thursday throwback, camp pioneer

this will be a busy day today with school lessons to do, cleaning to complete, and rehearsals for two of the four of us. this morning, thinking about getting ready to do school, I was remembering back 18 years ago, when I was 18. It doesn't seem possible that I am correct in saying that, but nevertheless, I was likely suffering withdrawl. I had spent the summer of 1990 across Lake Erie, in New York State, working as a camp counselor with a great staff. One girl in particular was introduced to me, to be my friend, and we were inseparable the whole glorious summer. I don't know where she is now, but I hope to re-connect with her one day.

Rachel from Rochester. Someone took took picture of us while we were unaware. I think I was looking across the water thinking about my own beach back home. I am on the left. we have our arms around each other and the sun is setting. glorious summer.

Then there is the photograph of the whole lot of us. I am holding Rachel's hand. It was an amazing summer of growth for me. Being away from everyone I knew was perfect. I remember my mom calling the pay phone (there was one in the office but you weren't likely to get anyone there so you would call the pay phone and whoever happened to be walking by would answer it, then run to find the person being asked for. It was quirky now that I think about it but seemed quite normal at the time)

Anyway, mom was calling to tell me I had been accepted into the University of Western Ontario. I had thought I was going back to High School for grade fourteen. (You have to be from Ontario and over the age of 30 to understand that one) I had many mixed emotions, but I did go to Uni. and I did get my degree.

Camp Pioneer. I had to sing Oh Canada to receive any mail. I had to run around the dining hall a lot for having my elbows on the table. I was a sleep walker and would end up outside my cabin freqently. Rachel and I ran the beach every morning and refused dessert regularly. I had just finished a year of rowing at school and she was a serious swimmer. I discovered I was allergic to dogwood fluff. My boyfriend never did come to visit me (wasn't Neal). I cried a lot.

I never wanted to leave and couldn't wait to go.

The counselors stole pizza every orientation night and snuck up into Hillman Hall to watch Saturday Night Live (it was on at ten pm in New York State!) We would also get caught around 10:45 every orientation night by the night watchman who threatened to have all of us sent back home. Part of us would have liked that. It was anything but an easy summer but I would do it all over again.