Memories Forever.......................

就在我写搏关于英法行的时候，

大插曲—刚刚有人按门铃，开了门，是邮递员送快件的。“礼物”from China, my best friend “SONG”. I am moved, moved, moved. 礼物有一件非常特别的T-SHIRT 和非常特别的台历. 台历里是我们的13张照片，是我们去年十月份英法之行的照片， 放在不同的月份。That’s the memory and friendship we will never forget. It’s in our heart. Thank you so much.

真是不好意思，这么久没有更新博客了。就像QI说的杂草丛生了，我要说这些杂草都长成森林。 英法之旅，都是半年前的事情了。很多事情都要看着照片回忆当时的情景。

 

续上英法行。好友SONG和现在的老公，腾出自己的卧房，他们两人挤在隔壁的单人床过了整整一个多星期。我们真是太不好意思了，太感谢他们的热情招待了。

第一站是London 的Parliament (Big Ben) 大本钟，Trafalgar Square，英国国家美术馆。

Song 住在elephant castle 附近，是属于伦敦很市区的地方，交通都很方便。我们坐上了伦敦典型的红色BUS,仅有几站路就到了泰晤河边。隔着泰晤河，看真英国的Parliament (Big Ben) 大本钟， 让我的第一感觉是很不真实，就像在图片上看到的一模一样。假，假，假，但是在内心有不尽佩服起这些建筑师美轮美奂的设计和建筑。这是第一次我有了对欧洲文化的面对面地接触，从中国搬到美国西岸，而美国东岸行的计划一直未成行，象lg说如果我去过东岸很多东岸的建筑风格很欧洲式。我就不会那么surprise了。虽然在这里的博物馆有过对欧洲油画的一点点认识，但是这种身处欧洲看着欧洲文艺作品的感觉真是有点特别。

 

就在我们对Parliament (Big Ben)感慨的时候，起风，一下子乌云就来了，所以我抓拍下的景色，留下了一点点遗憾，背景不是蓝天白云，如果是的话，那就更假了。接下来就是暴雨，我们躲在一个报亭低下，但是雨太大了，我们只有转移。BUS STOP里人也很多，大家都没有意识到雨会来得那么突然。庆幸的是我带了把雨伞。用唯有的一把雨伞转移到路对面，一家HOTEL的门口。SONG说她在伦敦那么久还从来没有碰到过下那么大的暴雨呢，难道这是伦敦欢迎我们的一种特殊方式嘛。最惨的事SONG那天穿这她新买的CONVERSE ALL STAR的布鞋，她的鞋子全湿透了。等了十几分钟，不见雨停的势头，只好取消原定计划从桥上步行到 Trafalgar square的计划。又分批装移到bus stop。说到过马路，非常地confuse. 不知道要往哪个方向看，因为英国是靠路的右边行车的。车站也是在路的右边，总而言之就是个“怪”别扭。所以每次过马路就是四面八方都看一下比较安全。

 

又上了red bus，就2站的路我们就到了Trafalgar Square，雨还在下，三人一头就冲进了国家美术博物馆。竟然那么大的博物馆是免费的。听Song说英国很多博物馆都是免费的。真是让我们有的惊喜，可是英国物价之昂贵。特别是英镑对美元 （1：2）。在美术博物馆浏览着艺术真品，好像一下子回到上个世纪。好像一下子博物馆人少了，我们才发觉原来外面雨停了。

 

回过神来，才发觉博物馆人少了，我们才意识到原来是外面雨停了。三个人高兴得跳到外面享受难得的蓝天白云，下过雨的空气格外的清新，天空也特别的BRIGHT. 从我们的笑容里可以看出我们有多么兴奋。 走在英国的大街上，跑到一家卖纪念品的商店开始疯狂买小礼物，因为我们知道接下去的几天的行程非常繁忙，可能就没有这样的时间了。

 

换英镑，也有小擦曲，街头随处可见换币的小店，大部分都是印巴人开的，而且还可以讲价，币比三家以后，终于换到我们认为最高的。真有意思，竟然换币还有这样子的，让我大见世面。

 

然后和SONG逛到中国城，中国城就在伦敦的市中心，听说地皮涨得非常的利害，所以中国城就越来越小。大家卖了店，发财去了。但是还是可以买到很地道的中国食物，我竟然卖到了温州粉干，这可是我在国外第一次看到温州粉干。（后来经过我们验证，真的是温州粉干）温州的粉干是非常特别的。希望温州粉干可以打入美国市场。DINNER在中国城里的一家自助餐厅，东西还不错吃。有SONG的同事和朋友。听着不同英语谈话（美式，英式，澳大利亚式， 自然还有中国式的），真是很好玩。饭饱后，又在市中心逛了一会儿，因为是周日晚上大家明天要上班，所以路上有点安静。我们也累了。这就我们在英国的第一天。

 

Many of you may already know Atticus. He is Angel and Chris's dog. He only three years old, he passed away this Thurday (11/30). Orginally we want to celebrate his last X'mas  the next day. We feel he is one of our family member we are really sad.  We have so much fun memories about him. He always bring us joy and laughter.

 

I found couple Atticus pictures. He is in peace. We will remember and love Atticus forever.

 

 

Check Angel's blog and more pictures for Atticus

 

http://catbertsai.spaces.live.com/blog/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

好久没有更新我blog了，下午和原来在camp认识的韩国女孩坐在法国的面包店里闲聊了一下午。回忆着夏天难忘的2个星期。回家又无意中在电脑里发现我写的关于camp的作业， 就随手贴上。

 

UNST 421 Session III

Practicum Coordinators: Carolyn Bradley

August 9, 2006

 

Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp Self Reflection

These two weeks have been the most significant two weeks in my life. I learned a lot about others as well as myself. As a camp counselor, I had totally different experience with my campers during those two weeks. Those two weeks have been filled with happiness, tears, frustration, achievement, energy and joy. I had most wonderful experience I have ever had. Kiwanis Camp gave an excellent opportunity to know myself better and what other things I can achieve in the lifetime.

I was super nervous at the beginning because I have never had any personal connection with people with disability. I might have had stereotypes for person with disability. We had one hour to review camper’s pervious record which became very helpful. However, I wish I had more time to read though camper’s record especially for first week camper, because I don’t have experience with people with disability. I don’t know what kind of question I should pay attention to. For the second week, I felt much comfortable and knew what kind of information I should look for. I was totally freaking out before my camper arrived at the first week. I knew I have to face my fears and challenge my strength. When my first week camper Sarah arrived, I was surprised how pretty she is; I couldn’t believe she has Angleman Syndrome which means she has a stiff jerky gait, severe developmental delay, absence of speech, happy demeanor, a protruding tongue and seizures. The week I have been working with her, she had couple bowel movement accidents during the night, I showered her and dressed her up. She rarely had response to my care and language, I felt frustrated. I tried really hard to encourage her to participate at the dance night. She still stood outside the crowd enjoying her own musical pace. When she heard the rhythm she loves, she will have continuing giggling and clap her hands. I know it’s really hard for her to response anything to me, but at least I knew she is enjoy the music and surrounding. I knew it’s part of her disability. She also loved to participate in all the activities Kiwanis camp has but she needs time to adjust to new situation.

In the third day, I found the way to make her laugh, I felt successful. I felt I had more responsibility around the campers because they really need me; in my mind everything is camper first. I never know how selfless I am and how patient I am. This is the best way to find out my potential. I encouraged Sarah to try all the activities even though she hesitated at the beginning. She had a lot of fun and laughed during all the activities. Her smile and laugh is the best reward I have ever gotten. Sarah started to make a new friend Janie. She started to grab my hand and tried to show me her new friend Janie. I was trying to tell her, her new friend’s name is Janie. After I repeat “Janie”’s name countless times, she suddenly tried to pronouns Janie. Everyone in our group including Janie were stunned because Sarah had never said a word since the first day camp except yes or no. At that time, I felt fully satisfied and got reward for my hard work. When the Thursday night BBQ night came, Sarah giggled all night and she was so happy with all the camp song and enjoyed the skits. I felt I really bonded with Sarah. Her contagious laugh would make me laugh too. I really enjoy to see her so happy. At the wish boat ceremony I felt so sad because my camper had to leave tomorrow.

The second week I had a very independent camper Jeremy, but he is very stubborn. He likes to repeatedly ask same question and need a lot of verbal direction and encouragement. I found sometimes I am really out of patience. He is already 22 years old but his behavior is like 10 years old boy. One of the memorable moments was on the rock climbing adventure course. He is afraid of heights. Under my encouragement, he finally decided he wanted to try to climb the rock. I knew he was afraid of heights, but he really try to face his fear and climb the rock; he even reached one third of rock wall. He told me he never tried the rock climbing before; he will try rock climbing next year again, and then reach even higher rock. I was so proud of him to challenge his fear.  

These two week were very emotional weeks. From nervous, frustrated, to loving, caring, unforgettable, supporting, laughing, happiness, it really has been two exhilarating weeks. I found campers have their unique side of talent and wisdom; we should not overlook their shining side by their disability. I really should listen and care about them. As the song we have been singing on the Thursday night “How can anyone ever tell you are anything less than beautiful? How can anyone ever tell you are less than whole? How can anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle? How deeply you’re connected to my soul ……”, it really says what I really want to say to them. I will miss all the campers. I really wish they will have a happy life forever.

During those two weeks camp, I almost collapsed because of the physical and mental pressure. However, I have a wonderful team I worked with for two weeks.  Other counselors, counselor supervisor, they always will be there whenever I had difficulty. Everyone was willing to help, support and encourage each other. I really think we had an awesome team and make really good friends.  Also, I found I had more patience and caring than I imagined.  I challenged my utmost limit and I really can do anything. I am not afraid of any challenge anymore. I will be faced with difficulty in the future because I know I have strength to deal with it. I had a most wonderful time in the camp. Thanks for this excellent opportunity PSU provided. I hope I can come back next year as volunteer.

 

星期五，营员的父母来接营员回家，那时我已经知道如何逗SARAH开心了。对我来说还有点恋恋不舍。SARAH 妈妈看见自己的女儿在这个星期里过得那么开心，她也挺欣慰的。随着营员的离开，我们清洁她们住的木屋，也就收拾行李回家了。由于该营地距离我们市区有一个多小时的车程，所以大家基本上是和别的指导员搭车回去的，大家平摊汽油费。因为是周五下午，开始路阻，我到家都已经是7点半了。回家跟LG就有说不完的话，因为这一周的生活真是有太多东西值得分享了。洗衣服，好好的休息，买一些下周的零食。星期日早上11点钟又要出发去营地了。第二个星期的接新营员的时刻就没有第一周那么紧张了，因为大家已经有所心理准备了。第二个星期我们队的营员是年龄从18-25岁不等的男孩子，这个对我们这个只有一个男教导员的队，可是挑战。由于上个星期我的营员是属于生活不能自理的，所以这个星期他们赔给我一个生活能自理的，但是非常固执的22岁男生 Jeremy. 他是由他妈妈，后父，同母异父的妹妹一起送来的。他妹妹长的很漂亮只有6岁，正常的女孩。他妈妈告诉我Jeremy已经来这个夏令营8年了。他非常喜欢美式足球，而且对每个队都颇有研究。他手上一直捧着两本职业联赛的杂志。食物和杂志是他最好的动力。这次我们组分到的8个营员中，只有两个会真正的讲话沟通，3个坐轮椅，1个耳聋，1个有暴力行为。其中一个男孩 Andrew，他不仅坐轮椅，一只眼睛瞎，背部扭曲，不能语言沟通，还要用食管进食。看看他们这样的活着，真得觉得自己很幸福了。在这8位营员中我最喜欢Heather的营员 Jonathan, 他永远是很高兴，他最喜欢蒙着自己的眼睛玩 hide and seek的游戏。Whitney的营员Tyler是个女孩狂，挂在他嘴边的口头禅是“Hi Girls, come here”. 每次做什么活动，他是最有表现力的一个，每次都把大家笑得肚子痛。

实际上我觉得第二周比第一周要难，因为都是男孩子，很多东西都不是很方便，但是发觉一周下来，真的没有在乎性别。他们都是需要人照顾的人而已。这两个星期真得让我学到了很多，感触也很多。