The Lowdown (Finally!)

Theory: When we get old we have kids so we can play outside forever and never lose any of our street cred as adults.

Also -- I have the Michael Scott disease; I want children so I have someone to love and need me. My friend and I have agreed upon this conclusion.

Friday: Left Media class to get on my first flight to be ridden without any company. I obviously didn't know what I was doing at first, but I got through with many questions. Had I not asked the Security Guard where my gate was in Chicago's O'Hare airport, I would've never gotten there. They had some beautiful sights though! My flight was unfortunately delayed for an hour and a half because someone ran into the plane and put a hole in it. Buh.... Thankfully the ride to Indianapolis was a quick one! I met up with my parents and we drove to Ohio the next morning.

Saturday: Wedding! (Refer to previous blog entry) 'Twas my first and it was a grand day.

Sunday: Sunday Teaching Service! (Refer to previous blog entry)

Monday: Drove all the way home to Blue Springs, Missouri. The weather was beautiful and I was so happy to be there. My parents did some grocery shopping and I went to hang out with (go figure) Erin. It was splendid. I miss her everyday. We did the usual things -- chatted and drove around. I love driving, but after this spring break -- I was totally stoked to not have a car at school.

Tuesday:
I think I just hung out with my mommy all day. Then we went to celebrate my birthday with the Millers (Nathan's family). We ate at P.F. Chang's on the plaza. Mm mm mm! That was some delicious Chinese. I could eat it every day of my life (Asian food, that is)! Afterward we played the game of Things and had ourselves a hysterical time. I love our families. :)

Wednesday: Erin got to skip school so she had slept over the night previous. We pretty much just slept in the same vicinity, ate in the same vicinity, and just chilled in the same vicinity. The thing that's great about our friendship is that we can totally enjoy doing absolutely nothing together (as is similar in most solid friendships), and yet it can mean the world to us. Later that night I had Communion with over in Kansas with another Fellowship, which was refreshing. Then I met up with Frances and Erin, again, at Clancy's and we enjoyed some 50 cent tacos. Then I was taking Erin home when Hanna called, so we went to her house and chummed it up. Full day!

Thursday: It rained the ENTIRE day and I was out taking Hanna's Senior Photos. We found a few good inside venues like the Nelson-Atkins museum, Union Station, Crown Center, etc. But they would've been so much better outside. Sigh. Later that night Erin's family came over for pizza and games and that went TOO splendidly. Our parents have never been together for a longer period of time than to say hello and exchange some small talks, so Erin and I were a bit nervous, anticipating and awkward evening. I shouldn't have doubted my parents' hospitality, though. They clicked with Erin's parents almost better than I've seen them get along with any other adults and it was kind of scary. We played Catch Phrase -- Parents vs Children and it was a tough game! One time Helen (Erin's mom) shouted the clue, "TASTES LIKE CHICKEN," and my mom goes, "FROG LEGS!" And she was right! Erin and I just looked at one another thinking, "Oh my god...really?!" It was a solid, solid evening. :)

Friday: Drive, drive, drive. We drove to Gurnee, Illinois to visit my sister. On the way we picked up Mike Brown (her boyfriend) and it was nice to have someone in the back seat with me again. It's lonely being the only kid on a road trip! We got there and Domini snuck up on us at the hotel. It was a great reunion, as usual. We then headed to her place where the WayDs hosted a pizza and game night. (I just realized that's two game/pizza nights in a row!) It was a blast meeting new people and hanging out with old friends. I met Leif, whom my sister believes to be the same person as me only in boy form, and truthfully -- we are very similar in the oddest ways. It was pretty funny. Then to the hotel we went, where the parents' snores could've awoken the dead.

Saturday: Recognition Day. The WayDs would fulfill their commitment (technically) on Sunday, but the ministry in that area held a Recognition Service on Saturday. We had a teaching, some musical performances, some sharings from the Way Disciples, and then a delicious dinner. Afterward my sister, Elizabeth and I found a guitar and started singing songs for everyone. It was hard to get us started at first, but people insisted, so we gave in. If my sister and I ever lived remotely near one another again, we'd be making music constantly. I kind of REALLY wish we did live near one another. I love my sister so much.

Sunday: Fellowship/Way Graduation. The WayDs finally graduated after a phone hook-up with Headquarters. What did we do to celebrate? We went drinking of course! Haha They weren't allowed to drink all throughout their commitment, so naturally they were a bit thirsty. We went to a little restaurant nearby and everyone ordered a different alcoholic beverage and then the girls just went around and tried everyone else's. Haha it was hilarious. I didn't drink anything, of course; that stuff is disgusting! I tried to try something, but it just didn't go down. Haha Then we headed back to Domini's place and all the parents went home. They drank a little more and we played Uno and then went to sleep.

Monday: We drove to Minneapolis. I got a desk. I got a bike. I said goodbye to my parents. Then life caught up.

This week was hectic, but the weather has been so beautiful. I went on a bike ride on Thursday to Lake Calhoun with Z, K, and Fowler. We had a picnic and took photos near the water. Friday I went on a bike ride with Charlotte and we got ice cream. Then Meg arrived and we had a 1918 Photoshoot in the Gray Studio. Then we ate at the Bad Waitress. Then we slept.

Today we went to various locations for more 1918 promotional photos from 10-5. I'm pooped! And now I'm going to lay on the lawn. :)