A Rocky, Naked Start

September 14^th

            Kay well it’s almost dinner so this won’t be long, but I would like to enter today was the first day I had some for reals homesickness. I knew that there would be ups and downs in this program, but I’m not as comfortable as I could. I understand that’s the whole point of the program, but it’s hard to be away from my mum. I called her and cried a little (well... lot). I miss that lovely woman. I understand how my friend Jessie feels when she moved to England, away from almost everyone she knows and at that point where things just suck. Jasmyn gave me a present before I left and it was by far the best present anyone could have given me, except my mum. My mum always wins. Anyways there is a story behind it before I explain her gift. At Silver Bay Bible Camp where we counsel together, sometimes there are homesick campers. Just like any bible camp with young kids I’m sure. Anyway, we like to ease the pain with a “Homesick Pill” which is just a “Tum”. The bottle of Tums is all dresses up with a nice new cover that says “Homesick Pills”. They always work. So if you haven’t already guessed she got me some homesick pills, which really came in handy this afternoon. Thank you Jasmyn. I love you.

Later on that day….. Haha, yeah I just did it. So we just went skinny -dipping. SO COLD. It wasn’t even the cold really, just the fact there were thousands of rocks! My feet hurt so flippin bad it’s not even funny. I didn’t even get hardly wet because my feet were falling off, no joke. However, I really started connecting with people today, after my slight freak out. I really got more comfortable in my own skin and started being more me, which is great. I love that. : )

September 16, 2011

Kay Well, today is the day we travel to Pioneer Camp in Ontario, in which the canoe trip takes place. There is three nights that we will be sleeping in tents out there in the boonies. Which oddly enough I’m happy about, all I have is a yoga mat to sleep on…I brought an air mattress. But that’s not what they want you to bring, it’s way tooooo big. Soo, I borrowed a yoga mat. Not the most comfortable thing in the world, and we will have very little clothing, and it’s all super shoved into our bag, like almost impossible to take it out.  Well, I guess this will be fun. I also have to pee and poo no less outside. Scary. Our departure time was pushed back from 9 to 11. I had enough time to shower, (Again, but this time it was hot) and get myself mentally freaked out for this experience. ( WHAT A MESS!---> Packing is not easy!)
              I know it will be fun, and I also know it will stretch me, which I want  (I suppose). That is what this whole program is about, yes? So I guess I should look to it less of a burden and more of an adventure. A turn out my mum is in Gimli about week from today and said she can drop by some things if I needed and going out for lunch! I’m going to give her some of my useless things I don’t know why I brought, and trade them in for more sweaters and a warm vest. Woo hoo. Awesome, I’ll have a little more variety then two sweaters. It’s also may more stupid cold than I thought it would be, so I will also trade in some t-shirts for long sleeves. Awesome : )

The canoe trip in a tech blackout, so for the entirety of being at the pioneer camp we will have no access to phones, music, or computers. Which, I must say isn’t too much of a biggie, I do believe I can handle it!
            Well, I must go soon. It’s almost time to jump in the giant van for close to 5 hours, as far as I know.  

Teas, Mummies, and...Postmodernism?

September 13, 2011

Points to Mention: Thank you so much to my mummy, for buying me my mug. I seriously would be lost without it here. Not even kidding, I’ve had 3 mugs of tea today because it was so cold. It just reminds me of home, and keeps me rather pleased with life.
            We had a dance party in the cabin last night, after snack. Super funny, I’m looking forward to having more.

Well, I’m sure I’m not going to write a blog post everyday like I have been doing, I just feel like there is SO much I need to keep writing about. Like, we started classes today! We had our first session this morning; it was at 9 to about 11 o’clock. Our speaker is preaching on theology, and the intro this morning pretty much goes over my head. We talked a lot about postmodernism, and I’m not going to lie, I don’t really know what it is. He gave us definitions, but they all are pretty confusing. Postmodernism came after the enlightenment, it’s an approach to life that is all about you, and science, and the belief you can do anything in the world really. Or that is how Julie is explaining to me as I type…we need to try to interpret things our own way and not take everything that everyone says as truth.

So at Silver Bay Bible Camp (The camp I counsel at every summer) has a coffee house, in which we dance, drink tasty beverages and such.  So I thought for the Halloween party with our site we could kinda do the same thing, with dancing. In which someone….haha i.e. ME would make up simple simple simple choreography in which people would partner up and do and then watch groups go together after the learning process. Yeah. It would be great, like super chill dance class.

It's Been A While Hasn't Now?

Due To The Lack Of Internet My Next Posts will Be Incorrectly Dated On The Home Page And Probs The Link...Deal With It! 

September 12^th

Here at Camp Arnes!! We have a quiet time everyday at 11:00 to 12:00.  Which is lovely, it keeps us a away from each other a little bit and keeps living in community a touch easier. So far things are pretty great, our site leaders are fantastic, and everyone is really friendly and nice.   I know everyone’s name, which I’m pretty proud of I must say. The girls in my cabin are super fun, always smiling being kind and accommodating to one another.  Everyone is pretty dang chill, like yesterday a few of us played a willy-nilly game of volleyball, and I maybe hit the ball over once but everyone keep encouraging me and laughing and joking together, super good.
            Real quick I’ll explain how most things work, we are staying at camp Arnes at the moment, and yesterday after the program at CMU we all piled in to two 15 passenger vans and one mini van and headed over here.  There are about 7 or fewer girls in a cabin, and there are 3 cabins of girls. There are about 12 boys I do believe, there are 30 students, so 12 boys and 18 girls. Yes math!! We have sessions that start at 9 every day, quiet time, then lunch. That’s all I know right now, it’s only the second day… Every Sunday night we have ANCHER time, which is an acronym for  

                                                         A= Announcements

                                                         N= News

                                                         C= Concerns

                                                         H= Humorous

                                                         E= Encouragements

                                                         R= Reflection

We were handed out our reading assignments this morning, six books! I’m super excited; I’m forced to read…which I usually avoid at all costs.  The books seem really neat oh, I’ve heard of half of them. Two we have at home, and one I think the guys group at my church studied it.  Irresistible Revolution, which we have two copies at home already, and now my own! Also The Adventures of Missing the Point my mum has, and opened up a chapter for me to read that had a really great option on homosexuality. Which is a “issue” that I feel really close to as a Christian, excepting and loving people for who they are no matter what. Even though I don’t think it’s right, that doesn’t mean I can’t love and except them for it right?

I’m so far really enjoying myself and I’m super stoked for this next year. I do feel however, like the baby. I’m used to being at camp and being one of the oldest counselors, and I naturally take a leadership role and feel…old. I’m one of the youngest students, and I’m pretty sure the youngest in my cabin. Even though it doesn’t really matter it just feels a little weird, and my confidence level or aspect of my personality is hiding a little. It’s getting better as I feel more comfortable with the people around me, I just don’t want to be seen as the baby…. so I guess I should stop feeling like it and more or less acting like it!

Stuck In Metaphorical Mud In My Proverbial Pick Up Truck

It’s 6 30, the night before and I’m not packed yet.... Oh goodness. My mum helped me clean out my room today, there were 2 recycling bags, 2 garbage bags, and a tub full of crap that I was either donating or just throwing out. I have no idea why I keep as much stuff as I do. Bonnie, my oh so pampered cat enjoyed the cleaning process as well apparently. Now my room looks a little naked. However, coming home to a clean room will be beyond fabulous. I love that feeling.

            Jasmyn (my bestie pants) is moving in to my room in October, due to   the fact that she got hired at the Esso here in town. She doesn’t live in town, so it’s awfully lovely that I do. She shall take my place indeed. Speaking of which, we decided today that we should have a friendship fish. I purchased a lovely white and orange goldfish, she will take care of while I’m gone and then when I’m home, I’ll join in the fun.Dudley Ringo Gildriscoll, welcome to your new home! : )

             We had Chinese food tonight as a lovely treat, and my fortune cookie said, “You have much to be thankful for”.  It’s not a fortune at all, however it’s extremely true. My mum is crazy amazing, pretty much cleaning my whole room and organizing everything, sewing things that need to be repaired, and all the while being happy and patient. I love that woman; I hope I will be like her.         
           It hasn’t settled in yet that I’m leaving; looking at my empty room is a little unsettling however. I was speaking to my friend last night and he looked over my schedule for the next 3 months and he said to me “ Wow. This is going to be amazing. It looks like just a huge party!” I really appreciate that perspective.  Sometimes I tend to get caught up with the fact that I can’t come home, and I will only have a few pairs of pants, or in other words the little things. When I should be thinking about the amazing fun experience I’m about to embark upon. I am truly thankful for everything my family, and the Lord have provided for me, and I can’t wait to start this crazy party tomorrow!

Golden Girls, Nicknames, And Outdoor Urination

One day I swear I will be one of the Golden Girls. My best friend Jasmyn and I will be old and gray spinsters, living together, wearing hideous clothing, and hiding Werthers in our pockets. As you can tell I'm looking towards the future, that's far far far in the future though...but it's humorous to thing of being golden while you are still 17. Anywho, the beginning of my future starts in 10 days. I have all my things piled up on the window seat in my mom’s office. A 65-liter backpack, sleeping bag, inflatable bed, quick dry everything…hiking boots and special hiking socks.  That’s just to name a little….How on earth am I going to fit any of that into just one suitcase and a backpack? Who knows spaghettios?

On a sillier note, I’ve decided that I want a nickname. Alright, let’s be serious. My real name Tedi, is pretty much a nickname already. However, it’s a new frontier! I need a nickname. Gilly. I want to be called Gilly. Like the SNL skit? I can act like her, we pretty much are the same person anyway…and my last name has a “Gil” in it! Done. Done, like dinner. Here is a Gilly Skit link, my grade 10 science teacher and I have reenacted Gilly skits without even knowing it....Give 'er a look.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj0lboME4aw&playnext=1&list=PL256E35EF2B4816A9

Thirdly,I feel like I have to share my reservations about peeing outside.  I will be canoeing, hiking, and all kinds of outdoors type deals, and it’s bound to happen. However, I have only done it once. And I’m not going to lie, I did it completely incorrect. I didn’t understand it is less a downward swat, and it’s a back and then down swat…like you are sitting...on a toilet. Anyway, slightly embarrassing. It will be an adventure to say the least, I will need a coach. I will probably need more than one coach, for more than one thing. Oy vey.  
Tedi Jean <3

The Countdown Begins!

Well looky looky, it's two weeks exactly until I'm off for my first semester traveling across western Canada. I'm sitting on my parents bed watching the MTV Video Awards. It's interesting to contemplate how much my life will change in two short weeks. From sitting here eating sugar-snap peas, to a bible camp with hardly any of my clothing, no comforts from home and among people I just met. Packing is my worst fear, believe it or not, I tend to severely over pack....and I have so many things to bring. It's impossible to be prepared for everything that will come my way, however much I want to be. From an Urban Plunge in Winnipeg and Vancouver (whatever that is) to a bible camp, to canoe trips, to skiing and snowboarding in Banff. 

I can't wait to be thrown out of my comfort zone, and begin to grow and change, especially in my faith. This summer ( well every summer) I tend to allow my faith to go onto the back burner. My cottage takes priority over going to church, and if I don't encourage myself to do devotionals God and I become distant friends...rather than best friends. 

Before I leave I will blog more I'm sure. However...they will all be just as boring as this one! I'm still at home! 

Tedi Jean <3