AAAAAAAND....We're Back!

Su-Su-Su-SUPPPPPPP!?

Though it's been week or so since I've felt compelled to update, so much has happened!!! In addition to having to say goodbye to another WONDERFUL & FANTASTIC group, we lost one of our staff to the magical land of Laos ::sigh:: So long Pauly D!!! My only wish for you is that South East Asia has repetitive pop stations so you can one day know all the words to California Girls. Miss you already :(

AND SO...as they always do, our new group arrived on Tuesday. So far our work sites have been AWESOME. The homeowners have made it a point to be around, which makes the experience significantly more enjoyable for the kids. The family we've been working with is wonderful:) Everyday their 12-year-old daughter and her best friend come around to help hang dry wall, chill with the volunteers and teach us how to "jerk." (There is video evidence of of my pathetic attempt at the dance move which may or may not be posted later). Despite the horrors that Katrina has brought to this family, they remain among the most positive people I've ever known. It's been a joy to be on site with them. Plus they make really great brownies. Hollaaa.

(SIDENOTE: On Friday our site coordinator suggested we all play a game during one of our extended water breaks. She decided to teach us all "WAH." "WAH" is actually the poor man's version of "SAW." It's all the same, only players shout "wah" instead of "saw" and there is no mandatory bowing to your sensei at the beginning of each round. Lame.)

The day I was almost arrested
While on site, a few of the girls asked me to escort them to the bathroom. Like a good chaperon, I happily obliged and led them on their way to an old base where our site supervisor once stayed. Seeing as how they always let us use their facilities, I saw no harm in taking the girls back. However, when we arrived, the door was locked. We noticed a few construction workers were in the back so we opened the gate and let ourselves in. Upon entering, a friendly construction worker showed us the most convenient path to the bathroom as we went on our way. We didn't get 5 steps before a man in a hard had began furiously waving his arms and shouted at us to leave. We turned around and were greeted by two men (one who was jacked and reminded me of Kate Gosselin's body guard) escorting us off the premises. The smaller one told us that we had just trespassed onto private property. The once volunteer base house is now owned by BP and if ever one of us were to pass by again, we'd be immediately arrested. Shaaaaaaaadddddy. We apologized for getting in the way and walked home to warn the rest of the volunteers. Well, five minutes later the sheriff shows up on my work site and demands to speak to "ya'lls boss." Realizing "oh crap, that's me," I went outside to see what the fuss was about. She then threatened to make an example out of me in front of the kids by taking me straight to jail for we had been warned "three times prior not to cross the premises." LIES. She said if she ever saw one of us again, we'd be taken right downtown If one of us were underage, it'd be straight to juvie. Dramatic Much? Nevermind that these are well-intentioned kids spending their summer vacation rebuilding a city that YOUR COMPANY is slowly destroying with your oil spill. I thanked her for the warning and watched as she drove away.


Alas, the day had a happy ending. One of the kids bought "Ultra Mega Death Hot Sauce" and challenged us all to a contest. The rest of the night was spent chugging hot sauce and chasing it with a glasses of milk as observers chanted participants names. I would like to say I was the responsible adult and put a halt to the situation, but I figured my time was better spent participating. It's been almost 24 hours and my insides still feel as though they are about to implode. Oh well.

I would like to thank everyone for the consistent LNT's (late night texts) I've been receiving over these last few days. It means a lot to have you all include me in your weekend festivities. I hope you're all enjoying Central Pennsylvania's Festival of the Arts. Miss yous!