Perfect Wind, A Broken Wing

As I was playing, I watched the trees outside flailing vigorously in the wind. I noticed that meant today was probably a great day to fly my kite. As I took it outside, I felt the wind keep tugging on it as if the kite wanted to fly. I had to hold it tightly until I reached the Jamestown field. Once I got there, I felt the wind die down. It was like the wind was getting ready for me to launch my kite into the air. But as I launched, the wind blew too hard and caused the kite to dip down onto the ground. I felt forsaken. I found that the wing has been broken. I went back home to fix it with a paper clip as the metal clip to keep the wing in place as it flies. I went back outside to fly again and as I launched, the paper clip became loose and couldn't keep the wing in place. I went back home, now feeling defeated. When can I finally fly again...like the summer from before?

Holiday Times

Lately, there have been many signs of holiday. People have been giving and getting gifts all over. But it does make some people not as cheerful. All of the people going shopping causes traffic like what happened this afternoon when Me. was taking me to go to the orthodontist. People were everywhere trying to leave the intersection and going home. But it's not only the holiday's fault but also the big intersection. The place is so complex that traffic jams happen everyday. Every Monday it takes 5 minutes to make it through and go the way we need to go. When I'm an architect and may have to design roads, I'll watch for this kind of problem. But will I have the chance?

Lazy Weekend

After all of these weekends, I finally have a whole weekend to play. I finished my homework at school and am in that relaxing mood. The bad part is that I don't have much longer of it and I don't know when I will have another. I hope this one will be worthwhile.

Fireman's Openhouse

Today, I went with Bo^/ to the open house at the fire stations. I helped him by holding the flash at a certain place in order for him to take a picture with the right flash. It is necessary for him to have that flash to have a professional picture fit for a newspaper. It was such a good feeling to be useful to the trip than just carrying something that wouldn't be used during the whole time. Having such a feeling seems to build a stronger bond with Bo^/ and me. Now if only Ba?o can come, too.

Home with Huan

Today I spent half of the day with Huan at Ong Ba's house. I had a good time and I believe Huan did, too. Today, I played soccer with Huan for a bit but soon he got tired and we went inside. Huan seemed pretty calm and quiet today, but also he seemed bored. I only wish he could have something to do instead of reading the books he's read for the last few weeks.

End of a Story, Beginning of Another

It's almost the end of summer. There's today and then Labor Day then school starts all over again. It's sort of a bittersweet feeling. It's sad that summer ends but its nice to see my friends again.
The Beach House vacation is over and was great. The best part was flying the kite across the beach. The feeling of flying one was one of the best feelings I can have. Seeing that eagle soar across the air. Too bad it broke on the last day before I got a good chance to fly it. Still, it was a good vacation.
I know that summer's all over, but I also know that there is another one just waiting for me...

Loneliness

Today was pretty lonely. Khang and Ti weren't there and Mai Anh was only here for a few hours then left for the other house. I played alone for a long time and didn't go volunteer because the director said that she gave us three days off or just about the rest of the summer. For the whole day I sat there on the chair waiting for Khang or Ti to come over. They never did. That silence really made me think one small sentence..."I miss Bao".

Tired...

Today was another one of those days where you wish you could just lay in the sun all day with a cold drink by your side. Instead I had to go swimming with the campers. The water was really cold and the bus rides were hot. For about 30 minutes I sat there in the sun-baked bus seat. I fell asleep a couple times and woke up as I fell. The sun made me so tired. I wish I could stay home with a lemonade and just sit in the sun while watching the clouds. I only wish...

The Arlington Fair

Today was one of the days I've been waiting for my entire time here. Today was the day when TJ Summerfest went to the fair. I had a pretty good time...Except for a few things. First of all it's really expensive. Tickets cost about $1.00 each. Most of the rides take about 4 tickets each. It's insane. Second, it was a hot day. I had to walk all over the place. Lastly, the rides were really scary. Some rides went really high, then it drops down. Others spin really fast and makes people queasy. Actually, all of them make you queasy. Overall, it was a good time.

Back on the Routes

After a week of relaxation, I'm finally back to the camp. Many of the campers were happy to see me back. One of them was mad that I lied about leaving. It was a happy time, though.
Throughout the rest of the day, I was surprised that I still knew where everything was. Although, today I was supposed to be working with group 2, the middle aged group, but instead I worked with group 1, the youngest group. It was nice seeing those campers before the next day I leave them. I also met a new volunteer (at least to me). He was here last week but I wasn't here so he's new to me. His name is Jeremy. Looks a bit older than me, maybe around High School. Still, he was good with the campers and does a pretty good job with the tasks.
I'm pretty excited for later on in the week. Tomorrow I get to go swimming at the Veteran's Park Pool which Jason, another volunteer, says its a great pool. On Wednesday we get to go Ice Skating at the Ballston Mall. I'm glad its not called "Wipe out Week" anymore so some campers don't aim to crash into others while skating. Thursday is Game Day where we can bring in games to play. Its sounds like a fun day when I can play some games with the campers. On Friday, we go to the County Fair! I've been to the fair last year and had a great time. I aim to have an equally good time. The fair is the very reason that I wanted to get the job as a volunteer here.

Bao's Gone

Today Ba?o left for Japan. Somehow it felt like yesterday even though it was this morning. I miss him a bit but I know he'll have a great time. It's always so quiet when someone's gone. His room feels so empty without him. Sometimes I don't notice him there but now I feel this empty space in the seat of his chair. He was always there when I got a bit lonely or wanted to share something. I bet he's missing us, too. As long as he misses us, he will remember us even after this trips and many more to come.

Lazy Day

Today was one of those days where you feel so relaxed like one of those day offs from school or work. This entire day was about relaxation Like when I was reading my book, I was having a shiatsu on that new chair Bo^/ loves. Felt so relaxed and there's only one chapter left to read. Tomorrow Ba?o wants to spend another lazy day at O^ng Ba\.

It's Not Over!!!

I just talked to Janice, the volunteer office person, and she said that I can volunteer during the weeks while Ba?o is gone. So I won't be bored and the kids don't have to miss me. It all works and I'm so glad. I just have to try to remember to log in hours for volunteering. I'm trying to keep this a secret from the campers so its a surprise when I come back...they'll be really happy to see me back.

Pain...Outside and Inside

After going to the pool, I feel all of these spots on my foot where it hurts. I know it's from being rubbed on the bottom of the pool. Those little campers, although innocent-looking, caused it. I can't blame them for wanting to have fun but I just don't want them to try to drown me in the pool. That's something I won't miss when it's over.
Reminds me that I'll be leaving soon. Some of the campers will miss me. I feel their pain. I'm thinking about asking if I can volunteer during the weeks Ba?o is gone. If I can, the campers won't have to miss me, I won't miss them, I won't be bored when Ba?o is gone, and I can be volunteer when the carnival comes to TJ. Hope I can.

Position Questioning

As I keep working as a volunteer, I wonder if I'm acting as either a staff member or as a camper. Sometimes as I play with the campers, I forget what I'm wearing. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing a good job as a volunteer or trying to be a camper. Many times I find myself playing around with the campers as if I'm one too. But when this happens, I pause and see what exactly what I'm doing. I enjoy this job, though. It's fun being with the young campers. They act really silly sometimes...(yawn)...tired...sleepy...

Epilogue

After the trip to New Jersey, I was extremely tired so I'm blogging today instead of yesterday. It was a nice trip altogether but it would have been better if it wasn't as hot. After the walk up the Statue of Liberty, I believe we were all tired. I had another one of those headaches. I wished I could've stayed somewhere inside but Bo^/ wanted to take more pictures. I didn't want to complain. At Ellis Island I was pretty disappointed that I couldn't find Mr. Stemp's father's name. I wonder if it was there or somewhere else. I also wonder who that other person with the last name Vuong. It was a long day at the end. Still tired from it. And I'm tired from when Ba?o woke me up at 5am this morning...(Yawn)...Sooo tired...

Trip to the Zoo

Today was the trip to the zoo. It was fun and I saw a lot of different animals and what they did. I saw some meercats or something fighting all of the kids enjoyed it. Only afterwards they started whining "I'm hungryyyyy. When's lunch?". I started getting annoying (excuse me for complaining).
At lunch I bought a hot dog, fries, and a huge jug of lemonade. The lemonade was really good so I poured some into my water bottle. Not sure if I can do that. I don't know.
Later we went to an invertebrate exhibit. We saw a crab being fed half an oyster. The crab was really vicious to it. It was tearing and nabbing ferociously at it. Little after that Ba?o's phone ran out of memory. No more pictures after that.
Later I had to take someone to the very entrance of the zoo for him to catch up with his group which took a long time especially because it was uphill. Then I went all the way down the zoo to the petting zoo. Then all of the back up to the entrance where everybody was waiting for my group to leave. I got a pretty bad headache out of that...

Week 2

A new week started of volunteering. New campers, some new volunteers, and new names to remember. It's the names that really bug me. When I want someone's attention but don't know their name I say "Hey! You!" and that doesn't sound very good to me. I hope I know all of their names soon or they'll get mad...':(

First Week Done!

Today finished the first week of volunteering. It feels great about finishing it and atleast I enjoy this job. I got three more weeks ahead of me. I won't see some of the campers again but maybe next year. I hope to come back on the last day of camp to come to the carnival. I remember going either two or one year ago and had a great time.
Well, I don't have much more to talk about except that Ba?o still doesn't have anything for me to do for the project except for the research which I sort of did. I hope I can do a big part to the project soon like Ti. or Ba?o. Well, that's just about all for now until tomorrow...unless I forget.

The first day

Today was my first day of volunteering. I wasn't so sure if I could really do it as well at first but later on the day I got more used to it. The kids weren't as bad as I thought(except for a few) but I mostly spent time with the older kids. During the time as I was outside, I played four-square with the kids. Those kids were really crazy while playing. Most of the time they were arguing and practically throwing the ball at others. Next time there should be some referee to stop all of the arguing and keep some rules. Overall, today wasn't bad.
Piano was a little frustrating in the end as I was playing. At first I was working on my simplified version of a song. It was fun but I didn't accomplish much. When I was actually playing, I wasn't so good. Now I wished I practiced over the weekend. When I got my piano book, the binder was torn a bit at the spine and all of the sheets were out of the rings. At first I thought it was Me.'s fault but she told me that she found it like that. I wonder what happened.
Later, while I was typing the first paragraph, Bo^/ and Ba?o were fighting. I really wish they will won't do that. It leaves everybody frustrated or scared. I'm not trying to take anyone's sides, either. I'm just mad at both of them to fight like that. I only hope I can find a way for them to stay happy and not start. I wish I knew.