Page 16: "Job Perks"

It's an 18 hour day for 8 weeks with 5 days off. But I'm sure it's actually the best job for me, right now, anywhere in the world.

I'm reminded of this on a regular basis. For example, I'm writing this after being in the Outback, building a metre high fire to burn rubbish on and having a cheeky s'more. Does rubbish disposal and office snacks get any better? (No.)
I'm lucky to be here, and it's the people that make it so great!

Our night off plans were modest- go to the mall and watch a movie. But the minivans were all booked out when we turned up. Damn. Which meant we were spending our night off in camp. Damn.
Then, we actually thought about the sitch- being 'stuck' at a summer camp with your friends and a free night really isn't a bad thing...

Especially not when one of your friends is a qualified lifeguard who offers to take the group water boarding on the empty lake :)

Thanks RyRy!

Or when you get permission from your supervisor to take your friends on a camp out ("Go for it. The Outback is your crib Georgia").

So I made a glow stick trail through the forest and lit all the tekes (forest lanterns) bfore going back for the group and walking them across in the darkness.

S'mores. Hammocks. Starry sky. No curfew and NOT A CHILD IN SIGHT.

Perfection.

Left to Right: Ryan, Sean, Me, Louise, Dominique (Momma D)

These are the hilarious and sensitive people I've had the luck to find in NY who also happen to be supremely gorgeous, intelligent, creative and athletic individuals <3

I'm so LUCKED OUT!

Page 4: I'm Going To London...(and I'm not going to buy 'Heat' magazine...)

As part of the J1 Visa application process (translation for any Visa newbs, 'J1' means it's a cultural exchange and non-immigration) I had to go to the US Embassy in London.

The day started well. I came back from my sunny seaside Uni for the day optimistically only packing a cardigan and sunglasses. Crossing over the English border I was greeted with a helluvalota rain, which meant I had to steal a jumper from my sisters wardrobe (SORRY NIKKI!).

I walk/crawl down the stairs still half asleep, questioning why important things are always early morning things.

Mum: Are you Marilyn Monroe
Me:    Nah?
Mum: What's with the red lipstick?
Me:    Lipstain. Oh. I can't wear pink or I look like Barbie
Mum: You look like a hooker. They won't grant you a visa if they think you're a hooker! Hahaha!

She was joking (I think).

Anyway, after arriving at the Embassy and going through identity and appointment checks, airport-style security and paperchecks I was led down into a great hall. Which is much less Hogwarts than I hoped. Basically you sit around on blue plastic chairs (patriotic!) until your ticket number flashes up inviting you to an interview kiosk. It's like Argos, for people!

In the process of checking criminal records they took scans of my fingerprints twice. I've literally spent the past week only touching things if I need to and being terrified of my own journal for fear of papercuts (if your fingerprints aren't solid they can refuse you a visa...).
I'm a nineteen year old incapable of driving a dodgem, let alone a car and I jump at loud noises. Believe me, I am not a threat to State or President!

I'm lucky enough that I was sorted in about half an hour. I've heard stories of people spending all day there! In my interview I was asked by a chirpy American "Ah! You're going to camp? And then you want to come back to University afterwards? Good job! Visa approved!". I walked away, kind of bemused as after all the security and authority and general scariness that the interview was so short. I was expecting CSI style, locked rooms and tape recorders! I walked down the wrong exit.

"It's the other way darling!"
Said the black-armbanded security guard holding a gun.
Someone holding a loaded gun just called me darling.
Life is strange.



 

Page 2: Say It Again And This Time Say It Slowly

So I've told a few people now about the upcoming summer.

The news has been met by a mixture of responses. Some people think I have the best job in the world because: you don't get views like this in an office window

Or a staff uniform that looks like this

End of the day doesn't finish with this

But then some people think I'm clinically insane to opt for an alcohol free summer for two months somewhere where I don't know anyone, looking after other peoples kids for a paycheck that almost pays what getting out there will cost me.

But I'm excited. Because I love America and Campfire and meeting new people :P
...I'm a drama student and yes, I do spend a lot of time sitting in circles and playing games and yes, we do really sing songs as part of our degree. And while you're laughing about how the only job drama graduates are call centre workers and weird advertising people

We're team players, good listeners, creative, extraverted, good at articulation, communication and expression. If you want someone who isn't too proud to look foolish while trying new things, we're your crew. And camp counselor-ing will involve a lot of circle-sitting, song-singing and game-playing...

I'm going to be a 'Adventure Camp Counselor'; this means staff at summer camps, nothing to do with counselling! We teach activities in the day (I'm in the outdoor 'adventure' section), supervise children at mealtimes and share bunks with them. It's a job which makes you a teacher, mom, best friend, babysitter, hairdresser, chaperone, supervisor and a mentor all in one hour.
This means my first 'real' job (paperounds don't count...) has 'adventure' in the title, that can only be a good omen!