I've learned a number of useful lessons working with Pathfinders. For example, I've recently learned about swagg. Swagg is a word the kids use to describe what's cool, but I think it's more than just a synonym for the word cool. The kids often use the word beast in place of the word cool.
According to Urban Dictionary, swagg is "mostly known as style," a "unique part of what makes you different than the other players in a cool way." I've learned that mismatched socks and cartoon-themed backpacks are swagg.
Our last Pathfinder camping trip entailed a lot of talk about swagg. I mockingly asked Chris if one could have swagg by accident. Later that afternoon, one of the staff members layered hoodies because he was cold. The kids told the staff member that his layered hoodies were swagg. Or maybe the kids said the staff member had swagg. Quite honestly, I'm not really sure how to use the word properly, but I'm certain that improper use of the word is a sure sign that one lacks swagg. In any event, I now know that one can have swagg by accident.
In all honestly, I don't really care if I use the word swagg properly or not. It is not a word that I use on a daily basis, I do not like mismatched socks or cartoon backpacks, and I own only one hoodie. I am happy, however, that the kids are comfortable enough to be themselves around me. That's beast.
Friday, March 16, 2012
"Camping"
I like to go camping. I like to go camping in beautiful places. I really like to go "camping" in nice cabins with hot showers. The last camping trip I took involved a beautiful place and nice cabins with hot showers. It was awesome!
But the weather was cold, so we enjoyed the scenery from the comfort of our dry clothes.
A crystal clear river ran along a cliff on one side of the camp.
The water was very tempting.
But the weather was cold, so we enjoyed the scenery from the comfort of our dry clothes.
It was a good camping trip.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Spring Break Fever
Spring break has certainly arrived. One of my pathfinders, who is 14, asked me where I am going this week for spring break. I told him that I am not going anywhere because I don't have a spring break. He was shocked. When I told him that adults who work do not have a spring break, he told me that his teacher has spring break. I rephrased: Most adults who do not work at a school do not have a spring break. He asked who I work for and then asked other staff members, "Did you know Kim's employer does not give her a spring break?!?!?!?"
Living downtown has a lot of perks, but spring break is not one of them. A deluge of vacationers has overtaken the river, sidewalks, and restaurants. They are easy to identity - wearing backpacks and shorts, camera in hand, kids in tow. The crowds don't bother me so much. What gets to me is the way they unknowingly flaunt their happy and carefree state of vacation as I drive to and from work. I am overwhelmingly aware of how much I miss spring break.
Living downtown has a lot of perks, but spring break is not one of them. A deluge of vacationers has overtaken the river, sidewalks, and restaurants. They are easy to identity - wearing backpacks and shorts, camera in hand, kids in tow. The crowds don't bother me so much. What gets to me is the way they unknowingly flaunt their happy and carefree state of vacation as I drive to and from work. I am overwhelmingly aware of how much I miss spring break.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Pine Car Derby
The pathfinder club I work with recently participated in an area wide pine car derby. As the boys designed flashy race cars, I took a more feminine approach. After many hours of work, I am proud to introduce you to the Barbie car:
In case you don't know, the car started as this:
Now you're impressed, right?!?!?
Not surprisingly, Chris played a major role in building the Barbie car. Without his skills and attention to detail, the car would look substantially less impressive. Substantially.
On race day, Barbie lined up next to her rival, the only other car built by a staff member from our pathfinder club.
During one of the heats, Barbie's rival lost a weight. The weight landed in Barbie's lane, causing her to spin out of control and look like nothing more than a pretty blonde who can't drive. Luckily, the judges discovered the debris on the track and re-ran the heat.
Did Barbie advance past the first round of races? Of course not. She was built for beauty, not speed. Barbie didn't even win the best-in-show trophy, a title normally associated with Barbie's image. She's okay, though. Best-in-show appropriately went to one of the kids who built a marine-life themed car, complete with glittery aqua waves and a plastic dolphin. Barbie knows the race was really about the kids. Staff members like me were just happy for an excuse to relive our childhood for a day.
Not surprisingly, Chris played a major role in building the Barbie car. Without his skills and attention to detail, the car would look substantially less impressive. Substantially.
On race day, Barbie lined up next to her rival, the only other car built by a staff member from our pathfinder club.
Did Barbie advance past the first round of races? Of course not. She was built for beauty, not speed. Barbie didn't even win the best-in-show trophy, a title normally associated with Barbie's image. She's okay, though. Best-in-show appropriately went to one of the kids who built a marine-life themed car, complete with glittery aqua waves and a plastic dolphin. Barbie knows the race was really about the kids. Staff members like me were just happy for an excuse to relive our childhood for a day.
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