First Days at this Sleep Away Camp

I've only got a few seconds before I have to be back on duty but yesterday 32 girls at the age of 13 moved into one bunk with me and by bunk I mean house.  It's been hectic and crazy but thank the Lord I brought my earplugs with me.  I can still hear the perfectly fine but without the incessant ringing in my ears haha. Internet access here is truly limited and cell phones are not permitted. I think the worst part is not being allowed to keep my precious oreos in the bunk with me but in the HQ that can only be accessed by particular people at particular times.  Sorry for the shortness of the update but I promise more later tonight...maybe?

*Dufflebags and Bunkbeds*

Megan

Gone Again

My flight back to Syracuse was pretty straight forward except for what turned into a 3hr delay at JFK but I got to watch the U.S. soccer game in the airport.  When I got home a family friend, Beth Pelley was visiting with her two adorable children Meghan and Stephen.

<<the Pelley's>>

Yes, the similarities in names is hilarious...not.  Anyways, I spent a day and a half at home before I had to take off again to another summer adventure, this one a little more intense.  I will be working as a counselor at a camp in the Catskills for 8 weeks and this first week is just counselor orientation.  For those college students who have ever applied to be an R.A. imagine a carousel day that lasts 24hrs a day for a week.  Yeah, ridiculous plus I won't be able to post as often because internet use is only available in the staff "lounge" (read: shack) and we only have so much free time to visit this "lounge".  Also, if I want to put up pictures I have to clear it with head counselors so that'll be limited as well.  Sorry to disappoint but I will try super hard to keep up with everything.

Quick congratulations to Portugal on their shut out against Korea and to Brazil on their almost shut out against the Ivory Coast.

*Small bunks and Name tags*

Megan

50 Life Lessons I learned in Nashville

Here's that list I promised for y'all and although some of these life lessons seem quite obvious, I am an oblivious person so if it's on the list, it really sunk in while I was here.

1. Frogger was based on real life

2. Always give people the benefit of the doubt even when it seems unlikely to change anything

3. Adventure is a mindset not a plane ticket

4. Appreciate nice food when you have it

5. People who walk are not weird, they're from New York

6. Even in a giant crowd people still think they are the most important

7. Everyone has different levels of self respect

8. I will always find a way to procure the love of my life; cookies

9. Fig Newtons are not cookies

10. Fig Newtons still remind me of my Grandma Altheia

 

11. Doing things alone can be just as fun

12. The heat doesn't care how good your hair looked in the a/c house

13. Umbrellas are not necessary, only water proof mascara

14. Being a morning person is harder than just setting the alarm

15. Eating alone does not mean someone is sad or lonely, only that they love food...a lot

16. A cowboy hat and boots does not make the cowboy but it certainly doesn't hurt

17. People who don't believe in God have either seen too much pain without hope or too little of anything

18. Beautiful white sand on a volleyball court can quickly become heaping, white coals testing your will to finish a set

19. Price and perceived worth are two different things entirely

20. Songbirds are the eternal optimists

21. Cardinals still remind me of my Aunt Helen

22. It's o.k. to take a lazy day once in a while

23. Standing up for what you want/believe is a lot less noble than the movies show but so unbelievably satisfying

24. Running without sunglasses in a city will make you a believer in second chances

25. Four pancakes is one pancake too many

26. Even hobos have their moments of incredible kindness, perhaps more so than the executives walking by on their blue tooths (teeth? toothi?)

27. You will not find quality relationships at a bar...or a gas station for that matter

28. Country music concerts are deafeningly awesome and will be until I lose all sense in my cochlea

29. Just because it's $0.99 for any size does not mean you should go for the super XL slushy

30. Shortcuts will inevitably get you lost

31. You can never get lost if you're having fun, so always take a different route

32. People are like houses, they may be pretty on the outside but on the inside there's a broken refrigerator

33. Driving a sweet ride does not make you any less of a douche

34. Patience is a virtue and whining about it just increases the chance that I will slap you

35. Witnessing a man healed of blindness does not hold the same level of awe inspired in Jesus's time, in fact it just makes me want to punch the not-so-blind person

36. 19th Ave did not lead where it was supposed to

37. My house spiders are a blessing comparitively

38. Running in super degree heat is not going to make you a better runner

39. You will not die of some horrible rare disease if you take the bus

40. Magnolia trees are awesome

41.  Never say, "I don't burn" in regards to someone offering you sunscreen

42. Life never goes according to plan so stop trying to map out the little details

43. It's easy to tell people to take risks but supporting them when they do is another story

44. You can start over in a new place and survive

45. Always pick up local pronunciations: D-mon-bree-un not Demon-brewn

46. Sometimes its best to let skills remain hidden lest they drag you into a commitment with a chainsaw

47. Never underestimate the satisfaction a frosty can bring

48. Thank the good Lord for Google maps

49. Time goes by so fast, make sure you get a good glimpse

50. Family is always important because they remind you of who you are when you've gotten lost

*Love and Lessons*

Megan

Ugh Disgusting Bugs

I am updating a little late because it's just been a bunch of little experiences since the last post.  For example, just now me, Rach, and our new housemate Mike were watching the Bachelorette outside on the driveway when I see what looks like a big rock moving towards me.  We all jump up and Mike pulls out his cell phone to light it up and it paused for a second just so we could witness its gigantor existence and then it pounced, literally pounced on Mike.  So back inside we go and Mike and I start talking about this miniature cricket in the kitchen laughing about how small it is when Rachel comes back in and is like "Ew, what is that" and I'm like "Aw he's just a little guy" and Rach looks at me and points at this thing, this monstrosity, this horrible mutant of a spider and grasshopper with pronged feet and so...WE CRUSHED IT!

<<go ahead, click the picture, do it!>>

<<And that is only half of its corpse>>

Apparently this is not the only horrible insect down here in Nashville which is know for its Brown Recluse spider (makes your flesh rot) and flying cockroaches aka the Palmetto bug (which we had last week but didn't know about until later). Not to mention the mosquitoes that seem much larger than the ones in NY but that could just be my freaked out mind.  Terrified to sleep right now so I am posting on my oh-so-fascinating blog.

Aside from the recent bug scandal, I have had other experiences including a trip to the Frist Museum to visit the Chihuly collection.  The building was beautiful and the Chihuly exhibit was just amazing.  For those who don't know Dale Chihuly, he is an artist who uses the medium of glass in supposedly revolutionary ways.  My own particularly favorite piece would have to be the part of the Fiori collection on display which is designed to be like a glass garden in some respects but with the lighting and the different colors, textures, and shapes of the glass the art was truly incredible to see in person even for an art novice like myself.  I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the actual exhibit (as would be expected) but I recommend searching online for images of Dale Chihuly's exhibits to see for yourself.

<<A close up, just in case you haven't been clicking and zooming in on these professional photos of mine>> 

<<The D.I.Y. center of the Frist>>

 <<The staff lady in charge of the print station, helping me with my canvas>>

I also took a stroll down to Hillsboro Village again-- and by stroll I mean a stumbling zombie walk in boiling sunlight-- to the Pancake Pantry.  I had heard that it was the place to go and so I went. I didn't take too many pictures buuut I will tell you what I ate, muahaha. Well, I couldn't make up my mind between the Sugar and Spice Pancakes or the Wild Blueberry Pancakes so the waitress in all of her generosity allowed me to have some of each.  I preferred the Sugar and Spice Pancakes a little more and so am determined to make some of my own when I return to a kitchen (Yeah Townhouse **)!  Both were great of course, a little over priced for what you get but delicious nonetheless.

<<The inside of the Pantry>>

Between all the exercise and extreme heat here in Nashville I've been learning a lot about everything and so will be posting a list of lessons once I leave this here vicinity on Friday morning. So check back sooner than soon.

*Art and Mutants*

Megan

The Lucky Duck is Me

I must be the luckiest girl with the CMA Fest falling right into my lap on the last weekend I'm here. There are two other girls here in Nashville who are part of Rachel's program at S.U. who are so sweet and last night they gave us their passes to the last big concert at the LP Field (the one from the bridge post) starring in order; Justin Moore, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker, and Brad Paisley. The seats were in the nosebleed section so the pictures aren't that great but I loved every minute of it! On another note, Germany is a soccer machine so congrats to them on their win over Australia.

<<The LP Stadium, from the inside this time>>

<<Justin Moore, love the patriotism>>

<<The ever fabulous Kellie Pickler>>

<<A blurry Blake Shelton>>

<<Blake Shelton covering "Home" when Miranda Lambert walks out to join him (they're engaged). Seriously the most adorable thing ever>>

<<Trace Adkins joining Blake Shelton for "Hillbilly Bone">>

<<Trace Adkins, the man can really swing his hips>>

<<Darius Rucker>>

<<Darius Rucker covering "Purple Rain" with of course, lots of purple lights>>

<<The amazing Darius again>>

<<Brad Paisley as part of his H2O tour, love. love. LOVE.>>

<<Brad singing, "Then". I love him.>>

<<Brad singing, "Water". Notice the bikini girls on the backdrop haha>>

<<Firework finale for CMA Fest>>

*Stadiums and Singers*

Megan

Some Interesting Concerts

<<Q: What do you call the queue outside the Hardrock?>>

 

Just kicking around and having fun right now going to a bunch of different concerts.  First things first, I believe congratulations are in order for the lucky U.S. soccer team and especially to Clint Dempsey for his goal. We'll be seeing if Germany is still cup worthy later today.

<<A: The International Date Line>>

Last night we went to the Hardrock Cafe to see someone named James Otto (I don't know him but Rachel is/was a fan) but after waiting 2 hrs surrounded by middle aged women all wearing t-shirts with his giant face on the front, we had to further endure 2 opening bands-Frankie Ballard and the JaneDear Girls.  Frankie was a little over the top with incessant licks every few minutes and had an odd raccoon tail hanging out of his pants, weird.  The JaneDear Girls were fun but didn't really quite understand what they were doing, the most bland song lyrics, and too many instruments to actually make a cohesive sound. We recognized one of the main singers, however, from our Sunday School class at the Church of the LDS.  Finally James Otto came on and played for an approximate 15 minutes before suddenly peacing out.  I suspect it was because they couldn't get the sound right and things kept squeaking but nonetheless he was a diva and so not worth my time.  Being front row at a concert I kind of wish it had been a little more exciting but the older lady behind me was having fun shaking it.

<<Frankie Ballard playing some fun songs, notice the raccoon tail in his back pocket>>

<<The JaneDear Girls trying to rock out. First time I witnessed someone who could pull off the high-waisted jean look>>

<<James Otto>>

The other day we went to the Riverfront Stage which is a free venue as well.  There we saw Rodney Atkins and later, Craig Morgan.  Country stars are the most respectable artists sometimes in that Rodney Atkins had his son come out on stage and bear hugged him after a song written about him.  Then Craig Morgan gave thanks to God, played amazing grace, and then played a song or two for the servicemen of our country. Definitely people worthy of some respect.  

 <<Rodney Atkins on stage; click for larger picture>>

 <<Craig Morgan climbing the stage like a madman>>

 <<Closer to Craig Morgan>>

<<Um, the Riverfront Park Stage I think, maybe?>>

<<The redneck yacht club>>

*Divas and Drumsticks*

Megan

The Thing About Random

Living in a city setting allows me to do random things, well more random than usual I suppose.  Indeed, went downtown again because Rachel needed to go to Walgreen's for a visa photo (she's going to London in the fall) and as I stood there bags of circus peanuts sat there calling to me but I was strong! I rebuked them with my half-marathon training mind! To reward myself I got two granola bars which now that I think about it probably had the same amount of sugar.  Oh well, I feel like denying myself the best candy in the whole world is one step closer to finishing the half-marathon this upcoming September.  Legs are seriously dead after all this running around but back to our downtown adventure...

A group of people were walking across this big bridge so we joined them but unfortunately we didn't have concert tickets to the shows going on in the LP Field.  Thus I turned my camera lens elsewhere haha.

<<The start of our bridge walk, random butts>>

<<Nashville skyline at sunset>>

<<*gasp* the briiiidddge>>

<<A bridge from a bridge, neato>>

<<"They're on a boat...">>

<<Cute couple along the bridge>>

<<LP Stadium in all of it's glory. Well, minus flood damage>>

<<The sculpture that I thought was a roller coaster on my first day, so disappointed.  Apparently it cost the city over $1 million dollars. Personally I think they should've held out for the rest of the roller coaster>>

<<The man who claimed to be Jeff Garcia's cousin -whoever that is- and asked me to take his picture so he could be famous too.  So I took his photo in exchange for one of his steak fries. I think we all know who the real winner is here>>

Having recently published a post containing pictures of celebrities, I thought this would be appropriate.  Not having many channels worth watching down here in our house we tend to watch shows that come out online and so as soon as we saw Ty standing outside Tootsie's we recognized him right away.  He is/was a contestant on the current Bachelorette series, and we met him.  He was kind of nice and a bit cuter in real life. I know he's not really famous but it's fun to see someone and think, "hey, you don't know me but I know you". Actually that sounds like a line from a stalker, guess I'm just one step away from candle-lit gum sculptures in the back of my closet ("Hey Arnold" reference anyone?).

<<Me, Rach, and Ty from the Bachelorette. So handsome but notice the lack of ring on his hand, hmmm>>

<<An amazing, poison green camaro.  Forget Ty, this was the coolest thing on Broadway>>

*Sweet rides and steak fries*

Megan