art

I just want to start off with a quick update- as of Friday, I earned enough money to pay my initial deposit for Semester at Sea! This means I am officially enrolled and have a cabin spaced held for me on the ship. Now I will be able to move forward with the process and begin applying for financial aid, loans, and scholarships. In a couple months I will be able to register for classes and begin planning really planning my trip! A big shout-out and thank you to everyone who has already donated to my GoFundMe. I can’t even express how much it means to me. Kim, Harold and Toni, Aunt Sue, Debby and Neil, and Oliver for donating, and anyone who has shared my link and shown their support, I am so grateful. I wouldn’t be able to do this without you all. ❤

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Screenshot (39)

I wanted to quickly talk about one of my summer jobs. During the week, I help out in the art room at the Woodstock Day School- Summer Adventure camp. Two days a week I am assisting with ceramics, helping the kids with different projects using clay and glazes. The other three days I am in the general art room, doing everything from collages to beading to henna tattoos. Spending several summers there has left me with a generous amount of crafts and memories, all made with the help of the children I work with.

The best part about my position is that I not only get to spend all day doing art (which I love), but I have the opportunity to get to know all of the campers and counselors, which I would not get to do if I stayed with the same group all day. I work with everyone from preschool to fifth grade or higher, and it’s amazing to come back each year and see how they’ve grown. Some of the campers who are now in the 9+ group, I met when they were still in kindergarten. I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people of all ages, and though work can be tiring, ultimately there are few better ways I can think of to spend the summer.

WDS Summer Adventure has been growing over the last few years, this summer having the largest enrollment yet. One big draw is the pool, where campers have a chance to swim once or twice a day, under the watchful eye of several caring and committed lifeguards. The rest of the time, they are participating in other activities, including sports, hip-hop/dancing, yoga, singing, gardening, and what makes our camp unique- African drum and dance. At the end of each session there is an all camp gathering where families are welcome to come watch the groups perform songs, dances, and drumming they have learned over the weeks!

The director of the camp, Pam, is an amazing boss and an even more amazing person, and her husband Mimo can brighten my day just by giving me one of his genuinely thankful smiles. Year after year, they bring so much energy, life, and culture to the camp and the people in it. When life gets hard, it’s easy to just think about yourself. But Pam, Mimo, Debbie, and everyone else involved in making Summer Adventure what it is, put all of their hearts into making the camp some place kids can feel safe, happy, unique, and want to keep returning to. It is a truly wonderful place to be.

This summer is coming to a close, but if you are interested for next year, check out this link for more information!

I’m going to leave you with a funny story about one of the campers. Last week we gave the kids blank books that they could draw in and fill with memories of camp. The three and four years-olds (referred to this year as “dolphins and whales”) in the preschool group are unable to write, so when they were finished ~~scribbling~~ drawing in their booklets, we sat down and asked what was happening on each page.

Her counselor wrote down word for word what this particular toddler said, and needless to say we were slightly terrified (but so amused) by the story this little girl came up with.

As always, thank you!

http://www.gofundme.com/saslaney

“My mouth is a fire escape. The words coming out don’t care that they are naked.There is something burning in here.” –Andrea Gibson, Poet

What are you supposed to major in when your main goal in life is so be Pocahontas? (The Disney version, not the real life Native American child who was sadly taken to England as a prisoner where she eventually died from disease). I can sing “Colors of the Wind” until my throat hurts and put leaves in my hair, but that dream is only going to get me so far. So lately, I’ve been considering my other options.

From the time I could speak to the time I graduated high school, I was repeatedly asked the same question as every other child- “What do you want to be when you grow up?” For the first ten years of my life, I would answer without a second thought, that I wanted to be a veterinarian, because I love animals, and an author. Somewhere along the line that answer changed to “zoologist.” Then marine biologist. Occupational therapist. Fashion designer. Wizard. Dragon Rider. Speech therapist. Wildlife expert. For a split second after seeing Reese Witherspoon in “Legally Blonde,” I even wanted to be a lawyer. And then, for a while, I just didn’t know.

Now that I have finished my first year of college, the big question has morphed into “What are your plans for when you’re done with school?” No one is inquiring about what I want to be when you grow up, because it seems adulthood is right around the corner. I am now expected have have an idea of what my life will be like when I graduate. Where will I live? What job will I have? How will I make enough money to start paying off my student loans?

I’ve always known what my main interests were- writing, reading, art, animals, and people. I discovered over the last few years that I especially love learning people’s stories. I enjoy reading articles that make me feel something, whether it is inspired or heartbroken. I am drawn to uncaptioned photographs that speak a thousand words. So I decided to gather up all these interests and turn them into a college major. My plan as of now is to major in Journalism and double minor in art (with a focus on photography) and creative writing. If I’m lucky, I’ll spend the next three or so years pursuing these talents and areas of interest, and then leave with a degree that will lead to some form of income.

But still, I am doubtful of my decisions. I still don’t know exactly what I want to DO though. I can’t see myself working anywhere practical, or anywhere permanent. I know I want to travel and do incredible things. I’m not worried about making money, because overall I just want to be happy. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to get there. I need to work on being happy now, instead of waiting for the future. It is difficult to focus on living life to the fullest in the present, when there is so much pressure to set up an idea future. We are all scared we will end up broke, unhappy, and alone. I refuse to live with that fear anymore.

I’ve been told that part of my problem is that I have all these things that are part of me, like writing and art, but I am not actively passionate about them. I am not making a point each day to work on a story or art project. I am not using my camera every opportunity I get. If I’m going to base the rest of my life around these things that I supposedly love, I can’t keep making excuses not to pursue them. So I’ve created this blog as an outlet to speak my mind. To speak my mind, and to have a place to share my work. As a journalism major, it is a good idea to have a project I can build on over the years, and share my voice others.

Additionally, when I embark on my journey next spring (more information in the next post!) this is where I will keep of record of my adventures. Until then, I will try to post on here regularly about different things. Thank you everyone for your support ❤

~Laney~

Elaina Nicole Eccleston

Words and Images

Summer Adventure

Introduction