On Perfection

(a poem composed by myself while working AM and PM care at summer camp)

Recent encounters with perfection
Have initiated this thread
Subtle, yet engaging,
Questionable, yet said

Defining said word
Perplexing to complete
Considering the struggles
To become one so elite

Perfection is flawless
Every quality just right
Perfect in the eye of the beholder
Because “just right” is a personal fight

In contemplating perfection
Consider what is ideal
The closer a person, place or thing
The better the odds of being real

So as perfection has
Allegedly appeared
I must evaluate all elements
To discover the route I’ve steered

Can a person be perfect?
I firmly believe so
Because the individual in question
Really has to know

To be funny and strong
Chivalrous and sweet
An attitude full of optimism
An individual all would like to meet

On contemplating this man
And how perfect he seems to be
I struggle to get closer
God has a different plan for me

Maybe because I’m moving
Or maybe because I’m not right
Maybe he is just too busy
Maybe this idea wasn’t too bright

Now I am the one attached
Waiting for his call
Stuck, blind by perfection
Dreading departure in the fall

I don’t know what I am
Although I wish I knew
I’ll settle with what I get –
For a breath of perfection in view

Summer Lovin'

Summer Camp training is under way. This week we are going over dicipline, scheduling, organization and games. I think I have the best summer job you could ever ask for - I get paid to play dodge ball. There are four of us returning and two new girls - I suggested we go to eat lunch or something. You can't get to know someone while discussing how to play "Clown Ball."

It should prove to be a good time. I'm looking forward to it.

My loves

School is officially over. Not only for me, but for my brother and sister, my little campers, and almost every young person in the state of Ohio. People who are not out of school yet: Linds and my school in the UK.

My darlings posted a class photo -- so I have to pass it along. I have gotten a number of thank you messages, which was totally unexpected. This was my rowdy class, the class responsible for my grey hairs. But when we cashed out in the end - they were the ones who got something out of my class.

Oh, I must hold my tears. They really are little darlings.

Oh, the places I'll go....

I have been contemplating the locations I am dying to visit once I am across the pond. My Zio and Zia keep telling me that I have to spend Christmas with them in Italy, but I have to learn how to speak Italian first. I can understand - I just can't speak. Something to file away for the future.

Venice, Italy


I don't know if it's the stories or just the specials on Travel Channel. I really want to see and experience Venice for more than a day.

Novara, Sicily


Where mio Nonno i Nonna are from. Apparently we still have a house there, but my nonna says there is nothing there to see. I'd like to be the judge of that.

Paris, France



My big thing is seeing the Eiffel Tower. I heard it sparkles. I want to drink coffee in a little cafe and I want to be wearing my high heels. It will be fabulous.

Prague, Czech Republic



I have been advised by many a fellow traveler that this is the location to check out. I have no idea what's there, but I am so in. It looks lovely.

Birkenfeld, Germany


Nick C lives here! I have to pay him a visit!

That's all for now. I'm off!

I survived

I am officially finished with my first year of teaching. I wish I could say that I cried, but I didn't. The day was punctuated with me kicking two girls out of my classroom for acting like three year olds. I will spare details because it will just irritate me -- and it takes a LOT for me to get angry at a student.

I gave three essay questions from the exam, as I will not be giving the actual multiple choice exam next week. The woman I have been subbing for since January will be talking over my final two days - the exam days. My grades are almost completed (minus the essay questions) - and I have to fork them over tomorrow.

I am slightly uncomfortable with someone else determining the grades of my students. I suppose I just have to hold my breath and hope for the best.

I am really dissapointed that I didn't cry. I cried after the first job at LC -- but not this one.

Interesting. And sad.