barely birds

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Random Threads

Well, I am thus far failing at updating as I said I would (so sorry, Mama!). Camp has been good, the weather is beautiful, and the campers are all smiles (except when I take away candy from care packages...that's one part of my job I don't like, being known as the Candy Stealer!). I went with some friends to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival a couple of days ago, and it was definitely the most fun day off I have ever had at camp! We got to see Alison Krauss & Union Station play, which was amazing; shop around downtown Telluride; eat some delicious food (Merle's Brown Bag in Telluride is my favorite sandwich shop ever-- I have to go every time I'm there!); and see a beautiful conglomeration of people of all ages and personalities who all were enjoying the bluegrass as well!

Besides that, I have been doing a lot of sewing and embroidery lately! There is a good chunk of the day where the calls are pretty minimal-to-nonexistent, and I am able to pull out my sewing machine and sew without too much distraction. When I don't have time to do that, I usually have my embroidery hoop next to my desk and I embroider while talking to parents on the phone. (Yes, everyone thinks I am crazy...until one day their jacket or shorts rip and they need it sewn up! I have been told by many boys how indebted to me they are because of my sewing skills...haha) So, here are some pictures of what I've been working on!

I got tired of having so many plain white v-neck shirts, so I decided to dress them up a little bit. I find such joy in embroidery--I think it really is a forgotten/neglected art! I have gotten a lot of compliments on these.
This is a skirt I made out of an old t-shirt that was sitting around in the "free box" at camp. It is my first real piece of "adult" clothing that I can actually wear, and I am pretty proud of myself! (Sorry the picture quality is poor...the camp office doesn't make for the best photography setting...)

This is a Brown Bag Skirt that I made today! I think it is my favorite thing I have ever made! It was so easy, too, which makes it all the more fun.

I think I am taking some Catholic campers to Mass tomorrow morning, so I just might wear one of my new skirts! I really enjoy getting to go to Mass here in Durango, it reminds of my time at Charleston Catholic (I still sit in the pew wishing I could go up during communion just like I did in first grade!), and it also makes me imagine what it was like growing up in the Catholic church for my dad!

Speaking of my dad, I have spent the past 3 weeks trying to come up with an amazing father's day present to send him--to no avail. Daddy, you are such a hard person to shop for, but please don't let that make you feel less loved by your oldest daughter! I love you so much, and am indescribably grateful for everything you have done for me, sacrificed for me, all the times you've waited on me (well....more like waited on Catherine....haha), the constant encourager you have been, and the continual source of love. I love and miss you so much! I hope the day with MM and CC is wonderful. LOVE YOU!!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Kivu Today

Check out my post on the Kivu Today blog to see previews of the Camp Store and some Office Girl fun!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Take Two slash...Take One?

Now that my blog is linked to the Kivu Today blog, i was informed that I needed to update my blog from Christmas so...update!

Graduation was last week- crazy! Pictures can be seen on my mom's blog. It seems silly, but I never imagined actually graduating--not that I ever expected to fail out, or leave, I just never thought much about the actuality of leaving college! I suppose that will take a while to truly comprehend the changes that will come from having the diploma, but for now, I am still getting used to the reality that I am no longer a Vanderbilt student.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go to Vanderbilt for the past three years. I had some great, challenging professors (and some not so great professors, more interested in their own research than undergraduate classes), I made some wonderful friends, and I thoroughly enjoyed living in Nashville and all that it had to offer. But more than anything else, Vanderbilt helped me realize that my potential is so much bigger than I have ever imagined it to be. When I pledged Tri Delta at Ole Miss, I never saw myself being involved much at all, much less a senior officer who was an integral part of the chapter. I never, ever, thought I would be a part of student government and have such a tangible opportunity to influence student life at Vanderbilt and be an advocate for my peers to the administration. I realized that I have both a penchant and a passion for administrative duties, and that it is something I want to pursue in a career. I realized that I was capable of so much more than I ever imagined, and that I could truly have an impact on the lives of others, and that my life does impact others--it is my choice to decide whether that impact is positive or negative.

The chancellor gave a powerful charge at the graduation ceremonies-- work hard, and always, always, always be grateful. Having the opportunity to get an education from one of the top 20 schools in the United States is something I will always be grateful for, and I am particularly grateful to my parents and grandparents who provided me with the opportunity to attend whatever school I wanted, no matter the cost. I love you all so much, and am so encouraged and inspired by the way that you live your lives, and pray that I may be able to love and serve others as generously and strongly as all of you have!

I am now working at Camp Kivu running the office, which is so fun! I get my first Office Girls today around 2 (can you tell I'm a little excited?! I can't wait for some help!). Mama, I promise I will take some pictures today so that you can see what Camp looks like!

Okay, time to forward the phones so I can go down to lunch!

NP