G'day sun!

So the sun came out and what a fantastic last few days it has been. I came up with a new initiative for ropes and it works really well. We celebrated Halloween and my cabin won for cabin decorations. We carved watermelons and I finally got to speak to mum. I am also 100% better. I think I could run a marathon… I won’t, but I could.

Rain, rain, go away

So it hasn’t stopped raining and I have been throwing up for about 13 hours straight due to food poisoning. I’m feeling exhausted and miserable and I am missing home so much. I also missed out on the Pajama party and the first Bernie Fatima dance. But.... the sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun.

Looking forward to a brand new day.

Day 1

Today was my first day doing ropes with kids and I have to admit I didn’t feel ready. The first age group I had was 5 and 6 and I tried to play the animal name game with them which failed miserably. It was hard enough getting them to say their own name let alone everyone else’s names. I guess it’s all just trial and era. I had a really fantastic night with my cabin though. We got into a deep discussion about bullying and how it’s important to stick up for those who are being bullied. I think I really got through to them and it was amazing to see some of the things people got bullied for. One girl said that her friends make fun of her because she is blonde, saying that she is dumb even though she tops in all her tests. It’s ridiculous how many people bully because of jealousy and how little people witnessing it will do. We then had a little sing along with our counselor in training, Maria who brought her ukulele. She has the biggest personality and is so full of life. I love having her in our cabin. Finally we had a model walk down the cabin and I showed them how Australians model. I surfed down the aisle singing the batman theme song. All in all I’d say it was a pretty great day.

Campers

Today I met my campers and wow! The parents rocked up early with massive trunks that had everything a child could possibly need including cheetah patterned duck tape? It was absolute chaos! I stood back overwhelmed as more and more people seemed to poor into the tiny room.  I have 12 girls aged 11 and 10 and they are all so beautiful. I even got a $20 tip.

Once the parents FINALLY left, we started off with a few games and 1 hour into it I misplaced one of my thongs (they call them flip flops) and made the mistake of asking my kids, “Has anyone seen my thong?” The look of disgust they gave me was hilarious.

My girls love my accent and have been asking me questions such as, “What language do you speak in Australia?” and “Do you own a kangaroo?” They also keep asking me if they can have my email address so they can contact me after camp.

When it was time for lunch we sat down with our kids and us staff did a camp song that involved us running outside and jumping in the lake. The kids watched with laughter from inside as we all swam to the dock and finished the rest of the song. Apart from a bit of homesickness and a sore stomache, we had a really successful day. I feel so blessed to have 12 such beautiful young girls in my cabin.

Staff Graduation

Today was staff graduation. We sang songs around the camp fire and I had my first smore. We also got our staff shirts. I am no officially ready to take on my campers!

Social Security

Today the internationals or should I say “foreign aliens” went to social security to get our social security numbers. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Ropes

So life at camp has been pretty amazing. After climbing 60ft tree’s with lobster claws, learning how to tie different knots, rescue equipment, belay and being asked if I was dyslexic by the trainer…We finally graduated ropes!

I love our ropes group because we are all so different yet we get along so well. Everyone else has finally arrived too. I am in cabin 17 (one of the furthest away) with my co-counselor Colleen who is simply fantastic. We are in charge of the intermediates. I also met another Australian named Amy. She is awesome and it’s nice to have someone to relate to. She had to take 5 planes to get here. I can’t wait for my campers to arrive!

Hello earthlings!

The first morning of camp I woke up I feeling exhausted and a tad homesick. I was basically the only person at camp apart from the head staff and Cat, until… People started to arrive! I officially have roommates. Their names are Camille, Laura and Staci and they are all so kind and beautiful. We all have ropes training together at Fatima tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

Camp Bernie

Detroit airport was huge! It had its own monorail and a huge room that was probably 2km long with its own light show. The toilets even had their own automatic flush.

The flight to Manchester was really peaceful. I had a seat all to myself and read for the whole flight and before I knew it we were landing in Manchester. As we were arriving I was filled with excitement as I looked at the breathtaking view.

Excitedly, I ran out of the plane to the luggage area where I met Cat, a fellow camp counselor. She drove me to Camp and when we finally arrived, a feeling of accomplishment came over me. It was everything I imagined and more. I settled into my room and spent the day with Genna (the nanny) trying to hold off sleep for as long as possible. I made it to 5pm and was falling asleep at the dinner table so Sue (The Camp Director) sent me to bed. Already I have seen a squirrel, a yellow bus, a chipmunk and a porcupine.

LA

LA is everything I imagined and more! Descending, I could see buildings upon buildings and roads four times the size of ours. It was beautiful. A whole new world.

Exhausted, I collected my bag and made my way through customs where my Uncle and Aunty were waiting for me with a sign saying my name, "Aimee Oliveri." The second I saw that sign a big smile appeared on my face. That's me and this is me. At the age of 18, I, Aimee Oliveri have endeavored on a journey that will change my life forever.

From the second I arrived my Uncle and Aunty fed me. I had all sorts of food from cherries, ham 

sandwiches to a burger meal with an extra burger. Welcome to America!

After 8 hours of sleep and 4 hours of eating, I walked the dogs with my Uncle. This guy started his motor and the dog, Charlie got so scared, it broke its collar and ran all the way home. Not long after, it was time to return to LA airport where I would continue my journey to Camp Bernadette Wolfeboro, NH. Uncle and Aunty made me another ‘snack’ for the trip and after we checked in, on a computer?... We said our goodbyes and again a sense of independence came over me.

The security at LA was really intense. I had three pat downs and then I had to go through this machine where you face four different ways with your arms up. I felt like I was getting a mug shot. One of the guards just looked at me and said, “What’s that on your back?” I replied “A hoody?” Then he just rolled his eyes. Then another guard said, “Oh, you’re Australian. Holden or Ford?” I looked at him with confusion and replied, “Holden?” While thinking to myself, “Please don’t let this be some kind of a twisted security question.”

While waiting for my flight I met a beautiful couple who were celebrating their 50th anniversary. The woman kept saying, “You’re too young to be by yourself, if I was your mother I would have never let you go.” The truth is though, I’m not too young and I am so thankful to my mum for letting me leave.

I'm leaving on a jet plane

At this present moment I am on the plane to LA. Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now. After four years of planning, talking, working and dreaming about this day, my journey has finally begun!.

I managed to fit 5 months’ worth of stuff into one suit case and a back pack, and the second it was sent off, it hit me. There's no turning back now!

I said goodbye to my loved ones, walked to customs and a sense of power and independence came over me. I looked around at the busy room and thought to myself... "This is where I am meant to be, may my life finally begin."

Once I got on the plane I took my seat and nervously waited to see who would sit next to me. When I met them the first thing they said to me was, "Hi, do you mind swapping seats, I have toilet problems." It was clear that this was going to be a long flight.

LA here I come!