Post Relay

Mercyhurst University's Relay For Life was a success! We raised more than our goal of $25,000 and we had more participants than we hoped for. It was cold, but we made it through. I am still not as rested as I would like to be, but I am getting there. I slept from 1-6 after the event ended on Saturday, then again from 9pm-11am. I could hardly walk the next day because I was so sore. I also do not remember anything during Friday night/Saturday morning.

At 11pm, a bonfire was started so participants could roast marshmallows. At 1pm, mostly everyone was gone or sleeping in their tents (the few, the brave). I was one of 5 who stayed up all 24hours and it was not because I wanted to. I was forced and I am not doing that again. Staring into a fire for 9 straight hours was not something I feel the need to do again either. The bonfire lasted until 10am the next morning and I think it was the only thing that kept many of us alive.

The heat and a combination of dancing and screaming "Call Me Maybe" at the top of our lungs seemed to give us new life. I can't tell you how many times I jumped around to that song, but it was what kept me going. Besides that song, the best part of Relay 2012 were the hundreds of bagels that got delivered on Saturday morning. When I asked Jo's Brooklyn Bagels to donate they said "sure, we will give you leftover bagels, probably a tub." They came with about 8 tubs! It was crazy, we will be eating bagels for months! Even after fighting the cold and the urge to sleep, I am so thankful I participated in this Relay. The people I met on the Committee are amazing and they have become good friends. We are a wild bunch and I am glad many will be returning for next year's Relay. I am sad to see the seniors go, but hopefully they will come visit. Relay bonding isn't yet, we still get to have a cookout and eat the leftover hotdogs! We are also having a meeting next week to decide on next years theme.

Relay Update #2

Hitting the half way point right now. I'm so tired, I'm so cold, I want to sleep on the sidewalk. I am dreading going in the tent to find my blanket that has been sitting in the wind all night. I really shouldn't be complaining but I am a little person, I get cold so easily. I strategically volunteered for booths in hope that I will stay awake. At this point I think sleep with not be beneficial. Once I'm out I won't wake up, or I will take a nap and be extremely grumpy. Wish us luck.

Relay Update #1

We are 3 hours into Relay for Life, 7 hours if you are on the Committee. It was freezing this morning, but as the sun comes out it feels nicer. It is still very chilly which is making me more tired than I already was. I have realized that while not drinking coffee and pop is healthy, it sucks for today. I have been chugging tea to keep me caffeinated. Hopefully getting some food and water in me will help keep my energy up. Wish us luck.

Weather Update

NO MORE RAIN ON SATURDAY, but still same temperature for Friday.

Paper Lantern: Trial Run

We ordered 36 paper lanterns for the luminaria ceremony, so we decided to try one out. It was a little windy and we didn't know what to expect. It took a couple tries to light, then about 7 people to hold the sides. Finally we dropped the number down to two and waiting for it to heat up. When it took off things got scary. While it was going higher, the wind kept blowing it around. It was scary to watch but it looked very cool.

Also, another weather update: The low for Friday has DECREASED! Not by much, but still! 41 to 38. Also, there is now a chance of rain on Saturday. wah wah wah...

Friday's weather as of Tuesday night

I Thought it was APRIL, why is there SNOW!?

I woke up this morning to find that the weather was in the 30s and it was snowing. My first reaction was to check the weather for the weekend because it HAS to be nice for Relay. Here is the 10 Day Forecast:

Weekend Forecast as of Monday 

So as you can tell by looking at this, it should be 46 on Friday. I'm trying to be positive because it came up three degrees since this morning. I am not particularly fond of staying up all night in 40 degree weather, but I am glad I kept my wind breaker at school. Saturday is supposed to be in the 50s so that should be good, but we will only be outside until noon so it probably wont reach its highest. I will keep everyone posted on the weather situation until Relay.

Relay cannot be rainy or snowy and here is why:

First, cooking and eating burgers with a charcoal fire will not work if its rainy. Also, who wants to stand in the cold and make food for everyone there and who wants to eat a soggy burger? But notice, I said burgers. YAY WE HAVE FOOD!

Second, no one wants to walk around in whipping winds. I will do it for a good cause, but people are not going to be happy about it. I'm thinking we should all get together and make a 300 person snuggie. Any takers?

Blah, Rain.

Third, luminaria bags need candles. Candles cannot burn in rain or wind. The last thing we want are 100 bags catching on fire. Mercyhurst would not be too happy. The luminaria ceremony is the best part about Relay. It brings everyone together in a moment of silence to remember those we Relay for. If you plan on coming to Relay, make sure you are there for the luminaria at 8pm.

Fourth, WE'RE HAVING A BONFIRE! I learned the hard way that bonfires are not the most exciting thing in the wind and rain. Bonfires are also not very fun when you cover them for a minute, then open the lid to see if it is going out and have a giant explosion of flame come out. So I add, please make s'mores at your own risk.

Fifth, WE HAVE A BOUNCEY HOUSE! I'm 99% sure it is frowned upon to bounce in a bouncey house when it is raining. The only positive thing I can see is the bounce house will get your blood going and warm you up.

Those are the major downfalls of bad weather during our Relay, but you also got some surprises to what is in store on the day of Relay! I am very excited, and I hope there is a great turn out. Everyone tell Mother Nature to bring us some sun!

"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road,but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence." - Lin Yutang