I’ve been made aware of the fact that I’ve developed a bit of a cult following at home, (I’m preparing my acceptance speech for the Pulitzer Prize after this entry) so I’ve resolved to blog more often, plus it’s cheaper than ringing home!
This weekend was busy busy busy! It all started with getting up at 6am on Saturday (this already puts the day in negative equity as far as I’m concerned!) and journeying to the DC WIP office before getting the bus to Hemlock which is an ‘Educational Experience’. It forced us to work within teams to complete tasks, and I use the word ‘force’ as we were deliberately put into groups with people that we hadn’t spent that much time with over the course of the trip so far. So I was ripped apart from my 2 partners in crime Judi and Neal, and sent packing with another group! Our group started the day with a game of “Birdie on the Wire”, which involved me running at Vuyo and jumping on her, trying to get off the ground, before anyone else in order to win (she was the wire, I was the birdie, I’ll admit it was a strange game!) I thought I was particularly talented at this game as Vuyo and I made it down to the last 2 teams, but I think this was more due to Vuyo’s ability to catch me and laugh at the same time! As she put it, there was something about a screaming blonde Irish girl running at her full pelt and jumping on her, that made her laugh out loud every time! (For proof, see the photos!) We were then given the challenge of getting the group of 10 or so people from one place to another, while we were only allowed to stand on 4 planks of wood, but lets not forget the obstacles that we had to negociate over and around! Add to this the fact that half of us weren’t allowed to speak, and the other half were blindfolded! This culminated in me sitting blindfolded on a obstacle saying, “Hello? Guys? Have you left me behind? Udo is that you? Helllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooooooooooo???” Only to be met with giggles in response from the ones who weren’t allowed to talk! I’ll never trust them again! After lunch we merged with another group to try some different tasks which involved getting a piece of wood through a loop 10, 12 or 14 feet in the air. Suffice to say, you know you are part of a special group when your CEO allows you to hoist them in 10 foot in the air with no supports bar some WIPpers and SAWIPpers (Well done Megan, Cliona and Roz!)
After a very long and hot day we retreated to the O’Hara’s for a FANTASTIC BBQ/pool party (I was straight in for some much needed relief!). Heather and I got in some practise for the Ultimate Frisbee Competition coming up, while the boys continued with their North v South do-or-die football tournament. I honestly think my life was in jeorpardy a couple of time when I had to venture onto the pitch a couple of times to retrieve the Frisbee! Then it was back to DC, with some help from Alan leading us in song! If someone had told me that he would have sang (or shouted) himself hoarse with an hour’s worth of classic tunes, I wouldn’t have believed them! But honestly, it was the best hour on this trip so far! So well, done Ralphie (and all his backup singers, of which I count myself as one!)
Then it was off to church on Sunday morning. Now, I think its worth pointing out that I don’t often venture through the doors of a church, but what WIP says, Laura does, so I begrudgingly donned my Dress Code One and tottled off to church. Mount Lebanon Baptist Church was intense to say the least, but none the less enjoyable. Someone else has described it as “a smaller more Protestant version of Sister Act” and I’d have to agree, at one point Judi and I were expecting Kanye West to jump up on stage singing “Jesus Walks”! The music was fantastic, and the preacher hilarious (politics and religion mixed in with references to Oreo cookies – that’s my sort of religion!)
Finally, we ended the weekend with a celebration of lovely lovely Aoibhin’s 21st birthday (it has become a theme of WIP to have a 21st birthday every week!).
I’m sorry to let everyone at home know that I’m not homesick and if things keep going the way they are I don’t think I will be! But I do promise to actually call this week…… If I have time! xxxx
