England and Italy: Up in the Air

So...I thought I was going to get research funding through this program I am in (for the first part of the summer, before I leave for Germany). I was going to use some of that money to pay for a side-trip to England to visit colleges (for Graduate school). Well now it looks like I probably won't be able to go to England or Italy, which is kind of a drag. My mom is really sad about it because she really, really, really wants me to go to school in the U.K. because she feels like it would be the best place for me to go for my research interests. I have to agree with her, but I just don't know where the money will come from. I am going to work my butt off during July and hope that it is enough--we'll have to see :/
Italy looks even bleaker at this point, which is REALLY SAD! I don't know when I am going to go to Italy...I planned on going back to Tokyo next summer, but maybe I should put Italy down as a second choice...we'll see.
Anyway, hearing about not getting funding (oh, and did I mention I might be dropped from this pre-graduate program because I won't be here this summer? Even though I told them I couldn't be here over the summer BEFORE I was accepted?) was not the best start to this three-day weekend. George and I are going to the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee (if I can ever get out of bed!)...and I will bring my camera along to take some video. Ciao!

Who'da thunk it?

I have a fear of electronics. No, I don't have nightmares about being attacked by track-ball mouses or being pummeled by motherboards...I'm constantly afraid of destroying my electronics, especially the expensive ones. Whenever I go abroad and plug my laptop in...I have a brief vision of the screen exploding and the entire machine bursting into flames. So far, so good...but I have never been to a country where the voltage was stronger than in the U.S. and Europe's voltage is 220. My dad (one of the smartest people I know...) originally told me I would need to purchase a step-down converter. Guess what? They're super expensive. I've been shopping around and comparing prices on different models, P.O.ed that I only bought the universal adapter last year and not one with a power converter.
My search ended the other day in my local STA (Student Travel Agency) office. I initially went in to inquire after Britrail passes and the possibility of renting vespas in Rome, but when I saw adapters for sale the conversation shifted. I asked to examine the converter and shared my electronic fears with the agent. "Oh, but don't you know?" She asked. I told her I didn't "know" anything, and she proceeded to tell me that I didn't need a step-down converter at all! Oh? Could this be true? "The black box your cord plugs into" she explained "it can convert voltage." I needed to be sure. I came home and examined that little black box (which, honestly I had never paid attention to before) and saw that, according to the label, that little box converted up to 240V. HUZZAH! I'm so glad I found this out before purchasing another converter! I decided to check some of my other electronics, and sure enough even my hair straightener could convert up to 240V! Incredible, no? Looks like that universal adapter was a good buy after all.

Wishing and Hoping...

Europe seems so distant right now...I still have two essays for Medieval Studies and a final, a final quiz, oral exam and final exam for french, a final project and a take-home final for anthro, a final essay and exam for English and 1/2 of my thesis drafted...plus the entire month of June and most of July until I finally get to go! Ugh! Waiting is the hardest part. I have been occupying myself with planning my trip. If I get enough money together I want to extend my trip to visit graduate schools in England and spend a few days in Italy with a good friend. Arrrgh...there is still so much to do, and I am really impatient by nature. ~<3

The finished product

I had the opportunity to call my team today. I got to speak to Dominique (who I speak to all the time) and Bree (from Oregon). Bree seems really nice and seems to have a lot of experience--I cannot wait to meet her. She seems to really like sports, so I think she will be a valued asset in our camp program.

Oh, here is the email I just sent out:

Dear Shelby, Dominique, Breanne and Taylor,

Hello! My name is Aree Metz and I will be the director at Rheindahlen B.G., Germany this summer. I just got back from Director's Training in Iowa on Monday morning with lots of new ideas and energy! I am confident that we are going to organize a great program together and I can't wait to meet you all and begin our summer with the children at Rheindahlen!

A little about myself...
I am a third year senior at the University of California, Davis double majoring in English and Evolutionary Anthropology with a minor in Medieval Studies. I would like to become an English professor one day with a research emphasis in Medieval literature. I am the youngest of two children--my older brother George is a recent U.C. Davis graduate now working on post-graduate work in clinical lab technology. I live with my parents Bob and Danie in Woodland, Ca, in the same house I grew up in. My dad is originally from the Chicago area and my mom immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines about 26 years ago.
In my spare time I enjoy painting, reading, beading, singing karaoke, writing, watching movies and cooking. I love the outdoors and animals! I am very close to my family and friends. I love to travel and am committed to travel blogging and vlogging (video blogging). I love learning new languages; I speak Japanese, Spanish and I just recently learned French (hoping to start German very soon!).
Prior to my experience with Camp Adventure I worked with children at my godmother’s child care facility and I have taught a pre-first Eucharist class at my local church for the last two years. This will be my second summer with Camp Adventure. Last summer I was one of two staff members at the Tokyo American Club in Japan. Since I was the only counselor in the program I gained a lot of experience and decided that I was ready to become a director for the summer of 2010. This will be my first time in Europe, and I am very excited about sharing this new experience with all of you!

A little bit about Rheindahlen…
This summer we will be working at Rheindahlen B.G., the Headquarters of the British Military stationed in Germany. The British Military has been in Germany since the end of WWII, and many of the families living in and around Rheindahlen B.G. have family members deployed in war zones throughout the world. We will be living and working on base for the duration of our stay in Germany. The base is extremely large and in the past counselors have been loaned bikes to help us move around. As many of you may have heard, while we are on base we will be allowed to eat in the commissary, which is very similar to the dining commons you may have on your college campus. Rheindahlen is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia state of Germany near the Belgium and Netherlands borders. The closest train station is about a 45 minute bus ride from the base and from there the nearest large station is in Dusseldorf. During the summer Germany ranges from the high 60s through the 80s, but other parts of Europe (including France) can get quite hot. I have attached a suggested packing list to help guide you through your pre-departure preparations. Though we will be in Germany for a total of six weeks, we will only be programming five weeks of camp. Our first week will be an orientation week where we will learn about life at Rheindahlen, go over summer expectations and plan for our first week of camp.

My vision and plans…
My vision for the summer is to create a quality camp program for the children at Rheindahlen and to create a lot of wonderful new memories with all of you. My number one priority this summer is the children, and I want to plan and implement a first-rate camp program for them. I have high expectations for all of you this summer and I hope that you also expect a lot from me. Both our P.D. Dr. Kowalski and our P.C. Bobbi emphasized that we are a team--I work for you, and I will do my best to make sure that your needs and the needs of the children in our camp program are met.
You are the front line in Camp Adventure and my job is to support you as best as I can. I expect to also have a lot of fun traveling with all of you on the weekends, and you are all invited to join me on any of the weekend trips I have planned, but our top concern should always be the children in our camp program. I know that this is the first Camp Adventure summer for all of you, and I will do my best to ensure that your needs are met and that the program runs as smoothly as possible. I only ask that you commit yourself to our children and program and that you adhere to Camp Adventure’s expectations of you (your letter of expectation has been attached for your convenience--please read through it before your departure. We will reflect on it again during our first meeting in Germany).


Even though we are not departing until July 17th, there are still a few things I would like you to think about before our departure...
1. Programming--You will all be responsible for a week of programming. Since this will be your first summer in the field I can imagine that this may cause you some anxiety, but I promise that I will be with you every step of the way ensuring that this is a positive learning experience. I will also be programming our first week and providing you with a template to use for your convenience. In the meantime, start to think about which theme week you may want to program (hint hint, if you did a specific theme week as part of professional development, you may already have a head start on programming!). If you would like to call dibs on a specific week of programming please tell me as soon as possible. Feel free to begin brainstorming fun rotating activities, all camp activities and more for your week of programming.
2. Costumes-- Bringing characters to camp is an important part of our programming that I don't think has been emphasized in years past. Coming to camp in character brings an element of magic into our everyday camp routine and is fun for the campers and counselors. I ask that all of you bring at least one costume with you to Germany this summer. Look at the theme weeks (and perhaps the week you might want to program) and plan a costume to wear to Camp. If you have any questions about how to create a costume please send me an email.
3. Bag of Tricks--I am going to be holding a little bit of a contest: the counselor who can bring the most impressive bag of tricks to Germany will get a special prize from me. I will ask Bobbi to be the judge during our first orientation week. Think outside the box with your bag-of-tricks and remember that you can include costumes! I put some suggestions for your bag of tricks in the attached packing list.

Now I want to learn about all of you! Please reply back to me with the following information:

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself! Please include your past experience working with children.
2. When is your birthday?
3. Do you have a complete uniform?
4. Any worries/concerns/questions that you might have.

Additionally, please confirm that this is the email you will be using during the summer. Also, please email me when you have received your stipend and flight information! Never hesitate to send me an email--I check it multiple times a day and am only too happy to answer or redirect any questions you may have. You can also give me a call if you prefer. I look forward to getting to meet all of you and wish you good health and luck until July 17th!

Best,

~Aree Metz
*Catch the Magic*

First email...first impressions

So...I am supposed to send an introductory email to the rest of my team...and I am really stressed out about it. First impressions are everything, you know? I remember last year that my Camp Director's first email was extremely short and left me with lots of questions, so I am trying to be thorough. At the same time I am afraid of overwhelming my team with too much information. While I was writing this introductory email, however, I did a bit of research about the place I will be living/working at this summer.

I am stationed at Rheindahlen British Garrison in the North Rhine-Westphalia state of Germany. For those of you who are geographically challenged, North Rhine-Westphalia borders Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a really central area which is convenient for me because I plan on country-hopping this summer. From what I have researched the climate is pretty mild--upper 60s to high 80s during most of the summer, which sounds like paradise. Today at work I met a woman from Germany, but all she could talk about was Prague! Prague sounds amazing...I hope I can visit someday.

Better get back to writing that email! Countdown to Germany: 57 days

Back from Iowa

Sorry for the long hiatus: lack of internet access and a particularly debilitating bout of stomach flu have prevented me from corresponding in a timely manner. Anyway, I am back in California, medicated, and on the mend (though I have a frighteningly appalling pile of work awaiting my return to good health).

Iowa was much better than I expected: the weather was mild, the little city of Cedar Falls was quaint and quiet, the Cedar River and the park along it were charming and there was no line at the urgent care clinic. Plus, everything is pretty cheap there! On the other hand there isn't a ton to do...not that I would especially know--I was holed up in my room during any of my spare time trying to get healthy!

I was in Iowa to learn about becoming a director in the Camp Adventure program. The training program was one-part seminar based one part-conference-y(ish) where we got to attend sessions on topics that were important to us. One of those conference sessions I attended which I found particularly helpful was called "But I want them to like me...". Some of the seminars were grueling, the Blitz practice was murder on me...but by-in-large it was a very beneficial and worthwhile training experience.

I feel like I have learned a lot more about the Camp A program and feel more confident about this summer. I met some amazing people who I am really excited about getting to know better...and a few...Ok, one...person who I really find repulsive. Iowans are really really nice, people from the South seem to like to stick together and are very direct and honest, people from Florida are a lot like people from Cali...except less impatient and for the most part people from Washington are super sweet and people from Oregon are super chill.

All in all I think it is going to be a great summer in Germany. I have a lot of new ideas and cannot wait to start mentoring all four of my new counselors. For now though, I need to concentrate on getting healthy...which means it is time for another nap. Countdown to Germany: 60 days.

Twas the night before Iowa...(aka I'm not abroad yet)

This summer I am going to be directing a summer camp program in Germany (pretty cool, right?) but before I go I have to attend a mandatory training in...Iowa. Now, don't get me wrong, I am pretty stoked about missing school to play games and make new friends...but Iowa? I've never been, but it doesn't sound like the most exciting place in the world (no offense to anyone out there from Iowa!!). I guess I should just try to keep an open mind--who knows, maybe it will be awesome!

I'm not thrilled about domestic travel. I can't believe that airlines charge for checked baggage! I guess I am just used to flying internationally...where I don't have to worry about any additional charges. I also think it is crazy that I am spending nearly the same amount of time flying to Iowa as I did flying back from Japan! Crazyville...

I have to finish packing my ONE CARRY-ON LUGGAGE (I put another bag inside it to put my new materials in from training)...I'll keep you posted on how the flight goes.