RETREAT 2018-2019

Hey guys! It's Lindsey, here with another weekly blog, this time focusing on the time I spent at retreat! The 3 days I spent with the class, was 3 days I sure as heck won't forget! Wednesday(Day1) started off early with me stressing out! I had woken up at around 5 in the morning and was still really tired. I had some more things to pack and honestly didn't feel like starting my day. I ended up leaving my house at I think 6:50. It also turned out that Ileana needed to carpool, so otw my dad  and I picked her up. We met up with jasmine at the front of Ilima and walked to boy's and girl's club. It was really awkward walking with all our stuff in front of everyone at boy's and girls because they kept looking at the 3 of us like we were homeless or something. We waited for the bus to come and when it did, it was time to say goodbye to our technology and load/board the bus. It felt REALLY long getting there, but the views that we got to see around the island was kind of worth it. Once we got there, we set up the meeting table and starting unpacking. We then had our first session, where we discussed strengths and weaknesses about our group and how we can fix them/ stay that way. We settled in once more and had lunch. Session 2 was a quarter one review. We talked about activities and events we did over the summer up until now, and sorta highlights and lowlights for each of them. We had a break, which I think almost all my breaks were spent talking outside with Jasmine and Amber by the beach. Session 3 was breakout. My period had Kaya 1st, to make a little booklet based on Hawaiian words and what they meant to us. We also got to practice for the talent show afterwards. Session 4 was quarter 2 planning. Each period got to pick activities to plan for, and I think I can remember my period choose Winter Door Decorations and Elementary School Dance Competition. I think after that we had Dinner(provided by Mr. Shim and accompanied by Matthew and Kalepo ). We then had chopped! My period went last and it turned out we ended up winning, with our signature Nutella banana lumpia coated with sugar! That was it for Day One at the retreat house. Thursday(Day 2) started off with breakfast with one another. We than had Session 5, which was quarter 3 planning. I think my period choose Mini activities and Penny/can goods. We then had a break. Afterwards was stewardship, where we basically just cleaned. Each period got assigned a section of the house(outside) to clean, my period handled to backyard and a small part of the front yard. We than had lunch and free time. Afterwards was session 6, which was breakout(continued). My period had Ari, where we made goals( short, mid and long) for the entire year and put them in a box. I think afterwards we had dinner. Than had session 7, which was the last breakout. My period had Shayna, where we wrote our quotes from our bio cubes into poster paper and came up with a group quote. Afterwards was the talent show! My period went second and I think we overall did pretty okay, even though I messed up for some parts. Than it was lights out. Friday(Day 3) started off with breakfast again. We than started packing up because it was the last day(sadly) and had a break afterwards. Than it was session 8, where we had quarter 4 planning. This time we were split into groups and my group discussed about graduation. We transitioned into a break, than eventually lunch. Immediately after lunch, we each changed into our yellows because it was picture time! We went back inside to than have interviews! My period started us off and I wasn't as nervous as I thought I was going to be. After that we started our final cleaning and moved stuff to the garage. We waited for about 2 hours till the bus came and dropped us back home.

Highlights and Lowlights. There were many highlights and lowlights that happened these past few 3 days. One highlight for me was, getting to know my period a little more better. This was a highlight for me because it improves my relationship with my period better considering I spent 3 days with them! One lowlight for me was forgetting some things at home. This was a lowlights for me because I honestly really needed those items and I didn't have them to help me with some problems I faced.

A lesson I learned these past 3 days was to ALWAYS remember to double check your things/work/items. The reason why I chose this to be my lesson for was because, I really thought it matched with what went on these past 3 days. If I had remembered to check my things before I left my house, I would've been more prepared and some what " a little more satisfied" with my first year experience at the retreat house. In the future, I will make sure to ALWAYS double check my things/work/items, so I don't run into this issue again.

My favorite Magic Note would probably be from Ari. I picked her note to be my favorite because it stood out. She was upfront and straight up gave me really good and inspiring advice about the class, that I definitely will use. It made me feel pretty reassured and a little more better about myself knowing that I have helpful people who are with me the entire year. I definitely won't be forgetting this note anytime soon.