Kick off your Sunday shoes

Today was a lazy day. The only thing I accomplished is posted right here...both this entry and painting my nails. I have 3 colors. All shades of blue. Any color I pick makes me happy. The color on it's own, but also the accomplishment I feel from not biting my fingernails, which only occurs when they're painted. So, after a week of failing to not bite my fingernails, I'm starting over. Again. And while that might not make me feel good, to start over, it feels good to be starting. To try again. To not give up on this. Also, trying to take a picture of my hands did not pan out. Sorry. Both my toes and fingers are sporting "Ogre the Top" blue. Plus, I like the fact that my toes are properly formed...that is the slant, with my second toe not being longer than my first, or of equal length. Perfect.

Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe

Today, I went to the Ren faire with Renny. I tagged up with her and a couple of other people I didn't know. She was all decked out with bottles looking like a mad Renaissance scientist if they had scientists that they didn't imprison and eventually kill. When we first started rooming together, I never would have guessed the kind of friendship that would be formed. Life is good that way. She and I have come to see how much we can compliment each other. I love spending time with just her, which we got to do yesterday after her friends left. She created quite a drink with the ends of a sno-cone, a rootbeer float and some of her powerade potions. Spending time with my forever ex-roommate always helps me put me back in perspective. She gives me permission to be who I am, even if it's not someone I think I should be. She is someone who is always who she is. I had a smile all afternoon...

Oh, Say does that star spangled banner yet wave

Every day, with out fail, my grandfather places his American flag outside his door. And some days, that's enough for me.

Summer came like cinnamon, so sweet...

Today, I got to go to one of my favorite field trips. I love the opportunity to walk away from the front table and just be with the kids. I don't miss being a counselor so much as I miss just sitting with the kids. Talking to them, listening to their stories, and goofing around. This summer has been difficult, but good. While I'm ready for the summer to be over, it has been a good summer, like the past 4 have been. Day camp is, despite its frustrations, the best summer job one could hope for. The main reason for that, of course, is the kids. Even the most obnoxious or seemingly mean kids are usually good kids if you can get them one-on-one, when no one's trying to prove something. On the field trip, a couple of the campers adopted me, asking me to go laser tagging with them, following by the go-karts, and ending with mini-golf. That time made my day.

shades of gold displayed naturally ...

Every week, I go to dinner at OCB with my grandfather. We've been doing this for a year, now, on breaks we include my sister. They recently got new plates and bowls. It's been my mission to only get yellow. I'm responsible for getting my grandfather's beverage from the beverage bar, and his ice cream for dessert. I had to start getting soup bowls to satisfy his sweet tooth. I'm really glad that I've had the opportunity to do this thing with my grandfather. I don't really have any more words than that. I know that I usually speak of OCB and becoming a regular there with a distinct tone, but with my grandfather, it was and is worth it.

I'm gonna write you a letter...

It always makes me happy to see that parents are taking what I tell them seriously. I love seeing the follow through, and that knowing what I tell them about their child means something. Usually, I'm not super happy when it's bad news, but to know that they're taking it to heart, and that they're following through with their kids makes me very happy. I also love invented spelling. And that's why this letter makes me smile.

Smile like the sun

Today was a very blah-case-of-the-Mondays day for me. I was grumpy, tired, allergy-y, and a mess of just blah. My moment today came when I was about to leave work, a little after 5, and Carrie came up to me, complaining about how hungry she was. I asked what she ate for snack, and she told me that she was too hungry at lunch, so she didn't have anything left for snack (which, by the way, is very something that one of the campers would say...) So, she asked me to go buy her something. I called her crazy, because there's really nothing right by, and I'd have to backtrack no matter what. However, when I got in my car, I realized that yes, I was having a lame day, but that was all me, not anything else. My perceptions were the ones that were out of place, so I decided to go to a local bakery and buy all of the closers (and myself) smiley cookies. Now, everyone has had smiley face cookies, and while they're pretty, I'm sure there are more delicious cookies in the world, but what mattered was that they were bright, they were appreciated, and they allowed me to kick my grumpy mood out. Not totally, but enough to make me smile, at least a little.

I wanna taste it, give me a little taste...

Today I went for food with Erik. For some reason, I've just been wanting Indian food like it was/is my job. I think it's the naan. There is nothing in the world like it. It's just warm, and chewy, and bread. And we all know how much I love bread. Almost as much as books...more? I can't tell. However, I went for dinner, and my running theory is get everything! That way, I can eat something I like today, and then I can just save what I don't feel like today for tomorrow. Plus, the dinner meal thingy turns out to be the most delicious deal...I get rice, naan, chicken, fish, more chicken, veggies, AND dessert. This meal had me at naan and a dessert. Plus, I got to eat it with Erik. Staring at the picture with naan in it is making me lose focus...what was I talking about again? Erik? Naan? Books? All three can qualify for a post here, so I'm going to end this before I get more confused... :)

Man made up a story said that I should believe him...

Today was a quiet day. My allergies are being killer, but that's kind of their job. However! I did go to the library, and return my books...and pay my fines...which, can buy them at least 1.5 to 3 books if they budget well... :/ the moral of the story is, I was able to find all the books I checked out, AND I was able to check out new books! I love books. Books, books, books. I got two book in series I love, I got all of the books in a series I enjoy, and I grabbed a couple of books that just looked interesting...I love books. I just want to make sure you all know that.

I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu...

Today, we got to go on a field trip to an arcade/entertainment center. Now, this is a newer place, they don't have as many games as other places we go, but the do have inflatables-an obstacle course, a bounce house, and most importantly, because it covers a multitude of sins, a mechanical bull in an inflatable ring. Needless to say, there is one thing that gets counselors excited on a field trip like the opportunity to see campers and co-workers alike thrown from a mechanical bull. Additionally, someone may or may not have made it mandatory for counselors to give it a shot...I most assuredly took video of counselors giving it a shot, and I'll be honest, my own go at it was not nearly in the top 3, or 4, or 5...but, it was fun, and that's what counts...

Money, that's what I want...

Today, while going for a drink at the water fountain at lunch, I found these advertisements. Trust me. When I saw them, I followed the arrows to see what my enterprising campers had come up with. Sadly, there were no army pictures to be found for 10 cents, or even 3 for 20 cents. Another day, perhaps...

Under the table and dreaming

One of the things that made me smile today was watching Cake Boss. I started to love Buddy Valestro when he was on food network challenges. He was full of confidence, always declaring his work to be awesome, the best, no chance of failure. Watching his show, has made me smile. His bakery is a place where his family and friends come together to work creating something beautiful and that he's passionate about. That's something I want for my own life, and getting to see someone do things his way, and being able to create within the confines of cake. I love his integrity. He makes everything edible. I never really paid attention to that, but in the end, that means something. To see things through. To be committed. His commitment and passion are what made me smile today.

But when you stand humbled by the ocean's door, Then you'll understand just who I am

This camper's shirt just made me smile. I smiled because he wore it so confidently, unconcerned about the fact he had sailor kittens on his shirt. I feel like this is one of the outfits (because it has matching shorts) that when he looks back in 10 years, he'll yell at his mom for letting him wear it. :)
This outfit made me think of outfits I had when I was younger and didn't think about if it looked good or if it was "cool", or whatever. That purple sweatsuit with the stars and rainbows haunts my dreams today, but I loved it. One of my co-workers told me about a time when his mom let him wear a power ranger costume to school on a day that was most certainly not halloween. I love kids. I love their freedom to be who they are, and not be concerned with who you think they should be.

Come on, Barbie, Let's go party...

Today at the pool, I was on locker room duty, which means helping the girls get all their stuff together, and searching for missing items like socks, undies, shirts, pants, or any combination of the previous mentioned items. One little girl couldn't find something, and was searching through her mostly empty bag. The other counselor and I looked into her bag to try and help and lo and behold. This child can't keep track of all her apparel, but, yes, she does know exactly where her purple plush chaise lounge for her Barbie is. Thanks, Day Camp. I love you for so many reasons...

melting under Blue skies belting out sunlight, shimmering...

Sunday I was able to go see a movie with my grandma and my cousins. Despite living so near, I don't get to spend very much time with them. It was nice to be able to spend some time with just them and my grandma. We saw Ramona and Beezus. My girl cousin gave it an 8.5 out of 10. I gave it an 8 out of 10. My grandma gave it an 8 out of 10. And my guy cousin gave it a 4 out of 10, and then dropped it to a 2 out of 10. That's just because he's a 9 year old boy, and they do things like that. They also hide from your camera, unless they have terrible amounts of chocolate chips stuck in between their front teeth. This picture was a pretty stealthy capture, if I do say so myself. Which, I do. Spending time with my dad's side of the family is something that I enjoy, but don't get to do that much. Sunday was a beautiful day with pretty cool people.

Put my pieces back in order

Today was a chill day. It was nice to just be at home, and hang out with people. Not have to be somewhere or do something or anything. As much as I love my friends all over, I don't always love driving all over when my weekend is supposed to be a chance to relax and prepare for the coming week. Anyway, today I was able to go over to the Fin's for a while and just hang out. Talk, watch some TV, help with a puzzle. You can't see it here, BUT it is a 300 piece puzzle, with a picture of the Beast in the clouds? It was hard. Don't judge. There's something incredibly satisfying about puzzles. Putting things back together. I was concerned for a time that we were missing pieces, and there's little that can disappoint me in the same way that a missing puzzle piece can. However, it was just me, worrying for nothing. All 300 were there, ready to be put back together. For a lazy, got nothing done kind of day, helping to put together this puzzle was one of the best parts of my day. Completing something, anything. Finding the Beast's face somewhere in swirls of purple, blue, and cream was difficult. But, somehow, I made it through. :)

There's three ways off a merry-go-round...

I had a hard time picking which picture I wanted to be my picture of the day for this Friday. It was an exciting day at work. We had jugglers. There was fire. It was great. However, this is supposed to be a thing where I share what made me smile, and while I enjoyed the jugglers, what really made me laugh was earlier in the day. When I went outside to check on how lunch was coming (we grilled hot dogs) I found that to steady one of the grills, the guys had propped it up with a gym mat, which was fine. However, they forgot to put in the ash-catcher thingy, and as luck would have it, I walked out to see a smoldering hole in the mat. When I pointed it out, both of the cooks were surprised that this had happened, and from the depth of the hole, it wasn't the newest of developments...Mike ran in to get water to cool it off, and extracted it like a surgeon, using tongs. I know, I know, not the most gripping of tales, but it made me laugh, and that's what this blog is about, reminding myself of things that made me smile, and this fits the bill.

Puts the color inside of my world

This picture is from this morning when I got the chance to step away from the front desk and my paperwork to help two group tie-dye for a project. It was an opportunity to do something I missed. For anyone who is interested? I'm an AWESOME tie-dyer. I dye the shirts beautifully, however, my tying of the shirts is INSPIRED. Getting a chance to hang out with the kids and do something that I enjoy was very much a high point of my day. I'm tying a bubble pattern here! That one turned out really good...and this year, my spirals were off the charts. Additionally, I really loved seeing tye-died shirts hanging on clothes lines ...it reminded me of camp from years past. I really enjoyed that part of my day.

Turn your face to the wall

Today, my smile came from my sister. Working with her has been interesting this summer, but overall, it's been pretty good. This evening, during dinner, I told her that I forgot my camera in the car, and I hadn't taken my picture of the day yet. I told her I was going to take a picture of her sunburned face, because it was making me laugh. She said emphatically, no. So later, after dinner, when I had my camera, I tried to get a picture of her sunburn, and instead, we ended up dancing around my grandfather's front lawn, with her trying to use a plate as a method of blocking my attempts with the camera. I did get a picture, but this one made me happier when I saw it. And now I'm sharing it with you. (Side note: That's my cereal that she has in her other hand. It made it harder for her to dodge me with my camera. I knew I loved that cereal for a reason...)

Can you imagine us years from today, sharing a parkbench quietly...

Today, I had the day off of work. I had some business to take care of, but in the afternoon, I was able to join my friends Erik and Zak for lunch. During lunch, discussion lead to my diploma, which, due to a series of events, is currently (and for the past year, has been) in my trunk. Walking Zak back to his car, I was a little behind the guys, and it was just an opportunity to hear how Erik and Zak talk to each other, and compare it to how Erik and I talk to each other, and how Zak and I talk to each other. Zak and Erik figured out the they've been friends since 2nd grade. Erik and I since freshman year of high school. Just listening to friends who have known each other since they were small, the stories that only have to be half told because of familiarity, the previously unstated opinions of events that happened years before. Hearing the shared language between two old friends, the conversational short hand between people who have been through changes together. It made me reflect on how no matter if I haven't spoken to some of my friends in ages, how easily we slip into that cadence and flow from old stories and new experiences. Thinking about the friends who know me, and can call me out, even if others don't know what's happening in the conversation, made me smile. Listening to the banter and flow of conversation brought me a big smile today.

That every hair is numbered...

This is a list. A list of how many kids are in each group. Which groups are on each bus. How many kids that makes. The scribbles, cross-outs, and corrections reflect the comings and going of kids at camp, keeping track of how many kids we have/should have at the water park we go to. This list was made by the other director at day camp. The details, the attention paid to keeping it updated, has been wonderful these past two times he's been in charge of counting. Why is this what made me smile today? Firstly, because I am glad that he is willing to make the effort to keep tabs so closely, and leave so little to chance. Secondly, because in all of his zealousness for keeping track of the kids, today, my camp managed to leave WITHOUT me...They left me behind! Why does that make me smile? Because. Firstly, it amused me that my fellow director was so focused on the kids, he managed to forget me. Additionally, it was nice to be able to drive myself to the pool. It was a quick break before and after swimming. I got to listen to the radio, and didn't have to tell a single person to sit down in their seat. Not to say that I hope I get forgotten often, but it was a little nice to be forgotten today... :)

What a night for a drive...

I took this picture while driving back north from Champaign. During my drive, there was a 7 or 8 mile stretch where the road was down to one lane, I was behind a truck, and going about 10 or 15 miles slower than my normal driving speed (read: what the speed limit actually is). I enjoyed my time behind the truck, knowing there was nothing I could do to get anywhere faster, speed up, I could have slowed down, I suppose, there wasn't anyone behind us. But, overall, this evening/twilight/early night time in summer is my favorite time to drive. I love that there usually aren't as many cars on the road, I love that I can have the windows down, and I love being able to just play my music and sing along, and feel whatever the lyrics bring up in my head and my heart. I understand why so many songs are written about the open road. It gives you a chance to be something different from what you are when you're not there. When you turn off the highway, back on the familiar roads of towns, the world just seems to close in a little more, possibilities aren't quite so endless, there's less world for the taking. So, today, my 3 hours of being that girl, made me smile, both on the road, and upon reflection.

Just Dance!

First Day of my mission. It is a good day to start it. I was in Champaign for the last party at the high street apartments. One of the best parts of the night was the dance party that occurred Ryon's room. We had only the best dance party music (read: lady gaga, a lot of her, but we also included classics like apple bottom jeans, airplanes, and ke$ha...I can't believe I just typed that $ in her name...)
It was probably the best part of my night down there. We once again proved that the electric slide can be done to ANY song!
Anywho, my friends make me smile. Dance parties make me smile. This is where I got my smile from today. :)

where I get my smile from...

Inspired by Ryon's Picture a Day project, I'm looking to take pictures of and reflect on something every day that made me smile. An exercise in looking for what is going right and good in my life right now, when at times, I'm feeling incredibly frustrated with where things are and where they are going.