By Laura's Request

Well, I had a great summer. It really seems like summer is over being as it's been rainy and cloudy where I am for the last couple days. Camp went really well, it was a real joy to be able to hang out with all of those amazing kids. Our Jr. High camp of 15 including staff and counselors was amazing. We got to do all sorts of fun things that we could have never done with a larger group (such as sailing, a mystery meal, talent-show-type-thing, body drag, etc.). Both groups were just such great groups of kids, and a lot of returnees from logging camp last year. And of course, playing paint ball at Rancho La Schurpa wasn't half bad either. On top of all the cool things, there were cool people there. Having an ops staff that was really into what we were doing was amazing. Last year we had a hard time getting people interested in participating, but not this year. Jonah and Michelle were great about basically just hanging out with our group all the time, and Ryan got pulled to counsel so he was with us the whole week. Basically it was awesome, but I will be more than happy to go back to doing crafts again next year.

Oh, and I am in Oregon right now. It's beautiful and grey and rainy. And when I get back, I start school, which means a really cool class that I have been looking forward to all summer: Theory and Analysis of Gymnastics. Yay! Anyone been watching the olympics? Well, I have, and my sleep has suffered because of it, but it's got me super excited about being back in a gym with all of the apparatus. Anyway, that is all for now.

Been awhile

Laura reminded me I haven't posted for awhile.

Ashram was beautiful as always. I expected it to be really difficult to assume a leadership role at the camp that I have always been the follower. It's my last remaining area where I am not responsible, but I am now. And I think it was ok. The girls were really good and it was as if I didn't even have to worry about being a leader. I know that it sounds kind of corny, but God moves there. I don't know if it is because I open myself up, or the hundreds of prayers said throughout the whole year for that week, or both, but it is nonetheless.

I'm up at camp now. We had hailstorms with thunder, lightning, instant rivers, and of course rain when there wasn't hail. It is so good to be somewhere that I don't have to worry about money or the next thing or technology. I don't feel obligated to answer my phone (and can't most of the time anyway) and just feel unreachable. It's a nice feeling. Sometimes I wish I was a hermit, but that is a tangent. It's amazing to be with friends who you don't see very often but are still great friends with. Both at Ashram and here, it's amazing how you can just instantly fall right back into step. And besides Joy, Lamar, Ryan, and Mikey are all here (and others too).

I've ridden my bike and windsurfed and read books and played video games and eaten good food and stood in the rain and have realized again how much I enjoy having a simple life. When I am out of college I am going to try my hardest to have the simplest life I can.

As I lift into the air my mind goes blank and there is a strange feeling of emptiness. It is as though the ground has disappeared and I am floating, unaware of where anything is. Panic begins to rise quickly from my throat to the top of my head in a rush that brings me back to reality. I've felt it before. I throw my hands over my head in a reaction that comes before thought. Pain shoots from my fingers, traveling up through my elbows to my shoulders as the impact jars my tendons and bones.
My breath comes fast as adrenaline runs through my body, but breath comes, and without screaming pain in my back. In and out. Blessed oxygen in my lungs. I walk away. This time.

These simple motions let me fly. Push, lift, spin, land. Over and over. Push, lift, spin, land. Push, lift, spin, land. Repetition of the body. Push, lift, spin, twist, fall. Hands catch just inches from the ground. Knees ache.


Some people say that fear is healthy. It probably is, but sometimes fear is at the root of mistakes. And mistakes can be costly.


Someday I will get my alternates and full twist back. Tonight I began the long trek back to conquering the fear of mistakes. (and got my aerial walkover back)

After Christmas I got to go hang out with Joy and Lamar for a week.
I didn't get to go swimming.
The San Diego tournament happened without me...
For the first time in six years.
Chip was really glad to see me when I got home.
I like both of my classes for winter term.
132 days until Indiana Jones comes out.

Good Times

Hanging out with the family, playing video games with Lamar, seeing all the people home from college, and not having to go to the doctor no more.