One Pretty Eventful Weekend

This past Thursday I began an adventure. I made my way via a Greyhound to Allentown, PA for a day of skiing and then mini-VS retreat the rest of the weekend. However, somewhere between York and Harrisburg I get a call from Laura, my coordinator that our retreat is canceled because of the predicted snow that will come on Saturday. Well, It did come, but everywhere North of Philly missed the big snowstorm. It actually worked out pretty well and I had such a great time with my extended family members!

So, Friday I went skiing for the first time ever in my life and was taught by my Uncle Olin. He did a great job and after a long day of practicing to control my speed and make a wedge with my skis I ended by making it down the mountain without falling once. At the beginning of the day was a different story. On our way to the beginners slope, I got too close to the edge of the snow and wound up sliding backward into some ski racks. After a break for lunch my uncle make a joke about looking back and seeing me fallen off to the side, so I commented "I think I've improved since then." Nope, wrong thing to say. I crossed my skis in a way that dropped me to the ground in the next instance and didn't get up for a few minutes because I was laughing too hard. It was such a great time and I did get pretty sore, but it was very much worth it.

My Saturday was the beginning of a very relaxed weekend. My aunt Marie, cousin Tim and I sat around in our snuggies (which I've come to the conclusion this is the best activity to do in a snuggie. Sit with fellow-snuggie wearers) and my aunt and I worked on a puzzle (also a good activity). Tim fixed a damaged snowboard and I got motivated to try snowboarding down a small hill in their backyard. This lead to me wanted to just sled and make snow angels, and Tim trying to jump a ramp with his sled. Not such a good idea when you end up hitting your tailbone. But he's ok, don't worry. :)

Super Bowl Sunday I went to church and had an opportunity to share what I am doing as a volunteer. All of the kids from 4th-6th grade were very attentive and praised me along with the teacher. It was weird and I felt like I did not deserve the applause and awe I was given, because I don't. I was a really neat time of sharing though, I did enjoy that. Later that night we watch the famous Super Bowl commercials and I mentally prepared for my return trip to Baltimore the next morning.

Waking up earlier than usual, I got packed and ready to hit the road. Once at the bus terminal, Marie and I waited for the bus. The driver surprised me with the news that no buses were running South of Philly, meaning I shouldn't leave just yet. Ok by me, I was able to extend my vacation a little bit longer. However, thinking of when I would leave next became a bit stressful. There was a small frame of time when I would be able to get a bus back without getting stuck in snow, and that was the next morning.

So as it goes, Tuesday morning we tried again. This time the bus was a little late but they were running all the way to DC this time. After 3 hours of being nervous something would go wrong we made it to the terminal in Philly where I got in a very long line to transfer to Baltimore with 5 minutes to spare. Once I get to the door to hand the driver my ticket he announces there is no more room and the next bus will come in 2 hours. "Are you kidding me?!?" This is all I can say, probably a little too loudly to the man. He does come back saying another bus will arrive a few minutes after he leaves, which ended up being 1 hour.

While waiting I did get to meet a very nice, interesting man named Geoffry. A self-proclaimed mentally handicapped man who is a vegetarian hoping to one day become vegan. Our conversation started when he said "you know God loves you right?" I told him God loves him too. He was such a chatterbox and shared some very significant stories of his life and how he came to believe in God, that I didn't have to say much to keep the conversation going. It was nice because I couldn't get my mind off of just getting on a bus, but he helped the time to go by much quicker than it would have had I been standing quietly in line keeping to myself. I feel very connected to him now even though I only knew him for an hour of my life. He was on his way to Tarpin Springs, FL (somewhere I've also been!), to visit his parents because his bird died. He sounded very smart to me from quoting many things he had memorized, even though he didn't believe that about himself. Good luck Geoffry in life, it was great meeting you!

I finally made it back to the Charm City Greyhound station where too much snow was about to make the canopy collapse so we got out of the bus in the middle of the street. What a crazy day of travels. I made it back just in time for it for round 2 of "Snowpacolypse 2010" safe and sound. Since we've had so many snow days now we decided to build a fort in Beth's room and have a slumber party. A great way to be welcomed back to my house RHHP.

This was my long weekend, thank you for reading the details of what is happening in my life. I love all of my fans out there! :)