IHOP - Week 1

Well, well... here we are... another week. But, not just any other week! An amazing week!

God has been truly faithful and so good to me. This week seems like it's been much longer than it is. It's a good thing because there is still so much more to be gained and to learn.

The trip down to IHOP was... tiring. I slept on the planes and stayed awake through the airports. Pretty much like I thought would happen. Got to Anchorage airport around 6:30a. I was slightly worried that my bags would be too heavy, or that I forgot something at home or security with all of my stuff would be terrible. I brought my portable Bose stereo, the laptop, and clothes and books... It was some intense carry-on baggage. So intense that whenever I stored my bigger bag into the overhead bin I a) almost dropped it on myself or some unsuspecting passenger, and/or b) had to really push it in there to get it to fit. Which it eventually did! And I got through all of my security check-points pretty easily.

I left Anchorage around 8:30a on Tuesday the 29th. That flight was wonderful! It wasn't full, and the dude next to me was quiet and we didn't bug each other. I sat in the window seat. I like window seats... on not so crowded planes. We land in Seattle around 1p and I proceeded to find food! So everyone knows where to food court is in Seattle, and I was trying to decide between Qdoba (which reminds me... I need to register that points card...) and Maki. I chose Maki cuz Zach had it on our way down to Orlando and it was really good. I remembered being jealous of it! So, I had it for myself and it was nummy! Problem with that food court was that it was so full of people! I couldn't really find an empty table. I walked around for a bit and finally found an empty bar spot behind Starbucks. That was great! After eating, I found a nice spot near the last gate I was at. The gate for my departure to Chicago wasn't determined yet... so they told me to wait near the gate I got off from. I did that which was wonderful and sunny and I have pictures! But... sad part was... there was no internet. I had to pay a ludicrous amount for the time I was gonna be there... thanks for being there for me ATT... Anyway, that left me time to just chill with music and write letters that I mailed off to some of you! (Those that are waiting I'm waiting to get to a post office...) My flight was boarding around 5p and it was about 4:30 when I heard where my gate was for departure... it was far away. Not so happy bout that, but, got there in time and still sat around for a bit.

Took off from Seattle... and that flight was FULL. I again got the window seat, but, it was so cramped and no one in my row talked to each other. Finally, I talked to the guy next to me about something silly and we had like a 5 sentence conversation. Then... I had to go to the restroom... I had to ask him and this bigger lady with a really terrible shirt (some of her buttons were missing... and revealing.... ick..) who I almost dropped my heavy carryon onto to move. And so they did, then I went to the restroom... and by the time I got back, the lady had just started to put her seatbelt back on and she wasn't happy with me... 'cept... I don't understand why. Better for her that I got back then, instead of later. And I dunno why she was putting on her seatbelt cuz really... I was coming back! Anyway, landed in Chicago around midnight.

In Chicago I went to baggage claim to get my bag. I was told over the phone that I should be able to check my bags in as soon as I got to the airport. If you're confused at this point allow me to clarify. Bought 1 ticket with Alaska Airlines using mileage from ANC to CHI. I did this because there were no mileage tickets to Kansas City and I had to get to IHOP at a certain time. I had a 9 hour layover in CHI before getting to MCI (Kansas City, International). So, AlaskaAir couldn't check my bags all the way through if it was over an 8 hour layover... sadness. So, I got my bag, and apparently the check-in counter was closed til 3am. Which meant I had to do something til then... There was no food on my concourse opened that late, so I had to take a rail to another concourse which had this very lame deli that was opened 24hours. Got a sandwich, and then, got some internet and did some stuff. I had to pay for interent there also, but, being there so long... it was worth it. The concourse I sat in was in the international flights. So I sat across from Jordanian Air and some other middle-eastern countries. LOL After a while of doing stuff and realizing that I accomplished all of my internet NEEDS, I decided to check in. It was round 4am. I did that and it was smooth. No problems. Security was lame. There was just this one big fat annoying security guard that kept repeating himself over and over and it was like herding cattle... We wanted to hit him. No one was new in the line. And he would say it after one person went through. I'm about 6 people away from walking through security and this other line opens up behind me... then another... It was rather depressing. Anyway, got through security with no problems. Found my gate and chilled there... after getting a donut and coffee from Dunkin Donuts! It was a coffee roll and a caramel mocha. Both pretty good. Got to the gate and decided that I was gonna take a nap... So I put all of my stuff next to this pillar near the gate and slept behind this row of chairs. When I woke up... people were sitting in the chairs (which was alright) but, I think they were surprised that I was there... I'm assuming they didn't notice me. I felt awkward. I got some pictures with the sunrise and then waited to board. The flight from CHI to MCI was probably the best! It was so sunny and relaxing and there was almost no one on the plane! A whole row to myself for like an hour and a half flight, which I slept on, of course. It was cool. A really nice plane too.

Landed in MCI got bags from baggage claim. It was all so easy. Then, I found an outlet really close to baggage claim and airport pick up as I waited for Celia to come get me. Pulled out my lappy and just chilled til she got there like 2-3 hours later. Not a big deal, it was still really early. Anyhow, she came as soon as she could and it was awesome! Got my gear loaded and went through Kansas City to IHOP. It was a good drive. Got to see the city a bit.

I arrived at IHOP pretty close to check-in time, but, still a wee bit early. Celia and Ryan were very EXTREMELY gracious hosts! It was so nice that God blessed me by providing that and truly returning the favors that I've given others. We went to Higher Grounds the coffee place on base (or campus, whichevs.) It's good! I had some for the first time yesterday. Finally... an iced caramel white mocha with an extra shot that's actually really really good. I knew it could be. Anyway, we were trying to figure out where I was supposed to meet and what to do. By the time we figured out it was the place we went to originally where no one was when we got there, a lot of people were there and they kept coming in! Seal and Ryan stuck around and waited for me to be really checked-in... which I appreciated. They introduced me to some folk and that was cool. But, then they left and I had to introduce myself to some other ppl's.

First was Caleb. He's got red hair and I soon discovered, a coffee connoisseur! He's so awesome and I will get to know him well.
Then, I met some of the staff as they walked us through registration process.
After going through the line they took us as a group to get our photos taken for our ID's... which we still have yet to receive. In my group was Anthony (really intense guy... pretty smart), Cherish and Deni, a couple of girls that are pretty awesome! Deni reminds me of Shea and Cherish reminds me of someone else who I have yet to figure out. I also met Rex! He's a core leader and totally reminds me of one of the leaders for MC-Wasilla I think.

Afterwards, got my room assignment and got to settle in and possibly nap. My apartment is the tightest ever! The place is amazing. We have this amazing wall in the kitchen next to which I will take photos! The guys are so awesome and we're so different yet so much alike.
First there's my immediate roommate: Isaac. From Michigan though born in Minneapolis. He's 18 and totally athletic. I don't recommend running with him if you are new to running... He's a track 2 student, having been through track 1 before he's been pretty much showing us the ropes and helping us all get along. It's good to be an immediate roomie with him. He's really clean. Challenges me to be cleaner. He doesn't know that... yet.

In the other room is Caleb (different one), David Vaught and David Rich.
Caleb is pretty weird. But, in a good way! He's so likeable and just everyone loves him. He's got dreads, listens to weird music that's not so weird at all, loves Calvin and Hobbes and Farkle (we're a Farklin' bunch of fools now... lol) I think he's from Arkanas or Alabama... I think it's Alabama... And he's also a track 2 kid and knows Isaac pretty well. He loves his friends which is evident by the stories he tells. It's endearing... :p

Vaught is the oldest. He's gonna be 23 here soon. It's really cool. It's nice to have a dude older than me, but, not by too much. It's really refreshing! He's from 4 hours south of here... so I think it's Alabama or Arkansas... I don't remember. But, he's a really great guy.

David/Rich/Dave (we're still trying to figure out what to call him) is from Traverse City, Michigan (??) He's the youngest coming in at 17. Pretty atheltic. Seems really smart. Totally funny guy and he doesn't even have to try or do anything! Vaught and I think he's pretty much like Matt Damon. And seriously... he is.

The cool thing about my suite-mates (I like that term... though it's an apartment... whatever) is that it's evident we're all here to love God and help each other grow. We're all really respectful of each other thus far. I think the no prank rule might help with that. lol

But, before I go on too long or... actually... finish this blog for today... I just got a new roomie last night! His name is Jack. (I've never met a Jack... so it's kinda cool) Reminds me of Jack from Dawson's... but, only cuz of dark features. That's where the similarities end. I don't know too much about him. I know he's moved a lot, from Michigan. Toured in a band. They were/are pretty good and have an album sold in Best Buy. But, he left all of that to do what he felt God was calling him to. Has an awesome testimony and I'm excited to see how we gel and how God works in him.

I'm also excited with how God has been working in me! I wanna tell y'all... but, alas... my lap is tired and I'm done for today.

Coming next blog: Prayer Room awesomeness! and some other exciting things like JD doing a backflip!