back to branson

Tomorrow I leave to go back to Branson. I'm stopping in Tulsa halfway to spend the night with a friend I met at kamp in June (and future amazing race partner) Megan Gelmers. I'm more than excited. As I go back to K-1, please pray that I would be a light to these kids I'm going to get to spend two weeks with. First term I got to be photographer, which is a whole different ballgame. This time around, I'm responsible (with a co-counselor) for 10-12 girls. I don't know what age I'm going to have, I don't know who my co will be, and I don't really know any of the third term staff... but I'm trusting that it will be a grand time and letting the Lord figure out all the details. Also, feel free to write me letters! I'm only there for a couple of weeks but I sure do get excited when I get 'em... Anne Fogerty, 1355 Lake Shore Dr, Branson, MO, 65616.

Love,
Anne

sleep

It's slightly comforting and eerie to know that the majority of the entire world's population spends about a fourth to a third of their day sleeping. Yes, some spend their days and nights toiling and only manage to catch a few Zs, if any at all. Meanwhile, lazy teenagers find themselves relishing in their summer days and sleeping in until it's almost time for supper. Here's a statistic to think about: if you live to be 80 years old, and you sleep an average of 6 hours a night, you've been asleep for 20 years of your life.

One of my favorite nights of sleep was one where I barely got any at all. A couple of weeks ago, I was on a whitewater river trip with my family. We set up camp on the rocky shore of the Colorado River with the red rocks of Moab surrounding us on all sides. Instead of taking a snooze in the traditional tent, I cozied into a little cove of rocks I found. I laid back and stared in awe of the millions of stars in the sky. That's something you don't see in Dallas.

I love sleep because I love the opportunity to lose total control of my mind and track of time... sometimes you have nightmares, other times you have the most wonderful dream and you wake up believing it's real. I love that we were created to have such creative and intricate minds that keep ticking every second of the day.

sweet dreams,
anne

p.s. In a week I'll be dreaming on a bunk in a cabin back at K-1. I'm returning to be a counselor for the last two weeks of the summer, and I'm more than excited.

kanakuk

I'm back! It's been just over a month since I've been home because I've been spending my time in Branson (aka Showtown) USA at the flagship Kanakuk Kamp - K-1.

As a middle schooler, I spent my most formative summers as a kamper at K-1. On the first of June, every summer, I'd get up in the wee hours of the morning to meet other kids in the mall parking lot to be shipped to Branson via bus for the following 25 days. After five years of Kamp life, and after my freshman year of high school, I 'grew out' of kamp and quit going. But those years I did spend at kamp were some of the best times of my life.

After being interviewed during the school year and a few phone calls, I was hired to come back to K-1 and serve as a photographer for the first term this summer. I was relieved (the summer job search was over), ecstatic (I was returning to the place that I knew and loved), and anxious - I didn't feel quite worthy to be among so many other college kids who were clearly seeking out the Lord more than I was.

As soon as I pulled in the gates of K-1, I was welcomed with open arms. I immediately recognized faces - ones of those who had worked at kamp when I was a kamper, and ones of those who had been kampers alongside me during those years, and who, like me, had decided to come back to the place they had loved so much.

After checking in, my 'Aunt' (veteran counselor who helps lead new staff during work week), Rebecca, hopped in my car to show me where to park and help reacquaint me with kamp life. I then ran into none other than Laura Gabriel, a previous cabinmate for four of my five years spent as a kamper at Kanakuk. Yep, I was going to get to work with someone I had been in cabin 2 with as a 10 year old. If there's one character trait that describes the Kanakuk family, it's loyalty. Others I met at work week had been kampers for several years or this summer was one of many spent on staff.

My time at Kamp looked a bit different than most staff because instead of serving as a counselor I played the role of photographer. In one sense, this meant I wasn't responsible for any kids. I lived in a cabin with the girls who worked in the office and I came up with my own daily schedule. In another sense, this meant I was responsible for every kid. My job was to capture a smile on every kamper's face every day so any mom or dad could get on the Kanakuk website and make sure their kid was enjoying kamp when they hadn't written home in awhile. For some kids, this was a simple task, as they would ask me for photos multiple times a day (I later found out that some of these kids had parents that were paying them a dollar for every photo they were in). Others were camera shy and the only way for me to get a photo was to catch them in the act of participating in one of many fun activities.

Because of my role, I got to know everyone at some level. As a Komo (Kanakuk language for girl), I spent more time on the girls side of kamp, getting to know kitchis (girls who served in the dining hall), office girls (who I lived with), counselors, osages (komo counselors in training), and last, but not least, kampers. It was important for me to have just as much fun and be just as involved as everyone else was at kamp - I didn't intend to just lurk in the background and get pictures of everyone else having a good time. When the night was coming to a close and I already had 300 photos of kids just from the dance party, I knew when to set the camera down and have a good time myself.

And while kamp was a place of extreme fun all the time, it was more so a place of growth. Every staff member was in a group bible that met a few times a week and a small group that met every day. After several evening events, there was late night counselor worship. One of favorite times of the day was nighttime devos in the cabin. In the latter half of the term I semi "adopted" a cabin that I specifically wanted to get to know. This cabin of 11 and 12 year olds consisted of the most energetic yet sweet girls with the most innocent and pure hearts. At one point, when one of the counselors was on time off, I had the opportunity to help with 'tuck ins' - which is when you get to go around from bunk to bunk, asking the girls about their days and if they have any prayer requests, and getting to pray for them. These girls blessed me in more ways than you could ever imagine, and I can only hope I made a fraction of the difference in their lives that they made in my life.

This was really only a snapshot of kamp life. I've never felt so loved and encouraged in my life - and I think I loved kamp this year even more than I did as a kamper. Saying goodbye to all the people I had begun to develop relationships with, staff and kampers alike, was difficult. I appreciate Kanakuk even more so now that I see it from a fresh perspective. I can only hope that I get to go back next year, and for a longer period of time for that matter. While it feels good to be back home, I miss the place - the crunch of the pea gravel, constant cheering, even the breath-taking (literally) stairs. Thank you everyone (not to mention the amazing leadership team) for making it one of the best summers.

Love,
Anne

p.s. I kinda got a bit of a tan while I was there... you can tell from the camera strap line on my neck in some of the following photos.

I didn't take many scenic photos at kamp, but here's one. This
is the from the top of the hill probably around 11 at night or so... I
love the sky here, and the lights in the trees.

End result after the staff color party during work week.
That red stuff is paint, I assure you.

As you may have guessed, everything traditionally spelled
with a "c" at Kanakuk is spelled with a "K." This is at the K-Extravaganza party (hence Krispy Kreme) with the two funniest kampers at K-1.

One of my favorite photos I took... at the color catastrophe party.
Rachel Welch with her kampers.

Another favorite photo of mine... one way to get kids to jump in
the lake is if you promise to take their picture. The lake is the coldest I've ever been in... probably around 60 degrees.

Cabin 9 pre-honor cabin trip to see Toy Story 3.
Kanakuk rented out a screen at the local movie theater for
the kids who kept the cleanest cabin all month/two weeks.
I got to go too (thanks, Reno)!

The end result after slip 'n side/watermelon activity.

Kelsey and Lindsey... two of my favs. This was when new
two weekers came in the middle of the term.

I think I would've loved to work in the kitchen just as much as I loved
being photographer... right here with the one and only Megan Gelmers.

Part of superdeal... aka the oldest month kampers around.

The majority of the Komo side on the last day...

Laura Gabriel, Jacqi, Rebecca Cooper.

Oh, and let's not forget the kamp playlist. Here's what I was listening to the majority of the term at K-1...
1) Ben Rector - all his songs. He was once a counselor at kamp, and came back to play a show for all us staffers during work week.
2) Fly Golden Eagle - Orangitango. I had never heard this song before camp. During the chorus, you just wave your arms up in the air like an orangutan. Yep.
3) Justin Beiber - One Time. The whole girls side of kamp learned a dance to this song, and it was probably heard at least 10 times a day.
4) Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me. Duh.
5) Jordin Sparks - Battlefield. Why does love always feel like one?

going, going, gone

This last week has been incredibly slow yet a whirlwind at the same time!

I haven't really done much besides get ready for camp and spend time with my mom... however, I was a lucky individual because I got to see, in person, the molly rodgers (in waco) and the jane ellen bryant (she came up to dallas). I also got to video chat with mr. thomas bain and molly selby (who is now counselor-ing at pine cove). And I got to spend some quality time with friends from home... sarah and marge - who I intend to see tonight, because tomorrow, I leave. I will be at kanakuk 'til the end of june snapping photos of campers for their parents to scroll through online! because of this, I will be MIA from this blog, facebook, and twitter (which I'm actually excited about). so, those of you who still know how to use pens (not keyboards) - please write me letters! I can't wait to write people... you can send notes to 1355 Lake Shore Dr, Branson, MO, 65615.

I will miss everyone, but am excited to return to the place that was my summer home for five years as a kid...

xo!
bannejo

in bloom (a post from the dallas arboretum)

Kids are running around everywhere - it's field trip day... what I'd give to be able to relive my childhood and appreciate it. Maybe, though, that's how it's supposed to be - you don't realize how good it is until it's gone.

Rode my bike here - first around White Rock Lake and then stopped to smell the flowers (literally). I reminisced when I took a gander at the Beatrix Potter flower display/tribute... Mrs. Tiggle-Winkle, Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tittlemouse. I remember all those books (and hope we still have them somewhere).

One part of the Beatrix Potter tribute. IP studs could tell me what rights a TM grants you...

Flowers and butterflies are the key ingredients to the Dallas Arboretum...

Picturesque Pond

I finally found a semi-quiet spot in the midst of all the joyful/screaming children. I love going and exploring the dirt/gravel paths here... something about the unpaved road. One of my favorite things is the crunch of gravel beneath my footsteps. It reminds me of simple times, Texas ranches, camp. I want to record that sound for a song someday.

On another note, i almost ran over a squirrel riding my bike around White Rock. I think that probably would've sent me flying and hurt me more than the squirrel.

x
feelin' dannedy

over: a long post for short year

If there's one cliche that has a lot of truth to it - it's that one piece of advice we've all heard a million times: "expect the unexpected." Right now, I'm sitting on a roll-away bed in a hotel room while my parents watch CNN shortly after moving out of my dorm. Room 514 of Wright Hall is empty, the door is bare (I took the name tags the RA put on it for sentimental reasons), and the keys are gone. Freshman year has come to an end, and summer is here.

When my last final crept up on me and I finally had to head to Biology at five o'clock last Friday, I couldn't believe it was over. And I was sad to think that I would be saying farewell to Belmont, Nashville, and friends from around the country just a few hours later. Summer didn't have the same "ring" to it and I didn't get that feeling of excitement that had taken over my entire brain, body, and central nervous system in years past. Essentially, I'd be saying goodbye to a new life I had created in the last nine months in Nashville and to a time of life that I'd never experience again - freshman year of college.

Now this is starting to sound cheesy, but I don't really care. Never again will we be 18-year-olds heading off to a new place to:
1) learn things we genuinely care about (provided that one's major pertains to what one loves),
2) start taking care of ourselves for the first time (...with the help of our parents wallets),
3) establish a complete new network of friends whom you have no prior background knowledge about (well, I didn't know anyone at Belmont before I came), and
4) ultimately begin to find out who you are personally (without mom and dad breathing down our necks).

When I said "expect the unexpected," I spoke from experience. I had no clue what I was getting into when I decided to go to Belmont. I had applied to the place on a whim (after I had found the school on Google), visited for the first time after I had been accepted, and enrolled in late April when the May 1st deadline was approaching and I decided that I had felt slightly more comfortable on Belmont's campus in comparison to the other nine schools I had applied to.

Considering these things, I'm glad Belmont was right. And for reasons unexpected.

I didn't expect to find such a good friend in my roommate. Although we had requested to be each others' roommates, we had only met once before school started. I think we both agree now that we had completely erroneous perceptions of each others' personalities before we moved in. Considering that, we worked pretty well. From late night conversations (she was good at telling when I had something on my mind) to spontaneous dance parties, no one could ever replace Molly.

I didn't expect to forge such solid friendships early on. I remember leaving town one weekend in mid-September and missing everyone so much after being gone for just a couple of days. When I got back and Jane and Molly Selbs sprinted to give me a welcome back hug, it felt as if I was seeing them for the first time in months, when in actuality I had only known them for less than a month. Now I feel like I've known everyone for years when I've only known them for nine months.

I didn't expect to have so many friends from Texas. But I also didn't expect to have friends from so many other places as well - Ohio, Georgia, California, and even Canada... just to name a few. I didn't expect to spend time with friends in so many different places outside of Nashville, either... from some random state park off I-40E (for a spontaneous camping trip one night) all the way to the Big Apple (for a three day weekend celebration).

In addition to these great things, I found a great church in a matter of weeks and classes went very well. I had the chance to enjoy a good number of concerts and experience a lot of what Nashville had to offer. But there were also some unexpected hard-times this year - I struggled with division between various friends and my roommate leaving Belmont. Very recently, Nashville was devastated by a disastrous flood (although I personally was not affected, the city and its population will be recovering for years to come). On a less serious note, I didn't expect Miley Cyrus to be my first celebrity sighting... how disappointing.

All things considered, Belmont was an adjustment - but a relatively easy one at that. I can't believe the year's over. I'm already missing everyone. But instead of looking back, like I've done in this ridiculously long post, I'm looking forward to a summer of growth - I'm excited to work at Kanakuk, to spend time with friends from home, to travel, to invest more time in my hobbies, and to enjoy simple pleasures.

love,
flat anneley (take me with you on your adventures)

living now

I've been pretty bad at updating this blog weekly (which was my original goal at the beginning of the semester) mainly because 1) I haven't been making time for it and 2) I haven't thought of interesting things to blog about.

When this week came about (last week of school), it was my intention to blog a sort of "recap" on the whole year. Freshman year has definitely been a whirlwind and lots of things in my life have changed - but the idea of writing a 'recap' and how I've changed, etc, got me thinking... how much time do we spend dwelling on the past? That is, remembering the good times and trying to forget the bad?

Think about it. A lot of this here blog just recaps past events. I was going to recap my entire year in this post, but decided not to (maybe in a couple weeks when I have more time to think about it). We all post photo albums and comment on them. We quote inside jokes from the 'good times.' When we have nothing to talk about with friends, we ask them what they did that day or how their week has been.

At the same time, we try to block out all the bad memories. I just got a gig as a photographer for a camp this summer, and when I was talking to my mom, she said "Just don't tell them about that time you dropped the camera at the middle school dance!" Horrible memories rushed to my head. I had blocked that night from my mind, and when she brought it up, I remembered it vividly - dropping the school camera, bawling my eyes out, having to explain to my yearbook teacher what happened. I hated that I remembered it and never wanted to think about it again. Even now, when it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, I don't want to think about it.

I don't really know what to think about this whole concept - people always say to "live in the present" when so much of our lives depends on what we've already done. What if we started anew everyday?

Just food for thought.

x
anne