Smiling faces, Beautiful places...?

Oh my, where to begin. Well, before I do, for your information I am recalling this all from memory. Did not write a single thing down on this trip and deeply regret it. I suppose I should start this "post" with an idea I had in February, I believe, which entails: Me wanting to go again to a mission's conference I went to last year in July. To be honest I had thought of going back all year and hoped I could. Now I wish I could remember how it played out... I feel like it was just one random afternoon in February when I seriously asked my mom if it was possible. But then I realized, "Wait, I can't spend all this money on a plane ticket for just 1 week.. What should I do?" When it comes down to it, I really wanted to see my friends in South Cakalacky and I guess that how it happened. Before I knew it, I had checked with my friends in SC and I had a plane ticket for Wednesday July 8th, 2009. The waiting began and wow, was that a wait. The months dragged by, ("dragged" a word which here means something like, "Incredibly slow") and plans were made, changed, and expanded for this trip. Yes, I was going alone. Not a single Shepard going with me and this is where I felt badly for a particular younger sister. I thought it would be smart for her not to know a single thing until I left, this way it wouldn't look like I was bragging constantly. This went well until a few weeks before I left when my mom let it slip. Oh well, couldn't help it I presume. So, indeed, I did have a small fit and let loose. Poor sister. I was just too excited. I was off to stay with friends I hadn't seen for more than a day and a half (or less) in 4-5 years?!
It came around finally. July 7th, I could not believe I was really going. Last year I was telling people, "I might just MAYBE come back, it would be sweet if I did, but I just don't know!" But I was off for real, taking a 30 minute trip by meself to Target to get some POP Tarts and CD cases for the fam. True story, that Tuesday was like a dream to me. Trying to make sure I wouldn't forget anything like snow shoes, goggles, butterfly catcher, a stanchion, a backup stanchion, and a pillow case. You know, the usual. I still forgot some things though.. At least nothing that was vital. That night I tried my best to go to bed by 8:30. It was maybe 2 and a half hours later that I crawled into bed.
Woke up at a bright and clear 4:15am. To leave by 4:30 with a small suit case and backpack that was crammed with enough in it for...exactly 17 days. Had a very interesting ride to the LA airport with a father that is NOT a morning person. I believe that that is all that needs to be told. Arrived at LAX just fine, for once there was no traffic. None. Even at the Dodger Stadium exit where it is ALWAYS backed up. Except at 5 in the morning. B e a utiful. Found it was too easy to check in with those electronic screens. Not to mention, I'm Theo, almost as good as my brothers at packing; hence I did not need to check any baggage. Said my goodbye and was off to the dreaded security. To be honest, security isn't too bad. It's just a line, showing some sort of identification and hope they will take an old school ID, a getting naked, and getting dressed again. Not too bad. Although it took quite a while because for some reason they weren't too sure about my harmonica. Maybe a clip perhaps? Made it to the gate, and got on real fine. Two flights had to be taken and both were pretty nice. Continental Airlines still has free meals and had personal screens to watch On Demand movies/CD's/taped TV.. Arrived in G-Vegas as some individuals call Greenville and was picked up by my sister that lives in SC. Within the next hour we had tickets to Transformers 2. 'Twas pretty good, but should have its own blog. Hah. Sneaked in some Gusher's and water, and loved it. Went to Sushi that night for dinner and was reassured that Sushi is so dear to me. Arriving back at my sister's house, was disturbed by her dogs, but got over it when they did NOT decide to jump on my bed when I was asleep.
The next day we got to go hang with my other sister who had a job in NC, and had a day off. She was/is working at an all girls camp. We met up with her and sneaked out the kayaks. Felt quite pitiful paddling away, and my two older sisters gaining speed and length with every stroke. Arms weak and tired while theirs' bulged and rippled, I hit one of them with a tennis ball that was aimlessly floating around due to a boys camp across the lake which had a court that apparently did not contain tennis balls too well. Ahem. Eating lunch in the large cafeteria was quite a story. THAT should have its own blog as well. No, just a few sentences. I was stared at plenty (felt like Congo all over) and decided I really can't take being stared at because it makes me want to burn holes into them as well. I sat with my sisters at a table with 5 other girls. Thankfully none of them cared about me and pretty much next to zero questions were asked to me. (Next to 0 because I think there was a question along the lines of "Please pass the butter..") This camp is definitely for spoiled girls who have parents that want them to disappear for a while. So, the food and facilities are pretty amazing. It was just sandwiches for lunch, but they were pretty darn good. My sister was caught by one of the leaders of the camp and so on her day off had to make "Bible patches" for the girls. Diligent siblings we were and helped her finish a tad sooner. Then onto bowling. A grand plan. Found Tarheel Lanes and we were given shoes and Lane 11. This is the lane to get when going to Tarheel. Pin #5 can't quite get picked up. This was hysterical, and lots of fun. Just me and two of my five sisters in NC at a smoke free bowling alley. The day from then on was pretty good, had some BBQ and played cards with a friend of my sister's.
The next day I was picked up by some old friends from my homeschool co-op and hung with them for the weekend. Very eventful weekend including meeting some interesting friends of theirs and getting thrown out of an amusement park for something that was not done. Not sure if I should publish this.. Suddenly just had a thought that it might be dangerous? Maybe? But um, yes. If really curious just ask me about it sometime. A tale to be sure. Other than becoming assured that there are too many guys my age and older that have minds that need some work, my time with this family was really good.
Enjoyed about 6 hours with my favorite cousin and loved it. We had a chance to catch up because we hadn't seen each other for longer than 2 hours in 4 or 5 years. I asked him about his trip he had just gotten back from (Alaska for a service project). He told of ocean kayaking and being afraid of sea lions. He also told me about a bear (ahem, one of my favorite animals) that tromped around his camp! So cool. Grizzly bear. It was big he said, but it was a younger one. He and I ate steak that night and I filled my stomach to its uttermost. I reminded him of the time when my mom had made him eat all of his beans and rice and sour cream. Poor kid. We had told him to put sour cream on it and it would make it better. He put too much and since has never liked sour cream. Adding more beans it just got worse. I excused myself from the table and then sat on the couch near our kitchen, but then sat there wondering what was taking him so long. I look over and there is my mom telling him he should finish his food. My heart goes out to the poor guy. He was staying with the Shepards who have 8 kids in the family. We laughed over that a bit and then went to watch Kung Fu Panda. I hadn't seen it yet and loved it. Jack Black can be pretty funny. He was dead tired so after the movie we said goodnight and I stayed in the guestroom next to his room. Woke up about 7:15 and ran down the stairs to see my cousin off before he left for work. Caught the last bit of the story of the Two Spies sent by Joshua. Said goodbye to him and he was off. He has an Xbox 360 so I played a bit before his mom took me back to SC to be picked up by a friend.
Got to stay with two other families from my old church and those were both good times. Very happy I went to visit. I put South Carolina's motto as a title to this with a question mark because I'm not too sure about it. It really does make me laugh when I read it and the question mark is just because of the people I stayed with. Yes, I'm pretty sure they all were happy I came to see them, however they have changed a great deal. Of course, what did I expect? Them to stay the same all their life? No. But, to change that much? Not that they changed horribly, we are still very good friends. But, two of my old friends go to a public school now. It was bound to happen someday, but.. Public school. Makes me kind of annoyed. Both of my friends' humor has changed a little bit and it's just too bad. Now I'm sounding like I was sad I went back to G-Vegas, nono, it's all confusion now. I am super glad I went, but.. It's just different. Oh well. The "beautiful places" part of the motto really makes ME smile. South Carolina... Beautiful places... Well, I guess Kudzu is nice when you want to stare at walls of green eating trees. Beaches with waves that are a bit higher than lakes'. Well, it's just funny. However, the Reedy River flows through downtown Greenville and that is pretty cool. Course, some "bacteria" has been found in the water so.. I did however tube down it with some friends and that was pretty awesome. Don't mean to bash where I lived for 7 years of my life, because I really did like it. The people there are really nice. Too many flakes in California. But, ya can't have it all. It's the reason I went back. To see my friends. On the 16th I met up with the same sisters and we went to see some Harry Potter. Heh, laughed a lot and enjoyed it. Friday the 17th came and I hung out with some more friends and had a blast. Going downtown to throw a frisbee and eat pizza. Tried to fall asleep before 2am, but couldn't due to some loudness. Had to wake up at 5:15 that morning because my flight out of Greenville left at 7:30 on Saturday. My good friend took me to the airport and I got on it just fine.
To continue this riveting story, keep reading.. I know you're just so excited, but try to contain it please. Newspaper is only so thick.