Summer 2012... the ups and the downs

I am now sitting in a new dorm room and it has finally hit me, the summer is coming to an end. This has not been the easiest summer, but I have learned a lot about myself, and I am so grateful to have had this summer. So here is my list of 10 things that I have been grateful for this past summer.

1. Shay. Our friendship has grown tremendously this summer. I have enjoyed our many workout sessions followed by yummy Chipotle dinners, grocery shopping trips that resulted in eating way too many Oreos, watching Gilmore Girls like 12 year olds and going to the towns local Zumba class just to name a few. She has been amazing to have here this summer, and I know without her, this summer would not have been as great as it was.

2. Flem. I am so grateful to have had Flem living in the dorm with me. It was so nice to have a friend living in the dorm (besides Kirsten). She was always up to hang out and do whatever, and was also very helpful with any little task I decided to do. I enjoyed watching Gilmore Girls with her, cooking lots of yummy foods and going on countless adventures around the campus.

3. Kirsten. This summer has really not been all roses. We had many ups and downs. I am mad that our summer wasn't perfect. However, our ups and downs strengthened our friendship and has helped with our transition to living in separate rooms this school year (.6 miles apart). We have watched each other have hard times and celebrated each others accomplishments this summer. I love Kirsten and am so grateful to have her as friend. Even if the summer wasn't easy, I know we are just as good friends, if not even better friends. I am so grateful for the 12 months we have lived together.

The beginning of the Summer

One of the many moves accomplished 

We left a mark on Abbey 109

Final summer goodbye

4. Meaghan, Casey and the rest of the group who lived here this summer. I am grateful to have gotten to know these people. I enjoyed our many nights sitting out on the porch trying to cool down and our Real Housewives of New Jersey Sunday night tradition.

4. Camp: The Staff. I am so grateful for working at the camp this summer. The staff I worked with were all amazing. The 6 weeks at the camp went by so quickly. After a not great lifeguard training week at another camp, I was hesitant about going to work at this camp. After the first week of training at this camp, I knew it was going to be ok. I loved working with these women. Each and everyone of them made me laugh and put a smile on my face when things weren't to great back at home (the dorm). There was also a sense of support amongst all of us, and we knew we all had each others back. They became my family away from school, and I am so grateful for all of them.

The many "Wacky Wednesdays" when we all got to make fools of ourselves

Coco Puff, my coworker

We are intense

Going to miss driving up here every morning 

5. Camp: The Campers. During the course of the summer I worked with many campers, most of them I just guarded and did activities with. All of them put smiles on my face! I will never forget doing "Dance Water Aerobics" with them. In addition to all of them, there were certain campers I worked with individually, teaching them how to swim. Almost all campers (90% of them) advanced to a new level if they worked hard enough. I am so grateful to watch these campers grow as swimmers and see themselves at first doubt their ability to swim at all and grow confidence through out the week as they got better. One camper in particular said from day one she couldn't swim but would like to learn. At one point during that week she stopped to catch her breath, and breathing heavily said "I just have to stop, my heart is pounding with excitement". She ended up swimming to the second highest level! When she left on Friday, she came up to me and gave me the biggest hug and said "Thank You for teaching me Caboose". Her mom came up to me separately and in tears said "You gave my daughter a gift that is beyond swimming, self confidence, thank you so much".

6. Dad. Even though we didn't live with each other this summer, our relationship has grown stronger. In the beginning of the summer when I was having a hard time, he was there for me and let me come to the Cape for a couple of weekends. Once camp started up, he came up one weekend to see me. I have loved our visits together. This summer, has helped our relationship get stronger and stronger, after the last summer when it was torn apart.

7. Running. This summer I have grown physically more strong. I completed the schools triathlon challenge, and got the highest level. During this time, I forced myself to become a stronger runner (which I tried last summer, but sort of gave up at a certain point). This summer I started running only one mile at a time to 4 miles straight. Just recently I completed 5 miles! I am proud of myself going to the gym everyday after work even if I was exhausted being with kids all day. I am so proud of myself for this accomplishment, and have loved seeing my body get stronger, which I know is associated with running.

First 4 mile run

Even in the heat, I got myself there

5 mile run!

8. Working at the bakery, even if it was just for a week. I have loved going back and working at the bakery. Just like riding a bike it all came back to me! I am so grateful for my boss Susan. I have been reminded of how much hard work goes into the bakery.

Me looking not to great, but the food looks yummy!

9. Henry, Oliver, Ava, Ingrid and John. When I went back this past week, I was shocked how grown up Ava, Henry and Oliver were from last summer. I have worked with them for the last two summers, and this past visit, I really felt that they are family that I have on the Cape. Last summer was very hard and I don't think I appreciated them enough, but going back and seeing them I saw it more clearly, and couldn't be more grateful to have them in my life.

10. Ellen. Originally Ellen was going to work at the camp with me and we were going to see each other everyday this summer.  However, as life usually does, it didn't work out that way. I was mad at Ellen for not working at the camp with me and selfishly didn't see/talk with her for a while. As a result, we spent very little time with each other this summer, but the time we did, it was as if no time has passed. That is friendship to me; going weeks without seeing one another and once reunited it's like no time has passed. She is truly a sister to me, and I love her so much. I also could not be more grateful for her help moving into my final dorm.