimi, Tuck and Ling Ling too?
And perhaps the greatest thing of all....
Cuadrado wearing Chacos. Yes Chacos.
Here's to the next 8 weeks.
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