First Ride on a Rollercoaster

Before Saturday I had never been on a rollercoaster. Yes, I had had many opportunities. I had resisted. I hate the feeling of my stomach dropping. When I was a kid, we always vacationed at a cabin in WI for a week each summer. We had a road we dubbed "rollercoaster road." All of the other kids begged for the adult driver to go fast down this strip of road.  I screamed and yelled to go slower. I know, lame.

When I went to Valleyfair as a kid, I would sit on a bench while others went on the rollercoasters. I did do the log chute a few times. I didn't like it when my stomach dropped. So, I refused to go on the rollercoasters.

Erik loves rollercoasters. He has always wished that I at least try going on a rollercoaster. He always said I couldn't say I didn't like something if I hadn't tried it.

So, this weekend I went on a rollercoaster.

Erik won four passes to Mt. Olympus in Wisconsin Dells. We invited Jenny and Dave to join us. I had never been to Wisconsin Dells. Wow...it is quite a place. I would compare the people watching to the Minnesota State Fair. There is tacky attraction after tacky attraction as you drive down the road. Yet, somehow it grabs you in. I want to go back and try out one of those Ducks that drives on land and in water!

Here's a picture of us enjoying our parking lot picnic. They don't allow food in the actual park.

After we enjoyed the waterslides and go-carts it came time for my rollercoaster debut. We chose Pegasus, the smallest "adult" rollercoaster at the park. I was scared. I know, lame. But everyone was very supportive. We all have our fears.

I buckled myself in, and we were off. It was jerky, and had one major hump early on. I screamed the entire time, and even put my hands up in the air since that's what I've seen people do.

I was thrilled when we reentered the loading area. I think Erik was even more excited because apparently I had gotten so scared, I had grabbed his arm the entire ride and left nail marks on his skin.

Did I enjoy it? Sort of.
Do I need to do it again anytime soon? No.
Did it feel like I expected? Yes.

I'm glad I accomplished this fear. But, it didn't completely change my opinions on rollercoasters. I think I'll stick to the waterslides.

Here's a picture of Pegasus as we left the park.

Here's some other pictures for your viewing pleasure. Erik also had free tickets to "Top Secret." Don't ever spend $12 on a ticket. Thankfully ours were free. We still don't really know what it was per se. Mystery tour, haunted house, commentary on the White House? Jenny was laughing so hard during the tour that she had to hide behind Dave.

We had a great Labor Day weekend in Wisconsin.  The clouds put on quite a show for our drive home.

On Thursday I begin work with my kindergartners. Labor Day brings about new schedules and new routines. Good luck everyone!

New Job!

Hello Friends,
I've been busy lately with my new job as a Kindergarten Title 1 teacher. Kids haven't arrived yet, though tonight I got to meet some of the little kiddos at Open House. I have lots to learn, but I'm excited to get started! I'm hoping to see lots of progress in these kindergartners from now to the end of the year. This is my first year-long job as a teacher and I couldn't be more excited to be in one place for an entire school year.

The drive is long, and its not quite full-time, but its a new adventure. Wish me luck!

I took this dorky picture of myself for a poster introducing myself to the families.

Here's a before and after of my desk. I had to add a little color!

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I'm off to the Wisconsin Dells for the weekend. One last hurrah before the school year starts. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

P.S. I took these pictures on my phone, then uploaded them to Picasa. Does anyone know why there is a gray line on the bottom? I'd prefer it wasn't there!