Quakes and Pranks

So some of you may have heard about the earthquake here today. It was a 5.8 on the Richter, which is pretty darn high. They said it could be felt in San Diego and even in Las Vegas! Thankfully, we were all safe and there was no damage that I could see in our area. It was crazy though! I was with Kim's group today at a water park because they were short on counselors. I was in the pool swimming with some of the kids and talking to another counselor, George, who was sitting on the side of the pool. All of the sudden, George stopped talking and was like, "Did you feel that?" I had no idea what he was talking about, and then he was like, "I think we just had an earthquake!" We had to round up all of our groups around the park and try to get calls out to the director. Finally we were able to get through to Bryan, and he had us leave the water park and go back to the YMCA building (where we have meetings, not where we have camp), because a lot of parents wanted to pick up their kids. The kids hadn't eaten yet and none of them brought lunches because you're not supposed to bring outside food to the water park, so they were starving and they didn't get to eat lunch until 2:45, when we had ordered pizza. The rest of the day, Kim's group and my group watched Ratatouille. Bryan had me go in another room with the oldest group (the middle schoolers) because they were also short on counselors (actually, every group today was short on counselors, it was such a weird day!). So I was with all three groups at some point today, it was kinda funny. But we all survived the earthquake, so don't worry!

Also, quick story. I meant to write this in my last post, but I forgot. At camp, they played a prank on me and another counselor, Angie! It was pretty good, I must say. They got me bad! We were at the aquarium, and we were supposed to be leaving. My group had to go to the bathroom, so we were running late. On our way to the bus, we met up with Angie's group. Angie said, "Paulina just called me and said they moved the bus, so we're meeting on the other side. So we walk there and see the bus, but there's no one else there. We were so confused--we were 15 minutes late, but there's no one on the bus and no one around. Angie and I kept talking, I kept saying, "Where did they go? They had to have been on the bus to move it over here (the bus driver had been with Paulina's group). Why would they leave?" Angie was freaking out, trying to call Paulina, and saying, "She's not answering, what are we supposed to do?!" Then one of the kids says, "I think I see someone on the bus!" So we all turn and look. Right at that moment, everybody pops up yelling! They had all been lying on the floor of the bus! At first, I wasn't sure what had just happened, and I guess my confusion showed on my face--when I finally got on the bus, everyone was laughing at me, saying that my face was priceless, and they love to tease me about it. I thought it was great!

6 MONTHS!

That's right! Ken is at the 6 month mark! I can't believe it's been 6 months...it feels like he just left, yet it also feels like it's been FOREVER! The picture above is from over a year ago, the very first time we hung out outside of class. I can't even believe how fast this year has gone by!

Coming back to the more recent past, here's been my last few weeks or so:

At camp, we've done: Universal Studios, Olvera Street (almost like a Mexican version of Chinatown), 3D movie (Journey to the Center of the Earth), California Science Center, Aquarium of the Pacific (where I was brave enough to touch a shark and some stingrays!), and the L.A. Zoo. I was really excited for the zoo, but I had a bad combination of kids in my group that day, and they complained the entire day and didn't want to look at any of the animals--all they wanted to do was hurry through so they could get to the gift shop, which they spent 20 minutes in, then spent the last hour and a half playing cards near the entrance of the zoo. Olvera Street was one of my favorite days! The kids bought a ton of these confetti eggs (hollowed out
eggshells stuffed with confetti) and you crack them over people's heads. Being a counselor, I was a prime target--and it was a blast! I was covered in confetti, and I am still finding confetti in my first aid fanny pack! (yes, first aid fanny pack. We're required to have them with us at all times, and they are the biggest eyesores ever, we hate them. They were extremely useful though the couple weeks we kept having kids with bloody noses!). I saw these bracelets there that I liked, but I was too busy watching the kids to buy anything for myself. One boy in my group (that always says I'm his favorite counselor!) heard me say I liked those bracelets, and he bought me one! It was so sweet. I also always wear another bracelet, one made out of lanyard that one of the counselors, Lindsey, made for me. She's my Twilight buddy out here, me and Kim and Lindsey are going to get the 4th book at midnight this Friday! :) Also, I decided to walk to work a few times this past week (it's about a 20 min walk) just cause it's a good workout (as if chasing 40 kids around everyday isn't enough of a workout already, haha).

At church, Kim and I gave talks! Her family was out of town for it, so it was kind of weird standing up there giving a talk to a whole bunch of people who don't know who I am at all. My topic was "a living prophet". It was interesting because a couple of Kim's non-member friends came. Kim's topic ("love one another") was a little more transferable, but having a living prophet is one thing that really make out church different. It was cool cause one of her friends wanted to ask the missionaries questions afterwards, he took notes on our talks and everything. Also, after the meeting, I had a lot of people ask for quotes I used in my talk and someone even asked for a copy of my whole talk! Overall, I felt good about it, even if I was nervous (it was also my first non-youth talk!).

Other fun stuff I've done: I went and saw Batman with some people last weekend. It was AMAZING, I loved it. The one thing that really bothered me though was Maggie Gyllenhall. I thought she was terrible as Rachel. Never thought I'd miss Katie Holmes!

Today we went to Zuma Beach, and did pretty much nothing. I think my legs are the darkest they've ever been in my life now!

In other news, the Barlow family was out of town for a family reunion (except Kim) so we had the place to ourselves. They brought back Jacob (he's the one just older than Kim) and one of his roommates, so after our week of peace, the house is crowded again, but I love it.

I can't wait to see some of you again in a month! As much as I've enjoyed CA, I'm ready to get back to BYU and small-town livin!

Time to update!

Hey everyone! It's been a couple weeks since I last posted, so I decided it was about time now. My life primarily consists of my job now, but it's such a great job, I don't mind too much. This past week at work was really good actually. We had this BBQ the day before the 4th of July (no camp on the 4th), and in meetings before, I'd heard stories about how the BBQ is one of the days that seem to drag on for forever because there's not too much to do and the kids are all restless and it's just a crazy day for everyone. I was talking to my supervisor about how we had a night at girl's camp where there were a whole bunch of games set up in a rotation and told her some of the games we played. She really liked the idea and took it to the camp director, Bryan, and he approved it! So during the first half of the day, instead of trying to make it up as we went along, we had a bunch of games to do! The kids loved it. One of the other counselors in the Explorer group came up with the idea of having a talent show after lunch, which the kids also loved. So basically, the Explorer counselors kind of ran the show, and Bryan was really pleased with it. He told my supervisor that it was the best one they had ever had! Also, we have staff meetings every two weeks, and at our staff meetings, they recognize one person from each group and give that person a gift card for Starbucks. This week, I got recognized for Explorer!

Some fun stuff we've done at camp the past couple weeks: Rollerskating (possibly my favorite day so far!), Soak City (Knott's Berry Farm water park), IMAX movie at the California Science Center, Dodger's game, Laser tagging, and A LOT of swimming!
Okay, enough about work!

Last week, Kim's brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Kandis, came to visit with their two kids, Kenedee and Lincoln (yes, they named their kids after assassinated presidents--though the assassinated part wasn't intentional!) Kenedee is about Forrest's age, and Lincoln is only two months. I loved having Adam and Kandis here--they are very similar to Blake and Emily, so it was almost like having my own family members visit! And Kenedee and Lincoln are so cute, I loved playing with them. We all went to Disneyland the Saturday they were here (except Taylor) and had a great time! (I also took another trip to Disneyland yesterday with my friends Andrew, Perry, and one of Andrew's friends, Armando, while Kim was at a wedding). During the parade, we were sitting near the front of the crowd, and Kenedee was standing up. Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, walked right up to her and said, "I like your bow!" Kenedee just stared up at her in complete shock, it was hilarious.

Every Barlow kid calls in on Sunday and tells their dad what they did that week. He then writes it up in their weekly family newsletter and sends it out to everyone. I was always included in Kim's section, but this past week, I was given my own section! We thought that was funny, and I feel very honored to be included. We also received a thank you card from a friend of ours in the ward that just went into the MTC and on the card he wrote, "Dear Barlow Family (that includes Michelle),..." We all got a kick out of that as well!

Also, though I'm guessing most of you already know this, Heidi had her baby this week! Sister Barlow is there in Wilsonville helping out, and Brother Barlow flew there just for a day on Saturday to see the baby, and also for their granddaughter Haven's baptism. Haven is Kim's sister Amber's daughter, and what I didn't know before was that Amber (last name is now Dahl) is in Tualatin Stake! They live in Sherwood, they're in the Cedar Creek ward. The baptism was right there in the stake center, they drove right by our neighborhood and everything! So many coincidences with the Barlow family!

Okay, so last but not least, the 4th of July! We went to this city event called the "Starlight Bowl" which is up at this outdoor theater-type place kind of in the mountains and they had live music, and then a fireworks show. It's a big event for the city, since fireworks are illegal otherwise.

That's pretty much it for now! I'll try to remember to upload pictures sometime soon!