segunda-feira, 11 de julho de 2011
Sunday chill out and room clean up
Today evryone got to sleep in, which means to sleep till later. That meant we would miss breakfast, but our counselor made sure we had lunch bags to eat around 11:30. Before doing that, all counselors went around checking rooms and having kids do proper tidying and cleaning. All the gargage was taken out and other things were provided for the week to come. Only after all the adventure campers got the OK for their room could we leave for lunch.
The afternoon was spent at the village. We went to the movies, one group to see "Transformers" and the other to see "Horrible Bosses", and later we just hung out, did some more shopping and, of course, the must stop at Starbucks. The best part of this all is that our kids are already blending with the other adventure buddies. So the girls have been hanging out with some French and French Canadian boys, while the boys are mixing with the Italian, Mexican, French and Spanish. A true fruit salad with very good Englsih taste! What I want to say is that English is really becoming our common ground, to the point that our counselor will have them pick up garbage if they swear in the language. That's how far they've gone into speaking it. To me that's just pure delight, I don't even care if they're swearing, they're just reprograming their minds.
In the evening, after dinner, we went to Lost Lake for some soccer and frisbee. I guess you can figure out who played one and the other. Only this time the girls had the French boys join them in the frisbee. Great fun with a beautiful view in the background. They even say there's a beaver in the lake; real Hollywood movie stuff we don't believe actually exists, but it does, in Canada.
Our next adventures should be rock climbing and swimming at another lake, so keep in touch.
Lia
The afternoon was spent at the village. We went to the movies, one group to see "Transformers" and the other to see "Horrible Bosses", and later we just hung out, did some more shopping and, of course, the must stop at Starbucks. The best part of this all is that our kids are already blending with the other adventure buddies. So the girls have been hanging out with some French and French Canadian boys, while the boys are mixing with the Italian, Mexican, French and Spanish. A true fruit salad with very good Englsih taste! What I want to say is that English is really becoming our common ground, to the point that our counselor will have them pick up garbage if they swear in the language. That's how far they've gone into speaking it. To me that's just pure delight, I don't even care if they're swearing, they're just reprograming their minds.
In the evening, after dinner, we went to Lost Lake for some soccer and frisbee. I guess you can figure out who played one and the other. Only this time the girls had the French boys join them in the frisbee. Great fun with a beautiful view in the background. They even say there's a beaver in the lake; real Hollywood movie stuff we don't believe actually exists, but it does, in Canada.
Our next adventures should be rock climbing and swimming at another lake, so keep in touch.
Lia
domingo, 10 de julho de 2011
sábado, 9 de julho de 2011
Camping is cool!
And so the real adventure begins... We just came back from our camping trip at Cat Lake, an unbelievable place surrounded by pine trees and with crystal clear water that looks like a mirror. We arrived there around 11:00 am, just when the other group (Lucas, Stéfano, Victória and Camila) were leaving. They left the tents up for us, which surely helped us settle in. We left our things in our tents and set out hiking around the lake. It was good for warming up, for the day wasn't too hot and the sun was struggling to get through the clouds. When we came back we had lunch - ham and cheese sandwiches - and later went down to the lake to check if the water would be suitable for swimming. Well, it was too cold outside and we decidded to play games there instead: detective, follow the beat and other ones.
Around 5:00 pm we started to light up our campfire. It took a bit of work at the beginning but with everyone's help we managed to make good fire to warm us up and cook our dinner: hotdogs and marshmallows! Delicous!
The night was cold and a bit noisy with the other campers on the site, so we were all sort of run down in the morning. Good thing we had bagels and nutella for breakfast. All healthy stuff, as you can see. But adventure demands energy and that menas good yummy calories. We also have to pack up some energy for our next trip on Wednesday.
Well, now back to our residence, we had lunch, unpacked and went down to the village to chill out. And tonight is Saturday Disco Time! And it's the 80s! That would be my generation, so we'll be dancing some good Michael Jackson, New Order and Madonna!
Tomorrow is more of a cool day, so we'll probably go to the movies or something and just hang out here.
Keep in touch,
Lia
Around 5:00 pm we started to light up our campfire. It took a bit of work at the beginning but with everyone's help we managed to make good fire to warm us up and cook our dinner: hotdogs and marshmallows! Delicous!
The night was cold and a bit noisy with the other campers on the site, so we were all sort of run down in the morning. Good thing we had bagels and nutella for breakfast. All healthy stuff, as you can see. But adventure demands energy and that menas good yummy calories. We also have to pack up some energy for our next trip on Wednesday.
Well, now back to our residence, we had lunch, unpacked and went down to the village to chill out. And tonight is Saturday Disco Time! And it's the 80s! That would be my generation, so we'll be dancing some good Michael Jackson, New Order and Madonna!
Tomorrow is more of a cool day, so we'll probably go to the movies or something and just hang out here.
Keep in touch,
Lia
sexta-feira, 8 de julho de 2011
Fish and Shoppings
Yesterday our group - Ricardo, Isabella, Guilherme, Felipe, Mariana and Rafael - went to Vancouver for a day trip. We visited the beautiful aquarium at Stanley Park, had lunch bags with sandwich and juice, and later went to what students had been the most hungry for: SHOPPING! It was great fun and I haven't been very necessary as a chaperone; they just leave on their own and how to get around and shop much better than myself. They find stores and malls that I'd take some hours to realize. Good for them! You should have seen Felipe talking to the salesman at Future Shop to ask about all these fancy details of a camera flash and lens, and finally explain the whole situation he would be back in a couple of weeks and since he was going back to Whistler, it wouldn't be wise to purchase it yet. These guys are in trouble when they're back in Brazil, I'm not going to let them speak any more Portuguese! They're too good to be wasted!
Well, the other group - Camila, Lucas, Victória and Stéfano - are coming back from their camping trip around lunch time and should be chilling out this afternoon to rest from the adventure overnight. I'm sure they'll have good stories to tell. I'l inform you later of that.
I must apologize for the lack of photos, but I've been trying non-stop to upload them and the system ends up crashing and then my only solution is to close it. Today I'm going to try something Tania suggested. I truly hope it works!
My next post will probably be only on Saturday evening, but stay tuned for more.
Lia
Well, the other group - Camila, Lucas, Victória and Stéfano - are coming back from their camping trip around lunch time and should be chilling out this afternoon to rest from the adventure overnight. I'm sure they'll have good stories to tell. I'l inform you later of that.
I must apologize for the lack of photos, but I've been trying non-stop to upload them and the system ends up crashing and then my only solution is to close it. Today I'm going to try something Tania suggested. I truly hope it works!
My next post will probably be only on Saturday evening, but stay tuned for more.
Lia
quinta-feira, 7 de julho de 2011
Trip preparation and cold swimming
The day began smooth with a visit to the village to buy food for our coming 2-day camping trip. Good food! Hotdogs, ham, cheese, Nutella, peanut butter and to drink, water. Yummy... After that, everyone had to share in carrying the shopping bags up the hill back to the residence dorms.
After lunch we were taken by bus to a place near Logger's Lake, but naturally we didn't take the easy way. We went hiking on a trail, up and down the woods, over a bouncy wooden bridge, down a dirt road and back on a trail until we finally got to the beautiful site. The water, that was meant to be a lot warmer than the other lake we'd been to, was around 12o C. At first there were few volunteers to enter the water, but Stéfano got others psyched up and at the end Lucas and Rafael joined in the fun. You can imagine only boys tried it out, girls just watched and enjoyed a bit of sunbathing. It was funny to wathch them all screaming as they swam or jumped in the water with a rope swing. On our way back, we took the easier way by the road to get to the bus in time.
Back to the dorms, we had some short time to ease off before dinner. Right now the kids are out on a scavenger hunt shooting photos of themselves, which they later will have to present to the counselors. I hear great cheering downstairs, so they should be having good fun.
Tomorrow our group splits in 2 so we can make our camping trips safely. My group will be going to Vancouver for the day and the other will be going on their camping trip to Cat Lake. I can still communicate with you tomorrow, but don't expect another post on Friday and Saturday, when I'll be out camping. Still, don't worry, I'll be back with great news.
See you then and wish us good fun,
Lia
After lunch we were taken by bus to a place near Logger's Lake, but naturally we didn't take the easy way. We went hiking on a trail, up and down the woods, over a bouncy wooden bridge, down a dirt road and back on a trail until we finally got to the beautiful site. The water, that was meant to be a lot warmer than the other lake we'd been to, was around 12o C. At first there were few volunteers to enter the water, but Stéfano got others psyched up and at the end Lucas and Rafael joined in the fun. You can imagine only boys tried it out, girls just watched and enjoyed a bit of sunbathing. It was funny to wathch them all screaming as they swam or jumped in the water with a rope swing. On our way back, we took the easier way by the road to get to the bus in time.
Back to the dorms, we had some short time to ease off before dinner. Right now the kids are out on a scavenger hunt shooting photos of themselves, which they later will have to present to the counselors. I hear great cheering downstairs, so they should be having good fun.
Tomorrow our group splits in 2 so we can make our camping trips safely. My group will be going to Vancouver for the day and the other will be going on their camping trip to Cat Lake. I can still communicate with you tomorrow, but don't expect another post on Friday and Saturday, when I'll be out camping. Still, don't worry, I'll be back with great news.
See you then and wish us good fun,
Lia
terça-feira, 5 de julho de 2011
And the real stuff begins...
When we thought we were just doing great walking to the lake, looking at bears or visiting the village for some shopping, well...the real adventure began today. Real stuff!
We started out rock climbing at a high rock wall about 15 minutes away from here by bus. Guess what? 100% of the girls tried it out and showed how strong and skilled they are. Boys also did great and managed to get all the way to the top. As for me, there was no time left to try, but I took the photos and did the good cheering back on the ground. I'll post them soon, it's just been so busy and I've been struggling with time and tiredness at night. But I promise to do it asap.
After lunch we started what we could never dream would be coming. We went up this really steep and high mountain with no trail until we could find snow. In other words, we practically reached the top. It was exhausting for us all and demanded more than just good will. We had to overcome bad thoughts, muscle pain, breathlessness and that irresistable desire to just stop and go back. Well, it was all worth it. Every time we stopped to rest, we would look back and see this ridge of snow mountains in the back and this grassy slope we had just climbed. A heavenly view! And when we finally hit the snow, it was time for snow ball fights and "skibunda" or tobogany down the snow with plastic bags or just your plain bottom. Great fun!
And when we thought we would go down headed home, we toook a left way and ended up at the ski lifts and why not, got a ride dwon on the lift with this undescribable view to look at, including a bear cub!
Now it's dinner and village, if we still have legs to go down and then up, up, up again.
I read your happy comments and will share them with the kids, now that I managed to install internet in my computer. Keep tuned for the photos I'll post most probably tonight.
Lia
We started out rock climbing at a high rock wall about 15 minutes away from here by bus. Guess what? 100% of the girls tried it out and showed how strong and skilled they are. Boys also did great and managed to get all the way to the top. As for me, there was no time left to try, but I took the photos and did the good cheering back on the ground. I'll post them soon, it's just been so busy and I've been struggling with time and tiredness at night. But I promise to do it asap.
After lunch we started what we could never dream would be coming. We went up this really steep and high mountain with no trail until we could find snow. In other words, we practically reached the top. It was exhausting for us all and demanded more than just good will. We had to overcome bad thoughts, muscle pain, breathlessness and that irresistable desire to just stop and go back. Well, it was all worth it. Every time we stopped to rest, we would look back and see this ridge of snow mountains in the back and this grassy slope we had just climbed. A heavenly view! And when we finally hit the snow, it was time for snow ball fights and "skibunda" or tobogany down the snow with plastic bags or just your plain bottom. Great fun!
And when we thought we would go down headed home, we toook a left way and ended up at the ski lifts and why not, got a ride dwon on the lift with this undescribable view to look at, including a bear cub!
Now it's dinner and village, if we still have legs to go down and then up, up, up again.
I read your happy comments and will share them with the kids, now that I managed to install internet in my computer. Keep tuned for the photos I'll post most probably tonight.
Lia
Trip and arrival!
Hello, dear parents and friends,
Our trip was a bit long, as expected, but absolutely smooth in regard to airport, immigration, security, gates, terminal and everything that comes with traveling by plane. My buddies are just what I thought they would be: "descolados" and wired on everything that's around them. So, it was more me following them than the other way around. You should see these people going through Customs alone and very calmly talking to the officer, and some even getting these serious workers to smile or laugh at a funny remark. I must tell you, the only nervous moments I had were left in Guarulhos, because the rest was just smooth sailing.
We arrived in Whistler around 5 pm and went to the dorms to get settled in. At 6 pm we had dinner (that`s dinner time everyday), and after that we were taken by bus to a training field to play some games and integrate. We were really tired from the trip and all, but we had a great time.
OUR FIRST DAY!
We had breakfast and went hiking at Lost Lake, the most beautiful scenario, with this fantastic shiny lake and the snowy mountains in the back. Awesome view!
After lunch, we had to train for camping and put up our tents, got our backpacks prepared and that was it. I must say we were pretty fast with the tents; I'd say we're pretty skilled in that area. Girls were the best!
In the afternoon we went to the village, which kids had been dreaming about doing. And of course they bought all this junk food to eat back at the dorms. Rafael and his gang are cooking some pasta and hamburgers tonight. They say they want to eat again after 10 pm. Ricardo finally bought his Gold Fish snack he`d been endlessly been talking about. And the girls got make up and all, you know, although we`re doing adventure, looking pretty is absolutely essential.
Right now we`re at a school playing ball in the gym and writing emails. Everyone very active and every time more integrated with our Adventure Group - The Explorers.
I must go now but will try to get my computer hooked to internet soon and upload the pictures taken up to the moment.
I can only say it`s been amazing and from what I hear, the fun has jsut begun, so stay tuned!
Lia
Our trip was a bit long, as expected, but absolutely smooth in regard to airport, immigration, security, gates, terminal and everything that comes with traveling by plane. My buddies are just what I thought they would be: "descolados" and wired on everything that's around them. So, it was more me following them than the other way around. You should see these people going through Customs alone and very calmly talking to the officer, and some even getting these serious workers to smile or laugh at a funny remark. I must tell you, the only nervous moments I had were left in Guarulhos, because the rest was just smooth sailing.
We arrived in Whistler around 5 pm and went to the dorms to get settled in. At 6 pm we had dinner (that`s dinner time everyday), and after that we were taken by bus to a training field to play some games and integrate. We were really tired from the trip and all, but we had a great time.
OUR FIRST DAY!
We had breakfast and went hiking at Lost Lake, the most beautiful scenario, with this fantastic shiny lake and the snowy mountains in the back. Awesome view!
After lunch, we had to train for camping and put up our tents, got our backpacks prepared and that was it. I must say we were pretty fast with the tents; I'd say we're pretty skilled in that area. Girls were the best!
In the afternoon we went to the village, which kids had been dreaming about doing. And of course they bought all this junk food to eat back at the dorms. Rafael and his gang are cooking some pasta and hamburgers tonight. They say they want to eat again after 10 pm. Ricardo finally bought his Gold Fish snack he`d been endlessly been talking about. And the girls got make up and all, you know, although we`re doing adventure, looking pretty is absolutely essential.
Right now we`re at a school playing ball in the gym and writing emails. Everyone very active and every time more integrated with our Adventure Group - The Explorers.
I must go now but will try to get my computer hooked to internet soon and upload the pictures taken up to the moment.
I can only say it`s been amazing and from what I hear, the fun has jsut begun, so stay tuned!
Lia
domingo, 3 de julho de 2011
A Hora do Embarque
Apesar das filas enormes, todos estavam dentro do avião ontem às 22:40. Boa viagem à todos! Será uma experiência inesquecível!
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sexta-feira, 1 de julho de 2011
New beginnings!
And here starts an exciting journey for our senior students at See-Saw Panamby Bilingual School, just 3 days prior to our graduation trip to Whistler/Vancouver, Canada. I am their counselor, English teacher and from now on their safe shoulder in the 3 weeks to come. I’d like everyone to share in their impressions in this space, and that means the students themselves, their parents, people back at school, people who are on vacation, ex-dear-students and everyone who feels like taking part in our adventure.
As for me, I have butterflies in my stomach and can’t wait to be on board with my great 10: Lucas, Isabella, Victória, Guilherme, Mariana, Felipe, Rafael, Camila, Stéfano and Ricardo. With me that makes 11 and this is the year 2011. I guess luck’s blowing our way…
Lia Armelin
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