America. Post Thirteen. Last of Camp

So on the second to last day of camp… I was a mess. I just cried. Nearly all day long, about completely un-camp-related stuff, but really I think it is because I was anticipating the end.

Ron came up to me at the end of the day, to ask me to help wave parents goodbye after the camp shows, which I was totally up for, and wiped away my tears and waved goodbye with the big ol’ foam fingers which I have grown to love… and I was in a much better mood. Then he gathered all the Internationals together and told us how much we had done for the camp and how much we had benefited camp. And that was it I lost it again, and had to cry. Pathetic really, but it has been a strange little bubble of emotion for over two months. Crazy times.

I went and helped Jes and Melissa tidy up theatre a bit, which because of their craziness returned be back to my happy normal state of mind. After I said goodbye to them both, school bus and all, I went with everybody up to Lory’s for drinkypoo’s.

We had a few drinks, I had an interesting shot called a mind eraser. I have no idea what was in it, Todd just gave it to me… yum yum yum. After this I came outside to a continuing game of Horseshoes, which Brad kept winning. All of a sudden Alicia is on the floor and dragging herself towards the seating area. All she was asking for was her beer, but in the mean time her ankle was swelling up having been hit with a horseshoe! What a berk. We put some arnica cream on it, and some ice and elevated it to try and reduce the swelling a bit.

We got Alicia in the car and took her upstairs and into bed with her ankle raised on one of the cushions from the sofa and a bag of frozen peas. No problems we thought.. she’ll be just dandy in the morning.

Not so much. She could not put any weight on her foot in the morning. IT WAS THE LAST DAY, she was crushed, the camp insisted (and rightly) to send her to hospital to get it checked out. Last Day of camp was pretty chaotic. I participated in Dancing with the staff at the morning meeting with Dave and I had plenty of fun, then ran upstairs to grab Alicia’s insurance papers and passport. Then back to the office to try and get the newsletter out for the last day of camp.

Alicia made a couple of phone calls to us from the hospital, and one of them sounded particularly high and hilarious where she was on some crazy painkillers that just made her crazy and sleepy. Alicia missed the most part of the last day of camp by being asleep in Wellness. I had a great day – finished the newsletter, finished the slideshow, mucked around with Jes and Skyler in the office and loads of people brought me food. YUM YUM.

I also got one of my staff T-shirts signed by several members of staff whom have made my life at camp awesome. SO many… too many to mention but everyone knows who they are. Man… couldn’t have been that awesome without some of those people. I could have been having the worst work day ever, and they would have brightened it for me. (this feel very corny of me – particularly as George Michael is playing in the background!) But I do mean it.

And so… after the Last Day of camp, we had the STAFF PARTY!!! Wooo yeah… uh huh. Yes.

We went down to some place that provided us with food (yummy food!) and a dj and dancing etc etc. Was mucho fun. We all danced like crazy people (I think some people may have been under the influence of alcohol.. ahem… Pooley) but yeah we were all a bit silly and danced till we could dance no more. Even Alicia dancing on her crutches.

After all the craziness (and Slideshow) ended we all headed off to Lory’s. I was in a bizarre mood, and was kidly given the opportunity to drive Jes’ car around some of the little lanes. Very odd to drive and automatic AND to be on the wrong side of the car/road all at the same time! Miss my car… a lot. Then at Lory’s we had Karaoke and drinks! I was pretty wasted, except I don’t remember being wasted. Which is a pretty sure sign that I was.

I had the best night that night. It is kind of sad that the best night was on the last… I just felt so at ease, and completely rushed with various emotions. It was quite over-whelming. However I had a smile on face for the entire night, and for the entire morning. Even at eight o clock, when I was curled up on the coffee table half asleep.

So Saturday morning… all a bit hungover, but all feeling incredibly high spirited. Alicia cooks breakfast (OH MY GOD I SHALL MISS THOSE – I always had a good day when Alicia and I had a cooked breakfast. I chopped – she cooked!)

** Usually we would have eggs, bacon, pepper and “zucchini” (courgette to us English folk) **

Speaking of Alicia I just got a text from her saying she has not stopped drinking. LIKE LITERALLY hahahahahahaha. Miss this people crackin’ wise. (Just for you Misha)

We cleaned the flat, then set to work for Randy and Brad, cleaning etc etc. I was of ourse in the office, but cleaning (Alicia sorting through stuff as she wasn’t much use on her crutches ! – though she tried we just wouldn’t let her!) 

Once all our work was done, we collected our sweatshirts, kindly given to us by Randy, Brad and Ron, and packed up for departure. Well some of us did, the boys seemed to have collected all their furniture outside so they could scrub their apartment – they were staying that night. The only person who had already left was Geri, who left early morning to meet her fella in NY.

When my Backpack and suitcase was packed, Jes arrived to take myself and Alicia to NY. (Jes very kindly offered us a lift because of Alicia’s crutches). Saying goodbye, was surreal and horrible. Everyone go a cuddle and a little hug. I did some salmon and cobra moves to drag me out of my tears. Said goodbye to Mer, Randy, Ron, Brad. And then the famous Internationals …

Zander, Lenny, Diego, Ryan, Chris, Elise, Char, Geri, Alicia, Sarah.

Thank you guys for one of the best summers. I genuinely used to hate summers… but this one was sick. I love you all. And my American friends are adored too.

Some of you will know that this is so not the end and you will have to put up with me at some point in the future.

So much love, true f***ing love for you guys.

America. Post Twelve. The Penultimate Camp Chapter

Okay, so Emily’s favourite activity other than sleeping and dancing is… EATING!!! And that is why when I went to STUFF YOUR FACE. I knew I was in for a damn good night.

Jes and I went for “a bloody good” meal of Stromboli and beer, in fact I had cider because they are like the only place I had come across that stocked Magners. Yum Yum… yes Lenny you missed out. Unfortunately cider does tend to go to my head, so I need to apologise to Jes for any of the crap I was talking. However that was easily one of the best nights I had all summer (beer ball is up there too… and the night at Hemmingway’s). On their menu they actually have a boli called “Emily’s Stromboli” which I did not have because it had no meat on it… and I likes me meat. But I couldn’t finish what I did order and I took it home so I could have it for breakfast the next morning. Which I did. Because I am gross.

OOOOOOO Van Halen JUMP just came on my ipod. Happy times… plus me bobbing around on my chair like a bit of a loony. Bloody Hell – followed my T-Pain Chirch, there is a genuine party happening in my chair right now.

On the Saturday night we all went down to the shore with the maintenance guys and Justin to the Tiki Bar. It was so so so good. I had a freakin’ awesome night. Georgie from the maintenance crew was there as well as Alex, T, and Charlie. We sat around and dranked and chatted, and there was a live band on which Georgie and I went and danced to like a couple of crazies. But was great… got rid of A LOT of energy. We preceded to drink some more and then being so close to the sea I went and had a wade in it. We all know that I cannot resist water. Particularly the sea.. and it was night time, and the waves were very choppy which was great and just made me very excited! Also I got some awesome pizza which was very tasty… and Alicia and I may have accidentally tipped the whole shaker of garlic onto our pizzas. Oops.

The next day I was up at eight so I could skype my ma, who I hadn’t spoken to in about four weeks, except for the phone call she made to the office from Spain, which made me all teary and so I had to ask if I could take the call instead of shoo my mother away for being a non-business call! I miss the family mucho, however they all seem fine and my brother has bought a fedora (?) which he now will not take off, and basically he thinks he is the mutts nuts in it. Fair enough. Also my lovely doggie Brucie looks good, and it is cool because when he hears my voice he is all “where is Emily?” (in a bruce/dog voice – not far off a Scooby Doo impression). I ROVE YOU! Hahahahahahaha… I miss New Cross sometimes. Lol.

Anyways!! After speaking to my mother I got picked up by Jes to go to the store to get a load of stuff for the theatre as I promised I would help her out and get ready for the camp shows which were coming up next week. For my help she greeted my still drunk ass with coffee and a breakfast bagel –y thingy. YUM YUM. I was definitely still drunk though. I thought I looked okay in the morning, however when I then saw myself around lunchtime (having fallen asleep in the car a couple of times) I realised that last night’s drunken Tiki Bar make up is never a good look.

I made a wicked Veil for Fiona in Shrek… it was like the most awesome thing that any human being could have ever created… in my opinion. Jes sorta looked at me like I was clinicly insane when I started running around in it saying “I AM A GENIUS.” Because really…. Any silly old sod could have made it. But I was proud, and happy to be involved in something that wasn’t related to the office for camp.

The theatre building “The Playhouse” is pretty cool… I bit grubby, and potentially covered in TB or summat, but kinda cool. It has a bat living in it! Yes – a bat. One of my faves! And also it has so many costumes it s insane.

That evening after some water basketball in the pool I just chilled with the girls upstairs, I wrote a couple of notes to various people. Played on my game. Because I am uber cool and I generally did bugger all. It was GREAT. Perfect Sunday.

On one of the days, Alicia and I got in Jes’ school bus and drove to her house to get her car, where we then listened to Jes and Nicole play awesome tunes and sing on guitars. Seriously I want them to come to London so I can get them playing a GOLD:Unplugged. Would be so good. Alicia and I were sat there with goosebumps. Just awesome. We were sad to leave. But all of us and Kelly who joined us went to Cheesecake Factory for cheesecake and coffee. SO GOOD, though I nearly died from sickly sweet richness and general yum factor.

After that we all went home with full bellys and happy faces. After Wednesday’s Camp shows everyone went to Champs! For a couple of drinks, it was so much fun, lots of dancing. I turned up in a pair of glasses I found in theatre with no lenses… looking like a bit of a berk, but was a great evening. So much fun. I had a massive smile on my face the whole of that night too… not sure what was wrong with me, I was just silly happy.

AND SO… the last few days of camp are coming up in the next blog. I warn you in advance, it may not makes any sense… emotions all the over the freakin’ place.(doesn’t help that I currently have Simon and Garfunkel playing in my ear – although through my sexy new headphones).

Big Love – to every single person that has made me smile!

P.s  - see my real blogsite at:  http://letigreblanc-emsie.blogspot.com

 

America. Post Eleven. I'm Getting there...

I cannot remember how may weeks from the end this occurred but we had a staff basketball tournament. Three on three. I joined a team with myself Doug and Justin. We called ourselves the comic relief team… or two old men and a cougar (Justin’s team name for us!) Lol.

I couldn’t play our first match because I was still working so Liz filled in for me which was good of her. However I played the second two matches. First of which we won and then lost by only the smallest amount. And I got told I played well, which is awesome considering I have never played before. The finals had to be put off to another day because it got dark so quick and there were so many teams playing. However it was a damn good night.

Then Alicia and I went to Jes’ house for a BBQ and to hang out with her housemates – Kelly and Nicole. We had a couple of beers and Jes “Queen of the BBQ” Randell cooked us some delicious food, which Alicia and I greatly appreciated as we were totally sick of Camp food by this point. Grr. Then the introduced to us the greatest game on earth… BEER BALL. No no… it is not Beer pong as I hear you thinking. This is beer ball. A game of violence, skill, brutality, bruising, being covered in beer and potentially bitten. However it had us in hysterics. I went home very beer covered and with a bruised arm. Alicia who has suffered enough bruises this summer, got another two huge ones. Woops.

That night got me back to my happy place. It had been a tough week, a lot of emotional crap going on, and a lot of tension in the apartment… but it really helped. I finally switched back on realising that I was back in America and having a blast. In someone’s front yard having a giggle, not worrying about anything just being happy. With some fantastically awesome people.

Then that Friday Alicia had and appointment and then we went to the Cheesecake Factory with Rachel which was delicious as per… but I couldn’t move and so I had to lay down in the back of Rachel’s car and try and sleep off the full belly problem.

So on Saturday night came the big event… the long awaited night of the Party Bus which we had been waiting for since the beginning of the summer. The big trip to Atlantic city… our chance to dress up all beautiful and sexy get hammered and be chauffeured around like a bunch of celebrities and have the best night ever. All of these things happened. Except the last.

I shall not name any names but someone ruined the evening for everybody. By letting personal feelings about other individual come out and create an atmosphere.. start fights, and then cursing everyone who wants to try and keep the peace. Things got out of hand. And then when we all split up and found various bars or clubs to entertain ourselves. Now myself, Char, Gerri and Diego went to the beach bar. Which was freakin’ sick. We had an awesome time, dancing to awesome music, getting our drink on. I danced so much and was so happy for it.

We came away from that bar smiling as if we had just been told that we had won a million dollars. HOWEVER.. when we got back on the bus everything kicked off again. The rather unpopular individual of the evening had a beer thrown at their face for being just downright rude. This… had it not been involving my friends, would have been highly hilarious. And kind of is - looking back on it.

Poor Charley got back on the bus with everybody being miserable and depressed and sleepy.. and all he wanted to do was party bless him because he missed the big ol’ fight. So it was a quiet journey back home, and none of us felt like smiling or partying. Most of us slept the entire way.

The next day I went to New York… the best friend and the BF were there. Also it was a chance to escape the unfriendly atmosphere that was bound to be hanging around the house. So we went to MoMa the modern art museum and then we went to Central Park where I proceeded to fall asleep for two hours as I had only had like three hours sleep anyway. It was nice just to chill though. Then we wondered around for the afternoon found a nice pub to chill in and talk about how I missed things. But was so happy with other things at camp.

Just a wee blog to update you of that week’s events. SO much more to come. The last two weeks at camp were probably some of the best memories for me. Thanks to the people who made it that way.

So much love. 

America. Post Eleven. I'm Getting there...

I cannot remember how may weeks from the end this occurred but we had a staff basketball tournament. Three on three. I joined a team with myself Doug and Justin. We called ourselves the comic relief team… or two old men and a cougar (Justin’s team name for us!) Lol.

I couldn’t play our first match because I was still working so Liz filled in for me which was good of her. However I played the second two matches. First of which we won and then lost by only the smallest amount. And I got told I played well, which is awesome considering I have never played before. The finals had to be put off to another day because it got dark so quick and there were so many teams playing. However it was a damn good night.

Then Alicia and I went to Jes’ house for a BBQ and to hang out with her housemates – Kelly and Nicole. We had a couple of beers and Jes “Queen of the BBQ” Randell cooked us some delicious food, which Alicia and I greatly appreciated as we were totally sick of Camp food by this point. Grr. Then the introduced to us the greatest game on earth… BEER BALL. No no… it is not Beer pong as I hear you thinking. This is beer ball. A game of violence, skill, brutality, bruising, being covered in beer and potentially bitten. However it had us in hysterics. I went home very beer covered and with a bruised arm. Alicia who has suffered enough bruises this summer, got another two huge ones. Woops.

That night got me back to my happy place. It had been a tough week, a lot of emotional crap going on, and a lot of tension in the apartment… but it really helped. I finally switched back on realising that I was back in America and having a blast. In someone’s front yard having a giggle, not worrying about anything just being happy. With some fantastically awesome people.

Then that Friday Alicia had and I had an appointment and then we went to the Cheesecake Factory with Rachel which was delicious as per… but I couldn’t move and so I had to lay down in the back of Rachel’s car and try and sleep off the full belly problem.

So on Saturday night came the big event… the long awaited night of the Party Bus which we had been waiting for since the beginning of the summer. The big trip to Atlantic city… our chance to dress up all beautiful and sexy get hammered and be chauffeured around like a bunch of celebrities and have the best night ever. All of these things happened. Except the last.

I shall not name any names but someone ruined the evening for everybody. By letting personal feelings about other individual come out and create an atmosphere.. start fights, and then cursing everyone who wants to try and keep the peace. Things got out of hand. And then when we all split up and found various bars or clubs to entertain ourselves. Now myself, Char, Gerri and Diego went to the beach bar. Which was freakin’ sick. We had an awesome time, dancing to awesome music, getting our drink on. I danced so much and was so happy for it.

We came away from that bar smiling as if we had just been told that we had won a million dollars. HOWEVER.. when we got back on the bus everything kicked off again. The rather unpopular individual of the evening had a beer thrown at their face for being just downright rude. This… had it not been involving my friends, would have been highly hilarious. And kind of is - looking back on it.

Poor Charley got back on the bus with everybody being miserable and depressed and sleepy.. and all he wanted to do was party bless him because he missed the big ol’ fight. So it was a quiet journey back home, and none of us felt like smiling or partying. Most of us slept the entire way.

The next day I went to New York… the best friend and the BF were there. Also it was a chance to escape the unfriendly atmosphere that was bound to be hanging around the house. So we went to MoMa the modern art museum and then we went to Central Park where I proceeded to fall asleep for two hours as I had only had like three hours sleep anyway. It was nice just to chill though. Then we wondered around for the afternoon found a nice pub to chill in and talk about how I missed things. But was so happy with other things at camp.

Just a wee blog to update you of that week’s events. SO much more to come. The last two weeks at camp were probably some of the best memories for me. Thanks to the people who made it that way.

So much love. 

America. Post Ten

For Elise’s 23^rd Birthday we went to The Cheesecake Factory which is an awesome restaurant, that no matter how many times I go I still can’t finish a meal – there portions are so huge but yet they are so delicious! How on Earth you are meant to be able to eat a cheesecake afterwards I do not know! I had their red velvet cheesecake, which I was not that impressed with… but I think that it was because it is meant to be a cake…. Not a cheesecake. Apparently, their other cheesecakes are just the best! So that was fun, and then some people went bowling after… but I was shattered and came home to chill which was lubly.

One of the evenings we had a staff volleyball game, and play around on the Go-Karts. So much fun. Volleyball is awesome, also n really played that before, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. After I stopped being a wimp about playing and making a fool out of myself playing something I have never played before I got into it. Though I don’t think it is anything I could be considered a good player for.

Afterwards I went to Lory’s (of course) with the boys and It ended p being myself, Doug and Justin. We had a great night just chatting about random stuff we ad done or witnessed and talking about our feelings about camp I felt thoroughly satisfied with that evening and it is one of those that just can’t be re-created!

During this week I was chatting with Alicia and just felt totally amazed by her and her awesome confidence and outlook on life… We were chatting about various things we used to do as kids, and how we were brought up and stuff and I just felt very comfortable talking with her and stuff… so yay and woop. Strange paragraph, but I just remember feeling happy that someone was there with a similar outlook on stuff!

That weekend I had really chilled weekend… I don’t think I went out or anything. On the Saturday night I had some wine and chilled with Alicia and Sj in some trackie pants. It was great. Seriously awesome. However Alicia and I went downstairs… the outside stairs.. Alicia was in front of me and when she got to the bottom of the stairs, obviously she stopped going down. I also stopped going down and tried to walk on a flat level of thin air and fell down a bunch of stairs. Because I am sensible like that. It was proper funny though. Ha “proper” funny. The Americans find this odd.

Another week DONE

Love Love Love

America. Post Nine

This blog has quite evidently been neglected whilst I have been even busier than the previous weeks. I do not know whether it has been because of the mad amount of work in the office or the insane number of night time work we have had to attend… either way I feel bad for not keeping everybody posted.

One week, Doug, one of the senior members of staff. Suggested that the teens do a trip up the lake in the boats and stop off somewhere for lunch or whatever. So, this trip obviously needed trying out. So Doug, Ry, Sarah, Gerri, Char and myself all set off on the lake in some Kayaks. I have never been kayaking before but I had the best time! I love it so so so much. I really want to go again, and I think I may be doing so this Monday. Which I am greatly looking forward to. It was so stunning to look upon the lake, which was gloriously still and looked like mirror glass. In addition, the actual paddling and stuff is so relaxing and calming. Plus it was on the water, which as we all know I love. Just love water.

I went to the cinema a couple of times that week too, I went to go see Salt with Sarah, Elise, Danny and Rachel. I freakin’ loved it. I mean I love Angelina Jolie because she is awesome and hot and just kinda cool (though the brangelina thing is not nice for Jennifer Annitston- whatever). Then also I went with Sj (Sarah), Ry, Liz, John and Heather to see Inception, which is just a mind blowing film – MIND BLOWING. I would happily go see it again. I cannot believe I haven’t been to see Eclipse yet, I think it is because I am subconsciously saving it so I can subject the BF to it. He he he. I am mean.

After the cinema we went to Chilli’s and met Justin Son for dinner. YUM YUM. The food made me want to eat it all however, I am not capable of eating that much (and I can eat a lot). This crazy and awesome country has made me put on so much weight that I am miserable about it, but I am trying to be good again. The weekends are fine because I am not eating the camp food, however during the week not only am I eating the camp food, which is not the healthiest cuisine, but also I am eating to entertain myself in the office. I definitely need to find something else to occupy my little mind. Being mocked by the aides, dancing like a salmon and laughing about random irrelevant stuff with Jes does not seem to distract my hands and mouth from eating enough!

I will endeavour to work on it! (Maybe another week)  

LOVE x