I woke up at 7ish so I could pack. I went to the dining hall around 8:30ish. When I got my breakfast there were other mentors there eating. None of them were Joe. He had already left by this time but I still looked for him secretly wishing he missed his train. There were also several students left eating with the group of mentors. We all sat there for a long time recounting different events of the week. We were having such a great time talking about the week and what impacted us the most, we didn’t notice until the dining hall staff asked us to leave that they were closing. We all left and I headed back to my dorm to finish packing. The plan was for me to meet the group of staff and others that lived in Baltimore at noon to all ride back in one of the vans from the National center. When I arrived I thought I would be helping pack up the last minute supplies, but everything was already for the most part finished up. Most of the students had already left, the last one at 1ish, and she was from Maryland. All of the folks that were left at the university campus ordered lunch from 5 Guys before we left. I was beyond tired, so the ride home was a blur to me. There was a party at a local restaurant for those who wanted to celebrate a successful Youth Slam; but I was so tired and didn’t feel good I chose to go home. Once at the center I got a ride home. I was up for a couple of hours and went to bed sleeping for the next several days straight. Youth Slam ended on Saturday and I already had plans to volunteer at the Maryland Bell Academy; unfortunately I came down with bronchitis and a sinus infection so I missed the first week of the program. Joe I believe went on a reunion trip with family so I didn’t hear from him for a few weeks.

I would absolutely do Youth Slam over again, I wrote this up so that I could remember all the things we did. Granted it took me over a month to write it up. And even more so now, when I was finishing up the last few days and writing this out, I was many times lost in day dreams of Joe. But I also wrote it up, so that next time I want to do Youth slam, I can remember how much work it is. But even with that said, all the work, all the late nights, all the swollen feet, all the sleep deprived nights, I would do it all again. It was a lot of fun, and a week I will always remember. It was incredibly empowering, inspiring, just a awesome week. I want to be able to read this many years down the road and say I did that.

So until the next Youth Slam!

In the original blog I stopped here, but have since included more…..so now will Joe and Marsha see each other soon? how does the rest of the story take place? I am sure all of you out there are dieing to know, I guess you will have to keep checking back to learn all of the juicy details. Until tomorrow!