Kitchen Kraziness

So, I thought it was about time I checked in with my blogging friends. I'm still out at camp and loving it. I'm not sure how many times I"ve said it in the past week and a bit I've been out here, but I love camp. Even if I get tired, stressed, burnt out I still love camp. I love the beauty of creation that is all around, the community is fun to be a part of and I have really enjoyed singing and praying together. I have spent most of my time working in the kitchen, mostly as one of the crew but a few stints of head-cook as well. I am having a lot of fun cooking and feeding people! I call it my 'inner Baba' because I find great joy in feeding people. Creating delicious food and making sure people are never hungry is so important for me.

I've gone around the island on the trail a few times, but so far the weather/timing has not worked out to go for a paddle yet. I"m hopeful for tomorrow. I've also been trying my hand at some aerobics! that's right folks, exercise at camp! One of the staff that's out here for the summer is an aerobics instructor and she has been leading classes for us. We definitely get our hearts a pumping and the tunes going. We even got some of the guys to join us! I'd show you a picture or two, but cameras were banned from the room....

It's raining AGAIN! I don't think we've had three days consecutively where it hasn't rained. But that's ok because the tea is always hot, conversations good and fun to be had!

Saturday I graduate officially as a teacher. It's pretty exciting! I'm having a small party with some friends and family after the ceremony which will be nice. Again, good food, conversation and people...hard to find a better mix!

Island Dweller

Today is the start of the long weekend and I am super excited about going out to camp for the next week. It will likely be the only time I will get out to the island this summer. There are a bunch of people on 4-month staff that I already know and of course there will be new people to welcome to my friend circle. I have no idea what team I will be working with this week, but I know I will enjoy myself. My guess is either kitchen or probably kitchen:)- I've packed my long underwear and toque and mitts. IT's gonna be pretty chilly out there but I"m still pumped to be heading out. I am hoping the ice has receeded enough to allow me to get out in a canoe and around the island on the trail a few times. There will also be time for knitting, games and conversation. Camp is such a special place, and it's hard for me to really describe all that it encompasses. I have spent the last 3 summers out on the island and it is nice to have a chance to go back, even if just for a short while this spring. I will hopefully post some pictures when I get back.

In other news, we celebrated my parents' birthdays this week. We even managed to surprise my dad with a surprise party to celebrate and a scavenger hunt full of surprises with his new GPS unit. It was nice to actually be home to celebrate these special times with my parents, especially since I will be out of the country at this time next year.

Take care friends...hopefully your long weekend has something fun and restoritive in store.

till later!

Time Off

It's day 2 of my summer vacation and so far it is lovely. I have been doing some little jobs here and there like organizing my school stuff and starting to make phone calls to get things settled for China but mostly just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful spring sunshine. Yesterday I went for 2 long walks and it was fantastic. It is so fun to watch all the trees getting their new leaves for a new season. The grass is turning green and my spirits are definitely lifted.

I have also gotten my baking hands back to work. Yesterday I made falafels for supper as well as a carrot cake (with cream cheese icing of course!) and a big batch of granola for the family. I missed cooking while I was away student teaching so it's nice to be at home in my own kitchen again (well technically my mother's kitchen but she doesn't seem to mind sharing!)

I've also been busy help plan some birthday parties since my parents are both celebrating their birthdays next week. But mostly it's just nice to be able to do whatever I want without that niggling guilt in the back of my brain for all the school 'stuff' I could/should be doing. I have already started to fill in my social calender for getting together with people the rest of this week. I have a feeling it won't be hard finding things to do every day...just different things than when I am officially working:)

I'm off to finish organizing all my school stuff. Right now my bedroom floor is covered in papers which is a little inconvenient for getting to anything else in the room:)-

The Last Day

Today is the last day of my student teaching life. So far I've eaten pancakes & Syrup, cookies & milk, and cake. This afternoon includes some more cookies and a different cake. I am enjoying this day of 'parties' with my students. It's a good way to finish off my time at the school. I just got my final evaluation papers from my faculty advisor and i PASSED! That means that I only have to wait until May 30 to walk across the stage and get my piece of paper. And then a little more waiting until I receive my official certificate. It's hard to believe that this part of my life is actually done (well almost...3 hours left!)

I have to pack up my room tonite and do some cleaning and then tomorrow morning I will be driving home. I plan on relaxing for the next few days and enjoying my family and then getting started on my lits of things to do before China. I also have some mini-trips planned for the summer and a lot of time at the cottage and with the boat!