This past week or two has honestly been pretty tough. Mostly because I’m flat exhausted due to working so much. I have one more day of work, then I’ll have a day off. And the rest of the week is a bit lighter. In twelve days, I’ve had one day off. That isn’t normal… Normally I will get two days off. Our shift leader has been out of the country, and we have not had one day without guests in a couple of weeks.
We are about to get into more of a routine in a few weeks. School starts soon, and we are switching from summer camps to Outdoor Education and retreats. These won’t be as chaotic for us in the kitchen, thankfully. The groups also tend to be smaller than camps.
I keep wondering if I can handle this job long-term, then I’m reminded that we are almost done with the hardest season. I just happened to start during the hardest season… I went from 0 to 100. I was sitting around most of the time before I started working. I currently have a daily average steps of 10,385 in the past 7 days. This is JUST from working, not from any running or intentional walks (with one day off in which I got less than half of that). I haven’t been able to exercise. I’m not just on my feet, but I am physically active the whole time. I’m just too exhausted.
I have gained a few pounds which is honestly kind of annoying since I’m really active every day. I’m also eating camp food every day, so there’s that. But I am no longer even eating snacks, and I’m moving a lot. Robert said that maybe it’s just that I’m getting older… he’s not wrong. He has been gaining as well. He used to be stick thin, and now he’s filling out a bit (which I honestly like). But it happens.
I’m ready to be able to focus on something else other than work. Again, I love my job, but I’m just worn out… and I do have a life outside of work. I am looking forward to trying to get back into exercising and nutrition (in a more sustainable way of course). I am looking forward to having days off to myself. The boys are both going to school full time, and I’m looking forward to the routine that comes with that (and the days to myself when I’m off). I’m excited about fall coming. This week, the high temps will be in the 70s most of the week. This is one of MANY reasons why I love Colorado. I’m excited about snow coming in a few months. Another reason I love living here. I just love my little life… it’s honestly a dream.
I never knew how much I would love working in the kitchen at camp. It has been surprising to be honest. I knew I would enjoy it to an extent, and I was excited about having something outside of my home to do and focus on. It has exceeded my expectations. I think the fact that I really enjoy the people that I work with makes all the difference. I never had great experiences as a teacher. Most of my co-workers were so difficult to work with, and I didn’t really develop friendships with people that I worked with. Of course, I am currently working with mostly teenagers, but I love that this is really my ministry. The teenagers. I also love the full time staff in general. They are all very supportive and encouraging and great to be around. There is no drama. It’s just so refreshing to me.
So. I will just keep trucking through these hard days knowing that it’ll get better. Camp work is never a normal 40 hour week, but I also know that things aren’t nearly as crazy here as they are at our last camp.
I honestly never thought I’d work full time at camp. I just assumed any work that I did would be outside of camp. I’m not sure why I felt that way. I didn’t think I’d want to work in the kitchen, honestly. And there aren’t a ton of options here for jobs. But God knew what I needed and knew what I would want even when I didn’t. It all happened so quickly and seamlessly. I’m just grateful.
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