the hills are alive.

i'm so good at NOT blogging, it's really a shame that i try and break that cycle.

i need to just take the leap and not put so much pressure on myself to be this awesome blogger, when in reality, i just want to show off fun stuff i find.

ANYWHO.

we got this notebook in at the store recently, and it caught my eye. now i can't wait to buy it.

{she climbed until she saw composition book. $5.95}

i know, i know, we all need another cute notebook like we need a hole in the head, but there is something about this that really strikes me.

firstly, it's nature-y...which, i love. (in my head i'm really nature-y.) as a result, it reminds me of camp, which is always ideal/essential on rough days.

secondly, i feel like it really speaks to how i approach many things in my life. i climb until i see. i have climbed, i do climb, and you damn well know that i'm climbing in my future. and even if you're not to the top, even if the peak seems eons away, the view doesn't seem all bad from here.

thirdly, this notebook reminds me of one of my greatest accomplishments. it also happens to be the inspiration for my hypothetical future tattoo -- which would be the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of the peak of mount whitney. i backpacked the west side of whitney with a group of diabetic 16 and 17 year olds in summer 2004. at 14,505 feet, it's the highest peak in the contiguous united states. we did it in ten days, hiking over 110 miles. when we started, my pack weighted nearly 90 pounds, and i think it was the sixth time i had ever backpacked. not too shabby, eh? it was truly one of those "i'm just flattered to have been asked [to be staff on this trip]" moments. it was so much fun, and so challenging, and an experience i look forward to repeating. soon.

when cancer is over, i'm doing it again.

so, here it is...the hypothetical tattoo:

36 34'42.9 N

118 17'31.2 W

it will be in honor of past accomplishments and future goals.

now i just need to figure out all those "minor" details including how to get over my crippling fear of needles and whether or not i want to commit to something for the rest of my life.

man, for a notebook that's only $6, i've done a really good job of justifying the purchase.

(the website for the parent company, compendium, has some really cute books and paper goods on it.)

the look: summer 2010

okay, okay. so...this isn't really THE look, it's more like MY look for what my summer is going to consist of.

i pretty much hold it down with all the classics: a well-fitted tee, a little sun protection and my go-to j.crew khaki shorts. i like to consider it the middle ground between the staff that are unshowered in sweatpants, and those that look ridiculous in full hair and make-up, thinking that the middle of the woods is a place where accessories and perfume are required.

for me, i tend to be satisfied if i find a clean shirt, slap some deodorant on, and wash off my feet before sticking them into my sleeping bag. at camp, it really is all about the little things.

1. giants hat 2. rainbows 3. american apparel {sheer jersey short sleeve women's summer t}

4. j.crew {9" chino short} 5. ray-bans {large aviator} 6. straw fedora

7. tom's {ash canvas classic} 8. j.crew {broken-in boyfriend chino short} 9. merrell {siren sport}

flicker of the campfire.

well, it's official. summer 2010 is upon us and i could not be more excited.

this summer, i'm headed up to bearskin meadow camp for the 19th year.

when i was 16 & 17, i was a counselor-in-training at bearskin and can confidently say that it was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. those two summers influenced me to challenge myself and better my life through friendships, teamwork and leadership. it lead to my employment for six of the past seven summers, college admissions, an internship and experiences i never would have pursued otherwise. most significantly, my experience at camp has led to some of the most meaningful relationships i have ever had.

i could not be happier to say that i will be returning this summer. i was offered the position of leader-in-training (the updated cit program) coordinator, and i immediately knew that i had to take the position. it has been my dream since i was 16 to be able to influence teens the way my cit coordinators influenced me (thank you jeff, suzy and tracy). with careful medical schedule planning, and perfect timing for MM & TM's wedding, i was able to make it work. none of it will be easy. i have been interviewing teens for the past few weeks, and the expectations are high. more than anything, my expectations for the program are the ones i have to worry about. because this program has made such a difference in my life, i want it to mean the same thing to the participants.

i will have to take a break at some point during a session to come down the hill to get treatment back here in the city. knowing that, i told JG (my camp boss and previous fellow 2001/2002 cit) that i will need strong support staff that i can rely on when i have to return to the real world for 36 hours. luckily for me, after nearly 5 years, i have reunited with EW, a dear friend from my first summer as cit. i am so happy to have him back in my life, and the even better news is that he has decided to work the program with me, and "inspire the next generation of us" as he likes to say.

i am incredibly excited to spend six weeks of my summer in kings canyon national park and at the place that i will always be able to call home.

national trail mix and toasting marshmallows day.

a veteran s'more maker myself, i can tell you that there are some essential tips to the art of the s'more.

down and dirty, old skool:

warm mallow. between two graham crackers. add chocolate as desired.

fancy pants s'more, martha style.

found on martha stewart.

 a little trick of the trade, consider this investment for true s'more efficiency.

found on rei.

the banana boat

(another personal camping favorite)

1. slice a whole banana, peel on, lengthwise. 

2. leave peel on, and carefully separate, making room for fillings.

3. put marshmallows into the opening.

4. put hershey's chocolate pieces into the opening.

5. sprinkle some brown sugar on top.

6. wrap the entire banana in tin foil.

7. stick on campfire coals (or in the over) for about 7 minutes.

8. check to see if goodies are melted.

9. enjoy!

(other topping ideas: peanut butter, reese's, nuts, m&ms, fresh fruit, whipped cream)

woody

inspired by a potential camping trip this weekend, i think it is more than appropiate the share one of my latest obsessions:

wood grain.

i bought this great packaging tape today, and i can't wait to get some more designs. i'll have to find more excuses to send packages now. (not that i'm complaining.)

found on tapeswell.

love. love. love.

found on miniot.

as usual, pottery barn hits the mark. i wish that i could find a good spot for this in my apartment:

found on pottery barn.

keeping squeaky clean never looked this good.

found on gianna rose atelier.

and it's (k)not wood just fuels my fire.