Ho[me]

Home just isn't the same without me. 

Or at least, that's what I'd like to think. 

[I can't wait for Thanksgiving]

I came home this weekend.

I know it seems like I never spend my weekends in Gainesville, but 

that's only because I don't ever spend my weekends in Gainesville.

Well - funny story.

Kate wanted to leave for home on Wednesday and I did too. 

But I have this Friday - History of American Religion Discussion class - that I was afraid to skip because the previous class my T.A. [not even my professor] brought up attendance and how it works. 

So Kate left- and I stayed.

Big Mistake. 

I went to class on Friday - late as usual - I mean it starts at 9:35 - who does that?

not me. 

I sit down. listen. get annoyed. doodle. doodle some more. laugh. and then class ends. 

I go up to my T.A. [I tried to squeeze in between a desk and the wall, on my way up to the front of the class - and got stuck and had to push the desk out of my way - I felt like an idiot] and then I asked him to mark me here [he told us to do that - to make sure we get the attendance points] and you'll never guess what he said. 

"Oh, I didn't take attendance today, but thanks for coming."

My jaw dropped. 

and I just stared at him. 

[In my mind]

"You've got to be kidding me"

Nope. 

I could have left for home on Wednesday and had a five - yes a FIVE day weekend. 

Just another reason why I h.a.t.e. this class, right next to the Professor being an idiot and it being a ridiculous amount of work for a gen-ed. 

I skipped the rest of my classes and just left. 

what.a.waste.

Nevermind, that wasn't a funny story - I just got really annoyed again.

When I got home, I went to the beach for the first time since the summer. 

Since August - that was three months ago.

three entire - no beach - no water - no sand - long months. 

and it felt so good. 

The water was super cold, but so refreshing. 

Cassie wanted to go to South Forks final football game - so I went too. 

We lost.

 After though - we went to Kate and Kelly's house with Sara and watched Parks and Recreation. 

I love this show - it's so funny. 

I love Amy Poehler. A lot.
Some disagree though.
[Sara fell asleep - part way through episode one?]

Saturday was South Fork Cross Country's Regional Meet. 

and I'm sure it was a great race - because both the boys and girls made it to states. 

I would write all about it - if I'd gone...

but - I woke up a little late [so did Cassie] but it was fine - we were still on time for the boys race

[which is all everybody goes for anyway - no offense]

We get to the guard house thing and there is this sign that says - $6 per person.

Since when has it been $6 per person?!

I thought it was just $2 for parking. 

I had $6 but by the time we drove back home and back to SF - the boys race would be over. 

Annoying guard lady. 

[Photos to prove we made an effort to go]

If there is one thing I miss about high school - and trust me, there is ONLY one - it's Cross Country. 

Yeah, I complained and I wasn't awesome, but I loved every second of it. 

Nothing compares to that feeling right before the gun goes off or seeing the final stretch and knowing the only thing between you and being done is this 100 meters and it's time to m.o.v.e. 

man, I loved it.

So what do you do when you can't go to an XC race?

You go to the beach.

So that's what we did. 

I don't think there is anything quite like the Refuge beach in December. 

No one was there.

[A good thing]

and the waves came up all the way to the dunes.

[A bad thing]

So Cassie and I set up our stuff along the path - so we wouldn't get wet.

Another funny story.
[this one really is funny]

About two hours after our arrival - I started to notice some Snow Bird Elderly people.

Max, you're being unfair. How can you tell they were "snow birds"

Oh, I don't know - maybe it was the fact that they were fully clothed walking along the beach, or maybe it was their socks and tennis shoes that gave it away.

Two of these very snowy birds [one was wearing a long skirt  and the other in sandals and socks] were walking towards us. 

Well, at first it looked like they were walking towards us - but they were actually running towards us. 

I laughed to myself - poor things - didn't they see how high the waves were coming before?

They kept running and the wave they were running from kept coming.
Silly Snow Birds.

The next thing I knew - they were screaming - one fell over - and the wave [tsunami] came crashing down the walkway where Cassie and I had our towels laid out and were sitting. 

I let out a yelp [I don't know - people act weird during high stress situations - apparently I yelp]. Luckily I had my camera in my hand and was taking random shots - because I don't think I would have been able to live with myself if it didn't make it. I grabbed my bag and towel - and jumped into the dunes [I know - illegal]. I watched as my shirt and glasses slipped off of my towel and 

were taken down the path with the streaming wave. 

Cassie didn't react quite as fast - both her shoes, her towel, her shirt, and phone were all completely soaked.

But everything was accounted for. 

After the wave receded I looked frantically for my glasses. 

There was no way they could have got dragged all the way back to sea. 

I loved those glasses. 

Cassie found them - buried in the sand and tangled in seaweed. 

Thank goodness. 

 [I literally took the photo above - seconds before the two women started running towards us - if you look to the left of Cassie you can see them]

We celebrated not losing any of our stuff by taking some jumping pictures.

Scattered everywhere, were soft little sea turtle eggs. 

Because the waves were so rough - I'm sure they destroyed some turtle nests.

I thought Aleksi would find that really sad. 

Parker.

I love Parker.

Driving with Parker's roof off was so much fun. 

After the beach, Cass and I bathed the dogs - wait - no - I bathed all the dogs - Cassie dried Bentley. 

whoo - good job Cassie?

and then we danced and stuff - what we Poirier's do best - 

but don't worry - we stopped when cars went by - yes we were outside.

Erin was home this weekend too - and invited me and Cissy [Harry Potter reference, 6th book anyone?] to a Bonfire - with the rule that we had to wear plaid - but for me and Cassie, that's our daily attire - I mean we're lumberjacks and everything.

Interesting things about the bonfire:

1. Velcro Wall - yes, this was quite the bonfire - no, they were having a charity event before and the inflatable velcro wall and obstacle course were still up and we got to test them out.

2. Meeting Ponyo - I mean - Destiny - no? - Allie - or something to that effect - their horse, Elizabeth's horse - and making sure no one touched the electrical fence.

3. Wheeling Rebecca in the wheel barrel to get wood.

4. Kayla

[You had to be there]

5. Listening to Patrick's stories - I think he made them up on the spot - but they were funny.

Thank you Kate for letting me convince  you to leave on Monday.
But as pointed out to me earlier [by Kate]
this week is going to be --- the best week ever.
Glee on Tuesday
Glee Christmas CD on Wednesday
and
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I on Thursday
[I think my heart might just stop beating]

Goodbye baby.
Cut her some slack - she's on a new medication.