Reunion

When I think about those good old college times, I'm usually thinking about my sophomore year. Lots of fun, lots of laughter, (ahem) lots of drinking...And good friends.

I was DREADING returning to college after my first summer back home. I had just broken up with someone and my two good friends were studying abroad. I had made plans to live in an apartment with my friend Casey. We bonded during a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (she was Helena, I was Hermia). Sometime over the summer, plans changed and what started out as a two bedroom apartment for me and Casey turned into a four bedroom apartment with one other girl I sort of knew and another girl I had never met.

That girl I had never met - that's my friend Jaclyn. She is one of the most amazing people I have ever known, and I love her so much! (This post is going to be very picture heavy, so here is one of many)

We took this picture of us in the bathtub for her friend Toby (and if he asks, we had pillowfights in our underwear...).

This past weekend, all of my favorite sophomore year memories came flooding back as Jac and I headed westward to Joshua Tree, CA for Casey's post-elopment party. This was the most amazing non-wedding I have ever experienced -- what a ridiculous amount of fun! Part of the fun was just being with Jac and going on our own little road trip, singing along to Wicked . . . I know, sounds like a horrible teeny-bopper movie. Oh well...

(If you scroll to the bottom there is a picture of the three of us - the new bride is on the left). So, of course, lots of stories were told because all of Casey's friends wanted to know some crazy college stories. Truly, we were pretty tame, but there are a few anecdotes that had me collapsing with laughter. Really. This guy who was there (friend of the groom's cousin, I think) I think got a little worried that I had stopped breathing. I think we have a picture of him....

Yep, he's the one in the blue. I know his name is Jeff...The other guy is who Jac and I call "Particle Guy." He was taking pictures and kept complaining about all the "particles" in the shots (photos, not alcohol-that comes later).

Jac and I really didn't know anyone else there, but we're in the middle of cocktail hour - oh wait, gotta tell you about the signature cocktail of the evening: A shot of vodka, then champagne to the top, then a melon-ball size scoop of prickly pear sorbet.

Here's a picture of me and Jac with our drinks (you can sort of see Jac's pink fizzy drink).

OK, so it's cocktail hour and this guy (later to be named Dave) says to me, "Are you Jen?" So I probably look completely puzzled because I have no idea who this guy is, and I tell him yes. He then says, "You partied at my trailer in Tucson." OK, so I have never partied at any trailer before in my life, so I'm wondering what he's talking about...Then it hits me: "Oh, were you housesitting for a lesbian couple?" Yep. That was him. One evening Casey and I were going out and stopped at her friend's trailer - well, not his trailer. He was housesitting or subletting for a lesbian couple he knew. I guess I haven't changed much since 1998 . . .

The elopment party is at a place called Skip and Margie's Desert Hideaway. It's a cute little place in the middle of nowhere, and if we had to go to the bathroom, we had to use one of the six villas on site. It was odd at first just walking into someone's hotel room to use the bathroom, but everyone got used to it I guess. At one point, Jaclyn went into a room and said, "Hello? Anyone here?" No answer. So, she turns the corner and there is Dave peeing. Jac makes a U-turn and we head to another room.

When Dave exits the room he goes up to Jac and says, "PARTY FOUL!" He then tells everyone he encounters, "Hey, see that girl over there? She saw me peeing!" His wife bows her head and shakes it in shame. Later, on the dance floor, Dave thought it would be fun to start undressing. We caught it on camera. Here it is for your viewing pleasure:

We had a fabulous barbecue dinner, and we were in great company. Seated at our table (among others) was the groom's cousin (the groom is Norm, the cousin is Mark-I think) and his wife, Ann. She also made the cake (coconut and very very yummy). Jac and I thought she was hysterical because instead of tapping her glass with a utensil to get the newlyweds to kiss, she was banging her plate. Really. She thought this was better.

Later in the evening, our entertainment (besides dancing, stripping Dave) was a firedancer. This was slightly odd but very interesting. I couldn't do it.

The evening ended all too soon, but I will savor every moment of this trip. I've got to close with a picture of me and my girls. I feel so lucky to have known this two fabulous women, and I can't wait to enjoy their friendship for years to come.