America. Post Eight.

It has been a little while since I have been able to sit down and type a blog... we have had late nights working pretty much every night for the past two weeks. It has been pretty manic, but I love it. It is nice in the evenings when we work because it gives me a chance to get out of the office and chat to the kids, and meet the parents whom I have been talking with on the phone!
We are half way through our time at camp, and I am fll of mixed feelings! I am happy that we are halfway through, because it is very exhausting here, however I am sad because I do love it. And I love the people that I have met here, I don't think I have met anyone in America who I dislike with a great passion. Even though the days seem so long, the weeks have absolutely flown by.

After a long week last week, we celebrated our employer's birthday, (it was on Tuesday and Elise and I made a cake for him. YUM YUM) but on the Friday night we all went to Lory's for a drinking game. We had separate teams - a drink (regardless of what it was) was worth one point but if you threw up it subtracted five points. The game ended at midnight so whatever happened after that didn't count towards the points! The teams drew at ninety-one drinks for each team, which is pretty impressive . . . especially as I was downing glasses of wine, as I was on Ron's team (my boss) and he was taking it very seriously.
Needless to say, I do not remember much of the evening, and I came home and managed to bring my dinner and all the alcohol back up! woops.

One of the Visiting Nights for the parents was just fantastic, I was ridiculously hyperactive, managed to run around like a loon and take some great pictures of the parents and their kids! Afterwards some the Americans and I went to get Ice Cream... from this amazing place called Rita's. It was so amazingly delicious, and i forgot my camera to take a picture of the dam thing. But the man at the ice cream place also gave me sweedish fish sweets wish were pretty damn cool, but I am afraid that British sweets and chocolate is just so much better. This week having been particularly stressful one way or another led me to open up my  British Dairy Milk Caramel, kindly packed for me by Ella.

On the Saturday night I went to New York to meet Torrey who has been studying in London since January but lives in Chappequa (sp?), so she took me to a fantastic restaurant called Ruby Foo's which is like a chinese place in Times Square... or near abouts, I dunno I get confused. Anyway the food was immense, and their Red Velvet Cake nearly made me die from happiness. It was an intense mouth orgasm. We also then went to meet a couple of Torrey's friends in this beyond American Bar. it looked like it belonged in Coyote Ugly or something... it was just SO American. And I must admit all American guys that I have seen so far seem to be good looking. No complaints from anyone there. ANd the girls are all generally very pretty too... think New Jersey is a very "glossy magazine"/hot beach people look type place. That sentence may not have made any sense.
The Sunday of that weekend was really chilled out. I hung by the pool, napped on the sofa, ordered a dirty sandwich and was very happy and relaxed.

On the Tuesday we had the Internationals versus the Americans Soccer game. Admittedly we had four Americans on our team (though one of the is Zander and he is the international gypsy) and two of them were girls... however these girls were awesome at "soccer" they do play, Alyssa and Ariel! Awesome. I did have a play... I'm no good at football whatsoever, but it was fun to have a run around. I did also make Justin wear a dress for part of the second half, I'm not enturely sure why, but he seemed more than happy to do so. (hahahahaha... later on in the week he wore a leotard and was Beyonce for Lakeview Idol) However the final result was 6-all and the Internationals where not happy about it... and poor Alyssa ten minutes before the end of the game went down on her ankle and severely sprained it. I felt so bad that she was playing for the international team and that was the reason she was down!

ELLA INXS HAS JUST COME ON ITUNES. YUM YUM. ... so slide over here and give me a moment!

After the soccer we headed to Lory's... because that is what we do... I managed to get another load of free drinks from the manager because he is lovely! and we all had a giggle, Diego told me I was a cool chick, and this made me very happy. Not very often do I get a compliment like that so I was very happy about it. I genuinely love the guys, they make me laugh and I feel chilled. Diego just reminds me of my Godmother's kids, like they laugh the same and say similar things and in similar ways, so I feel very comfortable around him... like he is my "bro" as he would say... only pronounced "bra".

On Wednesday I was in a particularly foul mood... but sometime around lunch.. I got a phone call at the office from a member of staff, (this confused me as they should be a work right?) It turned out he was at work... and he was on his cell phone (a camp no no)... "this is very embarrassing, but I need some help. I am stuck in the toilet near the soccer field." I feel bad, but I just had to laugh... we sent someone to rescue them though. I don;t think they will be using the camp toilets again, they definitely will be coming up to the office.

The kitchen team were low on staff Thursday and Friday, so I helped them out for the middle part of the day. It was hot and sometimes demanding, but I really enjoyed myself. I love the guys is the kitchen. T, Alex and Charlie. They are so sound. They had me laughing all day, and we danced around to ACDC and generally just had a giggle. I came back back to the office, sweaty, tired and very smiley. Though I had to change my shirt, because I had made such a mess of my first one.. and I smelt of ovens and kitchens! However I was then madly hyper for the rest of day - potentially freaked some of the staff out for the camp shows and when we went out for SubWay afterwards... I know the fella who worked there was definitely frightened of me.

This Friday night we went out for dinner as a large group at a mexican grill called On The Border. THE FOOD WAS BRILLIANT. My camera had no battery so I made Diego take  picture of my dinner.. it was so good, and everyone was so full at the end and we wanted to just be rolled out of the restaurant.in fact I did have a lie down outside - think Justin thinks I am a nutter. Actually I think most of New Jersey is getting that impression - I am not that mad. just easily pleased and get excited about anything that is possibly amazing. I also foolishly ordered a pitcher of Sangria. IT WAS SO YUMMY - and just reminded me of my mum and dad in spain.
We then headed off to a party at Phil's house, and picked up some alcohol with the money that one of the division leaders had tipped the OT staff with. It was a bizarre party, with under-age drinking, which made my head confused, I felt like I was seventeen again at house parties... because house parties for me now are very different, the excitement of drinking has faded because of my legality (not that I don't enjoy getting wasted - just that it always seems more fun when you aren't supposed to be doing it!) It will be funny though on Monday morning when I see some of them though, it will make me giggle! Nether- the-less it was a good night. Alicia fell asleep on me, and so i ordered us a cab which cost us $45 to get home, and I think he charged us extra because of Alicia's snoring in the car! hahaha.
So all in all... I am still having a great time, Tonight I went to the cinema to see Salt, which I thoroughly enjoyed and it made me so happy. I miss films... I miss LOTR a lot.

I am so cool - ahem!

Missing people a lot this week though... could very much use cuddles and kisses. Miss you all - however I still am not ready to come home.

xxx

America. Post Seven

A much quieter week I have to say... as usual I am eating whilst writing my bloggy blog and today it is delicious chinese food. (chicken fried rice) and it is in one of those cool little boxes that americans get on the tele! I am very happy about it!
Last Wednesday we had a Staff softball game, which was awesome... I had never played before but I really enjoyed it, and so many of the staff have me giggling and are so nice. After the over 23's won (boo) the majority of us went to lory's for a quiet drink. However we started playing Never have I ever.... and I swiftly became quite drunk. Then Doug, one of the senior members of staff introduced us to a game called Thumper where you have to have an animal impression and then follow it with someone else's impression so it continues in a communicative loop. It is so funny.. the aim is to over throw the moose. Beth who was moose for at least an hour was SO difficult to beat... but we finally did it, and we had such a lovely evening. I met some new people and hope to enjoy there company more. and of course I gained a headache. Only for the night though... in the morning I was as right as rain.
There was a CRAZY lady there that night, but she did buy us beer... however she also spent most of the evening pouting, trying to get people to kiss her and getting her breasts out.... and finally climbing over the pool table in the style of a large cat. Another great thing about that night... was Char's comment "What is South America" ooo it made us laugh!

Ever since the other week when I got drunk, various counselors have been running into me at varius points and just talking about Tea and Scones... they may be taking the piss.... but I actually do miss a good cup of tea and a scone! (The tea just isn't the same here!)

On Thursday night Randy (our boss) took us out for a meal... with Ron, Brad and Doug.. other members of the senior staff. We went to a buffet type thing (sorry Misha) where there was just so much food, and it didn't end. I genuinely stuff my face... free food is always good and felt thoroughly satisfied afterwards. I also had a good idea for a writing scheme of mine.... just the little tales that some of the staff... particularly the internationals, tell the kids. Like Ryan tells his kids that he had to fight monsters and beasts to get his greenstone (a New Zealand protective thing I think). Met Regina and Alex at the bar later.. and just had a night of giggles.

There was many problems in the office on Friday, with lack of staff and the massive printer broke. So many issues.. but got through it no problems.

Went to Lory's Friday night, spent most of the night outside... drinking far too much wine and WAY too much tequila. I have become Jen, at the bar's "tequila buddy" some how. I dunno....
However I fucking love the guys we were hanging out with that night and I was in hysterics... Alex tells stories in the funniest ways, everyone stares at him while he talks because he just grasps everyone's attention.

Just an awesome time. SAturday night we went out for drinks in New Brunswick.. which was pretty funny, although I went home early as I was a little tired and just needed a chill out fest. During the day I had my eyebrows waxed with Alicia which made me feel awesome! Sunday we were invited to Phil's with Corey and Cj to watch the football World Cup Final, which was a disappointing match, as we were hoping the Netherlands would win, and Diego would win his bet. We had a game of soccer, I say we... I sat on the side and watched all the boys run around with their shirts off (can't complain) and then we went back to Phil's for an AMZING bbq. His family are just so lovely and kind, and I still can't get over the generosity of people! Plus they have a cute lil' Westie called Sydney who is adorable!

Had visiting nights at camp this week, but two of them got rained off. SO Sarah and I have had some lovely time down at the pool just chatting away. And we had a quiet drink with Alicia one night at the pub. That is all so far.. pretty chilled, but so many giggles.
Don't think I can come home yet!

xxx

America. Post Six. The Jersey Shore (yeah-eah)

Been a bit of a mad week for me to catch up on… so I am using this relatively quiet moment to write my bloggy whilst eating a frozen banana (courtesy of Steph in the office). However I am currently getting a lot of weird looks from the internationals as the way I am eating it encourages the imagination to run a little riot.

Lets start with the traditional food paragraph. There have been some amazing dishes this week… Alicia made everybody the most AMAZING cob dip. Actually amazing, addictive, I would have eaten the whole lot if it hadn’t have been for the fact that I was going out that night. In the same night, she also made a delicious Beef Stroganoff with mashed potato. I was a very happy chappy that night. I have of course taken pictures of them all.

The Sunday after the last Saturday night Lenny Diego and myself headed to Lory’s for a Pig Roast and discussed plans for July 4^th. Alicia and Zander then joined us for some drinkies… but no drunk times after the night before.

Lenny and I decided that after eating so much rubbish that week that really we should try and eat healthily. I think this lasted a day… we did have five dollars on it but neither of us could handle it that week as I was feverish with a cold and Lenny had a “hard” week’s work. Ha.

Thursday night Sam – one of the international boys from the year before came to visit Zander, Diego an Lenny. So most of us went up to Lory’s, including some of the American staff and we got hideously drunk. As most trips to Lory’s seem to end up. Beth and Jen two of the division leaders were there, they are really lovely… and what my idea of what glossy American women look like. And some of the younger staff were there too… and they were great company.. and they even gave me a lift home, they didn’t think it was a good idea for me to walk home alone. When the boys came back to the apartment they were more drunk than I had ever seen them. Zander was hilarious, and was not at all happy if people were speaking when he was. Ha.

Unfortunately the boys got in quite a bit of trouble for letting Sam stay round when really we aren’t allowed guests. However we all got up the next morning and did a long day’s work, which I think proved to our boss that we are committed to the job if anything! I feel that a lot of us feel very privileged and lucky to have work at such a great camp… particularly one which is a day camp and we do not have to supervise the kids overnight.

I won’t go into the other reason we were in trouble… in case this blog is seen by the wrong eyes (unlikely but you never know!).

Saturday night (after our amazing dinner  - thanks Alicia) Diego, Lenny and myself went to the Jersey Shore. (OOO- Pitbull just came on my Ipod – very happy). Roseanne gave us a lift to Danielles family’s Beach house. Danielle is a friend of Diego’s from last year and he spent two months at their house – and they were lovely enough to let Lenny and Diego as well as I to stay at their beach house for a couple of nights.

Danielle’s parents are just the kindest people, so matter of fact but very fun-loving at the same time. (oooo…. The Cribs – Mirror kisses… also making me very happy). Our first night there we got all dressed up and decided to go out.

I felt like I was going to ruin everybody’s night because I didn’t bring my passport with me, I only brought my driving licence, which should have been fine (it is everywhere else) however not at the first two clubs we tried  (Karma and Bamboo) which sucked, but fortunately at Hemmingway’s which was where we were going to try first let me in (because they are normal people) and it was awesome. It was bangin’ in there and we got pretty wasted (well I was at least) and we danced the entire night without stopping. I also embarrassed myself a lot but you know...it was fun! The boys spent a lot of the night queuing for the bathroom (in Jersey Shore the Guido’s need to go to the bathroom more than the girls do – their hair is very important you know). After a boogie and some fist pumping for like five hours we started to head home, stopping at a 7/11 on the way. Where Diego managed to obtain a fifty dollar note in change rather than a five! Rid-ic-u-lous.  When we got home we all crashed on our beds and slept like babies. 

Because we are so used to getting up at annoying O clock for camp we were up at half eight the next morning, and absolutely exhausted.

However we were invited out onto their boat (a very sleek “lifestyles of the rich and famous” type boat). We packed a load of sandwiches (prepared by the girls) and MOUNTAINS of beer (provided by the boys).

I am now listening to Simon and Garfunkel Sound of silence… yes sir. We were drinking beers from 11am and did not stop… there was no water to be had, I am not entirely sure how we made it through the day… it was about 96 Farenheit. MADNESS.

I have never felt so wonderful as I did on that boat, and I wasn’t drunk at this point. It was just so invigorating and pumped up my adrenaline but at the same time it was awe inspiring and beautiful. It was just such a weird mix of emotions. I felt like my heart was jumping out of my chest. I have to live by the sea, I think that it will ultimately just make me the happiest person in the world. I love nothing more than being by the sea, as Ella, Dave and my mum probably know by how giddy I get when I am there.

We went to this place called F-Cove which is full of oter people who have boats, and they all park up get together and have a party and drink and have a great time. We parked up, swam in the water and steadily got more and more drunk. I felt like I was in a music video… so many women in bikini’s and very beefed up men.

It was unreal. I think we were all completely stunned by what we had just experienced. In the afternoon we got back so that Danielle could go to work (bless her). Her dad then cooked the most amazing BBQ ever… my dad would have loved it, I have never seen so much meat on one cooking contraption. We filled our bellies then curled up in the air conditioning for a wee nap. The whole house apparently had a nap, and it was gorgeous, I felt so much more refreshed, and then we started on the beers again. Danielle’s younger sister then took us to the boardwalk, which was awesome, and absolutely packed as it was the 4^th of July… and we watched the fireworks, which were stunning. Along the coast we could see so many sets of fireworks going off.. it was totally bizarre and so awesome.

After the boardwalk… where I experienced FRIED OREOS. YES. So happy. We went home and crashed. I laughed so hard this weekend because we just had so much fun.

After another early rise from us, we all got into the boat again, with Danielle’s parent’s friends. We managed to drink a bottle of tequila and have so many more beers. At the F-cove this time we had a party… we had many tunes playing on the stereo (particularly usher and Lil Wayne). Diego got a hilarious video of us all in bikini’s (particularly Danielle’s mum and Peggy) dancing like babes on this boat. So surreal.

When we got back it was time for us to go home, as we needed to be back, and Roseanne had work the next day. She was so sweet for driving us there and back. Roseanne and Danielle and all Danielle’s family are just amazing people – made us feel so welcomed and were so happy to share their experiences with everybody. They just enjoy life, and it was amaze. Sandra also told me I had beautiful eyes which made me feel special (compliments from parents are always the best). I consumed more beer this weekend than I ever have in my life…. I can’t explain how lucky I felt to have experienced it all… particularly with the awesome people I spent it with.

When we got home, Diego, Alicia and myself went to Lory’s for a Sunday dinner and a couple of beers Alicia told us all about the other international’s trip to Philadelphia and we shared our stories.

We got a bit merry and then headed home for sleep time… all ready for another tough week at camp! Going to be 100 Farenheit all this week. Bugger.

Sorry it has been a long one…. Just so much to tell. So many funny memories, impressions of friends and drunken moments that I won’t forget.

“If you ain’t a Guido get the f*** out of my face”