Summer '14! | Returning To Camp

I'm finally back after what seems like forever! Hopefully I will get more posts up in the next few weeks and get back in to things again. Here's the first update of what I have been doing these past months...

       

I had such a good time at camp last year I thought i'd do it all again this year! I was lucky enough to receive an email from the camp I worked at asking me to return in the summer. The process of returning is much less hassle as the majority of work and forms were done when applying for your first year.

After accepting and receiving your returning contract from camp you need to re-register with your agency (in my case, Americamp).

The process was simple! I re-enrolled as a returnee on the Americamp website (the information you added in your previous application will still be on there), sent my contract with the camp to Americamp and paid my £199 fee (be aware of any hidden fees when paying). After your application has been processed you can start applying again for your CRB check, medical with your doctor and also your visa. In most cases if you have already been to the embassy in person the first time, you can apply for a postal application saving you the hassle of going to the embassy. Next you need to sort your flights, insurance, currency etc. and you're off!

I hate to say this, but my experience with Americamp this year hasn't been as enjoyable as last year. E-mails took far too long for a response and I had many e-mails ignored. Compared to last year my e-mails were answered straight away. I'm unsure if this is because they've seen a rise in the people joining their agency or it is something else... They're still a great company though, I just felt like I should mention it as I want to give an honest review of everything here on my blog! 

The camp I worked at was a sleep-away co-ed camp in the Catskill Mountains of New York. 

This year I was a counselor for the age group 'freshmen' (age around 8-10). I lived in a large cabin with the children and counselors which was divided into two sections (A and B). Each side of the bunk was split between around 2-3 counselors and 9 children on each side.

I was a pool lifeguard this year and also a swim instructor. Here in the picture you can see the pool I worked at! The swim instruction was mandatory for the lower camp and as well as this they also had time for free swim.

The camp session lasts for 7 full weeks with one parent visiting day. 

Camp isn't for everyone as it is hard-work and exhausting with the long days however it is a truly rewarding experience and you will gain great memories and experiences. I made so many new friends and it was great to meet like-minded people. If you have any questions or are interesting in doing this type of work feel free to drop me a message and hopefully my two years of experience doing this will help you out a little!

January Overview

Cancun & vegetable heart pictures taken from Pinterest

The first month of January... some might say the most productive of the months due to the famous 'New Years resolutions'. For me, I think this month has flown by and here is a summary of what I have been up to in January!

1. The one month anniversary of this blog since I started posting! I am so grateful for even having any followers. I didn't even think i'd have any this early on my blogging journey! So thank you for following me and I hope you stick around.

2. I started my dissertation! For those of you who don't know what a dissertation is, it is basically a horrendously long research paper (12,000 words) which you normally complete in the last year at University. I had mulled over a couple of ideas on what to research, but I finally decided on a topic. I had my first meeting with my tutor to discuss everything and any concerns I may have. I've chosen to do a library based research paper, which means many many hours of me trawling through books looking for relevant information. The thought of it scares me a little as I only have about 3 months left to complete it.

3. I worked with my first publishing company through Bloggers Required. I got sent two books to review for my blog and also to feature in a giveaway. I have already posted and reviewed about one book (check it out here and don't forget to enter the giveaway), and hopefully I will post the second book review in the next month or so (it would be earlier but Uni. work is getting in the way :().

4. I got the results back from the only two assignments I have currently submitted to my final year and i've passed both with A's! This was such a shock to me as one was a presentation and I get really nervous about talking to large groups of people knowing all eyes are on me. However this has given me the confidence knowing that I can in fact do it. Anxiety will not get the better of me!

5. I booked my flights back from Cancun. You might be thinking 'back from Cancun?', well I after my summer working in America I plan to go to Cancun for a bit of a holiday with my best friend, and the cheapest way I could do it was to book a return even though I am only using the flight back home to England! Free ticket one-way ticket to Cancun anyone?

6. I've become more of an experimental cook... This is quite a revolution for me as I never really wanted to spend more time in the kitchen than was necessary. However, with this new 'healthy lifestyle' I had tried to promise myself, I got myself fresh ingredients and found myself going through pages and pages of recipe websites. I made quite a few 'delicious', if I do say so myself, meals! Even though I know half of them aren't as 'healthy' as i'd first aimed for (oreo cheesecake, peanut butter cookies...) I think it's a step in the right direction and I really do enjoy making my meals now from scratch!


I feel like this month has been quite a productive month for me and I really hope its a sign of what the future months of 2014 have to come.

What have you been up to this January?

Youtube

With beauty and make-up blogger Stephanie

The world of Youtube can be a scary place, which is why i've never really thought about doing videos until now. The thought of anyone being able to watch your videos and those dreaded internet trolls fills me with fear! However I think it's a great way to interact with followers so i've decided I may give it a go...

Would you like to see videos to compliment my blog? What type of videos would you like to see?

I've made a Youtube channel for if I brave it, so if you want you can subscribe to my new channel here

50 Random Facts | About Me

I've seen a lot of these posts with people being tagged to do them, but because i'm new to the blogging scene I thought i'd do one anyway without being tagged so my new followers can get to know me a little better! So here it is.... 50 random facts about me! 

1. I am an Aquarius (born in February)

2. I don't have a middle name

3. I'm short sighted, so have to wear contacts/glasses all the time

4. I studied Crime & Investigation at University

5. I have an African Grey Parrot called Jack

6. I play the flute, guitar and piano. I kinda suck at piano now though

7. My favourite band are Steel Panther

8. I want a long-haired miniature Dachshund, Pomeranian or German Spitz when I move out

9. When I go to Nandos I order a lemon and herb chicken burger with cheese, hallomi side with chips and peri peri - always

10. My best friend is Slovakian

11. I'm right handed

12. I'd choose McDonalds over KFC any day

13. Miss Selfridge is one of my favourite high street stores

14. I was a lifeguard at a camp in New York in summer 2013

15. It took me two tries to pass my driving test, but only one for my theory - hurrah

16. I wish i'd taken Paleontology at University. I am a massive dinosaur nerd

17. When I was younger I had the nickname 'moose'

18. I love Johnny Depp

19. I'm not a lover of alcohol

20. I don't smoke

21. If I have a Domino's pizza, i'll be disappointed if it isn't stuffed crust

22. I hate needles, injections and anything to do with veins

23. I love strawberry and banana smoothies

24. I love film orchestral soundtrack music - John Williams for example

25. My shoe size is a UK6

26. I love books and take great care with them. Most books I read will still look brand new after i've finished them!

27. My surname is always pronounced wrong

28. I love a good English breakfast - minus the black pudding!

29. I can whistle through my teeth

30. I don't like coffee based foods

31. A poem I wrote when I was in high school has been printed in an anthology book called Away With Words

32. I sleep better in the day than at night

33. I barely watch TV

34. I want to visit the Maldives

35. I've been on stage on multiple occasions with my favourite band (see no. 7)

36. I prefer smaller, intimate gigs/concerts rather than full stadium/arenas

37. I'm not a fan of swimming in the sea unless it's clear!

38. I want to go shark cage diving - but i'm scared!

39. I don't like olives

40. My favourite ice-cream flavor is rum and raisin

41. When I was in nursery they used to make us put on shows and I hated every second of it! So I used to scowl the whole way through a show and avoid eye contact with my parents. They thought it was hilarious.

42. I refuse to go on rides that constantly spin around (roller-coasters = fine - spinning t-cups = no)

43. I love Italian food

44. My toe nails are always painted (normally red!)

45. I'm not allergic to anything (that I know of)

46. I have a scar on my left leg from where I was stood on a dock in america and it collapsed into the lake! Safe to say it was a shock then, but quite funny looking back now. There's a picture somewhere on my Instagram of it happening... Thanks boys, for taking pictures in our time of distress!

47. I don't have a favourite colour

48. My lucky number is 8

49. I love cheesecake

50. I have the worst concentration span

Thanks for making it to the end and I hope you've learnt a little more about me. If you have done a post similar to this, please comment below and I shall check it out! I don't know that many bloggers to tag anyone here... so if you're reading this and haven't done a '50 Random Facts About Me' post, I tag you to make one!