i just got back from the retreat. instead of treking back home to queens, i've decided to stay the night at dan's place... i'll have to dress like a scrub to church tomorrow, but at least i'll get some extra sleep.

the retreat was good. the worship time-- for which i was recruited-- was good. bangbang led and i sang back-up and played djembe. we also had someone play the keys. i underestimated these kids. behind the huge (fake) bling bling studs and puffy north face jackets, past the gel-crusted hair and gold chains; the kids were kids. they enjoyed the cheezy ice-breaker games, they joked around, they laughed, they started to open up. i didn't expect to have so much in common with these boys. we connected on family issues and our christian walks. they shared and i related. i shared and i think they related. i realize more and more how God has protected and sustained me through my teen years. one of my aunts once told me that she thought it was a "miracle" that i turned out to be "normal", given the environment in which i grew up. do i agree? i guess it depends on how you define "normal"... haha.

my body's tired. my hair is greasy. my stomach is full. i'm gonna sleep well tonight.