Despite traveling issues and failed attempts to get into Minta Martin without those nifty cards, Birthday Ball 2003 proved to be a great place for a GB reunion. The current GB's, excited to be visited by so many alum, opened their doors, pumped their sound systems, and got ready for the ball. Though only a handful of alum actually made it to the hall (four of us were late), we ended up having a smaller pre-party with some of the currents, partaking in last-minute preparatory and mandatory shots, and getting each other up-to-speed on what was going on in our lives. And by now, you're sitting there, scratching your head and asking yourself as you read: What evening would be complete without Public Safety? The good news here is that since there were only a few of us lingering on the hall (about 9 of us maybe?), there weren't enough of us to cause that much of a commotion so we had a good time chatting with our old PS fellas.

You might think that the fun ended there, but oh no. None other than 2Cent (that would be Mrs. Hurlock for those of you not paying attention) offered to drive us all over to the ball. And yes, she was sober. So downstairs we headed, stopping by the chapter room to pick up Smootie and her date, attempting to look sober and like a group of four instead of 9 as none other than Kent County Hospital Security were making their rounds. After squeezing into the SUV (hey, we're sisters, we're close) we finally made it to the Ball. Now, as I'm sure you all recall, getting to the Ball isn't the problem - it's finding each other once you're in. This ball also seemed to have more people (or more people in the same space - less dancing floor) so finding each other was rather tricky.

Finding the current GB's proved to quite easy as they were holding court in our traditional place - right in front of the stage. You'd be proud of our girls, ladies. As we arrived, they were in front of the stage in full force, singing along to "We Are Family", which prompted the band to put a microphone right in the middle of our girls who were belting the tune and sort of screaming it. Off to the left of the stage was where the GB alum were dancing the night away. After many shrieks of happiness, hugs, and yelling in each other's ears (we were in front of the speakers), we started to try to find other sisters and bring them into our happy circle. After cruising the ball for what seemed like hours, it is safe to say that we were able to bring many sisters back to the alum circle and find some stragglers out there in the crowd. By the end of the night, the space was getting smaller, but eventually, the current GB's made their way over to the alum crowd where we tried to make introductions, but mostly, we danced and had a great time.

The end of the evening was capped with what can only be described as good old Washington College debauchery. One of our sisters (we'll call her Oot) decided it would be lots of fun to dance on a table (you may recall the tradition from our formals - or was that chairs? Anyway...) Ooter started a trend and people were starting to dance on the tables - and if you looked carefully, table dancers also included current GB's. For about twenty minutes, everyone seemed to be safe on the tables and then the novelty of the idea wore off. Unfortunately, this didn't go without a mishap - before we knew it - our initial table dancer had fallen whilst trying to get down and ended up breaking her arm in three places as concerned alum and sisters surrounded her. Luckily, she is fine and okay for those concerned readers out there. Be sure to send her your love anyway, since she is probably in pain.

As the night wore away and we started heading towards the DH for free breakfast (mmmm...free breakfast), we picked up a few sisters that we didn't see during the Ball (amazing how many of us were there). Unfortunately, not all of us were able to say goodbye to each other or really have a moment when all of us were in one place at one time, but I think it's safe to say that the Ball was one of the best ones we have attended and a fine place for a reunion. At this point, you're probably wondering who ended up being there. Correct me if I'm wrong, anyone (I don't want to miss anyone that I either didn't see or because I was a tipsy monkee), but here's who we had: Janet, Ridolfi, Previti, Aja, Kristin, Smootie, Keeza, Jill Kroos, Tamanya, Oot, Alison (and Gino), Cooper, Elena, Andrea Selvaggio, Heather G, and Renee (and her hubby). That would make a whopping total of 16 alum in one place! We missed all of those who couldn't make it and had a great time with the current sisters. Next time around, we hope to have a proper reunion where we can all talk to each other and not have to scream, and maybe set up something with the current girls as well? They're pretty stoked that we've made an effort to see and meet all of them, so only more of this kind of thing in the future, no? If not, there's always the Birthday Ball.

Oh, but next time around, we'll be sure to congregate beforehand properly and no table dancing! As 2Cent pointed out to me as we left - we should only dance on chairs. :)