And no, it's not a code for something.
Well, if you've all been wondering where I've been this weekend, I can tell you, I've been in a getaway place. Call it a literal vacation from complete reality to step back and look at what you have done and will do with your life. I'm talking about Snowball. It's this social event that arrives twice a year in our district where you leave for a weekend (Friday off), go to a retreat center, and meet up with a bunch of schools in your district (for us, it'd be 3) where you have a whole lot of fun and participate in a lot of social grouping activities. Now, everyone should already know about my anti-social behaviors and whatnot, so this experience was a total 180 for me- in a way.

Anyway, Thursday night, after taking three exams to make up for them for Friday, my boyfriend and I left for his house to retrieve his baggage. He was given the keys, hence finally getting a license, and helped me pack for our leave later that night. By around 7 PM, we left the house and drove to the camp area where the event would take place. I figure he'd be given the props to drive me over there, since he's the one who forced me to go there anyway. So, we arrived there 15 minutes later, and I registered. I met Zoe AKA ~inktress over there and this hyper friend named Deanna as I got there, since I knew they were coming as well. When I got to my cabin, not a lot of people were there. I dropped off my stuff and left for the building calling for General Session. The minute I got there, I was greeted with multiple singing and dancing students. I knew a few of them, but didn't really get a good conversation because of my shyness. After a while, the greeting meeting for Snowball took place. Soon after, I left with my small group. The whole group was shy and a bit anti-social, mostly made up of first timers. When it was time to go to my cabin, I was met with a few girls, one of which is actually a classmate of mine. But, we talked a bit and then fell asleep.

Friday, we awoke, got ready, and ate breakfast. So, the basics of the schedule was mainly doing fun activities with our groups and eventually going to our cabins for freetime. I didn't see my friends or boyfriend as much as I thought I would. At first, I wasn't having a whole lot of fun and missing the company of people I knew. After a while, though, our small group exploded! Damn, good times!!!
Then, there was a dance. At the beginning, my boyfriend and I made a personal contest to see who can dance with the most people of their sexual preference (mainly straight, but I added some girls in there). The contest end inconclusively because a) his cabin was doing the primary contest and they ended sharing the prize b) I almost fainted from exhaustion and c)....I got over 15 males! Danced half the time with people I didn't know, then drifted to my boyfriend, friends, and a cluster of other groups. It was so fun!!! And later, we sat for a cool down, singing a couple of songs on a Powerpoint. Songs like "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson, "Your Guardian Angel" by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (getting it!), and "Welcome to My Life" by Simple Plan (ironically, out theme). The songs were very meaningful when looking at the lyrics, most being love songs, and I actually got emotional.
Going back to our cabins, my cabin friends and I talked quite a bit longer and sat around in our 'sewing circle' tlaking about many different things. I slept better that night.

Saturday: Basically the same schedule, only with an emotional twist. It was a serious pull back from the fun, and we all had an emotional General Session, explaining people's past lives and problems, which affected them greatly. They've come through a lot, they believe, but they shared this in an emotional tone, which depressed and had me in tears. When we went to our small groups to talk about our problems between us and us only, I explained my story, feeling guilty that others were already talking about their issues (and I'm being told that they're proud that I came to my first Snowball and actually shared my experiences vaguely)- oh wow, I felt so very, very, very empathetic. The girl next to me was in tears- actually everyone, even the boys, were in tears. We all cried and hugged together. I cannot say anything more than that, hence there's a very important vow I'm opt to take: what happens in Snowball, stays in Snowball. No experiences will I share to anyone at all.
Then, we went out for free time outside our cabins. Played a bit and talked with others.
Then, skits involving Disney songs! Ours was corny and really weird, but we managed to get it comedic. I'm jealous of whoever got 'You'll be in My Heart' from the Tarzan movie!!! That's one of my ultimate favorite Disney songs, ever!
Had a lot of fun at the Talent Show. Then, and emotional goodbye from a few Snowball-ers. It was very fun.
As soon as I got to the cabin, my friends and I finished writing out 'good feeling' notes. They're little messages we put in other people's bags that tell how much we were happy to meet them and other peronsal tidbits. I finished over 25 by the end of the night.

Today was our final day, which was both uplifting and depressing. Woke up cold and tired, but I knew I'd miss my new friends. Over half of them don't even go to my school! But, I gave them my contacts, and I hope they'll be able to catch up with my via Facebook and text.
Drove home with my boyfriend, had emotional and relaxing time together before he left.

I'm a bit wary of re-entering the real world. It felt as though I've lived there for over a week, and yet, I know I didn't. But, I wish all my friends to actually try this experience. Believe me it'll change you for the better, if not, give you a great time.

Once I got home, I read my good feeling notes. Oh my God- I practically bursted into tears! All the notes were so kind, caring, and sympathetic. I actually felt far from alone in all my experiences. And I have to say- I love you guys!!! I love you 'Batman and Robin': Kelsey, Jenny, Emily (hope to see you in school!), Sarah, Kathy, Quinn (so sorry you left...), Joe, Kevin, Ricardo, and Steven!!! Much love to Kristen, Rebecca, Quilty, Alissa, Michelle, and Jen!!! You guys are hilarious- Cabin H forever! Love Mike (my biffle would seriously love you!), Dan, Matt, Annemarie, Val, Daphne, Cailine- Deanna, Zoe, Rob! The whole Snowball program-

I'll definitely try my hardest to come back in the Spring!