"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place."
-- Unknown
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Saturday, March 7, 2009

I'm back

I'm alive!! I know I haven't been on here in a week, and I apologize for getting so behind on all of your blogs... I'll have to try to play catch up this weekend!

First of all, can I just tell you how exhausted I am?? It has been a long week, folks. I left early Tuesday morning to pick up the Youth Tour winners from our local high schools and drive them to Montgomery to meet with other kids from across the state. We spent the next few days touring the capital city. We went into the State House, the Archives building, the Capital building and the Rosa Parks Museum. Then there were socials in the evenings, meant to serve as a way for the kids to get to know each other. The first night was a river boat dinner cruise with a DJ and the second night was cosmic bowling. Overall, everyone had a great time, and I think I did my chaperoning duties well. No one got hurt or snuck away to do drugs, drink or ... have relations. I consider that a success.

I realized on this trip that I'm nowhere near as young as I like to think I am. I had a hard time keeping up with a group of 125 sixteen and seventeen year olds. They had an 11:00 curfew each night, but were allowed to stay up later as long as they were hanging out in a chaperone's room. I thought I was going to have to tape my eyelids open at one point - no lie. I really think we should have scheduled in a nap time at some point each day. Ha. Can you imagine telling a group of teenagers that it was time to take a nap?? Yeah right...

There are so many stories I could tell about what we saw, the drama that played out between some of the girls, or some of the conversations I wish I had never overheard - but frankly... my brain is way too tired to think of any of those right now. I went to a little hole-in-the-wall bar with a friend from work last night to see a band. I had a great time, but I stayed out waaaaay past my bed-time. I feel pretty useless today. It's funny how just a few years ago, I could stay out till sunrise, then go to class all day and work all evening. I almost never slept. Now, if I get any less than my full eight hours of sleep, I feel drained and worthless. Weird.

So, I'll save those stories for later. As for right now? I have a ton of laundry to do, and even more work to catch up on from being out of the office most of the week. Blah.

Oooh, and for all of you Twilight fans out there: one of the kids on the trip this week looked just like Edward Cullen. The girls were going nuts. It was hilarious to watch. The poor boy looked terrified as groups of girls would ambush him and beg for pictures. I didn't take one, but I will leave you with the real deal:

8 comments:

Lacey said...

I'm glad you had such a great time! And yes, I completely understand the need for eight hours of sleep... How did that happen to us? I used to operate perfectly fine on four hours, sometimes even less, and now I'm a zombie if I get seven...

Missy said...

I love Hole-in-the-Wall bars!

Jenners said...

You really are a grown-up when naps sound like a good idea! Haha! That cracked me up. And it sounds like you have some good stories to tell .. when you are less tired, I want a glimpse into the secret life of the American teenager! Welcome back!

Diane said...

YOU feel old at 25? Oh, lordy! ;)

Melanie Gillispie said...

Yeah, I think you're officially "old" when you're the chaperone. Well, at least old to the people you're chaperoning.

I was just thinking the other day about how I could stay up all night going with friends different places, and still be at work on time the next morning (and even sometimes work a second job). Now the thought of it makes me tired!

Andy - Instafather said...

I love the fact that no one snuck away to do it is considered a success. You're a trooper.

Kelly said...

It is a success if noone got drunk, smoked some pot, and got knocked up!! Hooray for you!!

I too cannot hang like I use to!! I cannot wait to hear all about the conversations you overheard but wished you hadn't!

hebba said...

You know what's really weird? When you're young, you don't need any sleep. Then you get a little older, and you really need sleep. Then you get a little older than that, and you CAN'T sleep. (insomnia: it's not just for parents of toddlers) SHWEIRD.