Stormy weather

It began raining at 4:22am. I woke to hear the raindrops hitting the upturned oak leaves, the dusty pine needles, and the metal table just outside my window. Tink tink tink tink.

This would be perfect if it weren't for that darn table...

So I stand up on my bed and look out my window to see if I could move the table in the morning.

CRACK! gggzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt!

Lightning struck very, very near. Near enough where I could hear something buzzing and humming in response.

I love storms. I told my boss today that I was sorry for being so flighty; I am storm-deprived. Our All Day Adventures were scheduled for today and we decided to break up that "all day" into two parts. For the first part we hiked the kids out to Rock Canyon, where bedrock forms a series of pools. With the help of the rain, these summer-time-dried-up pools were slightly filled. We saw a cute little toad that was only as big at my thumb, the same thistle-down velvet ant, and a few hawks. The kids were a bit noisy, but they were pretty cool this week. One of them attached himself to my walking staff and would do anything to carry it. Pretty darned cute.

The storm came in waves, showering us in light rain, then a downpour while it was sunny, and the occasional thunder and lightning show. It was marvelous. I haven't been so giddy in a long while. I mean, hiking in the rain while it is sunny with thunder overhead: what more could I ask for, really?

Mornings with Mom

Woke up early to meet Mom in Julian. I am fighting off a sore throat. Needed cough drops and EmergenC.

Mornings are made of peace here.

I drive down the road snapping shots out my open window. It smells like it wants to rain.

Mom has an entire care package for me; I'm 24 and I still could not survive without my mom. This makes me smile because I am trying to get back in touch with my childhood.

It's working.

Apple boysenberry crumb crust pie. Apple cider. It's for the other interns and other friends at Camp. I see my boss in town, then again at work. We joke about me "shadowing too closely."

I help the kids with rock craft today. Take a ragged stone, turn it into a gem: this is not an easy task for impatient children. But they manage. They succeed. They smile.

My staff has become something of a sacred thing to carry. I normally let the quietest, the nicest, and the shiest kid carry it as we hike. The red tailed hawk feathers twirl on the wind at the end of the staff. It seems to enable children to fly.

Week two

I feel progressively stronger. And taller (though that may be due to the fact that I tower over most sixth graders). I am so used to high school boys being at least as tall as I am, but these guys are short--and if there are tall ones it is normally the girls.

These kids are amazing; they know more than some college students I have met. They are also much friendlier.

I am also learning "six grade appropriate language" here at Camp. Let me demonstrate:

Non-appropriate term: Fart

Camp Term: Butt-crickets

Non-appropriate term: Butt (but, crickets! I know.)

Camp Term: Rear, bottom, G.M. (gludius maximus)

Non-appropriate term: Shut up

Camp Term: Shhh! Quiet, you squirrels!

Non-appropriate term: Oh my god!

Camp Term: Hokey smokes! Geez la weez!

Non-appropriate term: Poop

Camp Term: Scat

So it's not much of a list, but I am pretty tired and my brain has shut off. 10pm is far too late for me to be up.

Yet I am so, so happy!

Night Hikes

Camp Cuyamaca gives some kids the kind of gifts they have never received before: like a night hike during a full moon. Many of the kids who come to 6th grade camp have never been camping, let alone spent five whole days submerged in the beauty of nature.

I've been told that some kids have never seen a clear night sky--they have never seen the Milky Way. And so I take my stand as a part of Camp Cuyamaca and I try to combat this nature deficiency disorder that appears to be all too rampant in children now-a-days.

I finished my first week and I am now heading into my second; I am excited, better prepared, and anxious to help these awesome kids get to know nature.

Watch! Students are suddenly ecstatic to be surrounded by trees, by fresh air, and by wild animals; they find themselves in awe of that which they used to overlook.

There are six months of these miracles ahead of me; I love this job.

Shook

Every time I bump into the table I think it is an earthquake.

I freeze and wait for the rumble, but it never comes.

Sometimes in the evenings, when it is cloudy, I think I hear thunder;

but then it turns out it is just the busboy from the restaurant

dragging the metal trash cans out to the dumpster.

My heart leapt only to be let fall into the rotten heap of disappointment.

It was a bright morning. Driving fast down the freeway, I saw

her wings like the upcoming autumn.

She stooped to grab something on the side of the road

and I gasped as a van nearly clipped her.

She cartwheeled in mid-flight and I yelled a warning!

Wide-eyed and beak open, she gathered herself safely away from the cars,

talons fastened tight to a tree branch.

My knuckles white as they gripped the steering wheel.

Decisions

I got the job at Camp Cuyamaca.

Then I find out about an opening at Vista High School: applied.

Monday I will have to turn in my paperwork for Camp.

Monday I might get a call about an interview for VHS.

I want the outdoors.

I want a career.

Decisions: I worry about making them.