Well, I don't ususally do this, but I must start out this post my asking for forgiveness. I am so sorry that I haven't updated since last Friday. I must have scared you all thinking that I wasn't coming back, but here I am! It has been a little hectic at school, but I am taking the time to write. Well, I must inform you of what I did on the MLK holiday. Students at Carson-Newman have to attend what they call "Community Life and Worship" services. These services range from magic shows to chapels to a speech from the winner of Survivor. We had the opportunity to attend one of these services on Monday. This involved taking part in a march through the streets of nearby Dandridge in honor of King. I at first did not plan on going, but my friends changed my mind (the dreaded peer preasure!). I must admit that I went for the wrong reason because my interest got the better of me. I heard that members of the KKK were going to be there, and I had never seen an outspoken member before so I was ready to see this (I know that I am horrible, and I ask for forgiveness). We were suppose to gather together and take a van to the starting area. The guy over this (and our campus preacher) told me and my friends to take his car to the site and follow him in the van. I thought this was quite odd because he didn't know any of us, and he trusted a bunch of college students with his car. Well, he told that it was white with some paint chipped on the back. We go around the parking lot trying to find it, but we can't. He then points to the parking lot across the street. We see this one car that was semi-white, and we all jump in. The guy driving can't find the right key because there was many to choose from. Well, the preacher guy starts walking towards the car and tells that that we are in the wrong car! (there's a lesson in life...always keep your car locked!) Well, we finally get the right car, and convoy departs for Dandridge. In the starting area, it was sort of exciting to be taking part in such a march. They even handed out song sheets of spiritual hymns to sing on the way, which made me excited but they never did sing anything. We finally started our march towards the courthouse, and it was great! It was wonderful seeing people come out of their houses and businesses to support us as we marched by. We finally made it to the courthouse and various people came to the microphone to either speak, sing, or perform a dance. It was somewhat interesting. There was this funny old woman "preacher" that was dressed in a bright, pink jump suit. She was funny! She talked about whatever she wanted. She even started talking about Christmas cards without the words "Christmas" and that we shouldn't be buying those cards. I liked listening to her the best. I didn't enjoy listening to the keynote speaker, a former friend of MLK form Mississippi. He got really political and bashed Bush a majority of the time. One lone KKK member did show up but without the traditional dress. There were like 30 cops standing around him too (that would for sure feel awkward). He was pretty respectful because he didn't interrupt much during the speeches, but he did yell out "communist" once or twice during the prayer. I know that I went to just see this guy, but once I got there my reasons changed. I realized that this march was much more important than I orginally thought it was. The only complaint I had was the weather. I did not feel anything on my body after standing in that 20 degree weather for two hours! After we rode back, we decided to stop at Hardee's on the way back to campus. As we were sitting at the red light to turn, the campus van pulled up beside us with the preacher guy driving. No of us looked because he must have been wondering where in the world we were going with his car! It was a tad embarrassing. We got our food anyway (and I tryed the infamous Monster burger, which really isn't as monstrous as I thought it would be. I would recommend the Wendy's triple cheeseburge instead.) That night, a bunch of got together and went to Knoxville to watch the Phantom of the Opera. I must say that I was surprised. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. I would definitely recommend if you don't mind sappy love-story musicals. After the movie, we went to Panera Bread (my 1st time, got a PBJ on french) and wrapped up this great MLK holiday.
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