State Session

So last week I made an almost spur-of-the-moment decision to go to PA State Grange Session.  So I left my house super early on Saturday morning and drove to Lancaster.  Instead of showing up and being bored on Saturday morning, I picked up Philip and we went to meet Lauren at the Cherry Crest Farm Corn Maze.  This maze is HUGE.  5 1/2 acres.  It took us an hour and a half to get through, gathering almost all of the puzzle pieces (which help you to build the map and find your way out.  We ate some food and then had to run so that Philip would get back in time for the beginning of session and the youth officers drill.  While they were doing boring resolution work, I decided that I would sign a song in the competition the next day, so I worked on learning my song.  I had already learned how to sign “We Shall Be Free” by Garth Brooks several months ago, so I decided that I would do that at Session, since I hadn’t done it there before.  (I had never seen that video before I linked it in here and I literally got chills watching it!  There’s also a part where a woman signs “The earth doesn’t belong to us, we belong to the earth” which I thought was pretty cool!) 

The youth officers did their marching drill and closing which was pretty cool, then Philip, Mom, Dad and I went out for dinner at some Amish place.  Afterwards we went to the talent competition and saw Zech sing his song – and win!

Then there was the youth “party” and what a party it was.  With a full selection of fruits, vegetables, coffee and tea, the party got started on the right foot.  Soon the older people all went to bed, and a handful of us were left sitting around the hotel lobby talking about the future and reminiscing about Grange memories.  My head finally hit a pillow around 2:30am only to be awakened at 6:30.  I got up and got a shower, then introduced Mom and Dad to Panera before going to church service.

Church was okay.  Nothing Earth shattering.  Then Philip and I made a Staples run (to get my CDs and lyrics that I needed for the sign-a-song competition), went to the Jr. Degree (good job guys!) and to the Youth Luncheon which was NOT worth $15.  Right about 1:30 I decided I would give a prepared speech in the public speaking competition which started at 2.  (Thank goodness for wireless internet!)  So I researched and wrote a speech and outline as well as registered for both competitions in the half hour that followed.  I ended up winning both competitions and now go to the regional competition in New Jersey to compete in April.  These are the same competitions I used to do with some regularity and then I dropped off the face of the earth.  (This became more apparent to me as at least 5 people came up to me and asked if I’m now living state-side again.  It seems as though I haven’t been to a state-wide Grange function since I left to go to Ecuador!)

Got back to College Park around 7:30pm, watched Bailando Por un Sueno and fell asleep on the couch.  This week is full of workshop planning for the workshop in Costa Rica next week.  Trying to finalize the participants list and get people plane tickets.  Basically just going CRAZY! 🙂  

Pictures to come soon!