The big one-nine

Gosh, I didn't even write about my birthday yet! So I was rudely awakened in the wee hours of 6 am to the sound of either my dad/Michael/Rocket stomping around the house, getting ready for school or work. So I stormed upstairs to use the facilities, a usual occurrence early in the morning when my bladder is about to burst. After glaring at everyone, then lumbering back downstairs, I got a few more hours of sleep before I  headed of to Grammie and Papa's for lunch! Grammie and I went to Kohl's for about an hour, where I found 2 pairs if shorts and about a zillion running sneakers that I wanted (but I didn't get any of them). We then went to the country club where Papa plays golf, and had lunch there :) I had the MOST DELICIOUS SWEET POTATO FRIES EVER. One of my favorite foods, if you ever have to answer trivia about me. After hanging out with Grammie for a while at her house, I headed back home (and picked up Mom from work on the way).

So later in the day, Amy picked me up and we drove to Shelby's lake house!
1. I love the lake. Like, I'm actually in love with it.
2. I've been dying to go on the boat (this was on my "birthday list")
3. Amy, Shelby, and Victoria are always fun
4. It was my birthday... which makes everything good :D
5. They surprised me with a birthday cake!!!!! :)

I didn't know which pictures to pick so here's a bunch...

New book

So I just rolled outta bed and turned on the TV (something I don't usually do because the commercials frustrate me and I'd rather watch stuff online), and GLEE is performing on Ellen so this is pretty much the best morning ever even though I've been up for all of .5 seconds. So good. Anyways, I have a very exciting day today: pick up Emily from finals at 11:15, eat breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks, lay outside in the grass while I work on my bronze, annnnnd start my field hockey workout YAY!

Yesterday, for father's day, we went to my grandparents house which was great. I got to eat a lot and read my book that Papa suggested. It's about this guy who hiked the whole Appalachian Trail and it's HILARIOUS. Seriously. I was reading our on their front porch with Emily and she was getting slightly annoyed that I was cracking up at every paragraph, and proceeding to read her the passage (or try to read it without laughing too much). Unfortunately, I'd have to read the funny parts to her twice because halfway through reading them I would remember how hilarious it was and then become incomprehensible. Ah, so good.

Past Mission Trips!

Christ Quest 2011 starts in Gilford next week and I randomly found this video from last year! If you want to see my shining face you should scroll to 1:57 (my brother, Michael, is right after me) and 4:01. 5:39 is a fabulous shot of Heather and me. Oh, and if you're really interested, my sister is the first picture and my dad is the second.

Now this video is from the mission trip we went on in the summer of 2009, to Newark, NY. Also lots of fun! You can see me at :28 (AND I'M WITH A KITTEN, OF COURSE), 3:02, 6:30, and 6:54 (with my group for that week).

Day 13: Friday, June 3rd

While I didn't realize this at the time, I think we actually started the run at 7-7:30ish maybe. I remember looking at the clock on the car ride over to the run. I know it was something extreme like 6:30 or 7:30 because we did a lot BEFORE the run! We packed up camp, completely aired everything out on the clotheslines, had breakfast (granola, bananas, and oranges). I got a sufficient amount of breakfast because I always need to eat a lot before I run. Well, not right before. Sometimes right before. Julie wasn't feeling well before breakfast and I felt bad because I wanted to run with her and I was thinking about walking with her just because I wanted to catch up with her badly and the thought of running alone on the road for over an hour was daunting. But once we started running she felt great, which was wonderful! We ran the whole time (except for 2 quick water breaks and a stretch break), although it seemed that as Julie was feeling better, I was dreadfully tired and so I'm sure I slowed us down a bit. But still--we did run the whole time, even if it was a very slow run! I've never actually run for 9 miles straight in my whole life, and Julie and I were talking the whole time so I'm sure that also slowed us down a little but (but it was definitely more fun).

So after an hour and a half of running on the road, my knees were hating me but my stomach loved me once we finished because there was WATERMELON. Trays and trays (okay, just one tray but they refilled it) of watermelon slices for me to lay in. Also, there were orange slices too but watermelon definitely trumps everything else so I didn't have those. We filled out some paperwork and I bought a La Vida shirt (because who doesn't like souvenirs?) while we waited for everyone to finish the run. My poison ivy was wrapped in Ace bandages for the first 15 seconds of the run before it unraveled and I was stuck carrying it for the rest of the time. That's what I get for wrapping it myself. I mean, it looked pretty good before we started running. So I stared at my poison ivy for a while for a bit after the paperwork was done, as I was analyzing the damage and calculating what percentage of my legs would be permanently destroyed. 

We had a lunch similar to that of "the feast" yesterday, I'm pretty sure. After getting our plaques, bumper stickers, and t-shirts we all lined up for group pictures (first our group, then we headed over all the other groups). The man in charge (Rich) help up a water bottle and asked if it belonged to anyone, and of course it went silent. And of course it was my water bottle so with an "Oh! That's mine!" I raised my hand... I considered pretending like I didn't recognize it, I mean, it was only like $4 but I figured people in my group would nudge me and say, "Hey, isn't that yours?" So after that we took the picture, and Rich asked if anyone would be getting off at an earlier stop on the way home, such as Concord, NH. So I raised my hand, and it was just me and another boy!!!! So Rich said we were supposed to go in a separate van which of course caused my aversion to changed plans to kick in and I was becoming cranky at the thought of being separated from my group for 5+ hours to be the worst thing ever. Thankfully, Julie bullied the driver of the van into allowing my STUFF to go in the van, and I would join my stuff after the dinner stop in Lebanon, NH. Julie, you're the best. After saying bye to my group, I emerged on the bus that they were on (Julie was on this bus too), and I got to spend a little more time with them! It was here in the bus that I turned my phone on. For some reason I was really really dreading it. After it turned on, I tried to text and I forgot that my phone was a touch screen at the top. I really didn't remember how to text. My thumbs were like molasses and they didn't know what the heck they were doing. I texted a few people to say I was back, and responded to a few texts. Olivia texted me to say that she was engaged and wanted me to be the maid of honor (since Sarah wouldn't be able to go to the wedding). That was exciting but certainly disorienting as I'd been a recluse in the woods for 12 days and hadn't thought about anything else, and then my best friend would be getting married in August and I would be there? Like I said, exciting but disorienting. And I was confused because I forgot things like weddings existed. All I thought about was surviving the next task and wondering what the next meal would be. Also, if the water filter was working properly or not as I was filtering it. That's pretty much all I thought about the last night when I was filtering water.

Anyways (I say this a lot, too), the bus ride was pretty good except I shouldn't have had so much water because the whole time I thought I was going to pee my pants and I had horrific visions of how embarrassing it would be to pee my pants on a bus with a million of my peers. I also contemplated peeing in a bottle and 1. if that would be a success, 2. how I could do that without drawing too much attention to myself?, 3. what would I do with the pee & bottle after? Good news though: the bus driver puller over in a small down to check the tires for about 2 minutes (except at the time I had no idea if I had 5 seconds or 5 hours) so I ran off the bus and into a random building to ask if I could use the bathroom. It MUST have been a sight as I'm sure I smelled, I was wearing my huge oversized wool thing and a bandana with bandages on my legs, and I was frantically asking if I could use the bathroom before my school bus left. So they did let me use it, and I'm ashamed to say that I did NOT wash my hands but this was a good decision because the bus driving was just getting in his seat and about the close the doors when I ran on and sheepishly walked to the back of the bus to slouch down in my seat. I felt as though everyone was wondering what my issue was when I heard Caroline (in front of me) say, "Oh, Megan has to go to the bathroom a lot, that's all." Conclusion: success. Even if it was an embarrassing success. 

I visited Julie a few times on the bus, chatted with my own group about friend groups and other random things, tried to sleep a few times but it didn't work. We then stopped for dinner in Lebanon and I went to Panera with Bobby, Jacqueline, and Grace which was great. But even better was that Julie finished and walked over to Panera and WE TALKED TO ANNA ON THE PHONE! Her flight to India was cancelled (which was really unfortunate and I felt bad) but we got to talk to her!!!!!!!!! She was supposed to leave 2 days earlier for India (for a month) so we weren't expecting to talk to her until the end of June/beginning of July! We got to tell her a few of the important things, wish her luck on her trip, and smother her with love and saying how much we were going to miss her. That's all. So as everyone was getting back on the bus I had to say goodbye to my group (for real this time) and bye to Julie--all of which I was sad about. I had to go in a smaller van with different group (they'd been on the same canoeing patrol so they had all their inside jokes and hand gestures and songs) but they were very nice and it was good to sing a few songs on the way home.

We soon reached Concord where my parents where waiting with a small hazelnut iced coffee with regular cream a sugar (my usual order, if anyone wants to get one for me :) and I read them my journal entries on the ride home, spending much time on the inappropriate ones or the ranting ones that I didn't put on here so they were laughing at lot at my woes--same goes for Emily and Michael when we got home. I thought I would want to shower right away, but I didn't shower for about 2.5 hours after I got home. I was seriously dreading it because I knew it would be so much work! I had this HUGE dread lock in the back of my hair where it had been in a bun for the past 2 weeks, and it was quite discouraging to get out. I thought that a ton of conditioner would get it out, so I tried that, only to realize I was putting globs of shampoo in my hair because my family changed the shampoo and conditioner bottles. So I pretty much shampooed my hair 6 times and didn't use any conditioner. Which was what I wanted. 

Oh, I also showed everyone my pictures on the Wii which was pretty cool :) I didn't realize you could put the memory card into the Wii. Of course Michael knew though. 

Day 12: Thursday, June 2nd

View from under my tarp

Unfortunately, I woke up at the crack of dawn, expecting my sherpas to arrive and pick me up for the long 20 second walk back to camp. It was actually pretty cold out this morning, so I huddled in my sleeping bag (zipped all the way up so just my mouth/nose were sticking out so I didn't suffocate--that would NOT be the way to end it). Anyways, I went the the bathroom like 4 times to pass the time when finally Greg came by to give me some gorp (Cheerio's, M&M's, peanuts, and raisins). I furiously ripped down my tarp, struggling to tie up all the cords so I just tucked them in my pocket because I had bigger things to do. Once again, I thought I was dying as I was taking my tent down. I was out of water and I couldn't really stand up for that long so I sat on the ground, then I sat on a rock, then I dragged out my sleeping pad after packing it away so I could sit on that and rest. Finally, Greg came back with the other girls and I heaved my huge trash bag of stuff (dirty clothes, empty bug spray, journal, Bible, empty poison ivy cream), sleeping stuff, etc.) and we headed over the small hill to get Caroline and arrive at camp! I have seriously never felt to weak in my life. I think I wrote that in a previous entry... but for real. Never in any sport season or anything have I ever felt like I was that close to unintentionally closing my eyes and collapsing.

So we got to camp which was SO WONDERFUL. The fire was going and the soup (with real vegetables!) we were about to eat was almost done cooking! I thought we weren't allowed to talk but the 5 of us girls talked so much while Greg went to go get the boys. Not that I'm complaining--I'm glad we weren't silent because there was so much to say and talk about. After the boys came back, we were all in a circle and it was slightly bizarre because everyone looked a little bit off. Like obviously I knew who everyone was but it was disorienting to see them, and also see them looking so... weird. Like some people looked thinner in the face, others looked puffy, and pretty much everyone had squinty eyes (or that's what it seemed like to me). It was just weird. And I'm sure I looked just fabulous, myself.

We had the soup that the sherpas made us, cheese and crackers, and "cheesecake" (graham cracker crust, some pudding, and strawberry stuff on top). Soooo it was pretty much the best thing I'd ever eaten. I wanted to have 5 more bowls of soup but I just didn't feel like eating anymore after the first bowl (a very strange sensation that I definitely was not used to). Anyways, we then did our ACES which was not as scary as I thought it would be... generally, people seemed to think I was a hard worker (I was happy about this because I would hate for people to think I'm lazy, and I certainly thought I was lazy at times). They also said that I'm funny (lolz) and that I should talk/open up quicker (which I expected this, of course). We then packed up camp and headed out! After a short hike down, we loaded up into the van and drove to base camp where I got to see Julieeee! After catching up with her at random times (between passing in some group gear/packs, setting up our tents for the last time, cleaning dishes with soap as compared to saliva), it was about time for THE FEAST. I'm not usually a fan of chips (or at least I wouldn't really go to them for a snack very often), I can honestly say I had about two full plates of chips. this was in addition to a hamburger, fruit salad, real salad, and Oreo ice cream! The ice cream was my favorite part because the sherpas had just mixed up the vanilla ice cream with Oreo's and they were just grabbing it with their gloved hands and stuffing it into our empty cups. It.was.so.good. Well now that I've used "so" about a million times in this post and in most of my others too...

That night we didn't do too much, just talked around the campfire. I think I almost fell asleep in the fire, I could barely keep my eyes open.

Day 11: Wednesday, June 1st

Sometimes I'm hungry and sometimes I'm not. I'm pretty hungry right now though and it's around 10:30 or 11 in the morning. Unfortunately, my stomach is not fooled anymore by the water... it knows it's not getting food!

Isaiah 58:11 - "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

John 6:35 - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life, he who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'"

Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

Unfortunately I'm so distracted by the word "bread" that all I can think about is going to Panera and all the kinds of bread that I would like. I would even have some gross Wonderbread or that weird potato bread stuff. Okay, well that's actually not entirely true--my hunger pains are surprisingly bearable right now. Just uncomfortable and slightly distracting.

This second video is kind of gross and I''m not sure why I made it... but it's a little bit funny.

Personal notes:
72 right hand (bug bites)
38 left hand
27 face/neck
19 right forearm
29 left forearm
70 torso
48 left foot
26 left leg
43 right leg/foot
TOTAL: 372 bites as of Wednesday at 10ish

Just stopped counting to kill a centipede. I hate bugs so much. I had to hit it 4 times to kill it on my sleeping pad. I thought I was going to pass out and die earlier around 12. I went down to the water and I couldn't get back up to my site I was so weak. Now it's around 4 and I feel weak but I swear my stomach has disappeared. A huge tree just crashed down next to me because this wind is crazy! Also, a rather large piece of bark just flew off and tree and hit me in the shoulder. And it weirdly is just staying there. It didn't fall down or anything. Breakfast tomorrow morning!!!! :) I can't wait. I'll also see Julie tomorrow at base camp!

Day 10: Tuesday, May 31st

I already knew this before La Vida, but I really really really really really really hate confrontation. I'm trying to work on the ACES right now and I've finished all of the "appreciations" parts, but I'm struggling with the "challenges/exhortations" bits. How am I supposed to tell people "wrong" with them, to their face! It's a useful assignment though because it's challenging me (along with everything else on La Vida). Things I want to work on when I get home:
1. To not be as jealous
2. To not be content with laziness or mediocrity (it took me a while to think of that word and I still don't know if that's what I'm looking for here). Sometimes I give up early and never finish what I start. For example... giving up sweets for Lent. Nope. Didn't happen. Okay maybe I'm thinking more of discipline here.
3. To work on my relationships with my family and friends (some of them...)

Personal notes: 
So it's around 6 or 6:30 on Day #1 of my solo... I've been "fasting" for about 24 hours and so far I've had 1/2 of a granola bar. I know I can count on another 1/2 tomorrow night when I take my medicine, hopefully. I'm really surprised that I'm still feeling pretty strong right now. It wasn't until a few minutes ago that I got a slight headache. I know know how I'm doing this at all. I'm nervous about falling asleep tonight though because I've just been laying around all day on the same mat. I'm VERY excited to open Anna's letter tomorrow though. I forgot she leaves for India tomorrow! I miss her. I wish I could tell her of my adventures right when I get back.

Day 9: Monday, May 30th

One thing I've learned from this trip is that my body is actually pretty impressive. I don't know HOW I've hiked so much for days at a time, in the woods, and without my usual diet. I could say that it's my perseverance and still, but I can't believe how my body has adapted to such new conditions without much struggle. I've definitely been challenged more in this week, in every way than I've ever been challenged before, but I haven't been starved (all the time) and sometimes I'm not completely physically exhausted as I would think I would be considering how much I'm doing. Today, the devo was about some lion shedding it's skin or something (from some Narnia book). This definitely seemed applicable as my skin is destroyed right now. I wish I knew how to change everything I wish was different about myself (not looks or anything, but things or traits I would like to improve upon). I would love to let go of my "old skin" and work on parts of myself that will make me a happier person. I know La Vida is helping me and continues to teach me, I'm just not sure how it's exactly doing that yet.

Personal notes:
So this is a typical lunch:
- 7 stoned wheat thins (on these crackers you can put any combination of peanut butter, hummus, strawberry or grape jelly, "freako-butter," Nutella, honey, or mustard)
- 1 slice of pepperoni
- 1 slice of cheese
- 1 fig newton
- 1/12 of a can of tuna
- 1/12 of an apple or orange
- 1/6 of a carrot

Today we got mini candy bars!!!!! Also, hot chocolate, apple cider, pink lemonade, Tang, Gatorade, scrambled gingerbread. Pretty much every dessert that was left over or we forgot to have before. I also had about 7 fig newtons today at lunch. So good.

Day 8: Sunday, May 29th

Prompt for the day: Read Daniel 6; Describe a leader who you trust.

I trust my parents as leaders--typical answer, I know. I always ask my mom for advice (whether I take the advice of now) on various things including school, friends, whether I should do something or not. I think I depend on other people too much--this has become apparent to me on this trip. I too often have the mindset that the task will be done... just by someone else. I really admire people here that always offer to help with tasks around camp as they honestly want to help. I really want to adopt that sort of attitude while I'm also frustrated with myself that I haven't been helpful as much as I could have been/be. This devo is definitely applicable since I'm one of the Leader's of the Day today (this makes me nervous but I'll glad I'm with Matt because he always makes me laugh). 

Sunday night: So unfortunately I started to cry today when I realized that my poison ivy is so much worse and it was really itchy and bubbly (gross). Caroline asked if I was okay and hugged me which of course made me cry because she was so sweet. Franklin gave me some of his pants and they really helped because they were slippery/thin and clean. I'm incredibly thankful that I'm a part of this group because everyone has been kind and I was reminded of that today. 

near our last campsite

Personal notes: oatmeal + brown sugar + raisins = SO GOOD. Slept terribly last night, felt like I was upside down, prayed at breakfast today after saying it 3-4 times, bad cold + snot = wish I had tissues. It was fun leading with Matt today. Very unfortunate that we got lost... but wonderful that La Vida finds it necessary to have a ranger and/or bail-out spot in case of emergencies every day. Good job, La Vida. 

Day 7: Saturday, May 29th

Prompt for the day: what is the purpose of suffering and how have you responded to suffering on La Vida?

Sometimes I think the purpose of suffering is to inspire appreciation for things that have previously been taken for granted. For example, when I'm dying of itchiness and black fly venom, I'm dreaming of home with no swarms of the little creatures, me laying cozily in my bed with a temperature control right by the door. I know that when I get back, everything will seem SO WONDERFUL. Meals that aren't mush, more anti-itch cream at my disposal, tweezers, oh and maybe running water too. In addition to appreciation, suffering definitely works on your ability to persevere. I've never felt so much discomfort in my entire life as I have this week, and with that comes the realization that yes, I am still alive and yes, my hair is still curly.

I'm actually really grateful that the Sherpas are super obscure and don't tell us everything even though it's driving me crazy. I hope I can move away from my habits of being scheduled and concerned with the time, the next activity, and tomorrow. It's so weird that I've been with these people for about a week now. Everyone and everything else feels so incredibly far away and it's hard for me to remember anything or anyone from school or home. Like it's vaguely familiar to me but it's hard to remember what things feel like. I really do muss home though, especially when I'm feeling quite miserable. But I know that I'll have fond memories of La Vida (I hope) and that I'll wish I could relive some of the moments. I'm not going to miss having a constant, dull ache in my stomach almost all of the time though. Okay, maybe not all the time but I get super hungry about an hour before we eat a meal. I've been carrying the snacks though--quite strategic on my part so I don't have to ask anyone else if they have the snacks during the day (heh heh heh).

Meacham Lake (see previous posts)

Me (obviously) on top of Debar Mountain

Personal notes: Last night was the scariest thunderstorm EVER! Had to pee and couldn't find my headlamp so I peed right outside of our tent while holding onto the side of the tent because it was pitch black and I didn't want to wander off too far and not be able to find my way back. Couscous for breakfast--I'm not really a fan. Hiked Debar today--beautiful weather and view, Amy: "I don't think I've ever felt such utter despair," sometimes I wish everyone liked Harry Potter, sometimes I am puzzled by the homeschooled way of life (stereotyping here a bit), thankfully for me a lot of people didn't want their lunch crackers today so I made out with about 14 crackers (yahoo!).

Day 6: Friday, May 27th

So I've realized that my calling includes a pair of hedge/brush clippers or whatever you call them and some overgrown trails. Initially, I felt bad for killing the trees after all this "Leave No Trace" business, but then I realized how satisfying it was to demolish everything that is not in it's place. I feel like I should figure out what it means if I love to do this, along with organizing, cleaning, or lining things up in an OCD manner. I mean, there must be some occupation (besides a personal house cleaner) that employs all of these weird organizing obsessions.

I'm really grateful we did the service project. It was such a nice "break" from the hiking, branches whipping you in the face, etc. It was weird/unusual though because we went from knocking down ferns and dead trees with our hiking boots just to get to our destination... to fixing up and widening a trail so that others can use it and benefit from our work later on.

Psalm 100:1-3, 5 - "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. Is is he who make us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture...for the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

I got a bug bite today that swelled up to be the size of a quarter. My Sherpas drew this line around it to make sure it didn't swell anymore that this:

Personal notes: Day 6 and my hair is still curly when I take it out of my bun! It actually still smells pretty good (the part that's been in the center of my bun). It poured last night and I was sorta in a bad mood because everyone was talking in the other tents and giggling. Considered getting ugly. Granola was good this morning although I wanted more. I'm carrying the snacks for today--yay! Idk how some people only take 4 (or less) or their allotted 7 crackers for lunch. Crazy. More for me though. Bugs attack when I try to use the facilities aka stumps. Almost lost my bug net this morning and died. My poison ivy looks wretched and I'm wondering if my parents will pay $$ to have the possible scars removed. Sigh. I miss my parents and this lake reminds me of camp. No one else really looks at the lake too much but it's so beautiful! I keep leaving the group to go look at it.

Day 5: Thursday, May 26th

Last night it felt so good to be warm and cozy, not itchy in my tent. I was too excited to sleep! I think I only woke up briefly last night but I'm pretty sure I was smiling both times because I was so comfortable. I can't get out of my grumpiness though when I wake up every morning at 5:30. Maybe it's the bug net, but I my eyes are constantly cloudy and all fogged up. I was in a terrible mood but after restlessly write with everyone else during out quiet time, I though I was going to die of the bugs. I'm sitting in the woods now and they appear to be not as vicious (the bugs, not my group).

I really don't know how I'm going to get through today or the rest of these days. Sounds dramatic, I know, but I wish there was some wind or rain to get these bugs away! I'm also so nervous about my poison ivy continuing to get worse since I'm done with my prednisone. 

Romans 5:3-5 - "Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Star Mountain

Meachum Lake

Meachum Lake, the next morning

Personal notes: bushwacked up Cherry Hill, hiked Star Mountain but there was a thunderstorm so we couldn't stay at the top for long, back rub chains, "where is the lake?", Franklin falling twice during the bushwack and looking like a green giraffe, cream of rice for breakfast (GAG). 

Day 4: Wednesday, May 25th

So when we were being told about the ensuing rock climbing, I was getting sick just thinking about it. Flashbacks to middle school gym, class rock wall... ugh. after waiting for what felt like years, my bladder and other things started to kick in (WHY is it always at the most inconvenient times, once again!). Surprisingly enough, I didn't think about it until a few hours after the rock climbing (until now--no success though). In response to the actual climbing, IT WAS FUN! I felt like I was moving my heavy booted feet quite swiftly, and the trickiest part was right at the end! People kindly used my camera to take pictures of me, even though I mentioned that I might now be too impressive up there. So I would consider it a success! :) My group was so encouraging, especially Matt and Jacqueline. I felt myself freezing up initially as a was repelling down (this was after I made it to the top!), because I had to lean back over the cliff. THe bugs chose this as an ample opportunity to attack, and my right upper arm was SO SORE. This made me annoyed, because I felt that all my track workouts with those dumb power cleans and bench pressing should have kicked in. Anyways, I feel that I am now an official rock climbing, bandana-wearing, dirty hiking booted woman after just a little session of hardcore climbing. I feel very empowered, which is unexpected considering I'm not a fan of adventure (or risk-taking adventure, at least).

Almost to the top!

Personal notes [this was at a point in the day was I was NOT very happy, as you can see]: I hate these bugs. This is officially terrible. My poison ivy is still on the rampage and I'm gonna die. This backpack makes me feel like a pack mule. Just killed a bug and got blood all over my new pants. I've been wearing the same shirt and underwear since Sunday and I don't even care that my hair is dirty. 

Day 3: Tuesday, May 24th

I've been having a lot of those moments when people are talking/discussing/ and I finally think of something I wanted to say, but it's hours later and the conversation is well over. I hate not knowing what the say with new people and I think it's definitely affecting how I begin friendships. It sort of feels like the field hockey preseason from last year when I vaguely know of people, but not well enough that I could make jokes with or have open conversations with them (easily). I wish I could skip the awkwardness and more right along to the cat jokes and dumb facial expression stage. Unfortunately, I feel like time is crucial for relationships to really evolve. I really really really enjoyed making the covenant with everyone today! I agreed with pretty much everything that was said.

The whole group before our first hike!

Waterfall near our 1st campsite

Personal notes: car ride to NY ("Ohh you can't get to heaven in a Kleenex box cuz God don't like no little snots, "Ohh you can't get to heaven in a mini skirt cuz God don't like no little flirts"). This morning I was sort of negative, but today I was actually (dare I say it?) having fun! I'm not sure if that's a feeling of newness and perhaps it will wear off, but I have enjoyed being this little camper-Megan. Two boys here have baseball fleeces on and I want to pet them because sometimes Jeff allows me to pet his fleece without too much annoyance. Success #3 peeing behind another tree! Used a fluffy green leaf but it didn't do much. So hungry for chicken and rice tonight.

Day 2: Monday, May 23rd

Unfortunately, I just wasted half of this journal time with a much needed bathroom break and poison ivy anti-itch cream application. IT'S STILL SO ITCHY THOUGH! I'm wearing my tight long underwear pants so I think that's why it hurts so much, I don't really know what to think now. It's pouring. My mouth is dry from the frosted mini wheats we just ate (not sure how I was the last one eating...)

Successes so far:
- collected a bunch of nice sticks for the fire
- I'm going to open a note that my mom left me soon :)
- didn't die overnight
- the tent stayed pretty dry even though it was ringing
-I got to see Julie in the bathroom last night and I gave her one of Grammie's cookies

Things I want to concentrate on:
- being more positive
- trying to be friendly
- not worry about now having my phone (I keep checking for it... sigh)
- stop judging (I'm not really doing it right now but I definitely have a tendency to judge people, especially those I find to be annoying)

Romans 15:7 - Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Monday night (still at Gordon):
I'm actually sort of excited to share my life story now. If given the opportunity tonight, I definitely could have said most everything I think has been influential in my life I'm jealous of people who "found Christ" at age 2. That doesn't seem fair. All I wanted to find at age 2 was the snack cupboard and where my parents were hiding the raw corn for dinner. Lunch was good. Got seven crackers with various toppings and it actually got me pretty far! Probs because it took so long to assemble everything so I had to eat slowly. I LOVED seeing Julie today on the ropes course. Must tell Mindy, Jeff, and Ashley that I did the catwalk! Sometimes people in my group are surprisingly nice and ask me questions while I'm staring off into the dirty water with lily pads, wondering how it is possible that my leg thinks it feels my phone vibrating. Just washed my face with a make-up remover wipe and it feels GLORIOUS. Unfortunately, my poison ivy is still on the rampage but instead of itching it, I've resorted to "petting" it as if to soothe it. The best thing so far is to just ignore it, sadly. We just went to the bathroom in Jenks today. Never again will I complain about the nasty smells protruding from the Jenks' bathrooms again.

Personal notes: Unfortunately, I am still a learner when it comes to peeing in the woods (WHAT IS THE TRICK??). I have peed on myself both times, all in my pants. Mosquitoes attacking my bare skin, and it's not like I have stop peeing or anything because I gotta go!