Pro-Life Trip

Yeah, so, I just wrote this enormous blog about the pro-life trip, ALL about it, and it decided to delete itself. I am utterly beside myself. I guess I have to start again. Be forewarned: this draft of my entry is not likely to have nearly the intensity of wit and charm as it's former, more beloved version. Damn computers.

I have been home from the pro-life trip for a few days now, but certain health problems have kept me from doing things, such as attending school and blogging, and this has been my first opportunity to tell about the trip. Actually, I am only trying to avoid going to sleep, because sleep leads to tomorrow, which leads to a doctor's appointment, which inevitably leads to the excitement that comes from having numerous blood tests done, which really doesn't top my "Super Duper Fun Things To Do List." I mean, it's on there, sure, right above Eat 25 Pounds of Broccoli in One Hour and just below Be Forced To Watch Family Guy Repeatedly for the Rest of the Month, but it can't hold its own among the best. Still, just like Judy Hepperfeld, I intend to plow on.

The trip went pretty well, all around. It is really hard to compare it to the trips of the previous two years. Lots of my friends went this year, which was really nice, but the constant preoccupation with "chaperone checks" was a little over the top. Fr. Larry was better this year...no embarrassing confessions or debates about modest clothing...but that Acolyte Joe guy (also known, fondly of course, as Aztec Joe, Aardvark Joe, Applejack Joe, etc.) was soo mixing medications. Half of the time, he treated us like we weren't worthy of his respect, and the other half of the time he was acting all 'buddy-buddy.' It was completely confusing. He was the reason that the security was so tight this trip...he seemed to be petrified of losing anyone and being blamed for it, so he acted like a drill sergeant when it came to making sure everyone was with their respective chaperones. Other parts of the trip were more lax...sleeping arrangements, being in rooms, etc. But it was still pretty good.

Trip highlights. It took us 21 hours to get from St. Louis, Missouri, to Washington, D.C. 21 hours. That is a really long time to be on a bus. At least the sleeping arrangements were good. Lindsay slept in the aisle of the bus in her sleeping bag, so I got to sleep across two seats instead of just one. What a luxury! I confess that I am utterly spoiled. I felt bad for the boys, though...all three of them had to sleep in the three seats in the back of the bus, them and their sleeping-next-to-boys phobia. Cough cough case study cough cough. Anyways...there was some trouble with ice on the way to D.C. -- we almost turned around and headed back here, but we pushed through, so that was all good.

Once we got there, we only had time for ordering pizza and collapsing into bed. We were up early on Sunday morning for church at St. Dominic...it was really pretty, Gothic or maybe Neo-Gothic, with light airy colors. I liked it a lot. And the priest was a really loud, happy fellow. I tell you, I wish I could go to church in a place like that every Sunday. It's architecture alone makes a person feel more spiritual.

After church, it was time to hit the museums. Due to the conflict between our two leaders (Asthma Joe, who was completely anal about time, place, direction, etc., and Fr. Larry, who has always been a bit more laid back), it took us awhile to finally locate an open metro, purchase tickets, and finally get to the Pope John Paul II museum, our first stop. It was fun, actually...making video testimonials stands out most clearly in my mind...and afterward, it was off to the Smithsonian. Everyone who hadn't been on the trip before either went to the Holocaust museum or to the National History or American History Museums. Only a select few -- namely, Cara, Joe, one other kid, and I, went to the Art Museum. Sigh... I saw Picasso's The Frugal Repast, so I was happy. Then, a quick stop at the National Archives at Joe's request, and it was off to the Old Post Office Pavilion for dinner. Too bad it was closed. Yay for good planning. Back to the hotel for Chinese food. Ah, also, another note about that day...it was the day I asked God to send me new feet as my other ones were dead from walking, I don't know, 28 miles? Sounds about correct. No more walking please.

Eh ok, so, I'll have to finish writing about the trip tomorrow after having copious amounts of blood removed by those greedy vampires. That's such a gross mental image. I'm so done.

If I die tomorrow, no one can have my chocolate lotion, it smells much too good.

Natalie