Chris M.
This morning the bell from the lodge rang three times at 7:30 AM. I woke up and got ready quickly, because it was my day to be “waitress,” and I had to set the table with mismatched silverware and locally grown food and a tin pitcher of orange juice.
I’m at an all-girls camp in the middle of nowhere. It’s surrounded by trees, and there’s no electricity except for in the office, which is where people file documents or make emergency calls or do other things. I’ve made arrangements to write my Rookie diary in the office once a week.
It’s my vacation from the world. I don’t have to think about anything. I don’t even have to think about food, which is unusual. My relationship with food isn’t great, but here I have a preset diet that they will make you eat, so it’s stupid to even bother worrying about it. I am being so active that I don’t worry about gaining weight…something I know I shouldn’t be worrying about anyway, but can’t seem to help at home. I don’t even worry about other people not liking me here, because I just feel like they do.
The camp play is going to be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and I am going to audition for the role of Violet. I am really excited about the musical, which will be my own adaptation of A Very Potter Musical. I will audition for the part of Draco Malfoy.
I am also excited for archery. I love to hear the arrow whizzing through space and watch it puncture the target. When I shoot, I feel as fast and powerful as the arrow flying through the air.
I am free here. I do whatever I want. I keep a diary but don’t have to feel obligated to write full entries that start with “dear diary” and end with my name. Sometimes I write one word. Sometimes I write pages.
When I let go of all my rigorous responsibilities, such as writing exactly a page in my diary each day, I am much less stressed and upset in general. Being here makes it easier to get excited about such things as a camp play. In fact, I don’t really have a choice. There’s nothing to worry about. This place is wonderful. ♦