YOUTH CAMP 2008

We just had our church's summer camp in Baguio. Hindi naapprove ang leave ko so I had to miss a day and follow na lang. Nagbiyahe ako with Karen, Donna at E-anne. Left Cubao at 10am, and arrived in Baguio at 5pm.

I was a counselor, partner kami ni Jisel. It flattered me to hear her say that she had requested that we be partners again this year just like last year. Had fun with our girls...i felt like I missed so much on the day I was not there yet because they seemed to be comfortable agad with each other. 2 of my campers are from my home church in Taytay so I'm happy, and our former pastor's daughter pauline who I used to teach in VBS and Sunday School for years is now my camper in Youth Camp. Awww...isnt that nice...or bothering? Tumatanda na talaga.

There was a cheering competition, and I joined my girls! Honestly, I think I just had to because I was asked to by the counselor of the boys our cabin was paired with. But given a choice, sana moral support na lang. Okay lang, I didnt have problems with cheering and dancing. I just thought that being a counselor I can be free from the pressure of the rehearsals and performing. Grabe...they were giving away so many prices it suddenly became a big deal to win. Would you believe one of the staff gave away P10,000 in a talent portion? Kaya lahat kinakareer ang cheering at mga games. Sa bible trivia nga, everyone was so cranky and competitive kasi walang gusto magpatalo at ayaw magpadaya. After all the arguing, ang premyo ng nanalo, tig-iisang garapon ng peanut brittle. hehe.

On the last night, as part of the camp tradition, we had our camp banquet and this year's pakulo is having it like a prom. I didnt took it seriously as I thought it was corny, but I was surprised to find that some of the girls really prepared for it, bringing nice dresses, shoes and accessories. While they were preparing, the girls would come up to me asking for help with their dresses, putting on their necklaces, asking help with make-up and stuff, and I gotta to say I really enjoyed that. It was an experience I would never forget, being there for them on an occasion they took seriously. One of my girls was very shy, and I knew she was feeling insecure because she didnt have anything to wear. Yoej, my 14 yr old tropa had an extra dress she wore as a bridesmaid, and I borrowed it from her to lend to this shy girl and I did her make-up as well. She was very nervous as we were lining up with the other girls, and her arms were squeezed tight all over me, and I heard her say "Ate Kehl ikaw ang kalakasan ko." Yeah, it may bu mushy but it is still nice to hear.

Sa entrance sa banquet, the guy would have to give the girl flowers and walk her to her seat, and counselors and staff are included. They made us line up so whoever we get paired up with was totally unplanned and spontaneous. I had a friend who I used to have crush with as a partner, and he also happened to be Jisel's bf. Jisel later told me we were holding hands while walking but I really couldnt remember. Promise.

Another camp tradition that everyone looks forward to, is the camp's last night wherein, wala nang lights off, pwedeng walang tulugan and you may get to talk and spend time with the apple of your eye all through camp, all night. Jisel was asking me makipag-last night daw kami. She has a bf so I was thinking she's thinking of pairing me up with anyone she knew. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I fall asleep because one of the girls were giving me a massage. In the morning, we went to the market to buy some pasalubongs and karen and the girls and I passed by burnham because most of them are baguio first timers and this had been our official gala all week.

We all got into the same bus and kaming mga taga Taytay got home at 6:30 pm. Naligo lang ako then diretso pasok na sa work. I was so tired I was sleeping sa calls. I got a final written warning for that being absent the day before which means I cannot be absent in a year unless Im sick, but that's okay, I had an awesome time. God is good!