In the midst of a bad streak...

Wow, my posts have been pretty downer recently. I finally have a little bit of non-stress time right now (I'm taking a break from lesson planning for the NEXT week... crazy right?) and I'm feeling really at peace. I'm studying w/ one of the guys in the TX Union (which really sucks as a study place b/c of the lack of quiet nooks/rooms) and I just felt like writing.

Last Sunday we had a Halloween Party at our apartment. First of all, having it after service was CRAYZEE because we had to rush back asap and start cooking and decorating. That left absolutely no time to put together my costume (which admittedly was my 3rd option) because my first two were unavailable.

Now, I normally pride myself on my creativity, and I'd like to think I left AA on a pretty high note for best costume/ presentations at all the Focus (single adult) Halloween parties.

Exhibit A: Chinese Migrant Worker

Exhibit B: The Immortal Jabbawokkiez

Exhibit C: Jacob (from Twilight)

Unfortunately since I've been to Austin, my costume ideas have never panned out. Last year I wanted to be Tuxedo Mask (but was too cheap to buy it) so I tried making a mask out of paper mache. Total fail. Since I had a costume party that night, I ended up being a Lance Armstrong biker complete w/ the most uncomfortable biker shorts ever. Apparently biking shorts have built in butt pads since professional racing bikes don't have padding. Who knew?

This year, my first couple ideas didn't work out (although next year I'm just going to buy my primary costume idea). At the last second, I decided to be a "head on a platter" but only had an hour to get stuff, so I rushed to Walmart and got a turkey tray and assorted candy. Of course, I totally didn't think about the possibility of getting my throat slit by the metal tray that I would have to cut, so I didn't get to find any protection for my neck until I started making the costume. I ended up wrapping my neck in a thick scarf which helped, but caused me to be incredibly hot and sweaty. After only 45 minutes I ended up just taking it off because I didn't want to be an unblessing. *sigh*

There's always next year to break the cycle.

Tuxedo Mask Fail and Biking Tights

I typically really enjoy coming up with Halloween costumes, but this year I had the hardest time trying to come up with a costume idea. Partly it was because my hair is in an awkward medium-length that I can't really hide and can't work into what I want. It wasn't until literally the night before (Fri night) that I came up with the idea of trying to become Tuxedo Mask. (Those too young to know who he is, check the clip below)

Since I took so long to think of the idea, I couldn't just go out and buy it, so I thought I'd be able to make his mask with the help of some volunteers. Below is the process of trying to make the mask.

Ben laying down the foil foundation

KOk was in charge

As I was immobilized, Ben and Tou Fue kept putting glue all over my face

Glue in my eyes, mouth, and nose and the mask still ended up being a fail

I really wanted to go as something, anything, so as I was eating lunch w/ P Pete and some other people, I remembered that Minti (one of my roomies) was an avid biker and had all the biking gear in the apartment. Thankfully for you guys, the party I went to had kids there, so you won't see me in the biking tights, but I was definitely wearing them.

FYI, biking tights have built in pads in them, supposedly to help keep your butt properly cushioned. It was so bulky I can imagine what wearing pads feels like. Anyways, some highlights below.

We placed 2nd in the pumpkin carving!

Freakin got volunteered to play a game where we had to fish 6 gummy worms out of chocolate pudding. I ended up smashing my head down onto the bowl, broke it, and slurped up 3/4 of the contents and spit it out and got the rest of the stuff and spit that out too. All within 3 seconds. FTW

After a couple hours and it got dark, we went out with the kids and took them trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It was actually really cool to see how excited they were to go house to house. I remember when I used to go as early as possible with my friends and hit up as many houses as we could. If we got to a house that gave out the best goodies (chips, king size candy, money) we would mark it down and hit them up again when it got dark.

All in all, a very chill Halloween, different from the past couple years of Focus Halloween Parties (which I really missed), but a good time nonetheless.

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