This weekend was just a whirlwind of craziness but fun! On Friday, Patricia and I did lots of preparing and cleaning for our guests to come. This included a 3 hour long trip to get groceries. We went to CostCo and after leaving, I now understand what my dad probably felt like after he left Sam's at home. Goodness did it take a hit to my bank account. We went and stopped at two more stores to get produce and little things. I put it all on my card because I'm the only one in my apartment that has extra money but I am sure ready to be reimbursed! We split everything so I know they will pay me back but the amount was still a surprise nonetheless. After we got back that afternoon, I cleaned like a mad person and reorganized several places around the apartment. Our friends (Cristina, Candace, Nich, and Yolanda) ended up not coming til 8 that evening so I was able to get in a lot of cleaning, hanging of pictures, etc. I was so grateful for that day off because so much would not have gotten done otherwise. Once our friends finally arrived, we headed out for a late dinner at a local sports bar because Nich (one of the birthdays we were celebrating) is a huge Michigan fan (that's where he's from) so he wanted to watch the basketball game. The eight of us were able to relax and enjoy a good meal while catching up.
After dinner and the game were over, we changed and headed to Ft. Lauderdale for the night. We went to a few very squished establishments. Being shoulder to shoulder with so many people is not my favorite thing but it is fun to people watch. We saw some interesting people that night. I was definitely ready for bed by the time we got back. Saturday at noon, we were going to help out at a country fair that is being hosted by the church I have been going to. I woke up early so I could get a few lesson plans in before we left. Since there were only 8 of us this weekend instead of the anticipated 10-12, sharing the bathrooms were not as big of a challenge as we had thought. Once everyone was finally up and ready to go, we put on our matching t-shirts and headed to the church. We pulled in and realized this was full-on fair with rides, delicious food, and the whole nine yards! I was really hoping that this was going to work out because I had only faxed them our information and wasn't able to talk to them after that. After talking with a few random people about where to report to, we finally found the lady in charge. Cristina had already found a face-painting booth that needed help so she was able to exercise her art skills in there. The director in charge of the volunteers was very kind and gracious for our help and spread us out amongst various booths. Candace helped with snow cones, Nich and Yolanda helped in a generic food stand, Patricia helped at a sweets booth, and I cut peppers and cooked chili for the next four hours.
I met lots of different members of the church including the pastor. I told my story several times and received the same surprised but joyful reaction almost every time. The pastor's family is originally from Hays so I found that neat and the lady I was helping, Mary, had recently been to Kansas City and the Plaza so we were able to talk about that. The four hours we were at the fair went by quickly with all the different types of service we were doing. I now feel like a professional pepper chopper and occasionally had some company from another helper's grandson. He was telling me all about his Zu-Zu pets and it reminded me of my own Godson and how much he enjoys his. One four o'clock rolled around, we were ready to go back to the apartment and relax a little. Laura was near me with her daughter Makenize and her sister Kathy for Makenzie's birthday so I was trying to figure out when I could meet up with them. We were staying in and cooking for dinner and hoping to grill but someone put charcoal in the gas grill by the pool so that foiled that plan. We ended up having to cook everything in our little kitchen but it worked out fine! Amanda made some delicious pumpkin curry since Candace is vegetarian and we had drumsticks for everyone else. I had to eat ahead of everyone so I could go meet Laura and the other two at their hotel. They were staying at the Trump Resort in Sunny Isles about 15 minutes from me. That area is very fancy so we do not venture down there much but I was quickly reminded of it as I was driving. After a few wrong turns, I finally made it to the hotel. I walked in feeling a little intimidated but the feeling went away quickly once I made it to the hot tub where the ladies were. The scenery was beautiful and it was right on the ocean. It was a full moon so the light from it on the ocean was amazing. The ladies and I sat in the hot tub and were able to talk and catch up on everything. I hadn't seen Kathy in a long time but she was very kind just like Laura. She lives up in Ohio but had come down for Makenzie's birthday. After having lots of girl conversation, we decided to head up to their room on the 25th floor! Their room had a gorgeous balcony that I bet had a great view during the day. We ate a rich strawberry filled white cake and Makenzie was able to open her presents. Laura, Kathy, and I sat around and talked for awhile before I had to head back to the apartment.
I am not really sure how I was able to stay up so late in college, especially more than one night in a row, but our guests wanted to go down to Little Havana to a salsa club so once I quickly changed again (outfit 3 for me for the day in case you were counting), we headed down to Miami. Salsa dancing is not my cup of tea but I enjoy watching everyone. I danced a little bit but around 2 A.M., I was starting to get a bit sleepy and was driving back so Cristina and I headed back to my apartment while the others stayed out much later apparently. We got back and were ready for bed soon after.
This morning Nich and I woke up and went to Mass where the high schoolers had been in charge of all the ministries. The first reading from Proverbs was about the role of women and the Gospel was the parable of the talents. I really enjoyed parts of the priest's homily. He talked about what society emphasizes as important for a woman and what we should view as important in a woman. It's always a nice reminder for me so that I am able to maybe refocus on what I should be working on and paying attention such as my personality and relationship with God and others instead of physical appearance. It just reminded me that I need a steady balance of both instead of one extreme or the other. He also brought up the point of focusing on what our true talents are that God has given us and making sure we share them and not bury them in the sand as the man in the parable did. I was very grateful for those points in his homily because I think that's what God wanted me to hear and focus on in my life.
After Mass, we headed back to the apartment and everyone started changing so we could head to the beach for a little bit before the group had to head back to Orlando and Tampa. The 4 of them packed their bags so we could pack their car as soon as we got back. It was a beautiful day to go to the beach but the water was so cold! The tide and waves were also very high so I did not go in at all. Amanda, Nich, Candace, and Cristina were the brave ones and went in for a little bit. Candace actually ended up getting stung by a stink ray not too long after she got in! She got it taken care of and without having anyone pee on it. We stayed down there for about an hour and a half and then headed to this hoagie diner that Nich had heard about on Food Network. It was on the show, "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" so he was pretty set on going. We all got some variety of a Philly cheese steak and they weren't too bad. I haven't really had many cheese steak sandwiches so I can't really compare it to anything but it was good enough for me!
Once we all finished eating, the group packed up their car and sent the four of them on their way. They had to drive 3.5 hours up to Orlando to drop Nich and Yolanda off and then possibly drive another 1.5 hours back to Tampa. I know they were all worn down and it was 4 by that time but they were ready to get on the road and go. After they left, I have been trying to motivate myself to write my lesson plans. I have math done for the week but still have Social Studies and Grammar to do. After a weekend like this, I struggle to get motivated and then I kind of get down because I go back into my sometimes stressful school week after having fun. I also get mildly homesick because my stress level goes up realizing all the work I have to do and then I feel a little lonely again. My family will be here in 8 short days so I am working to keep my head up. I also have a concert tomorrow night that I'm really excited for! I have a lot to do before then though such as getting through a school day.
Goodness that was long weekend that went way too fast! I hope this week goes by fast so that I can see my family faster! It's comforting to hear "see you soon" out of their mouths or see it in an email and know it's really coming true. I still cannot believe that it is mid-November already! Where have these past several months gone?
I hope all of you had a relaxing and calm weekend. If you could say some prayers for my family this week. My Grandpa's cousin, Joan, died over the weekend and she was very involved at our church back home. I'm glad she is no longer in pain but it is still sad.
Wishing you a calm Monday because knowing my students, it definitely won't be!
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