Just over a week to go!

I leave exactly a week tomorrow! I got a phone call yesterday from a very nice person from the Camp America Office to double check I was happy with all the arrangements and ready to leave. I confirmed I was happy as Larry (who is this Larry bloke anyway?) and that was about it really. I’m ready to go! All I have to do is reconfirm my flight 48 hours before I go!

I’m starting to get somewhere with the whole packing thing I think I pretty much have everything I need piled onto the bed in the spare room so now I just have to pile it into my bags somehow. This might be a considerable challenge but I’m sure I’ll manage. I’m really hoping both my big rucksack and my day rucksack will fit into my rucksack protector. Which would be handy because then I can have my weekend bag as hand luggage. That’s the plan in any case!

I’ve photocopied all my important documents and put them in one of those zipper folders. I’ve also scanned them in and saved them in a file on the desk top of the family computer so my family can’t lose them. I feel all efficient. I’ve also bought one of those travel journals they’re doing at Paperchase at the moment with little pockets and things I can keep bits and bobs in. It’s all so exciting. My boss gave me really nice travel wallet with a design by Edward Monkton on. Which is really cool. Not too sure how practical it’ll be though. We’ll see...

Oooh it’s all getting so soon. And exciting! And just a teeeeeeensy bit scary.

Toodles x

PANTS!

Well it’s officially been an age since I last wrote a blog post but I’ve been so busy and everything has been moving soooo fast! Its only 2 weeks till I fly out to AMERICA! I finished work week before last and then stayed with a friend for a couple of days and have just been generally busy pootling about getting ready to go away! I’ve got loads of things ready and bought things and borrowed things and made things. It’s all getting a bit exciting! I shall make a list:

1.    New Camera – this is the most exciting development. I spent ALL my money on a Panasonic Lumix FZ 28. But it is  the most beautiful piece of technology I’ve ever owned and it takes beautiful pictures so hopefully I’ll have some amazing photos to remember my trip by.
2.    Scrap Book – My mum and I have been making a scrap book with stuff from home and England and important things in my life. Partially so I have something to be nostalgic over in America. But also so I can show all my new friends something about where I come from.
3.    More summer clothes than I ever thought I’d need have been bought. Also a new wash bag. Also a new ‘weekend bag’ which I’m hoping I’ll be able to use as hand luggage because its pretty massive. Which I reckon is good news!
4.    My friend from work has lent me a rucksack. It’s amazing! It’s HUGE and it has a zip that comes all the way round so it opens much like a duffle bag... GENIUS! Combining the practical points of a suitcase AND a rucksack! I love it!
5.   Apparently we have to dress up as fairies. For this we have to wear all white. I bought a night gown from a charity shop and have altered it so it looks like pretty little white summer dress. Hurrah! I didn’t have to spend money on it! Found a Twickenham rugby shirt in the charity shop for a couple of quid! YAY!

I also had to scan in and email off all my forms because they never arrived! I don’t like the thought of all my personal details floating round the postal system! It was also just a bit of a faff!

Basically I’ve been pretty busy actually. But I think I’m starting to get there with all the preparations for camp. I still need to make a cover for my travel pillow. Having been dragged all over South Africa and up to Everest Base Camp and back its starting to look a little grey... and it was only one of those pillows they give you on airplanes I stole in the first place...

Oooooh! And if you’re wondering what the title of this post refers to there is a reason. Basically I asked one of the American girls who goes to the Camp I’m going to regularly what the weather was going to be like and her response was as follows :

“the weather likes to change lots and lots, because we are between two ponds. during some parts of the summer, it may get really really hot, all shorts and tank tops weather. there will be a couple days for long pants as well. most of the time its shorts and tee shirts. i'd pack mostly for pretty warm weather, around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. also bring some long pants and a sweatshirt or too. the packing list is pretty accurate. but we generally have some really nice, comfortable summer weather.”

Which is great. Super detailed. There is only one problem. The word PANTS makes me giggle. Quite a bit. Like a 5 year old. I’m pathetic. But if I try to keep in the giggle it makes it worse. The giggle comes exploding out of me. My friends tried to systematically desensitise me. It just made me giggle repeatedly. I’m going to be like a loon on loon tablets in America... oh dear!

Still it’s all getting rather exciting now! Two weeks today my training will be starting! Exciting stuff! Weeee! But I think that’s enough from me for now!

Toodles x

12th Blog Entry!

My internet is down. Well the wireless part of my internet is down. Which means I have not been spending hours of my life in bed with my laptop writing looooooong blog posts and facebooking my life away. Instead I have been doing more constructive things such as watching TV and reading. Actually I have been very very busy. For example on Friday I went aaaaaaall the way up to York for the open day. It was a long way. I actually had a very good day and saw lots of baby ducks and met people who will be on my course and what not. It was lovely. Also sunny.

Last Sunday  I marched at Queeny’s house. Yes I mean Elizabeth II rather than Helen Mirren, the band or any other Queen you care to mention. It was a really good day actually. I met loads of great people and had a fab day. Also Windsor is a great town and we had a lovely picnic in the sun and ice-cream. Yum! It was a lovely day as well. Out in the sun all day. I caught the sun a little across my face and my knees what with all the marching. I’ve learnt something from the whole experience though; I am absolutely rubbish at marching.

This weekend I’m doing loads of rowing. It’s a long weekend and it’s only Saturday and I already have tan lines. Wonky tan lines at that. It’s not good really. I’m rowing in Guildford tomorrow and I’m going to Walton on Thames on Monday so that should make a nice change. Hopefully if the weather is good we’re going to have a BBQ as well so it’ll be a nice day out and good training for Shrewsbury next weekend.

I’ve been watching Robin Hood while writing this and I’m not going to lie, this series is rubbish compared to the other ones. I get frustrated with villains in T.V. shows and in films and the like because they never just kill people they always have some kind of drawn out plan that gives the person some kind of escape route, why do they do this? Surely they learn that the goody always escapes if there is even the slightest chance he might?!? Although in fairness Guy of Gisbourne stabbed the sheriff and he seems to have survived so who knows...

In Camp America related news I have got my passport back and my rather massive t-shirt. It’s all so exciting now! I can’t wait till I go. I’m having problems with the return flights though. Because my friend still hasn’t booked her flights to go out there and so I haven’t a clue what I’m doing yet and it’s all getting a little scary and close and what not. Eek! Ooh and also I bought some shorts for my uniform (tan coloured don’t you know!) from Sainsbury’s for £6! Bargain!

Right I’m off to bed (yes I know it’s quarter to ten and the weekend but I’m so shattered it’s unreal... I neeeeeeeed sleep).

Toodles x

Just a quick question:

I know I know I only just wrote another of my missionous blog posts but I just had to out this so I promise it will be the shortest post I have EVER written:

OH MY GOSH IS ALL THE SMALL THINGS THE BEST TV SHOW EVER OR WHAT?!?! I don’t care how sad and middle aged I sound! It’s AWESOME! I LOVE IT! Particularly the rather gorgy looking blokey (who is admittedly falling in love with the middle aged lady) BUT OH MY GOSH!! SUCH a good episode! I actually cannot WAIT till the next one!! But bad news!! I have rowing training next Tuesday so I’m gonna have to either hope we finish early OR watch it on iPlayer...

OK! Rant over! I’m sorry! That is officially the worst blog post ever! But hey ho!

Toodles! x

Flights Confirmed!!!!

Yes that’s right my flights are confirmed, those avid blog readers out there will know what this means... whooo yeahhh!! I have my Visa!!!!

I was actually bricking it last night... to the extent that I tripped over my own feet in the middle of the road, which really scared me because I got all worried I’d have cuts on my fingers and they wouldn’t  be able to take my finger prints but luckily my finger tips survived unscathed! There was another minor hiccup when I got there and found out you can’t have the same photo on your visa form as the one in your passport but there’s a chemist just about next to the embassy and I was able to get the pictures done just fine! I was ridiculously early so I managed to go through security at about half past 9 and was out again by 10.10!

It wasn’t really even an interview they looked through my forms and took my finger prints, then I had to stand in a second queue to talk to another guy who confirmed I was going to be Camp Counsellor, then asked what I was doing after I got back from America I said I was going to University and then he asked me where and what course I was doing and that was it! Visa approved!

Other good news I got my medical form back on Wednesday right after I wrote that last post. I did have to pay £50 for the privilege though which was not such good news! I do hate living in Surrey sometimes but then there are so many other things which more than make up for it so it’s all good really! So I put all my forms and things in an envelope and took it to the post office and sending it only cost £2.31 in the end, which wasn’t too bad. Five stamps it took and a sticker but it’s all gone!

So hopefully nothing can go wrong now! I mean on saying that many things could possibly go wrong... *scares self for a minute thinking about possibilities* but really it’s getting less and less likely now! And I’m getting more and more excited!

In other news I’m back at work now which is a bit of a drag but hey ho it’s really not that bad, yesterday was an inset day so we all got free lunch (jacket potato and chilli, coleslaw, salad, apple crumble and custard AND a choice of wine or shloer!) which was really rather good! Actually this week is turning out to be a rather marvellous week, what with that yesterday, the visa today, going to York (on my post-offer open day) on Friday and then going to see the Queen at Winsor on Sunday it’s all go, go, go!

Has anyone else been watching the new series of Robin Hood? How naff is that new girl they’ve introduced? Seriously! What is wrong with her hair? Why does she keep crying all the time? AND WHY THE HECK HAVE THEY ACCEPTED HER INTO ROBIN’S GANG? Grrr! Makes me angry! I’ve also been watching ‘All The Small Things’ (which I have been informed makes me a middle aged woman), and Britain’s Got Talent. Yes I am that cool... It’s shocking really isn’t it?

I’m trying to catch up the hours that I missed this morning because of my visa interview at the moment which means a bit of work from home, it’s not too bad though because I’m just going through all these surveys tallying them up. I turn on the TV and do it, it’s really not that challenging and my boss is happy that I’m catching up the time. I felt I had to because I’m not in work again on Friday! So I best go get on with that one!

Toodles!

x

A small step for me a giant leap towards my American adventure!

I’ve just finished the epic form filling sesh for my visa! Feels so good to have it all done and out the way! Only thing that is still preying slightly on my mind is the whole proof that I’m coming back thing. I’ve got my UCAS letter which proves I’ve got a place at Uni... I might bring that and a letter from my mother and hopefully a combination of both will be enough. Honestly anyone would think they didn’t trust me at all! Mum said she might come with me to the Embassy. My interview is a week today at 10am!

I got an email from my Camp asking for all those forms I filled in all those weeks ago... and I haven’t sent off yet... problem is that I haven’t got my medical form back from my doctor. I’ll phone him once I’ve finished this. Once I’ve got that back I can send off all the other forms off. I need to go into town at some point this week anyway so I can visit the post office and make sure it all gets to America safely with adequate postage on it and what not.

America is seeming very real now. Only 65 days left to go, i.e. just over two months! I’m so excited! I still need to confirm my flight dates and pick my return flights. I’m not too sure what is the best plan, to pay extra and have the flexibility of the DIY option or just talk to my friend who I’m seeing NY with and pick a return date? I hate choices! I still haven’t confirmed my outward flights the second time because it feels like it might jinx it before I have my visa...

In other news I’ve discovered Spotify and rediscovered iPlayer and therefore have spent the best part of two days in my bed with my laptop and it’s LOVELY! I’m enjoying my holiday all the more because my brother is revising for his AS exams while I laze about and listen to excessive amounts of The King’s Singers... it’s a hard life... Not much looking forward to going back to work I’ll be honest with you!

Right I’m going to get lunch ( at four o’clock! Life is good! ) before rowing later!! Love it!!

Toodles! x

Orientation Baby!

Yes I went to Orientation in London! Was a pretty good day actually all told despite everything! I shall tell you the story from the beginning I woke up slightly later than planned with the sudden realisation that I really rather needed to wash my hair and that I had completely lost a pair of jeans (I actually don’t know how on earth I managed to do this... they are completely gone!) So it was all panic stations!

So I was running late so my mum offered to run me down to Clandon Station to catch the train into London but then it turned out that all the trains to London had to be diverted via STAINS(!?!?!) because of engineering work at Wimbledon! So I had to go to Guildford main station because that’s the only place trains were going to London from luckily mum had hung around and so I had a lift to the station. AND THEN, just as I was getting onto the train my phone only went and broke!! Major pain! Anyway eventually I made it into London and found my way to Warren Street... I got completely disorientated and had to ask for directions despite having my A-Z with me (!) but found it eventually.

So I followed this big crowd of people into the room and sat down right at the front because I had my old prescription contact lenses in so I was thinking that if there were stuff to read I’d need to be at the front. And then the guy leading the thing was like : “so as we were saying before the break” and I hadn’t a clue what was going on so I had to get up and sneak out and then sneak back into another room where I was supposed to be... Oh the humiliation! So if you haven’t been to your Orientation I recommend you double check you’re in the right room!

Anyway orientation was quite fun we sang songs and got to meet other people going to camp and ask questions of a panel of experts! But it has slightly scared me about the whole Visa thing so I really need to get that sorted out but I’ll do that next week some time. They also did a presentation about Trek America and made me really jealous of all the people who have enough money/time to go travelling properly... but there’s always next year!

After the orientation meeting some of the guys I met there and I decided to find a pub and have a drink and a chat. We had major giggles and it was great to talk to people who were as excited about going to camp as I am :D Then of course I had to get back home (via Stains) and I had to use a pay phone (!?!?) to get hold of my mother to come pick me up from the station! Honestly!

This week has been manic which is why it’s taken me so long to get this blog post finished. I’ve been working at a play scheme in Guildford for four days one-to-one with a little autistic boy. It has been so stressful and soooo tiring so I’m really, really pleased that I’m not working at a special needs camp (not to put the rest of you off – it is actually the most rewarding job in the world). It’s a little bit sad actually because I won’t be able to work at FISH this summer when I’ll be in America and I haven’t taken a picture of the whole gang as I wanted to to take with me... sad times.

Anyway I have a whole week off next week so I’ll have plenty of time to fill in Visa forms, ring the doctor to get my blinking medical form back, go shopping etc. in which is lucky because I have so much to do! Also my friend and I are going to have a major planning session because after Easter she’ll be back at uni and I most likely won’t see her until we’re in New York together! Whooo! After the orientation day I’ve decided I should leave a week between finishing camp and going to New York but we need to sit down together and have a look at flights and things! It’s so exciting!

I think I’ve written enough to keep you guys busy for a while so I think I’ll leave it there!

Toodles! x

Things I missed

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I actually missed some stuff in that EPIC last blog post! I forgot to say I’ve got my flight details... but I don’t want to confirm my flights again just in case my Visa doesn’t work out... I don’t want to Jinx things... But still it’s exciting! It makes it all slightly more real! I fly out with BA which apparently isn’t so great because their on-flight entertainment is a little naff... but then I flew all the way to Nepal with some pants airline and watched like 2 films and slept so I’m sure I’ll survive!

I might actually make a new blog post about my orientation day and indulge my fondness of over organising

I can't breathe but I'm still feeling sunny :)

So I have my passport in my sweaty little mitt, the doctor is on the case with the medical form, I’m going to the orientation day on Saturday and to my Visa day on the 21^st. In terms of things non camp related I have an open day at York uni on the 24^th which means I can choose my accommodation soon, it’s all jolly exciting as I can see my life taking shape in front of me! Also I’ve invited my friends over to celebrate my birthday which was aaaages ago but all my friends were at Uni already so... also it’ll be lovely to see them all again.

Oh and one more exciting Camp America related thing! I had a brain wave this weekend and I’ve decided that as part of my things I’m bringing to Camp to show them about my country I’m going to bring my DVD of The Holiday (you know the one with Cameron Diaz in) which was filmed mostly in the village just down the road from me but also a little in Godalming which is a little further down the same road and I’d take a bunch of pictures of the appropriate places... so people could see what Surrey is like... because NO ONE knows where Surrey is so I always end up saying that I live really near London and then people latch on to the London bit and think I come from London and even though London is a cool enough place I’m really not a city girl...

So yes other than the fact that I have the mother of all colds life is really rather marvellous! The sun has even come out again for me! Yay! Life is rather fantabydozy! (As you can see it doesn’t take much to make me happy – but I think this is a good thing) Annnnddd! I finally got round to tidying a little over the weekend so I can walk around my room again and wear clean clothes to work!

Work was pretty hilarious today! We were supposed to be processing 15000 questionnaire things which basically sent us completely doolally and we ended up trying out stupid chat up lines on each other which resulted in much hilarity. Oh the joys of working at a school. ( I think that may have been one of those stories that’s only funny if you were there or when told by someone funny...) Best thing about today was that we’ve got a new timetable starting after the Easter holidays and I don’t have to work in English anymore! I was originally really pleased to be working in English because it’s what I want to study and all that jazz but it turns out that the English department are all nut cases or always ill or pregnant so it’s actually not much fun being there. And the head of department wants me to stay in the office even when there’s no work and I get soooooo bored!

I have to go bake some cakes now because one of the girls from work is leaving on Friday to go travelling round America for three months or something so I thought I’d make her a leaving present and a card and things, but I can’t actually give it to her on Friday because I’m going to Cadbury’s World (!) so I won’t be in! (I’m actually going with the kids from school as part of their business studies course! But apparently there’s free chocolate – Whoop!) I’ve made my standard chocolate cake with chocolate frosting about three times already so I thought I’d show some versatility and make fairy cakes, but I think they need a chocolate topping, because well... I like chocolate... so i might end up doing the chocolate frosting after all... it is yummy!

Toodles x

Updateroo

I’m glad to report it’s good news on the passport front! I phoned the passport people this morning and they somehow managed to bag me an interview on Wednesday afternoon so I only need to take a couple of hours off work instead of (another) whole day and I should get my passport within 7 working days so hopefully it should get to me before my embassy interview on the 21^st! Score

Other than panicking about my passport I haven’t done much Camp America wise since I last wrote up here, (note to self – bring medical form to Doctor’s asap). Except emailing camp to check they can get me most of the stuff on the kit list which looks too chunky to pack (although I’ll probably end up taking my own sleeping bag and baby pillow and possibly even my camp blanket) my only slight worry is that the list of things I want to take is getting huge and I’m starting to worry it simply won’t all fit, in which case I might have to rethink taking my own sleeping bag...

It’s just started chucking it down with rain which is a shame because I’ve really been enjoying the sun we’ve had over the last couple of days. Can’t wait for the sunshine of America when I finally get there... I really could do with a tan – I look like the milk bottle’s paler cousin...

Toodles  x

P.s. Further bad news – the desk is still looking like a warzone and unfortunately it appears to have spread to most of the rest of my bedroom. Oops!

Success!

Whoopee! I’ve sent off for my passport, I’ve filled out all my forms, I’ve made an appointment at the doctors to get the medical form all sorted out... Everything is starting to come together at last! Things left to do on my check list of things to do: Clear my desk. Unfortunately it looks like a bomb has hit it so it’s toodles for now... I’m guessing I’ll still be at it next Tuesday!

Put the earmuffs on the cookie

Well the posts are getting shorterish! It’s because I only seem to have time to sit down and write once a week and this week has been busier than most!  I haven’t really done a great deal towards my Camp America this week except try to get my passport and buy some walking type shoes. It’s my parents 25^th wedding anniversary tonight so I’ve been busy helping out with preparations for the party and all that sort of fun things. On Thursday I went to get my Gold Duke of Edinburgh certificate at the council award thing (as opposed to St. James’ Palace which I think I need to sign up for somehow... not sure how though) and somehow wound up doing the vote of thanks... which was stress. But still I got to meet Anthea Turner (get me  )!

The most exciting thing that happened this week was that I’ve decided what Uni to go to next year after my gap year! York here I come! It’s all rather exciting! Because at York it’s all self catered accommodation I’m going to need to go to Ikea and buy fun things like pots and pans and cutlery and things (I am that sad that this excites me). Also choose a college and course options and all sorts. The student finance information pack doesn’t look as daunting as it did last year but I have a bad feeling that this is because all the forms are online... Man I hate forms...

I’ve started to get loads of profiles through from the other girls who are going to be working at Camp Wind-in-the-Pines which is pretty cool and also started talking to some of the other girls on msn! I phoned Camp to ask about a couple of the forms and I’m most excited because they pick up the phone with ‘It’s cookie time here at the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts’ and sound so chirpy and friendly. It’s going to be such an awesome summer 

Toodles x

P.S. The post title is from ‘Fantasies come true’ from Avenue Q which I’m a little obsessed by this week! Go listen to it if you haven’t thus far it is HILARIOUS!!!

Ahhhh –Drowning in Paperwork!

Hmmm that last post was pretty mammoth! Sorry about that guys! Kudos to you if you actually read all that gumpf!

Today I thought I’d sit down and do all the paperwork that has been amassing on my desk over the last couple of weeks. I sent away the form to go to the Queens Scout Parade in London, (a week late so I’m not sure I’ll get to go  ) I’ve also completed the Secret Buddy Form for my Camp and my W-4. I’m struggling with my CORI form and the sex offender register one because my eyes aren’t any particular colour. It’s a perpetual pain. I have mainly blue in one eye and mainly brown in the other, but roughly equal amounts of both. Which is a bit long to write on a form. Unfortunately I’m also applying for a new passport. I had a Dutch one but it expires in February which is before the April thing they want for non-UK passports. So I’m applying for an English one since it’ll be easier to get hold of from here. Since I was born here and have always lived here and my dad is English I’m entitled to one so it should be fine. I might get a Dutch identity card as well later since that’ll be a handy alternative to the old driving licence. I also have to sort out various bank papers and my job over the Easter break. Luckily I have my new Disney Love Songs CD to soothe me through the pain (yes I am that sad ).

In other news I’m really excited because I’ve met some of the other people going to Camp *waves at Sally * and have got my kit list so I can start buying things to take with me!  So far I’ve decided I need new hiking shoes because the boots I have, much as I love them, really aren’t suitable (they weigh a metric tonne), so I want to get some of those hiking trainer type things instead. I quite like the look of these http://www.blacks.co.uk/footwear/women/approach-shoes/product/083633.html but I think there are some similar ones in the shop which are on special offer. Note to self - must get into town at some point this week to see. I’ve also gotten slightly addicted to www.roamingfox.co.uk they have a great range of travel gear. I want to get the rucksack cover, a TSA approved combination lock and a SIM card saver so far. I’m also debating water shoes because I’m going rafting. Oh the endless possibilities!

Also my friend has pretty much agreed to come along to New York after my Camp America placement so we’re looking into hostels and things! Its mega exciting! Has anyone else been to New York? We’re thinking about staying for 10 days to accommodate shopping, sightseeing, sleeping, and sun bathing... any opinions?

Hope you are all getting along well with all your America plans!

Toodles x