highlights

this past week has been filled with some semi-unorganized training for the summer season. i'm still not quite sure what to expect, but i do know that summer camps will be a lot different. we moved from emerald bay (which is where we've been running camps) to two harbors. i've never lived in a place quite like two harbors. it's a town of about one hundred people...where there is one restaurant, one store, and that's about it. we will be living in a public camp ground that has an absolutely amazing view of the ocean! not kidding...it's stunning. we have to pay for our showers...a quarter for 90 seconds. my goal is to become a pro at a two quarter shower.

as far as the summer program goes, it'll be a little less education-oriented and a little more adventuresome. i'll still be doing a good amount of snorkeling. which, by the way, i went yesterday for the first time at the two harbors location, and it was amazing! i saw a crab, some huge sea hares, a brilliant kelp fish, a sea star, and a tiny garibaldi...along with a heap of other fish. we'll also be doing a lot of sailing. it'll be interesting teaching that, seeing as i've only done it twice now!

i was at the bolsa chica beach earlier this week and saw a dead whale. the thing was huge...although, it was actually pretty small as far as whales are concerned. it was a young one...and probably 20 feet or so. even though i felt bad for the whale, it was quite fascinating to see. it was being swarmed by gulls and was getting tossed around by the waves coming into shore. and oh man, the stench was like none other.

i've been kinda frustrated lately because i feel like my life needs to be simplified a bit. by that i mean that i've got too much stuff...too many possessions. maybe it's just because i'm living the life of a vagabond and my car is packed full of all my things, aside from the one backpack i take to the island. i just realize how many things i really don't need. i'm thankful for it...and i'm glad to simplify...because it almost feels like it drains me...like it drags me down having to cart around all this stuff that doesn't matter all that much anyways. for some reason, it seems to be heavy on my heart.

i've been back on the mainland this weekend...hanging out in laguna beach at sharayah's friend's place. i'm heading back to the island tomorrow for one more week of getting ready for summer camp.

hope ya'll have a great week!