“Are you having fun?”
The Small One sounds older than his nine years at the other end of the line. Is it possible that he could have aged significantly in the four days that I have been gone?
I brush that thought aside and answer his question. ”Sure, it’s fun. I’m learning a lot.”
“Learning? Like in school?” His voice is suddenly filled with skepticism. ”Then it can’t be that fun.”
“No…it’s not like school,” I clarify. ”It’s more like…like…”
“Like a camp?” He offers.
“Yes…more like camp, I suppose.”
This seems to resonate with him. We chat about other things for a few minutes before saying goodbye. And after I’ve hung up, I think about his question.
This place is, indeed, like camp.
I rise early from my sleeping quarters
And hike a familiar path to my destination.
Summer is in full bloom here, and I enjoy the trek.
On every walk, I take note of some lovely sight that I hadn’t seen the day before.
Eventually, I make my way to the place where I gather with the others.
Formality plays no part in this equation. Comfort is the rule of thumb.
Here we learn
And create. And make connections that span continents and that that will last a lifetime.
Sometimes I catch myself gazing at the landscape that sprawls before me. I take time to enjoy the view. Everyone knows that camp is a temporary arrangement.
For this? I am thankful.
Because as much as I’m soaking in this experience…
I look forward to my return in three and a half weeks.
Inspired by a prompt from Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop: What does June look like in your neck of the woods?
Hope your time away is fun and rewarding for you! (But it is always great to come back home, too!)
Super rewarding already. Hosted Kludgymom’s webinar last night {did you attend?}…nice to be able to do it while sitting across the table from my boss instead of across the country.
Sue, this sounds so awesome!!!
(Kate from Mommy Monologues)
Wait…Project Hermosa? New digs? Heading over to check you out, lady!
YOU DON’T HAVE TO FIX DINNER FOR THREE AND A HALF WEEKS?!
Mmm hmmmm…there are a lot of things about this gig that most definitely do not suck, Dyanne.
What a wonderful experience! I enjoyed seeing the photos.
Yup…missing you…sure you don’t have any biz to do out here?
I kid you NOT….I almost titled your music mix “camp tunes”. Hug!
Awwww….of course you {almost} did. xoxo
This sounds awesome, Sue! After clicking around to see what it is that you are doing exactly, I say kudos to you! And all those things you said about what being a good mom could very well mean, I totally agree with. I’m not a mom, but as a daughter, I can totally appreciate all those things
It’s an experience for sure, Anna. Five days into it, I have a HUGE appreciation for the startup world. Long hours but infinite rewards to be gained! It’s exciting to be a part of it.
Have a great time away, I like those boots………………
Thank you, Jo-Anne! My dear friend back home owns a boutique and helped me pack for CA casual. Check her out: oootra.com.
This is a month-long gig? Wowza! You’re hitting the big time now–cowboy boots and all. Go get ‘em.
LOVE me some casual work atmosphere. And it’s a three-month gig…it was a compromise I worked out to only come for a month.
[...] You’re standing at the locked door to the 500 Startups office. It looks like so. What do you [...]