Girl's Camp

I'm back!

I know it's been a while since I've blogged.  There are have been a few things that I wanted to blog about and haven't, but that may have to be another time, or just skip over.

Last night Wolfgang and I got back from a trip to Austria for a week, BUT, this post is not about that; that'll be the next one or so.

Rewind to about two weeks ago, when I went to Girl's Camp!

This is a church-wide girl's camp for girls ages 12-17/18 (graduation).  I did this when I was growing up, and loved it. When I first became a 'Young Women' leader at church when I moved here, the first thing I said was, "Does this mean I get to go to Girls Camp?!"  Well, the YW president picked up on that quickly and also made me the "Ward Camp Director" back in February or so. I was excited but overwhelmed- I had NO idea what to expect- after all, the last time I went to camp was when I was a kid!

Turned out that being the Camp Director wasn't so bad and scary after all. The organization of leadership/responsibilities for preparation and also while being at camp are much different here than when I was a kid, and this was to my GREAT advantage.  I have a lot of respect for the women who were above me and had much more to do to make it a successful retreat.

The location for camp was much more modern (A boy scout camp) than I was use to, and oh so gorgeous. The scenery was breathtaking. {Proof in a moment!}

Myself and one other leader were over the "Level 3" girls, age 14-15ish. In total with our Youth Camp Leaders, there were 17, but the overall camp was approximately maybe 100ish.  I'm really bad with guessing numbers, so it could have been 120,345 girls.

We camped for 3 nights 4 days.  I could have stayed and enjoyed the great outdoors for much longer, but it was good timing in terms of being long days and not the most restful sleep I've ever had :)  The girls were fun and I wish I would have had a little more time to get to know each of them even more.  I guess that just means I need to go again next year!  Maybe...

I honestly have been loving working with the youth, I definitely believe it is where I need to be serving right now.

Enough of words.

The girls

I made them do a "jumping" picture. Slight fail ;)

Organized chaos

Canoeing- check.

Girl's from my church ward- adorbs. (girl in green is a sweetheart-just cut her off guard haha)

What I got to wake up to every day. Just gorgeous!

The girls are thrilled to be cooking on a camp stove.

Can I go back?

Going Private

Hi friends and family,

I have decided to put turn my blog private.  I know I know, that's super annoying. But it's going to just be temporary, and I have my reasons. More later.  So bare with me, and email me (if you have it) or comment on this post with your email address if you want me to add you so that you can keep reading my nonsense.  I'm not sure how this all works, so here we go!

4th o' July

The 4th was a good one this year.  It was the first in years that I wasn't working, and that's because I asked for it off, and magically got it.  It's actually one of my favorite holidays, so I was really excited about it.

A co-worker of Wolfgang's asked if we wanted to BBQ and watch the fireworks with him and his wife, and we gave a big YES.

It went surprisingly well; the company we knew we already liked and would enjoy, but it was questionable in the fact that both them and us (bad grammar?) didn't really have any idea what we were doing, since it was both of our first 4th in DC.

Somehow we found a parking spot at a park in DC, picked out a good spot to camp out for the next several hours, and had a good time eating a lot and having fun.

A couple of firsts also happened:

1) Apparently in DC they patrol such holidays with low flying police and military helicopters, equipped with people leaning outside of the doors with guns.

2) I saw my first ever fireflies! They're cute.

 Our view

The Washington Monument poking out- currently under construction

Next two photos taken from our friends

I don't know either.

Why I support soccer {football}

I've never been a fan of soccer.  Growing up I hated playing it and would avoid it at all costs, and I also would find it extremely boring to watch.

But then I married a European, and this sport is more of a big deal in other countries.

So recently the husband has been actively watching soccer games.  I think this is the first time in our marriage that he A) has had time to sit and watch it, and/or B) first time we have had cable to watch it.

I really don't mind that he watches it, because he's not the maniac type when watching sports. (I really lucked out, AND he doesn't like video games. I'm so blessed)

In fact, I have even started watching it, and kind of enjoy it!  I don't really sit and actively watch the whole game, but it's not as grueling as I remember it being. With that said, I have come up with some reason that I think why I am now ok with watching soccer:

1.  The players don't wear helmets.  Why does this matter?  Because you can check out the players.  And my oh my, some of them are blessed with good genes.

2. They never stop the clock. Why has (American) football not figured this one out yet?!

3.  Why I support DC United in particular;
      a. You kind of "have to" support a local sport's team, right?
      b. More importantly, Ben Olsen is the coach.  Why does this matter, you ask?

Let me show you why.

Mmmm....

 What, you need more proof? ok.

Any further questions?  I didn't think so.

Concert and a Throw Back

love the guy with his arms in the air. This depicts so many of the country fans. love 'em!

This past Saturday Wolfgang and I went to a Kenny Chesney concert {Although shown above is Eric Church} because I scored some free tickets at work!  You can never pass up a country concert.

It is also a rule that you cannot attend a country concert, without getting your country on.  So that is exactly what I did.

"Is that a belt buckle on your waist?!"  Why yes, yes it is.  And it is legit.

Once upon a time I went to college for my first two years in Idaho; I loved it and learned a lot.

One of those things I learned was how to bring out my inner cowgirl.  I took some pretty amazing classes while I was attending college, some of which where field biology classes, and on our lab day we got to ride horses and collect plants n' things. It was definitely one of the best semesters of my college career.

Anyway, during the time I was taking those classes, I went to a country store and coveted an expensive belt buckle.  I wanted to play along and become "one of them" {those crazy ones who legit-ly wear a belt buckle} during my lab classes.  I went home and found the buckle on ebay for a fraction of the price, and bought that sucker.

The name of the belt buckle is "First Love," which if you can't tell from the picture, it is a girl kissing a horse.
awwwwww.

Every buckle has to have a story, right?  Well to me this represented my horse, "Grace" that I was assigned to during that field biology course.  I've mentioned her before on my blog. {kinda in sad circumstances, sorry. Also that is when my pics were deleted}

Here are some 'throw back' pictures/memories of me with my belt buckle and Grace for my your enjoyment.
{These were taking back in '07, btw.}

Bad A****

Cool kids 

Never mind that we are pointing at each other inappropriately.  We were comparing buckles, OK?!?

"My Pleasure..."

Working for a Ritz Carlton for the last few months have been an *interesting* experience in many ways.

One of those ways is in the level of precision, professionalism and excellent that I have been learning to work at, and that is expected of you.

One way that the company measures each hotel/resort's compliance (?  If you will) of the brand's exceptionally high standards, is in the form of a "BSA audit;" think of it as a glorified, EXTREME version of a mystery shopper.

When a hotel narrows down the time frame of when the up-coming audit will be, all hell breaks loose everyone tries to find clues as to who it is, when it will happen, etc.

Long story short, after almost a month of stressing over it, our auditor finally arrived two days ago.  Luckily my intuitive co-worker picked up on it that she, the auditor might be "the one," and therefore my co-worker warned me and I was prepared for it.

Needless to say I was the unlucky lucky one who had to interact with her during her spa experience, and therefore was critiqued in every way on the execution of the experience and in my professionalism.

The hotel received the results back yesterday, and we did awesome!! Not to mention in the spa we got a near perfect score, which is unheard of.  What made me post proud of myself too, is that after the auditor "revealed" herself to the managers, she stated that I (ME!) was one of three employees in the whole hotel who stood out to her as doing the best job in my customer service and professionalism  :D  !! (I've used the word "professionalism in this post too many times, sorry...)

I have to say, I am pretty proud of myself.  I still have a long way to go, but this gave me the boost that I really needed.  It'll probably wear off soon, haha ;)

Dear "The Office,"

My Dearest show, "The Office,"

It's hard to believe that you are officially over.  The last 9 years just whirled on by!  Although I haven't watched you religiously for the last few seasons, you will always have a special place in my heart.

I have very fond memories of rushing home from classes in college to watch it with roommates, neighbors, and secret crushes,

Quoting one liners with friends,

Having the theme song as my ringtone,

Successfully using clips of episodes in several class presentations in my Anthropology classes (yep!),

Drooling over Jim,

Laughing hysterically and wincing during beautifully crafted and severely awkward scenes,

and even shedding some tears.

Last night's season finale reminded me of how much I love the show, and I feel like I now need to become a hermit and watch all the seasons over again starting from episode 1, season 1.

And I may or may not have teared up a little too watching the finale.  Don't judge.

With much fondness and love,

Me.