What's the Crack?

hahaha. If you are confused by the title, just know that it is an Irish way to say 'How's it going?"

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

I have so many f@!*in' pictures to post, I think I will do it in parts. And not yet, because I feel like I've had my head slammed against the wall. Stupid jet lag.

Tune in soon.

Au Revoir!!!

Dude, I have major butterflies in my stomach!

I leave TOMORROW for my trip to Paris, London and Ireland (Galway)!!!!!!!!

That is so ballin.'

Talk to you gangstas in a couple weeks...

XOXO, Ash

The Story of Zach Morris

Yesterday, I closed a chapter on a stressful summer job, and all the while I was still sad that I was saying goodbye to some kiddies. This shows that working with kids is, indeed, for me.

Stressful, challenging, overwhelming, exhausting at times...but always rewarding.

My favorite kid of the whole summer was my little friend Zach. Well, he was older (fourth grade) than my usual favorites (kindergarten). All the girls called him Zach Efron because of his haircut, not to mention his natural charm (those girls better watch out!). However, I called him Zach Morris, explaining the superiority of Morris over Efron.

With an adorable hug he always said, "Ashley you're my favorite," and snuck into my group each week (they were supposed to be in different groups every week). The funniest moments were when he tried to wrestle me to the ground (apparently all the boys were on a mission to do this). That's when I employed my dad (a past wrestler) to show me some simple wrestling moves. Those boys didn't stand a chance. ha.

While all of this sounds very simple, it's funny how those simple moments made my day when I thought I couldn't take the stress any longer.

Two days ago, I talked to Zach's mom when she was picking him up, and told her how I called him Zach Morris. She replied, " Well, actually, my husband and I were a big fan of Saved By the Bell and he was named after Zach Morris."

haha! I was calling him the right name all along.

She then offered me a babysitting job, to which I said, "Hmmm...not sure if I have much time for babysitting, but I'd love to come to some of his basketball games."

Still, it was hard to say goodbye to Zach yesterday, my last day at camp...and I'm realizing how this is the hardest part of working with children. You always have to let go and say goodbye, hoping that they will grow up the right way, still keeping that innocent charm I love so much about them.

But to be a part of their life for a brilliantly-fleeting moment, that's something really special, too. I'll hold onto that.

Robert Pattinson and I are lovers...

Create your own FACEinHOLE

Didn't you know that?!?

Taking on Evil Robots, and Evil Jobs

Last night, I had a dream about giant evil robots (with smoke coming out of their heads) trying to take over the world, and it was my duty to stop them.

Weird. What the hell does a dream like that mean?

I've been oh-so-worn-out recently, but I'm holding on for dear life. It excites me to know that I am going to Europe in a week-and-a-half. That keeps me hanging on. This summer job has nearly killed me (I still can't stand my director's disorganization!), but it's almost done...almost.

I will miss some of the kids (you were right, Anthony, new kids bring new charm)...but that is ALL I will miss, really.

One more week of it. One more. I can do this!

Heart Attack on the Dance Floor

I just about had a heart-attack last night when I went dancing, and met the DJ of my dreams...

He played:

• SMOKEY ROBINSON!!! I freaked out!!! ("Tears of a Clown")
  
• Marvin Gaye (ohhhhhhh yeahhhhhh)
• Michael Jackson (Five songs in a row, to be exact)
  
• Tons of early 90's grooves

I was HYPERVENTILATING after dancing like crazy, and had to leave around midnight (Cinderella, much?) because I was already exhausted at that point.

I went up to the DJ and said, "You just played Smokey and Marvin, and I officially love you."

Here are some pictures:
Smiling that Smokey is playing (notice my friend Beth makin' out in the background...caught ya)

Dancing Fools!

FIRE!!!!

Dancing in heels can be quite painful, FYI. I am on the left, I've gotten tan...woo hoo!

Looking After the Fray

I'm about to fall asleep, even though it's only 9:00 pm. This job is wearing me out!!! However, I feel like I've been neglecting this blog just a wee bit, so here's a post...

About The Fray Concert!!! They. sounded. amazing. Seriously, it was one of the best concerts I've been to!! There are certain bands that just sound better live.

The best song, by far (in my opinion, which means the most, of course) is "Look After You." Ahhhhhhh, it was so damn beautiful to listen to live, I was freakin' out. Here is the song and lyrics in case you're curious:



If I don't say this now I will surely break
As I'm leaving the one I want to take
Forgive the urgency but hurry up and wait
My heart has started to separate

Oh, oh,
Be my baby
Ohhhhh
Oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you

There now, steady love, so few come and don't go
Will you won't you, be the one I'll always know
When I'm losing my control, the city spins around
You're the only one who knows, you slow it down

Oh, oh
Be my baby
Ohhhhhh
Oh, oh
Be my Baby
I'll look after you
And I'll look after you

If ever there was a doubt
My love she leans into me
This most assuredly counts
She says most assuredly

Oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you
After You
Oh, oh
Be my baby
Ohhhhh

It's always have and never hold
You've begun to feel like home
What's mine is yours to leave or take
What's mine is yours to make your own

Oh, oh
Be my baby
Ohhhhh
Oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you

Can You Follow Me?

Called in sick to work today...am I sick, though? Not really, just knew I needed a day of rest.

Random thought: It's always funny to find out old school friends have become lesbians. Straight-turned-gay boys don't really surprise me. Lesbians do.

Rode around with my sis today. Destination: nowhere. Our purpose was just to drive (she's from Santa Barbara, and I don't see her often).

I feel random today, can you tell?

Life is but a series of random pearls strung onto a string and made into something worth it.

Side note: Being random puts me in an extra cheesy mood.

Update: I'm going to the Fray concert tonight. Heck Yes!

Traveling Makes the Stress Better

I pinpointed what has been stressing me out at work so much--my director is extremely unorganized. This is an issue everyday!!! When you are unorganized with kids, they have to wait for activities to come together. Waiting=boredom. Boredom=mischief. Mischief=good kids become devil children.

Because when it comes down to it, the kids still make my day. The director brings my day wayyyyyyyy down. AND, it's not like I've sat idly by. I've given this guy tips on how to make the program run smoother, to which he responds, "Oh yeah, great suggestion!," then doesn't change a thing.

Grrrrrrr. It's ok, only 3 more weeks. 3 more weeks and then...MY VACATION!

Remember I mentioned couchsurfing.org before? Well, in addition to looking for places to stay in France with this system, I opened my home up to let foreigners stay with me. So when the beginning of August gets here, so do two German girls...two German girls staying with me! yay!

Maybe I can persuade them to cook me a German dinner...mwahaha!

All Mixed Up

Ever have those days where you feel withdrawn from life? I had one of those days yesterday, and for no reason. Does that make sense? Well, maybe not for no reason...but for no particular reason. There are some nights where I feel that my life is at a standstill, and that makes me all angsty.

I'm doing want I want...working with kids (summer camp), but not in the way that I want (teaching). And am I sure that I want to do teaching? Like, am I positive? I thought I was, but this camp is throwing me through a bit of a loop...maybe because it is completely exhausting physically.

I just feel like sometimes I can't make up my mind. AND that is completely annoying.

Also, come to find out that a dear friend of mine is feeling depressed, and that a new roommate of mine is bi-polar. MAN...I didn't even know anything about bi-polar disorder until now!!!

This situation is extremely frustrating for me--a person that always wants to help others as MUCH as possible. It seems next to impossible to help someone with a disorder...nor is it my place.

Hmmm...

Life, I am shaking my fist at you (for the moment)!!

***

Yes, yes. I know it will get better. My optimism is hard to suppress.

Chunnel, Baby!

This is how I'm getting to London from France on my European trip:

I'm going UNDER the freakin channel between England and France!!!!!

Sooo...this will be an experience. *excited and a little scared*