PITTSBURGH!!!

So on Friday, I awoke early. When I say early, I mean 4 o'clock in the morning early. I showered and dressed and made sure that I had everything that I needed. I hustled to the school to meet the bus at 5. We packed our stuff into the bottom of the bus, made sure everyone was there, and headed out. I was wide awake and hyper as anything, which is quite unusual for me at such an hour of the morning. But after about half an hour, I was getting a bit stir crazy. We stopped at a rest stop after about two hours.
Then after a few more hours of driving through the snow ((blizzard like conditions actually)) we arrived at Falling Water. This is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous architectural wonders. We had a walking tour of the house and we able to take pictures from a little vista of the waterfall and the house. It was very interesting, far more so than I thought it would be. It was also very, very chilly and windy.
After departing from Falling Water, we drove for a bit more before stopping for lunch. I must say that fast food may be cheap and easy, but if that is all you eat all weekend, it does get a bit old. Anywho… Soon we were off again and didn’t stop until we got to the Station Square Sheraton in downtown Pittsburgh. We unloaded our bus, claimed our baggage, and headed to our rooms to unwind and relax before dinner. I was rooming with Alexa, Kayla, Emily, and of course, myself! We watched some television and had some photo time.
Then we had an adventure finding the conference room where we were supposed to be meeting for dinner. Finally we just asked someone and we got there, still very early. We ate, or tried to eat the pizza, which wasn’t all that good. But there was some rather good salad there that I did enjoy. After forcing us to answer trivia questions and shoving candy in our faces for bribes, they dismissed us to our rooms to prepare for the Pittsburgh Symphony.
The girls in my room had some adventures along the way. But we got dressed up, did our hair, and took lots of pictures and once again boarded the bus. When we got to Heinz Hall, we took a group picture in an outside courtyard. Then we headed inside and found our seats. The program was all Henry Mancini’s music and then his daughter, who is jazz singer Monica Mancini, sang along with the orchestra in the second half of the concert. The hall was beautiful and our seats were good.
We got back to the hotel later than we expected. But we were tired and got ready for bed. The girls stayed up and talked until about 12:30 or 1:00. We had to wake up by 6 on Saturday, but we all decided that between the four of us taking showers and getting ready, that wouldn’t be early enough. We set our alarm for 5:30. We managed to wake up, shower, organize, not forget anything, and get to the bus on time and all in one piece.
Then we were off again. We went to the Duquesne Incline, where we got some pretty aHmazing pictures of the city!!! After that we headed of to our drop off point a couple blocks from the Carnegie Art and Natural History Museum. We had an hour to get breakfast and have some free time to shop or just window shop. As we were walking down the street, we found a Rue 21 store and decided to check it out. It is officially my new favorite store! I went in and spent $17 on six things! I was sooo excited. But then we couldn’t find the museum. Until we found Mr. Jordan, who knew where he was going so we followed him.
The museum was interesting. But they had a problem with my bag apparently. I had been carrying it for at least 45 minutes and suddenly it had grown to such a size as to steal a painting in!!! Egads! So our group had to go find the lockers and try to stuff our bags in it. After trying two and losing at least a dollar in quarters, we gave up and decided not to go near that area anymore, as no one else seemed to have a problem with my bag size. But once again I was stopped. I told the nice lady that her beloved lockers ate my quarters and wouldn’t give back the key. So we were directed to the front desk, where they found us a locker that worked, paid for the locker, and refunded our dollar. That made the whole situation a bit better. So we wandered the museum for a bit more.
We headed to the Station Square Mall, which is basically a glorified Zern’s, AKA not that exciting. I got some cheese fries from the only food place in the “food court” and then played some Dance Dance Revolution with Katie. She won by a lot, but I still had fun.
We meet outside for the Just Ducky Tour Boats. Which I got to drive and I have the sticker to prove it! I was the only one who could keep it in a straight line. I guess that means that my future in driving is hopeful!!!
We then headed to the Mattress Factory, which is like the Google Works in Reading. If you don't know what that is...It's a place where artists are asked to come and create art, whether it be for permament display or otherwise. So it's not really a factory. And we didn't get to make any mattresses. But we did get to make puppets at the end. Mine was not very inspired at all but I tried. After that we got back on the bus to head back home. We stopped along the way twice for food and bathroom stops. It was still along ride, but since we were going home and we were tired, it seemed shorter and not as exciting.
But after all the drama and lack of sleep, it was definitely worth it and I will always remember that weekend.

Some Exciting Things....

Since Lydia just had to ask...

I do have some things coming up that are...open to the public shall we say?

~Monday, November 12th, 7PM at Trinity EC in Boyertown. Vetern's Day Service. I will be singing with show choir, making a small speech type thinger, and possibly playing in it.

~Thursday, December 6th, 7PM, Boyertown Jr. High West. Chorus concert. Just concert choir and show choir. not too long...all singing...very fun indeed...at least for me!

~Thursday, December 13th, 7PM, Boyertown Jr. High West ((at least so far..may be changed to the High School)). Orchestra concert...not as exciting...but still...and I get to make a speech as president of the dorkestra...I mean orchestra!

And I'm sure there are other events that I can't think of off the top of my head. But thats all the major stuff that you can attend...and they're free!!!

Well, I have to say that my life is busy right now. But nothing that fun or exciting or outstanding is happening...but things are coming up quickly! So soon there will be pictures and stories galore! Trust me!!! =D