Das Flingen (Part 1)

Tuesday the 19th of June.... well first off, a lot of important events seem to happen on Tuesdays, this one notwithstanding. Tuesday morning we all got up and made sure we had everything packed. I had planned on going to French class but thought better of it. My father and I then proceeded to drive down to the Welk Resort in Escondido. It was good to have some one on one time with him. We got checked in and began to unpack. My mother was to follow us a half hour later , and yet after having been in the room for almost an hour no sign off my mother. After some minor confusion we met at one of the restaurants on the property, to find my mother had brought my grandparents down too!
    Ah! I almost quite forgot to describe the occasion which warrants our travels. The 19th through 23rd of June was the ETS Spring Fling (though June is summer if you ask me). ETS (Escondido Tutorial Service) is the over arching "incorporation" through which I have studied the Great Books (GBT) these past 7 odd years. As a 5th year student (I took a 2 year break in between years II and III), we are required to write, present and defend our final 2 papers. The first of which I presented in January. I wrote on the nature of governments and a brief history of western government. My most recent paper was a case for history, why studying history is important.
     After a brief lunch, I returned to the room and took a much needed shower and began to "suit up" as I was scheduled to present and defend at 16:00. As a side note, no matter how much I enjoy wearing naught but cargo shorts and graphic tees, I do love dressing up nice and proper.
    At 14:15 I arrived at the great hall where the presentations take place. Now at 14:00 my dear friend Wesley N began his presentation on "The Means to Believe". Wesley and I have been friends for a little over 2.5 years now and see eye to eye on many a thing. In any case he had expressed to me a certain uncertainty and nervousness about presenting his paper before so many people and his peers. I then and there promised him I would be there for his presentation, a plant in the audience per se.
   At 15:00 everyone moved from the Hall to the lawn outside. Miss Jenny R then presented quite a moving and confident presentation entitled "Confident in Christ". As Jenny defended her paper, I went to the parking lot and my car to get my suit jacket and go over my paper one last time. Finally H-hour had arrived, as had my parents and grand-parents. My presentation went well, though I am positive I spoke too fast at some areas. I then was subject to the questions of my professor and all those present. All went well though and it was over before I knew it.

Defending my paper

    Next on the docket was the GBT V Graduation picture in which we all brought with us an item that represented to an extent our lives outside of GBT, though my item of choice would have been a Guinness bottle, it was wholly unsuited for the occasion. The next best solution was my Robert August Longboard. After much hemming, hawing and posing the pictures were finally taken and we made our way back into the hall which had been set up for the GBT V graduation feast. We were served by the GBT III-ers and I-ers. Dinner was exquisite and the five course meal was not only tasty be quite healthy was well. It began with Appetizers. The normal fare to be found at most dinners of this sort, namely "Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Cherries and Rosemary", "Assorted Cheeses" and "Handcrafted Rosemary Crackers". The Salad was a refreshing "Mixed Greens with Fresh Blueberries, Feta, Praline Pecans, Mint and Balsamic Vinaigrette". The Main Course blew us away. It consisted of "Sautéed Vegetables locally grown", "Potatoes with Pesto" and the Pièce de la Résistance: "Burgundy-Pepper Tri-Tip". The Palette Cleanser was a delicious "Blackberry Sorbet" that hinted vaguely at a red wine. Dessert consist of Tiramisu adorned with frozen dark chocolate "V" (Roman Numeral 5) and Coffee. (No matter how often I try it, I still can't seem to appreciate or enjoy the taste of coffee) While we dined there were speeches, quotes and gifts given. Memories were forged as we approached the beginning of the end of this great marathon we had all ran and finished together. After this fantastic feast we returned to the lawn and sat around a fire to fill the night air with music and friendly debate.

Myself and Mr H, my professor

     At 22:00 when we were encouraged to leave the premises, Wesley was in need of a ride, as he hails from NorCal, and was staying with the H family (not Mr H as seen above), who coincidentally live off the same freeway exit as the Welk Resort. We decided to seize the moment and make a brief stop off at the local In N Out. Shakes and burgers in hand we sat down at a booth and talked about life the universe and everything. That day, was the first time we had met each other in person and we had much to discuss. As we drove to his lodgings we wound up just sitting in the drive way entrenched in conversation until the early morning. All in All a great first day!