Waking up the morning after our Half Dome escapade was difficult, but soon enough overcome. After all, I had something to look forward to for that afternoon--my long-missed friend Ryan, whom I had not seen in three years, came for a visit. It was a very joyous reunion, and it made me impatient to wait for my shift to end. He kept me company as I swept the cafeteria, then we walked up the hill, talking as we went. We had so much to catch up on--he's one of those people where, no matter how much time has elapsed, always seems easy to pick up right where we left off.
We rested in the lodge, and played cards like old times, teaching each other new card games. I treated him to some Inca Cola, which had him making a series of very priceless faces. After a few hands of cards, he played a piece or two on the piano for me, and I showed him some more recent pictures of his former classmates. He was quite shocked at how some of them have changed. I was very sad to see him go. Almost my entire shift afterwards was spent making cookies for the outposts, from baking them to packaging them. It was a pleasant but time-consuming task. I enjoyed going over to the Chalet to watch the Phantom of the Opera--that film has the most intoxicating effect on me, helped along by some wonderful butterscotch brownies and nice, creamy milk.
The next day, I went up to Archery for the first time in a week since scraping my index finger open with the bowstring. I wasn't shooting as accurately as I had been before that, but it was still not too bad. In the play that night, thanks to the absence of a few cast members, I got to sing the lead for "In the Jungle." It was fun, and I enjoyed the guest pastor's talk afterwards.
Tuesday was the long-dreaded American Camp Association (ACA) inspection. I had the good fortune to be in two facilities that were being inspected--in the kitchen, where luckily we were all taking breakfast break when they came and in the craft building, where I was making a vase for my mother. It was a surprisingly simple process for a surprisingly beautiful effect. Megan, my room mate, was kind enough to bring me a Jamba Juice in the afternoon, and it put me into good spirits as I headed home that evening with my father for the first time all summer.
When we arrived home at around 1:00 AM, my mother was awake to greet us. I ave her the vase, which she accepted warmly. Then, I took a look around the house, enjoying my reunion with my three cats. It was evident to me that my parents had been working hard all summer on the house. I slept in long, and attacked some of the clutter in my own room. I enjoyed one of my father's excellent fritatas, and spent the rest of the morning doing paperwork and helping Mom with her online class.
Then, my beloved friend Caroline and I went out to lunch at Daphne's Greek Cafe, and I dearly enjoyed being with her once more. We strolled over to Border's, where we rifled through a beautiful book on Princess Diana and I bought a book of speeches that changed the world. It was wonderful to converse with one who has a fully fleshed-out vocabulary. Dad and I went to Bank of America to take care of my finances, then we picked up Mom and went to the house of the McMillans, Caroline's family. There, Mrs. McMillan made a wonderful meal for us with ravioli, green beans, salad, and a delicious cake. It was great to see all of them--their house is almost as much home to me as my own.
We went out to the movies, where we saw No Reservations, a wonderful film about two chefs falling in love, much of the humor of which I appreciate much more deeply now that I have spent time working in a kitchen. Ratatouille was a delightful complement to it--the mouse Remy had the most wonderful, heartwarming expressions that were not possible a few years ago. I retired late, but very happily.
The journey back to Wawona was made quickly, punctuated only briefly by a visit to the Stoneridge Mall, as there was an elaborate pirate banquet here tonight. I donned my pirate jewlry, black boots, embroidered shirt, and jeweled dagger with great anticipation, and was not disappointed. When I walked into the cafeteria, it was completely transformed--candles shone from every surface, barrels and bric-a-brac were piled in various corners, artfully ripped and torn fabric hung from the ceiling, and at the end of the cafeteria was a magnificent captain's table. All the staff wore pirate garb, and the night was filled with good food, good company, and excellent entertainment.
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