Operation Malibu 300

So last night (well, early this morning), I embarked on probably the most exciting (and saddest) Christmas Eve of my life with Nate, Amanda, Vaughan, and Scotty. They picked us up around midnight, and then we headed off to the poor neighborhoods of town equipped with three trashbags full of gifts for three children that weren't expected to get much for Christmas.

Vaughan's boy was first. He and Nate went and delivered the bag. Then it was Scotty's boy in a trailor park. I was nervous to begin with, then when I went to open my door to get out, I saw a man out the window coming towards the car. I freaked out. Nate told us to stay in the car, and he got out and approached the man, who actually ended up being very polite and told him where the right house was. We went to my girl's house next, but I wasn't allowed out of the car either; they decided it wasn't safe enough.

It was heartbreaking to see these homes and know that small children live there. One of the kids it was known that there was abuse going on in the house, but there was nothing we could do. I vote next year we just kidnap the kids... I'm glad we did it, and that we went over budget to get them more stuff. I really want to do it again next year. I'll probably never meet the children, and I didn't get to see their reactions this morning when they found a bag of toys on their front porch, but I do know that it made their life a little bit easier, even if just for one morning. It's ironic, because I always feel inadequate at Creek compared to all the rich kids, and then I see how some people really live, and I realize just how blessed I really am.

I never thought

I'd be so excited to go back to school. It's been 11 days since I've seen any people - anybody have a volleyball I can name Wilson? I think the chicken pox has been the sickest I have ever been in my life (three cheers for craptastic immune systems). I have no idea how I'm going to catch up - IB is hard enough to catch up with if you miss one day, try a week and a half. But I totally decided I wasn't going to stress about it until I went back (after some sobbing on day two) and several people have been praying about it, so I think I'll be okay. There's no B in Dani :)

P.S. If anybody knows of a chemistry tutor or someone willing to teach a kid piano, let me know :)

I need to switch out of my piano class, ASAP.
And well, chem is just a beast.

It's been a rough week.

Chicken pox.
Fever complications.
Being locked inside my room for a week.
WAY behind in school now.
Why do teachers expect me to have all my makeup work done the day I'm back?
All the fish suddenly died overnight.
The dog chewed my sunglasses - AGAIN.


On the bright side.
I get to watch the craptastic morning shows for a week :)