Togas, Laughs and Cheesecake!

Tonight was our final banquet. We finished finals, we're headed on the cruise tomorrow and this was our last big shebang. It was a blast! Most of us wore togas (AKA clean bedsheets from the laundry room). I have to say that togas are really flattering to the female form. They're pretty comfortable, too. I think on days I don't feel like dressing up, I will simply roll out of bed and wrap my sheet around me. At home, it will be a cream and red-striped toga and at school it will be decorated with orange flowers. :-) I'm sure I will get some odd looks, but the heir of confidence I have gained from my times as a world traveler will enable me to walk with my head held high. Haha!

We had a marvelous dinner that consisted of steak, baked potatoes, broccoli, salad and rolls. The best part: Death by chocolate dessert and cheesecake!! Apparently, Mr. Griff is quite the dessert king. It was heavenly! I had an embarrassing incident in the dessert line with Austin that made my face very, very red and caused tears of embarrassment/laughter to run down my face. I don't think that it is publishing-worthy, but I just wanted to put it in here for me to remember in the future.

After dinner, we all met in the livingroom for HUG awards. You will be surprised to learn that I was awarded, "Most Likely to Make a Tearful Oscar Speech." They hit that nail on the head. Ironically, I almost teared up when I went in front of everyone. There were a lot of other funny awards. Alana got "Most Likely to be Dive-Bombed by a Bird." (Remember that blog entry?) and Ashley got "The Giggle Pots Award." (She is constantly giggling..I love it!) Most of the others fit their recipients quite well.

Tommy didn't quite finish his video by press-time so we will watch that another time. Bethany put together a short slideshow of pictures for us-- many of them will appear on the poster that she designed. Every year, another poster is added to the wall with group pictures on it. If Ryan comes this summer, I am going to make him take a picture of it for me. :-)

I am looking forward to our relaxing cruise. Captain showed us some pictures tonight to prepare us and I am really excited! No schoolwork will be on the brain-- it will be just us, the big blue sky and the water-- and hopefully some sunshine!

This night was a perfect ending to our time here together. I can't think of a better way to end it than laughing with some of the best people I've ever met. As much as I have sometimes been frustrated with Harding, this semester has opened my eyes to the blessings it gives. I have friends from all over the U.S. I know that, years from now, if I need a house to stay in for the night or a lunch date in a random state, I have several people that I will be able to call on. It has provided me with other college students who share a love for God and know how to have a blast without throwing their morality out the window. I see some of my public university friends who have changed completely and it makes me thank God for girls who want to make stupid videos at 2 a.m. instead of get drunk, for guys that hold each other accountable instead of partying it up every weekend, for teachers who genuinely care about your soul and well-being. I will accept the early morning chapels, the curfew and the both feet on the floor rule (ha!) for gifts such as these.

I won't be able to write for a few days, but I will update you when I get back. In the meantime, find some time for yourself this week. Do something that brings you joy, no matter how small it is. If you really want to be bold, put on a toga. Even if you have to be completely alone, put one on, look in the mirror and smile. It's pure freedom. Embrace the breeze!

Love ya, Ash