I’m back! 
My trip was AMASING! I can’t wait ‘till next year. 
I learned so much and it was incredible to meet all my online friends. Already I miss Kansas and everyone who was there.
The order of events went something like this:
Day 1-Thursday: Left for the airport, arrived with no difficulties. At the airport mom and I checked our bags and went to Starbucks. The wait to get on the plane wasn’t long at all and before I knew it the plane was racing down the runway and lifting into the air. We landed in the Kansas City International Airport in Missouri. Once off the plane we got our bags, found the rental car dealership and headed for Olathe! (Pronounced O-lay-tha.) It was cloudy but the country was beautiful! Rolling green hills and lush forested areas. It was hot too! Around 97% humidity and it stayed in the 80′s nearly the whole time we were there.
After trying to get the GPS to work, and navigating the Kansas highways we made it safely to Olathe and to our hotel. After we got settled we went exploring and found a Wal-Mart and Starbucks. By the time we got back to the hotel it was late and we were bushed, so we called it a day and hit the hay.
Day 2-Friday: Woke to clouds mixed with wonderful sunshine. Did some more driving around and talked on the phone with a friend, who we were going to meet for lunch along with his family. After a bit of phone tag we decided on a place to eat and were given directions to get there. Turned out one road was mixed up with another and we drove in a few circles before finally arriving at the restaurant. Lunch was awesome! I really enjoyed hanging with my friend and his family, plus, Mr. and Mrs. Schwabauer “crashed” the party! As soon as I say them a ran over and tackled Mrs. S. with a hug. (Okay, maybe not “tackled”.)
After lunch, (which lasted about three hours,) we all went back to our separate loggings to get ready for the first part of the workshops that evening. To make sure we didn’t get lost finding the university mom and I left early. Half of me was nervous walking into the building where the workshops were being held. The other half was bursting with excitement! Here I was, in Kansas! About to meet nearly all my online buddies! What a feeling.
It started with students founding other students, hugs, excited shouts, laughing and “Oh! It’s you!”s all-round. It was awesome. I think half the fun was finding everyone. I knew a few by face and others I had to look at their name tags.
The workshops began with an address by Mr. S which was fantastic and ended with a performance by the Green Leaf Improv. Team. Those guys were great! I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt!
Day 3-Saturday: Cloudy weather again, but still hot and humid. The first workshop of the day was about how to open a novel and how not to open a novel. I took lots of notes and Mr. S’s talk was awesome. Next we broke for lunch which was in another part of the campus. It was pouring down rain (and I mean PURING!) A nice thunderstorm was going on and thankfully I got a ride to the lunch hall. After lunch, the last half of the workshops and critique group. Critique groups was great and I got a lot of helpful comments and criticism.
After all this we all headed for the church where the reunion was being half. Mom and I were the first ones there. That night was amazing and loads of fun. The Schwabauers invited a professional juggler, who was hilarious, and Mrs. S. brought swords! I was standing by the door when she came in carrying them and we had a little due. Lots of pictures were took and we all had a blast. We played a rousing game of Ninja, (I kept loosing 
) and made lots of jokes.
The end of the evening was a bit depressing because we all had to say good bye. Nobody wanted anyone to leave. In the end it was a bitter sweet Farwell.
Day 4-Sunday: Mom and I were invited to join the Schwabauers along with another parent and student to go to their home church and we did. I wish I could go again, but it’s a little far. After mom and I went out to lunch with the Schwabauer and two of my friends from the Forum along with their sister. It was so much fun! I got to say goodbye properly and that was great.
It was after three by the time we left the restaurant and mom and I went to the Mahaffie Farm and Stagecoach Stop and road the stagecoach. Then we went back to hotel and crashed.
Day 5-Monday: Went to Independence Missouri. Went to really cool museum, road in a covered wagon, and walked on what use to be the Organ and Santa Fe Trail. It was great!
Day 6-Tuesday: Hung around town, did some shopping, went to the Great Mall of the Plains, saw a movie there, and ate at an amazing BBQ place called Oklahoma Joes. Went to the Stagecoach Park in Olathe, it was so beautiful, and there was a rainbow.
Day 7-Wednesday: Packed. Went back to the Mahaffie Farm to take more pictures. Left for the airport and said goodbye to Kansas. 
All in all the trip was incredible! I can’t wait to go back.
Here are some pictures. Enjoy.
P.S. Now that I’m back I’m going to start blogging regularly again.
Lunch at Red Robin
Me with Mr. and Mrs. S.
(Left to Right) Knight of Elyon, Mer-mer, Sharpie, Samii, Snuffles, Amber and Leaf.
Group shot
OYAN Reunion-The Whole Gang
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
