To the former ladies of Cobble Creek #55

Remember virgin strawberry daiquiris (and slicing a hole in the bottom of the pitcher with the hand-held blender?), brownies, and dancing to Michael Jackson's greatest hits in #55's kitchen? Some of my fondest memories are from that year we roomed together and I can't hear one of Micheal's songs and not think back to that time. May he rest in peace.

Girls Camp

This past week I had the joy and pleasure to go to Girls Camp. I was over the 4th years (age 15) for one week. Monday the 15th, we began our 4th year rough-out. We were in tents and it was hotter than the hinges but I highly enjoyed myself. The other adult leader, Jen Wright, and I had 12 girls in our care for the week. Since we were a small group, we all became very close.
Above is Dana, Yolanda, Gaby, Jessica, Sarah, Amanda, Mary Kathryn, Alexia (a.k.a. Geraldine), Maria, and Alison (not pictured are Paxton and Leah). Jen and I were also in charge of the songs during the evening. Since we were under a burn ban and not allowed to have a campfire, we made campfire hats. The little white blob above my head is a marshmallow roasting on a stick. We were quite the sensation and my voice is still recovering. However, I did teach "Old MacDonald" to the campers, which is my favorite camp song of all time, so all was well.

The theme for camp was "Be All You Can Be". Our stake leaders dressed up and did a dance to "Boogy-woogy Bugle Boy" with the camp nurse on the bugle. It was very cute. There were quite a few pranks pulled between the leaders, all in good fun. Jen and I did get our girls really good Wednesday night however. A camper named Mary came back from the dead into our kitchen to answer a few yes or no questions about her death. The girls were sufficiently frightened and the wig that was used in the creation of Mary had to stay under my bunk that night due to fright. It was grand! We were able to introduce Mary to the Youth Camp Leaders (YCLs) and the Stake leaders and both groups also were sufficiently scared.

Since I'm hoping to have a job and move on and away from College Station in the very near future, Jen is moving to Alabama for her husband's schooling, and Leigh is off to North Carolina, it was the last year for us three to be together at camp. We and a few other leaders in the College Station area are planning a slumber party before we all take off in our separate directions. This past week of camp made me realize that camp is just as much for the leaders as it is for the girls. I learned more about myself and my nature, my weaknesses and how Satan exploits them, about friendship, selflessness, and recognizing and acting on promptings of the spirit.

I LOVE GIRLS CAMP!!!

Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles!

Absolutely a once in a life time opportunity!

I headed to Houston this past weekend. My newly engaged friend Belinda and I were planning to get together at some point during my time at home, but she called to say she was already pretty booked. However, she said I could be included in her Saturday night plans. Her mother had bought a ticket for Belinda's fiance, who was out of town, and I was able to use it instead.

I went with my friend and her family to see "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Hobby Center in Houston. It was beautiful. However, it was the individual in the roll of Tevye that made the night one I will never forget.

The TOPAL himself!!

When the curtain went up, and there was the fiddler, sitting precariously on the roof, and he let loose those famous six notes that start the play, my heart started to beat a little faster. And then, Topal stepped out, to much applause, and said, "A fiddler, on a roof, sounds crazy..." and the rest of the evening was just spectacular.

I felt extremely blessed and so very fortunate to have had this opportunity to see such a moving and beautiful story told by the man who is associated with the lead role on his farewell tour. It was a glorious evening. Thanks so, so, so, so, so much to the Brown family for inviting me and for the wonderful friendship we have shared these many, many years.

Big Thicket National Preserve

I got a job!! Well, for a month (maybe two) at least. For those who might remember, last summer part of my thesis research took me to several parks. One of those parks was Big Thicket National Preserve. That is with whom I will be dedicating forty hours of my life each week for the next little while. It is not a permanent, term, or season position, but a critical or emergency hire. Every once in a while there is a project the park needs extra help with and has the capacity to hire an individual for 30 days to help with the project. This can be extended to 60 days.

The park is wanting to put in camp grounds, RV hook-ups, and vault toilets to enhance their field research station. First, however, the park must assess the possible impacts this project could have on the environment. This is in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. My part of the project is writing the environmental assessment report. Yesterday was my first day and all I've done thus far is reading and research to understand the project, site, and resources. I can work from my office on TAMU campus so I don't have to move which is quite convenient.

In terms of finding a permanent job, I have submitted five applications thus far, heard back from three, and gotten three nos. Don't worry, I have another application I'm getting ready to turn in and I have plenty of hope for finding something.