Summer Camp 2010 - Day 4

Apparently I look like Santa Claus, or at least according to about half of my kids:

7 year-old girl: "When you first came in on Monday I thought you were Santa Claus."
Me: "What? Me?"
Girl:"Yeah you look like Santa Claus."
Me: "...how?"
Girl: "I don't know you just do. With all the scruffies on your face."
10 year-old boy: "It's true. You do," while nodding his head in agreement.

And then all the kids who were listening to our conversation began to nod their heads as well. I guess it doesn't help that I'm wearing a vibrantly red shirt.

Later on in the day, we were crammed in the tiny art room, which can only hold about 15 people comfortably. I was the only counselor in the room with about 35 kids to look over, and they were being extremely difficult on top of that. They were bored, I guess, and it was too many for me to wrangle. So I was just sitting by the door making sure they didn't get too crazy. This 5 year-old boy who looks somewhat like a tiny Kevin James (the guy from Mall Cop and The King of Queens), Tyler, was sitting next to me and he went on this tangent talking about how his dad was a police officer, and how "he only puts away the bad girls." He was so serious, and so determined to make order in midst of this chaos that was happening in the room.

"My dad puts away the bad girls. Only the bad girls. And the bad boys too. I'm playing security guard right now, so don't distract me." He managed to get two of his other 5 year-old friends to play that game with him. This tiny chinese boy, Eric, had his water bottle (which he called his Ice Blaster) ready to squirt at anyone who wasn't listening to directions. I've never seen a kid so serious about law enforcement.

At the end of the day when there were only 5 kids remaining--one of them being Tyler--we made our way back into the aerobics room. They were running around all over the place, being as crazy as ever. Next thing I know the awesome janitor from the first day made his guest appearance once again.

And then amazing happened.

"Who wants to learn some Tai Chi?" as he turns on some Enya.

Enya? Enya.

The kids were so confused, and they all looked at me with these blank stares on their faces not knowing how to react. I was right there with them.

"Ok everyone look at yourself in the mirror. Feel the energy flow from your soul to your fingertips. Breathe in. Bend your knees." as everyone else stumbled along. I was following along too, and I could barely keep a straight face. Tyler wasn't having any of this. 5 seconds in and he was gone, running around in circles shouting the theme song from Cops. I lost it and I had to leave the room, leaving my kids in there with the Tai Chi master.

Needless to say I wish I knew that janitor guy better. I don't even know his name. He's hilarious.

Summer Camp 2010 - Day 1

So I've decided I'm gonna keep a log of any funny stories that happen at camp, since you guys told me you wanted to hear them and I won't be living in Long Beach to tell you as they happen. This way they're fresh.

First day of camp was absolutely crazy and one of the most unorganized things I've ever done. There are way more high school-age volunteers than there were at Los Altos, and not as many actual counselors. Basically that means that I have to supervise the kids as well as the volunteers, which is obnoxious. These volunteers are typical high school girls that don't really give a shit about anything but boys, their cell phones, and jason derulo.

Today, I was teaching my kids how to play soccer, and I tried to engage them by asking if anyone had seen the world cup match between USA and Ghana. One 8 year old boy, obviously very emotionally effected by the loss, replied, "Oh don't remind me of that horror," in such an offended tone. One of my volunteers, who's supposed to help set a good example, blurted, "I ain't watchin' that shit. I be wahtchin' the BEE EE TEE awards."

Thanks. You're helpful.

Later in the day, when all but about 15 of the kids had gone home, we were in the aerobics room with the mirrors, yoga mats, and light weights. The janitor was giving the kids a lecture about everything they weren't allowed to touch (which was essentially everything). He's this crotchety old man who seems like he hates kids. I was setting up chairs for a game of musical chairs, and next thing I know the janitor starts blasting techno through the surround-sound speakers--the type of techno you'd hear in a richard simmons routine. He randomly starts to look at himself dancing in the mirror, and slowly all the kids start to follow his moves. It was essentially a flash mob of kids dancing in sync with this man who was hopping around. Really amusing to watch. De-stressed me a little bit.

Regardless of all this I did enjoy it. Stay tuned for more as they come.

We won't stop til it's over/won't stop to surrender

If you have the chance to see (500) Days of Summer, do so. It's a great movie. I loved every second of it, and I'm considering to pay to see it again. I felt like I could really relate to Tom, the main character, on some level. Then again, I think that's how his character is supposed to make any viewer feel. I develop infatuations with possibilities and ideas just as Tom does, and that was such a weird emotion to see in someone else, especially on the big screen. At some points I felt like I was watching myself go through the trials and tribulations of being disappointed by the destruction of potential--something I feel like I'm all too familiar with--only to be lifted up again by the introduction of something new and refreshing. It was a fun movie to watch, and it had a lot of heart. I LOVED the cinematography. I wish I could pull off Joseph Gordon Levitt's style. GOTTA LOSE ME SOME WEIGHT! Plus, the soundtrack is amazing. I highly recommend giving it a listen.

There's one song in particular that I'm obsessed with right now. "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Traps:

"...just stay there
'cause i'll be comin' over
and while our bloods still young
it's so young
it runs
and we won't stop til it's over
won't stop to surrender

songs of desperation
I played them for you
a moment, a love
a dream, a laugh
a kiss, a cry
our rights, our wrongs..."

In fact, I just love The Temper Traps in general. I got their CD as well, and it's really good. Makes me feel very independent for some reason. Not in the "indie" sense (haha, I'm so punny), but just in the I'm-gonna-think-and-feel-how-I-want-to-and-you-aren't-gonna-stop-me sorta way. I'm cherishing that feeling right now, so I think that's why I love this music, and movie, so much.

There's one in all of us

I really, really want to see this. I absolutely love the trailer, partly because the music fits the theme and tone of the story so well. I'm partial to love a scene in a movie if I love the music, though. I just think this trailer is put together so well.

I don't really remember loving the book when I was younger, but after having read it since finding out they were adapting it into a movie, I can see why people love it so much. It captures the essence of being young, and I think it's timeless. I work with kids on a daily basis who could easily replace Max; they're so full of life and possibility, and completely unaware of anything that could potentially keep them down. That's why I love working with kids. They make you forget about your personal issues, and you unknowingly give all of your energy trying to preserve that innocence for as long as possible. I feel, as we grow up, that inherent innocence goes hand in hand with the 'wild things' that drive us to do what we do. Just like the poster says, "There's one in all of us." I couldn't have said it better.

Making Shadows in the Ripples of the Sand

So tonight, Amanda, Becky, and I went to the beach to make an attempt at watching the meteor shower. It was full of complete fail. There were too many clouds, and it was just bad star-gazing weather. Although, we did have fun taking pictures of ourselves lying on the sand.

I absolutely love the beach at night. No one is there, and I love it when there are no street lights that shine down on you and make you feel like you're walking the streets of downtown LA. It's just the moonlight making shadows in the ripples of the sand and the waves crashing up against the shore, and I find it so relaxing. The sand is so fine and cool on your feet. It's the complete opposite from going in the middle of the day with the blaring sun and 60 kids to keep safe. Stress-free and I like it.

Minus the Munchies and Plus the Healthy

On the drive home from work, I was contemplating what I wanted to write about in my blog entry (lame, I know). I knew I wanted to write something, but everything I was coming up with was better suited for my LiveJournal (basically where I complain about everything). Aspects of my day were very frustrating, and I knew I needed to clear my mind. Luckily, blogger's sign-in page was not being cooperative with me, so I decided to take a nap. Probably my best decision of the day. I woke up two hours later to my dad telling me to get up because dinner was ready. I wasn't in a bad mood anymore, and I felt content.

It's amazing what a nap can do for you. I remember I used to despise them. In preschool I would lie there everyday, bored out of my mind. I'd be staring at the toys I could be playing with, or the books I could be reading. I'd hear the sprinklers outside and think "I miss you. Please get me wet?" It was complete torture for me. It's funny how I absolutely love them now. I take one nearly every day when I come home from work. It's almost therapeutic. I'm able to forget about any stress and just go into this blissful state of mind. It's almost like getting high, but minus the munchies and plus the healthy. I'll save my thoughts about drugs for another day.

"Mr. Kevin, is this corn?"

This is my second summer working as a Summer Day Camp Counselor at the Los Altos YMCA. Whenever anyone asks me how I like it, I always answer the same way, "It's as rewarding as it is difficult." I think that's the best way to sum it up. On paper, this job doesn't seem too difficult. I mean, you get paid to go to the beach, the fair, Knotts Berry Farm, assorted museums, and play with kids all day. In reality, it's exhausting. I don't know how many times people have told me "I would hate to have your job," or, "How do you manage this?" Honestly, I don't even know. There are times when I absolutely love this job. Other times, I want to repeatedly stab forks into my eyes because I feel like that would be more tolerable than my kids and their selfish ways. I am responsible for the well-being and safety of 13 kids for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 12 weeks out of the summer. I do feel like I'm gradually making a difference in their lives, though, so that's a plus.

I've suddenly lost interest in writing. G'night.