Sailing is In-Tents Fun!

1) The week at the Gap came and went. I worked some long shifts, but I actually like working longer shifts. If I'm there, I might as well work for a while. It was nice working to get back into the swing of things. Although I'm not fully in the swing just yet, I feel as though this year has already been easier than last.

2) One great thing I did this summer was an outcamp trip. I got to lead a week long sailing trip for nine high-schoolers with my friend/co-counselor Amanda, and our great volunteer Uncle Mac. It was one of the best weeks of the summer for me. The weather was great for sailing, the group of campers could not have been better, and overall it was just a great time. There really was something terrific about growing so close to this group of people over the course of a week. Some of the campers came to visit me at the Gap this week, and it was so great to see them. It's also fantastic to see that they still remain friends and in contact.

A feature to doing an outcamp trip is that you don't sleep in bunks or Troost Lodge, Troost Troost Lodge. Our week slept in the wilderness area, about 1/3 mile from camp in lean-tos and the ghetto M.A.S.H. tent. I used to hate sleeping/being out there. But by this year, I actually grew to tolerate it (possibly even like it). And I'm happy I was able to be a counselor on the trip, because I took so much out of it. I think about that week a lot in terms of moving down to the greater New York area. I've come to realize that it's situations where I push my comfort zone and boundaries that I take the most from.

3) More smells that I like. I like the smell of autumn. I like the smell/taste of cinnamon. I have grown to enjoy a little crushed red pepper on things like pizza and pasta.

4) Another band I listened to this summer and now was called ALO or Animal Liberation Orchestra. Like Matt Costa, they're on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records label. They have a different feel than Jack or Matt, but still that same relaxed/island vibe. Although I will say for some reason I do hear Phish influences in their music. www.alomusic.com