The condensation droplets sprinkle my window, my own heat keeping me warm. My sleeping bag- my snuggly abode. Messy room adds to the hominess. Sun greets you even though you turn back over to sleep. Reluctancy to leave the safe haven of it all it….The cold air nipping at your body reaching your bones, a chill. Mist drifts up from the water. It’s a thick soup warming all our tummies keeping us in that drowsy state. Hurried rush to get to the Thunderdome for our natural caffeine buzzzzz. The workout ensues. Panting, grunts, struggle- to work harder then the day before, reach a new goal. Breakfast bubbling and sizzling. Groggy hellos…. First -classes begin with a whisper -a murmur –then- a roar. Everyone roaring- animals in their pajamas. The condensation drippppping down the windows might as well be crying. My books creeeeeeeak as I open them.

All the guys gathered around one of the many glowing screens watching-waiting-then in unity laughter. A roll of my eyes, then a cracking smile then, of course, the giggling along too. One of the guys, I suppose? The teachers cleaning out their coffee mugs while Melina is just taking hers out. The coolness in the air has evaporated away thanks to the beating sun. He’s so bright and proud- I wonder if he’s so enthralled with himself he never realizes he is lonely. Everyone talking…Relief with the morning classes done. Us all chirping at each other about new things like the birds outside in the branches. Comfortable, homey, friendly-like, a yummy mixture waiting for creative writing to express everything and be free. The foosball table, a rumbling earthquake. Who needs to watch games off your laptop when you have one in high def right there. The murmuring of everyone content with eating lunch, filling their endless pit of a belly. No hands raise to wash those dishes. Hometeam running around receiving as much attention from the guys as a babe in a bikini on the beach would. Everyone’s energy rising because they know what’s about to come. People finishing with their elective classes still deep in thought about how to make their product perfect. Was the shot was even up to par?

Getting out of those pajama bottoms and into those comfy broken-in jeans. The transition has occurred. The shade under the deck becomes the only sanctuary from the sun. New projects arising. Outside the house may look as though nothing is truly going on but when you dare to open that door you’re greeted by the sound of a thousand different conversations. What a lovely group we are….Herd of us stampeding everywhere-we laugh at the thought of tiptoeing. The playful barks of Hometeam who has discovered a new stick. We are chaos in a line. Huge stickers everywhere your eyes may land, dappling our items.

Going out onto the lake in my stinky paddling gear. Everyone a swarm trying to get to the wave first. All hurried paddle strokes never leaving the water. Babyface holding our attention as if it was a child in a playpen. Corner wave keeping us in its own little timeout away from every else. Hitting move after move trying our hardest -pushing boundaries, cheers, hoots, hollers from our friends watching you nail that trick you’ve been working on for so long. How can it be you have that much love and support. then peeling my skirt away from my boat to get out on the mossy covered shore. Take action shots of the group, battling matt for my turn to take photos, to get a better shot then him. Finally reaching the time my tummy starts to grumble again. Everyone listens to my incessant hiccups because of this fact, I’m hungry. Paddling back in and ripping off all the paddling gear drenching you all over. Rushing quickly inside so not to get the chill and jump right into the warm steamy shower. It’s like a spa when you close your eyes and pretend. Tracy telling me to hurry up because we’re going to be leaving for dinner soon. Jumping out in a hurried rush my towel wrapped around me as I run into my room. Careful don’ t let it slip! Rushing to put on an outfit usually for dinner, I put on something fun and cute because its nice to feel like girlie. Sometimes just because I can. It reminds me of home when my dad and I would go out to dinner, it was always fun and special. Running out to the van my hair still dripping wet but at least neatly parted and into my classic little colorful bow. Gahhh…running back into to get the Wilderness Tours bracelet. Tino honking the horn trying to get me to hurry it up. Hahaha! Someone else forgot their’s too.

The sun going back to its favorite hiding place. Everyone running around, excited, pupils huge searching for the light. Headlamps illuminating what our eyes cannot. The foosball table games are in full swing! Teachers working on their plans for the next day preparing their schedules- planning, plotting possibly? Nahhhhh…..Study hall. Pauses. All. The. Fun. Working on homework, trying not to giggle at the person next to you, waiting for that clock to hit the time when your free again to run off into the night. Sneaking through the woods, reaching Stephen’s little humble abode, the little fire already roaring making up despite its small size. The company of friends, the woody smell of the smoke seeps into your hair and the clothes your wearing, bringing the comfort of the woods all the way into your heart welcoming you into its home. Telling spooky stories that send a chill up your spine. Snuggling on Hometeam for some wanted comfort, clinging to the person next to you, asking for a buddy to accompany you while you walk back. You hear a stick crack, its not yours. Could it be a killer in the woods? Nope. A little squirrel scurries off next to you. Watching a movie- so engrossed even with the silliest things the guys seem to have on their computers these days. Some people heading off to bed for their beauty rest while the night owls are wide awake talking and chattering away about the day. When 10:30 comes around off to slip into your comfy pajamas and brush your pearly whites-snuggle into that sleeping bag that welcomes you so graciously even though you leave him lonely all day long. “LIGHTS OUT”, Tino will yell. The pitter patter of a little mouse trying to find the peanut butter in a cabinet. Snores and deep breathes one of the other accompanying sounds you hear. Your dreams welcome you twirling you back into their arms.