Welcome Weekend '06

I have a feeling that WW '06 was not MBU's usual Welcome Weekend. I knew coming into this event that its format was reformed, but I didn't expect the random quirks that emerged along the way. I don't think anyone else did either.

Allow me to give some examples...

Friday, August 18, Chapel auditorium--Everyone was enjoying the live band karaoke contest--full of loud music, lights, and crazy jumping freshmen--when suddenly the overhead lights came on, the music stopped, and we were informed that the contest was going to have to be cut short due to severe storms in the area. I heard a tornado warning had been issued, and Carrie Chapman (assistant director of Admissions and one of the karaoke judges) sat in front of me and reported that ninety-mile-per-hour winds were threatening the area. While resident students were instructed to return to the dorms, commuters were taken to the Chapel's basement. After fifty-four of us were counted, one of the leaders announced that the conditions were not as ominous as everyone had thought, and we were free to go. Who does that?

Saturday, August 19, service project--My group and I were going to All God's Children in High Ridge to help prepare the property for use. All of us big people in a yellow school bus stirred up some good jokes along the way. The best joke came when some of my fellow peers realized the heater was on. It was probably ninety degrees outside, and some extra heat was certainly unnecessary. However, to our amused senses of humor, we enjoyed it.

Another quirk--as I have dubbed it--also occurred during the service project. My group leader was taking roll to ensure everyone was present on the bus before we departed for MBU. Sure enough, a boy was missing. (For his protection, I won't mention his name.) "Oh, shoot!" my leader said. "He's still out there pulling weeds!" Again, our senses of humor were amused.

So you see, these examples show just a trace of the sort of things that can happen during WW. I enjoyed all of it, not to mention the time of praise during orientation, the fantastic guest speaker, and the AWESOME dinners. Food for me not only affects my palette, but it also affects my mood.

I think the only low points for me regarding WW '06 were the excessive down time among events and the saga of my jammed toe, in which I stumped it at least five times over the course of three days. It is still recovering, and I am wearing closed-toe shoes as I write. Oh, I was also exhausted toward the end of my experience at WW because I had just moved into a three-bedroom apartment the Wednesday before (another adjustment I am still dealing with).