I spent the weekend in Wetumpka. Well, I worked in Wetumpka- I actually stayed in Prattville I think. Either way, I was not home! And since I am one to keep track of when I do something for the first time, I have to admit I had a first during this weekend. I have never stayed in a hotel by myself. I know for someone my age that sounds silly, but it is true! My son Jon laughed at me since he has traveled all over the country as well as to China and Germany alone, but I have not. So although I was not somewhere as exotic as China, I did indeed make my way to and from Wetumpka and spent two nights in a hotel all by myself.
After I arrived at my hotel and checked in, I quickly changed and headed to the Wetumpka Depot Theatre (about 15 miles away) to see a play. After the play I drove back to the hotel to get a good night’s sleep before I went back to the theatre to judge the youth portion of the festival. We weren’t actually in the theatre, but a strange little building out back. We never really figured out what they used this building for on a regular basis. My fellow judges were other University of Montevallo alums that I truly enjoyed seeing again and spending the day with! It is so nice to spend some time with people who not only understand what all you went through to get that degree, but can catch you up on what is going on in their lives as well as others they have seen or worked with recently. (They also understand when I mention the word Laban that I am not speaking of any foreign country or unmentionable body part!) We were all on the same page as far as what we expected from the participants and our comments when we went to lunch were consistent. I hope that was helpful to the students we were working with.
The highlight of the day was seeing so many talented young people. We actually saw kids as young as nine! We heard monologues, songs, scenes and more. It was a long day and it did not end the way we would have liked, but overall we all spoke of being re-energized and inspired. It made me want to try harder, not give up as I had been contemplating. I felt like what we said to those kids made a difference. At least I hope it did!
I hugged the old gang goodbye and drove back to my hotel. As I drove, I realized how tired I really was and I decided I would rather sleep than eat. So I went straight up to my room and fell asleep. The next morning I was starving!! But I had missed the hotel’s breakfast by the time I showered and dressed, so I loaded up and drove home in time to have a late lunch with my guys. As always, there is no place like home!
PS I failed to mention my run in with the TV remote. Since I live in a male dominated household I rarely get to touch the remote, so it was very foreign to me to be in a hotel room with an odd remote. I did not fair well with the technology (remote, thermostat, night light) but that is not what I want to focus on. I would rather remember my triumphs than my failures!
