Hey everyone!
In terms of the journey over it was good. Only one major problem that turned minor. When we got to baggage claim after being in the immigration cue for like an hour and a half my bag wasn't there and never arrived. So I almost had to file a claim for my entire belongings for 3 months until I realised a similar looking bag there. In the end a guy called Shaun had taken it and I ended up walking through his bag with customs at the request of the baggage claim guy and switching. It was a scary experience but I held it together with the aid of my newly made amazing friends who continued to help me out along every step of the way! Thanks guys!
New York was fun! We were only there for a bit and didnt get to experience the full bustling experience but none the less it was enjoyable even if we were all tired. We went to a resteraunt that was actually called " The Resteraunt" so that was interesting and the BLT sandwich I had there was to die for.
The train journey to camp was amazing even if it turned out to be in the region of 11-12 hours. The conductors in there differing styles were extremely entertaining along with the "I was dancing in the disco ... bumpaty bumper ... when all of a sudden ... I said "Where is my jumper"" song.
Camp is amazing in EVERY aspect. The people are great, the food is great, the kids are great. I absolutely LOVE it here. I can't wait for proper camp to begin even though training is just as fun!
I am so glad I am here, all the nerves and all the paperwork were totally worth it! :) This morning I taught kids lacrosse (whilst playing it for the first time myself aswell) and yesterday we taught them how to throw and catch a frisbee so it's been REALLY rewarding even just so far. I LOVE staying in a tent it's amazing and unlike in the UK there is no need to close the tent flaps. We just sleep with them open all the time it's one heck of an experience I absolutely love it.
In terms of food I ate a "biscuit" for the first time this morning and feel fully able to clarify the American version of a "biscuit" when I get back to the UK. After countless conversations with Carla as to what a biscuit actually is I feel relieved to now possess the knowledge haha.
I would love to write all day but I am in the library and have limited time as we need to do other stuff soon.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Monday, 15 June 2009
London!
Ok, so the first major hurdle is over. I am in London and in the hostel wooooh! Although it's pretty early I am going to bed soon. I got upgraded from a 12 bed dorm to a 4 bed dorm because they didnt have 5p to give me. So I was pretty pleased about that. Even more so when I got to my room and it was just me. Maybe some others have checked in so far but it seems likely I will be on my own tonight wooooh! Meeting everyone at the check in desks tomorrow and seriously cannot wait. Slightly worried about the baggage and it's weight and all that shizz but as soon as that's sorted I will be nice and happy. Hopefully I will be alright on the flight. I should be. :) Yeah, I am knackered so I am gonna go to bed soon. Thought I would copy and paste in the following so people can see the other ways to keep in touch etc. Love you all! Rach xoxoxoxox
My Online Travel Journal (linked to my phone)
This should say where I am, the temp, the time, whether my phone is on and how much credit I have on my phone. I will also post photos hopefully of where I am and hopefully send in short journal entries.
Steps to Access it:
1. Log onto: http://www.visitmytraveljournal.com
2. Type in my mobile No: 17813504937
3. Type in my name: Rachael
4. Type in my visitor password: RachPrice
My Facebook
Self Explanatory! Inbox preferably as it’s easier for me to see what I have yet to reply to etc! ;)
My Email
Although I will probably check facebook more often – strongbowrach@gmail.com
My US Phone No.
Probably best to check online whether my phone is switched on or not and how much credit I have. (See online travel journal above for details on how)
Steps to Reach it:
1. Dial 0808 234 7418
2. Listen to the voice prompts then enter my No. (17813504937)
By Mail (until 8th August)
Rachael Price
Camp Alleghany
P.O. Box 86
Lewisburg,
WV 24901-0086
USA.
Don’t post anything that has to be signed for as it’s a PO Box so nobody is there to sign for anything!
Normal Schedule
7:30am (12.30pm) Reveille, get kids up.
8:10 (1.10pm) Breakfast (wear long-sleeves!)
8:45 (1.45pm) Clean up tent for Inspection
9:15 (2.15pm) Assembly in the Playhall—sit with your campers, sing songs, make any announcements you need to make regarding your department/activity
10:00 (3pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 1
11:00 (4pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 2
12:00pm (5pm) Hanging out with my 4 kids making sure they are clean etc and are enjoying camp.
1:00 (6pm) Lunch
1:45-3:00 (6.45- 8pm) Rest Hour
3:10 (8.10pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 3
4:10 (9.10pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 4
5:00 (10pm) Free Time
6:15 (11.15pm) Dinner
7:30 (12.30am) Evening Activity e.g. Crab Football etc.
8:45 (1.45am) Milk and Cookies
9:40 (2.40am) Kids have to be in bed.
The Sunday schedule is a bit different though...
Summer Calendar
15 Jun – Go down to London.
16 Jun – Depart at 2pm from LHR, Arrive NYC, stay in Hi Hostel New York.
17 Jun – Arrive at camp and get to work!
17 – 20 Jun – Staff Training.
21 – 27 June– Mini Camp.
28 Jun – 18 Jul – Term 1.
19 Jul – 8 Aug– Term 2.
9 –12 Aug – Train to Washington DC, staying over for 3 nights in HiHostel Washington DC.
12 – 13 Aug – Train down to Tampa, Florida.
13 – 17 Aug – Staying with Nanse in Clearwater.
17 Aug – Train to West Palm Beach, Florida.
17 – 20 Aug – Staying with Carina in WPB, FL.
21 Aug – Day out in Orlando (Maybe Disneyland), staying in a hotel.
22 Aug – Fly to Minneapolis, MN.
22 Aug – 4 Sept – Stay with Carla in MN.
4 Sept – Fly to NYC.
4 -7 Sept – NYC staying in Hi Hostel, NYC hopefully.
7 Sept – Fly back home and possibly arrive late.
8 Sept – Possibly arrive on this day.
My Online Travel Journal (linked to my phone)
This should say where I am, the temp, the time, whether my phone is on and how much credit I have on my phone. I will also post photos hopefully of where I am and hopefully send in short journal entries.
Steps to Access it:
1. Log onto: http://www.visitmytraveljo
2. Type in my mobile No: 17813504937
3. Type in my name: Rachael
4. Type in my visitor password: RachPrice
My Facebook
Self Explanatory! Inbox preferably as it’s easier for me to see what I have yet to reply to etc! ;)
My Email
Although I will probably check facebook more often – strongbowrach@gmail.com
My US Phone No.
Probably best to check online whether my phone is switched on or not and how much credit I have. (See online travel journal above for details on how)
Steps to Reach it:
1. Dial 0808 234 7418
2. Listen to the voice prompts then enter my No. (17813504937)
By Mail (until 8th August)
Rachael Price
Camp Alleghany
P.O. Box 86
Lewisburg,
WV 24901-0086
USA.
Don’t post anything that has to be signed for as it’s a PO Box so nobody is there to sign for anything!
Normal Schedule
7:30am (12.30pm) Reveille, get kids up.
8:10 (1.10pm) Breakfast (wear long-sleeves!)
8:45 (1.45pm) Clean up tent for Inspection
9:15 (2.15pm) Assembly in the Playhall—sit with your campers, sing songs, make any announcements you need to make regarding your department/activity
10:00 (3pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 1
11:00 (4pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 2
12:00pm (5pm) Hanging out with my 4 kids making sure they are clean etc and are enjoying camp.
1:00 (6pm) Lunch
1:45-3:00 (6.45- 8pm) Rest Hour
3:10 (8.10pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 3
4:10 (9.10pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 4
5:00 (10pm) Free Time
6:15 (11.15pm) Dinner
7:30 (12.30am) Evening Activity e.g. Crab Football etc.
8:45 (1.45am) Milk and Cookies
9:40 (2.40am) Kids have to be in bed.
The Sunday schedule is a bit different though...
Summer Calendar
15 Jun – Go down to London.
16 Jun – Depart at 2pm from LHR, Arrive NYC, stay in Hi Hostel New York.
17 Jun – Arrive at camp and get to work!
17 – 20 Jun – Staff Training.
21 – 27 June– Mini Camp.
28 Jun – 18 Jul – Term 1.
19 Jul – 8 Aug– Term 2.
9 –12 Aug – Train to Washington DC, staying over for 3 nights in HiHostel Washington DC.
12 – 13 Aug – Train down to Tampa, Florida.
13 – 17 Aug – Staying with Nanse in Clearwater.
17 Aug – Train to West Palm Beach, Florida.
17 – 20 Aug – Staying with Carina in WPB, FL.
21 Aug – Day out in Orlando (Maybe Disneyland), staying in a hotel.
22 Aug – Fly to Minneapolis, MN.
22 Aug – 4 Sept – Stay with Carla in MN.
4 Sept – Fly to NYC.
4 -7 Sept – NYC staying in Hi Hostel, NYC hopefully.
7 Sept – Fly back home and possibly arrive late.
8 Sept – Possibly arrive on this day.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Not Long at all now. Aaaaaaaaah!
Hey everyone!
So it's not long to go at all now and yet I still haven't packed. I am hopefully getting my holdall thingy tonight and then can get going. wooooh! I said goodbye to the one and only Julie Powell yesterday which was quite upsetting coz I love her lots and lots (but not in a gay way!) lol. This time next week I can invisage myself waking up in a tent and getting ready for an action packed day of training. I am excited but also really quite nervous so we will have to see how things go. I am writing lists at the moment which is obviously what you are supposed to do rather than real packing at this stage :| I am sure it will all be fine .... ;) I think I am going to put a note on my facebook entitled "How to contact me whilst I am gone" so this could be useful for some out there maybe ... I won't drone on too long. It's so so so close though! Aaaaaah!
Rach
So it's not long to go at all now and yet I still haven't packed. I am hopefully getting my holdall thingy tonight and then can get going. wooooh! I said goodbye to the one and only Julie Powell yesterday which was quite upsetting coz I love her lots and lots (but not in a gay way!) lol. This time next week I can invisage myself waking up in a tent and getting ready for an action packed day of training. I am excited but also really quite nervous so we will have to see how things go. I am writing lists at the moment which is obviously what you are supposed to do rather than real packing at this stage :| I am sure it will all be fine .... ;) I think I am going to put a note on my facebook entitled "How to contact me whilst I am gone" so this could be useful for some out there maybe ... I won't drone on too long. It's so so so close though! Aaaaaah!
Rach
Monday, 20 April 2009
Mid-way through my majorly busy weekend ...
Hey everyone!
So I am mid-way through my majorly busy weekend, I have an essay due in in around 5 hours and in around 6 hours I am getting a train to London. Yesterday I had the orientation for my programme in Birmingham which was amazing! The BUNAC director is SO funny and it was such a laugh to listen to him talk and reel in all the good advice all the different people there had to offer. So saturday I came back to Bangor, then a few hours later got a train to Birmingham, then ... believe it or not folks I successfully used a map to navigate my way to the hostel. Was a bit apprehensive if I am honest at first, ended up going for a breather to subway in apparently one of Birmingham's roughest areas. But the subway was nice and it gave me a chance to pull myself together and get back to the hostel. Then ended up playing wii mario kart with some australians and some americans which was cool. Then yeah, I had the orientation the next day and hey presto last night very late I arrived back in Bangor having done 1,000 words of my essay on the train. Woooh! Now I just have the other 1,500 to reel off pretty fast lol. But ah well. Then later I am going down to London and staying over at the Generator hostel before I have my interview at 8am at the US Embassy. Considering I have to be up at around 6 to ensure I am at the BUNAC office by 7. It's going to be a long day. Especially seen as I will only be getting back in Bangor at like midnight or later. But I am already starting to feel a bit of a travelling buzz. Especially after orientation the other day. It's filled my with confidence to go out there and really make a difference to the kids lives that I will be working with.
Right I guess I really better had get down to my essay now...
~Rach
So I am mid-way through my majorly busy weekend, I have an essay due in in around 5 hours and in around 6 hours I am getting a train to London. Yesterday I had the orientation for my programme in Birmingham which was amazing! The BUNAC director is SO funny and it was such a laugh to listen to him talk and reel in all the good advice all the different people there had to offer. So saturday I came back to Bangor, then a few hours later got a train to Birmingham, then ... believe it or not folks I successfully used a map to navigate my way to the hostel. Was a bit apprehensive if I am honest at first, ended up going for a breather to subway in apparently one of Birmingham's roughest areas. But the subway was nice and it gave me a chance to pull myself together and get back to the hostel. Then ended up playing wii mario kart with some australians and some americans which was cool. Then yeah, I had the orientation the next day and hey presto last night very late I arrived back in Bangor having done 1,000 words of my essay on the train. Woooh! Now I just have the other 1,500 to reel off pretty fast lol. But ah well. Then later I am going down to London and staying over at the Generator hostel before I have my interview at 8am at the US Embassy. Considering I have to be up at around 6 to ensure I am at the BUNAC office by 7. It's going to be a long day. Especially seen as I will only be getting back in Bangor at like midnight or later. But I am already starting to feel a bit of a travelling buzz. Especially after orientation the other day. It's filled my with confidence to go out there and really make a difference to the kids lives that I will be working with.
Right I guess I really better had get down to my essay now...
~Rach
Monday, 6 April 2009
The Kick Off
Hey everyone!
First and foremost welcome to my blogspot! I thought given this summer is going to be an ultimately life-changing one for me I would like to document it and let people in on my goings on not just whilst in the states but also on my emotions in the lead up.
At the moment I am currently stressing out quite a bit, in a couple of weeks I have orientation in Birmingham and my visa interview in London which require some planning still with regards to youth hostels and train tickets. Shame about the two essays and the dissertation proposal that I need to get to grips with aswell! I never said embarking on a trip this big would be easy. I consider it a necessary challenge thus to enable me to be more capable at time management and organisational skills in the future. Aswell as being able to acknowledge that some things just aren't worth stressing too much over! A skill I really do need to be able to develop sooner rather than later.
I can't wait to get to camp though! Camping in ridge tents for 10 weeks is like a dream come true for me as sad as it sounds. It's going to be a hectic time but a time to clear my thoughts and rethink who I am as an individual, obviously whilst teaching lovely American kids why our version of "Football" is much more logical than theirs. I really hope it's going to be not only good experience but a good time to establish who I am as a person together with some of the values I try so hard to uphold.
In the past few days I have also been thinking of some travel options. So far the plan after I finish camp on the 8th August is to ride a train to Washington DC, stay there a few days, then ride a train to Florida where I will be meeting two amazing friends of mine and then flying to Minnesota to meet one of my closest yet geographically most distant friends before flying to New York and then flying home. It's going to cost a lot but it's going to be awesome. I watched the film "Jumper" today and I really started to get a feel for the travelling bug, it's just a matter of how much I will be able to fund. I aim to go stateside every other year for as long as I care to think about, but obviously I would love to go to other places too! With regards to this trip I am not too fussed about hitting every single state; it's an implausibility, but I'll be back!!!
Hope I didn't rabit too much. Post 16th June I expect things will get alot more exciting. I hope so anyway!!!!
~ Rach
^
|
That's for a friend of mine. She knows who she is!
First and foremost welcome to my blogspot! I thought given this summer is going to be an ultimately life-changing one for me I would like to document it and let people in on my goings on not just whilst in the states but also on my emotions in the lead up.
At the moment I am currently stressing out quite a bit, in a couple of weeks I have orientation in Birmingham and my visa interview in London which require some planning still with regards to youth hostels and train tickets. Shame about the two essays and the dissertation proposal that I need to get to grips with aswell! I never said embarking on a trip this big would be easy. I consider it a necessary challenge thus to enable me to be more capable at time management and organisational skills in the future. Aswell as being able to acknowledge that some things just aren't worth stressing too much over! A skill I really do need to be able to develop sooner rather than later.
I can't wait to get to camp though! Camping in ridge tents for 10 weeks is like a dream come true for me as sad as it sounds. It's going to be a hectic time but a time to clear my thoughts and rethink who I am as an individual, obviously whilst teaching lovely American kids why our version of "Football" is much more logical than theirs. I really hope it's going to be not only good experience but a good time to establish who I am as a person together with some of the values I try so hard to uphold.
In the past few days I have also been thinking of some travel options. So far the plan after I finish camp on the 8th August is to ride a train to Washington DC, stay there a few days, then ride a train to Florida where I will be meeting two amazing friends of mine and then flying to Minnesota to meet one of my closest yet geographically most distant friends before flying to New York and then flying home. It's going to cost a lot but it's going to be awesome. I watched the film "Jumper" today and I really started to get a feel for the travelling bug, it's just a matter of how much I will be able to fund. I aim to go stateside every other year for as long as I care to think about, but obviously I would love to go to other places too! With regards to this trip I am not too fussed about hitting every single state; it's an implausibility, but I'll be back!!!
Hope I didn't rabit too much. Post 16th June I expect things will get alot more exciting. I hope so anyway!!!!
~ Rach
^
|
That's for a friend of mine. She knows who she is!
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