Something interesting I did this summer: I was a counselor at a Christian athletic camp called Camp Ozark. I must have overlooked the athletic part when I applied, but was quickly made aware of that little caveat when I arrived for orientation and was expected to participate in sports and be good at them. Now its not like I'm completely unathletic - I cheered competitively for almost 12 years - but I had never played basketball before and now I was expected to coach it. It was really a hilarious experience. I definitely believe that you should, if you have the opportunity, work at a summer camp. It's an experience every college kid should have before graduating!
As I mentioned, I work in childcare which is a pretty big part of my life. So about 75% of the things that come out of my mouth (that don't have to do with Harry Potter or Once Upon a Time) start with "Okay so one of my kids -" I post about the crazy shenanigans I experience at work on my Facebook page from time to time. I've worked with every age group and my favorite are still probably my infants. I've been moving classrooms a lot recently just because of my other summer job and my school schedule. Right now I'm in the 3s classroom (dun dun duuuuuun!). We'll see how that works out for me.
I hope this post has given you at least a little bit of a sense of who I am! Thunder UP!
Hi Jada! After reading your introduction blog post, which was very entertaining to read, I realized that we have quite a few things in common! I am a Health and Exercise Science major. Even though I don't have to take as many science classes as you, I understand how you feel! But, I love science, and I love my major.
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoy Zumba, and have been considering getting my certification! So if you have any tips for pursuing a Zumba certification, I would appreciate them!
I have also worked as a summer camp counselor. I worked for Lifetime Fitness as a day camp counselor. I agree it is something that everyone should experience, especially if they are considering having children!
Jada, I really enjoyed reading your post! I love that you bring a lot of personality and humor to your blog, it makes it fun to read and unique. After reading your blog, I also think it's awesome how involved you are and all the things you do - go you!
ReplyDeleteI can tell that you are really passionate about kids since you spent your summer working as a camp counselor, you work at a daycare, and you want to be a pediatrician. I love kids as well! They are so fun to be around, and definitely always provide us with a lot of those stories that start with "Okay so one of my kids..." :-) They do the funniest things and are so cute!
I love that you love reading too, and I think it's really unique that you're into classics. I haven't really read much "classics" aside from the ones that were always required in school, but I think I might give some a try!
Ohhhh, working in daycare sounds like it would be endlessly delightful, Jada! As you have probably guessed from this class already, I think it's great for people to experience as adults the stories they loved as children and to see them in new ways and new contexts. I will be so happy if you can find some stories as you do the readings for this class that you can share with children you come into contact with... children need stories! And if you plan to become a pediatrician, I figure you cannot have too many stories that you can use in whatever kind of situation you might be facing together with your child patients! Maybe you could even use that as a kind of Storybook scenario: nobody has done that before, but the doctor's office can be an incredibly important storytelling space. Anyway, you can ponder that as you start exploring different project options for this class. I'm guessing you will find all kinds of possibilities that intersect with your interests. Enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Jada, what a small world! I'm also a junior Microbiology major, and I am also Pre-Med although I have not quite narrowed down what kind of a physician I would like to be. Your introduction was wonderfully written, and the layout (with the pictures) makes it all the more awesome. The fact that you work in childcare is also amazing, and three year olds can be a handful but they are the best! I have a mini me, so I may know a thing or two about them! We're probably taking some of the same classes this semester, if so good luck, and have a great one!
ReplyDeleteJada, I really like how you want to be a Pediatrician, that's what I plan on doing if everything works out right. What made you decide you wanted to do that? I used to work at a after school kids program and I understand how you enjoy telling stories, I still laugh with a friend who worked with me about some of the things they did.
ReplyDeleteWow you seem very young and mature. Most people at 20 have not yet even decided what they want to be. Good for you. Funny, that you have a harry potter obsession. My wife is English and she too loves Harry potter and she actually forced me to sit down and watch the entire series with her this summer, and it actually is not as bad as I thought it would be. Good luck with the premed stuff.
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ReplyDeleteI love how passionate you are about children. I've always wanted to work with them but I'm too afraid they'd all hate me! The whole summer camp thing sounds great. I've only ever been on the camper side of things but I always thought it'd be fun to be one of the big kids who helps run things. Also, I think I have a friend who helped out at Camp Ozark... I'll have to check with her. It could be something completely different but now I'm curious!
I hope you have a fantastic semester and enjoy all of your crazy smart people science classes. :) I'll see you around the internet!
Jada, I can relate to how you work with kids often. My girlfriend taught at a daycare in Edmond for 3 years and I used to love listening to all of the stories she told about the kids. She worked with many ages but 2’s were her favorite age. She always talked about how smart they are. I also worked there in high school with the school age kids and it was such an awesome experience. They definitely look up to you as an idol so it’s a great feeling!
ReplyDeleteHello Jada! Wow, you are a brave soul working in a child care center! I admire your passion and servant heart to help children and camps! I think you will make an excellent pediatrician some day! I am a Pre-PT major so I can somewhat relate to all the science classes you have to take. And you're a Zumba instructor?! That sounds awesome! I love working out and I have always wanted to try that class! In addition, I love to read too! However, unfortunately I am not a Harry Potter fan. Anyways, good luck with your future endeavors and pursuing medical school! It's great to meet you!
ReplyDeleteHi Jada! I really enjoyed reading your Introduction post. It was hilarious! I have actually heard of Camp Ozark. I didn't work that camp, but a couple summers back I worked a Christian summer camp, and although the days were long and I was usually completely exhausted by the end of the day, I loved it. Working with children can be so much fun. Good luck with school and pursing your goal of becoming a pediatrician!
ReplyDeleteHey Jada! Great introduction post! I loved the way that you presented yourself to the class. It was both fun and informative at the same time! I am also a Pre-Med kid looking at the primary care field, although it takes a very special type of person to work with kids, so huge thumbs up for you on that one! Personally, I like the old folks a bit more! Well, it was great getting to know a bit more about you, and good luck on your future MCAT and Med School applications!
ReplyDeleteWell, Hello Jada!!! You and I have a lot in common (with the exception of all the evil science classes you're taking). I too adore children. I have one of my own, she's 13 though, so not so small anymore!
ReplyDeleteI also absolutely love reading as well. I've read Thomas Payne's "Common Sense" and I love just about anything Jane Austen published. Work by the Bronte sisters is pretty great too. I've recently read the "Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas. GREAT BOOK!! I haven't yet read "Tale of Two Cities," but I would like to.
My daughter and I are addicted to Disney movies too. I believe we have every single one on DVD. We'll sit down sometimes and watch Nemo and the Croods.
You have set some lofty goals for yourself, but with your dedication and passion, I'm sure you'll reach them!! Good Luck in all you do!
Jada, as I was reading your introduction, I just sat in awe of how similar we are! I'm also a pre-med junior and I want to be a pediatrician. The violin is one of my greatest loves and I find so much comfort in a good book. I love that you're reading Dickens right now--Great Expectations is my all-time favorite novel, and in terms of modern literature, I agree that one could never go wrong with Harry Potter.
ReplyDeleteYour experiences with kids sound so rewarding and it is so easy to see the passion that you have for this field. Your personality really shines through even a simple blog post, and I am excited for you and your future patients! Good luck with the med school application process and with all of your other future endeavors!
Jada,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading more about you in your introduction! I hope I get to meet you in person through Homecoming this year since our organizations are paired (I'm in Alpha Gamma Delta!). Your work with children and camps is so inspiring. I love that you get such joy from being around kids and I'm sure you will be an amazing pediatrician!
A fellow Potter-Head, hello! I’m glad your experience with sports went better than mine. When I took Intro to Tennis my first semester here at OU, I ended up leaving with nothing more than a strong confirmation of exactly why I had been in choir and show choir my whole life. I wish you luck on all your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteHi Jada! You sound like a such a fun and interesting person! I've always wanted to attend or be a counselor at a summer camp. It seems like such a fun and rewarding experience. I've never seen an episode of Once Upon of Time but i've heard great things about it. Maybe i'll check it out soon! It was nice to "meet" you.
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ReplyDeleteThat must have been a nice little surprise when you showed up to Camp Ozark. At least you came out of it with a positive outlook and weren’t miserable coaching sports you were not used to playing. It sounds like you really enjoy working with kids, which will go great with your planned career path. I hope everything goes great with your plans.
Hi Jada!
ReplyDeleteI loved getting to know you a little through your intro! We both have a love for kids, but you're going in a different direction than I am! (I'm headed for teaching) I'm so happy you think everyone should work as a camp counselor, I think so too! I loved doing that. I also work with kids! At a church, though, so not a daycare, but still :) I hope you do well in the rest of your time here at OU and in Med school! You'll be a great pediatrician! :)
Hello Jada, you will be my last comment on an introduction for this class. Save the best for last is what I would guess you to say. I bet your summer cam experience was quite fun even with the whole having to learn basketball part. I know many people that work at child development centers and they say the same thing all the time. I guess when you are around children like that you want to share your experiences. It was great to get to know you better and I wish you the best of luck with your college career.
ReplyDeleteWow it sounds like you have had a really busy semester and summer! This is the first time I have visited your blog so I really enjoyed it! I think it is so cool that you want to be a pediatrician. I was pre-med my first two years of school but then I changed to business. I hope your semester has gone well!
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