Friends. The real ones who stick by you, shoulder to shoulder, when things are at their worst. It makes my day to know that I'm never alone.

When friends understand the problems I'm going through, and offer to help.

Those ^

This week at camp, I hit a few rough patches. And during those times, certain friends stepped up in various ways to help me through it.

Sure, I would have preferred to not have stressful times at my "happy place", but I know we'll all be the stronger and closer because of them.

Examples of what I'm talking about? Okay, I'll give you some...
(not in any particular order, and it'll be vague)

-Kristen bringing me food from lunch, when something happened that made me need to walk away. I had thought I'd miss it and go hungry. I would have, if she hadn't come running outside with food and a listening ear/shoulder to cry on.

-Matt stepping in and telling the kids to "Really guys, knock it off!" when they didn't listen to my pleas for them to stop doing something that was bothering me. (among other things. I'm so grateful for that boy! he's such a great friend)

-Mikaela waking up earlier than she needed to today, to tell me goodbye. Everyone else stayed in bed, and I'd have had no send-off if not for her.

And there were probably more, these are just the first that come to mind!

What makes my day besides those? Camp Pioneer in general. It's just... I wish I could be there year round... with those people. It's just... it's my Narnia, ok? I don't know how else to say it.

Having a wonderful cookout. Getting eaten alive by bugs, running really fast in flip flops to get to the top of a hill so as to watch fireworks. Singing around the campfire.

Being able to help someone.

~Riella

Days and days of being outside, sunburned, exhausted, eaten alive . . I love it.
Conversations with wonderful people, about period movies.

being able to watch videos and make graphics on our newly fixed computer

Shopping and packing for my trip to DC.

my new neon-lime green converse sneakers

Being in D.C. Seeing wonderful places (the capital, the white house, etc), walking around in the blazing heat, wearing lovely light clothes, swimming late at night, sitting on a balcony and looking down at people.

1) This thread!

2) Getting an email from a friend!

3) When said email is full of praise for your characters and/or story.
Ionic Bonding Rocks, you made my day today!!!!!

4) Getting more writing done!

5) Seeing/sharing in my sister's joy in her getting all A's so far, for her accelerated nursing program!

6) Noticing how close time is getting to a certain trip to a certain place.
(some of you know what I mean by this cryptic sentence)

7) OHH! I could have said this one sooner, but forgot... sometime within the last week, my sister DVR'd Tron for me!!! Once I've watched it, that will mean that I can FINALLY see Tron: Legacy! YAY SISSY!!!!!!!

Playing in the creek with my family.
Vine ripened tomatoes.
Finishing another sewing project!

SnowAngel

Seeing another Hobbit video.

~Riella

reading "The Island Trilogy" by Gordon Korman

watching the movie "Jumping Ship"

singing

Seeing a movie with actors I haven't seen in a long time.

~Riella

Ditto Ithilwen about the new Hobbit video!

Meeting a boy I comforted last year! It turned out I really made his day

reading books in the sun

watching "Finding Nemo"

singing "A Call To Arms" by 30 Seconds To Mars