Remembering Orlando ‘97




A very brief journal of interesting quotes and noteworthy (or not noteworthy) happening from my trip with my youth group to the National Mennonite Youth Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Fellow MYFers: enjoy!



Sunday, July 27
*In the Atlanta International Airport, in one of the gift shops, the lady working there asked Abby and Laura if they were sisters.
*Laura was beat with a pillow by Anna Kari after she made a comment about Anna saying how JonBenet Ramsey was “smeared” all over the tabloids
*Laura got a strange message from some Greg at the “Aquarium” Motel
*Laura’s word of the day: stonker



Monday, July 28
*The group went to Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World
*Abby called the monorail, the monomial- too much Algebra on the brain, was her explanation
*Leaving the park, Abby and Laura almost got on the wrong monorail
*Anna Kari told Abby and Laura about how cute she finds old people
*Anna Kari and Laura flipped out about Brer Bear on Splash Mountain, being the only ones went on the band trip
*In the evening, Christy, Natasha, Kari, Laura, and Abby went swimming. After they were finished, they wanted to go back to the room, but they couldn’t walk directly there because no swimsuits were allowed. So, they went up the stairs outside and walked all the way across the second floor by the salons, down the elevator and all the way back the first floor to get back to the main elevators. Meanwhile, Natasha took her own way to get back...and arrived at the room much later than the rest of us.
*Christy and Laura dazzled the others with their synchronized swimming, which consisted mainly of highly technical arm movements
*Laura Beth Oswald met Lora Ann Oswald for the first time, and the mysterious message was explained
*Anna Kari happened to be the first one to go to bed in Christy, Natasha, Laura, and Anna’s room- at 11:30
*Laura’s word of the day: uvula



Tuesday, July 29
*When the group went to the Super Market in the AM, Abby realized she had forgotten to brush her teeth that morning.
*The group all pondered what PPA stood for in all the signs saying, “PPA World Convention”. Some guesses include, Pelican and Porpoise Association, Preserving Porpoises in America, Pelican (or Porpoise) Protection Association, etc.
*Abby searched the outlet mall for “Penny inventory”
*Returning to the motel, the bus smelled like cat poop which was discovered on the bottom of Christy’s shoe
*As we went back inside the motel, it began raining very hard and some awesome lightning and loud thunder startled everyone
*Abby said the following things: 8 Cha’s, 6 Sha’s, and 1 Wa
*Jeremy, being the kind brother he is, decided to give his sister a shoulder massage. Her response: “Oh, that feels good! Harder, harder!” Dean, who was seated next to Christy took this moment to say, “Woah, I’m leaving.”
*Laura discovered a new cool word: phylactery
*While wandering the halls of the Omni, several MYFers heard someone say, “Freezer burn!!!”
*Abby was given a new name: Zeka Cheechaw
*From the day’s announcements: “Oooh, we’re going to the Valencia Room”
*While waiting an eternally long period of time for the elevator, with some other convention-goers, several MYFers heard one of the elevators beeping. One of the guys also waiting went over to that elevator and said, “It must be Ralph, it’s beeping.”
*Laura Oswald counted 3 Loras and 4 Lauras
*Anna Kari enlightened everyone with her superior knowledge: “There are too tornadoes in Florida. There are tornadoes everywhere, they just aren’t as common.”
*Laura and several other MYFers were wandering around the Omni and had a brief conversation with another guest. His comment: “You American? Me Brazil.” (complete with the proper accent)
*Laura’s word of the day: Valencia



Wednesday, July 30
*Christy, who had trouble remembering how to correctly use a blow dryer, used the wrong end and it “ate her hair”
*Natasha, describing her venture around the convention center: “It took me to the Valentine (Valencia)”
*Abby: “Some people like the sexy look.” (referring to her “tousled” hair with a crooked part)
*On the daily video: “I went on a service project...uh, over there.”
*Katie (singing): “I’m not the only one who fried the blowdryer!”



Thursday, July 31
*In response to Abby complaining about something hurting and asking why, Kari said, “Because if you had nothing to complain about, your life wouldn’t be complete.”
*Natasha developed a strange obsession with Peter. Laura (sarcastically) gave her advice on how to win him, “Just massage his ears with your feet...”
*Natasha: “Soho? *laughs* That’s a funny word!”
*Natasha again (about Peter): “I want to draw a circle around his zit with the pen.”
*Laura and Natasha were introduced to Brent Klassen, from Alberta, Canada. Natasha warmly greeted him with a, “Nice to meet you, Burt.”



Friday, August 1
*Laura (singing): “Gummy bears in the nametag!”
*As seen by Laura and Natasha on Eek! The Cat: “When does the hurting stop?”
*Serving lady at convention center (with accent): “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot the ice.”



Saturday, August 2
*Reni: “I make funny pictures...”
*Everyone’s favorite friend: “Come back when you don’t have to stay so long.”
*Natasha: “I got the valedictorian or something.”
*Jeremy made a comment about Anna’s roll being a “fungus bun”. Although they may deny it, everyone secretly agreed.



Sunday, August 3
*Jeremy to Christy, “You’re a wanty-girl.”
*Laura had slight difficulties using the airplane restroom...
*Abby had difficulties using the moving floor thing



Hey- all you MYFers out there! Do you have any funny quotes or interesting things you want me to add to my journal? If you do, e-mail me and I’ll put them on.




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