It was Friday the 17th, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and people were walking. Yes, it was Relay for Life, the day hundreds of students, faculty, and citizens of lovely Cleveland come together and walk for the cure for cancer. The women's soccer team formed a group to walk all night. These are the events of that crazy night...
6:00 p.m. - Our team was asked to arrive to be there for the opening ceremonies (I know it's like the Olympics, right?!)
6:15 p.m. - The whole team finally arrived...time is problem
6:30 p.m. - After several speeches from people in charge and such, the survivor lap started. We clapped as they came around, and it was pretty awesome to see all those that fought and survived cancer.
6:45 p.m. - Everyone except the few and the proud quickly left for the ever important food...it is a basic necessity for survival. So, as many of the girls put the cure on hold, others walked on (cough...ME).
7:00 p.m. - Three laps later, walking got extremely boring and that's when the night truly started...
7:30 p.m. - I received a most critical of text messages. Four of the girls on our team were come over with madness as they decided to chop off their hair and donate it to another version of "Locks for Love." There was an urgent plea for all moral support, but alas, myself and 2 others stomachs grumbled, and though we would have loved to sit in the locker room and watch our teammates luscious locks get cut away, we were so malnourished we could barely crawl. Thus, we headed to Quiznos for a quick dinner.
8:30 p.m. - With our hunger sated, we were back to walking, this time with all the team in full force. It was great that they had a dj playing some of the hippest jams while we walked...it wasn't so great to have to watch some of my fellow teammates show me their "moves." The rumors are true, white girls can't always dance.
9:00 p.m. - The lights were turned out and we had a great luminary ceremony in honor of all those who had lost the fight and those who were still fighting cancer. We also celebrated those who had won the battle!
10:00 p.m. - After such a serious ceremony, only one thing was left to do...yes, shenanigans in the center of the soccer field. We combined forces with some of the boys soccer team as we decided to show of our skills in a game of keep away.
10:15 p.m. - The girls lost our game of keep away as the boys realized they were strong and had the ability to pick us up and take the ball. We then realized the key to winning keep away = dessert. From there we went to get some snacks.
11:00 p.m. - A puppy was sighted and had to be played with. Ok, I saw a puppy and decided to play with it for 45 minutes, but trust me, puppies bring happiness when they're happy, thus making happy people. Happy people are usually optimistic, and optimistic people are perseverant, and perseverant people win the fight against cancer. Thus, by the mathematical transitive property...puppies cure cancer. This is scientific fact.
11:30 p.m. - As we walk around the track, we see people with giant tubs of plastic easter eggs. Seeing this, many of our team members went absolutely crazy and decided we must all collect eggs, combine them, and share the prize. As we lined up to run across the field and grab the eggs, the whistle was blown. Terrifying battle cries sounded as we all charged across the field, ready for anything. Our captain Soo Hoo tripped and screamed "Go on without me!" Ana Arruda dived in front of everyone, tackling 2 kids in the process as she went for the eggs. Alex Litofsky let out a whoop as she furiously picked up eggs. The dust settled, bodies everywhere, we reconvened, and counted the eggs. Turns out they only had change in them and we only made about 20 dollars. On a brighter note, Soo Hoo was alive, we thought we'd lost her.
12:30 a.m. - After sufficient rest from the Battle of the Egg, we went back on the track for a few more laps.
1:30 a.m. - With our rejuvenated spirits, we decided to have another go at some soccer. We started out with some 3 v 3, but this immediately turned in to a full out match on the same size field...the only problem was through the confusion several people thought it'd be great to be secret traitors and constantly switch teams.
2:00 a.m. - People realized there were traitors on both teams and soccer turned into wrestling. Lets say we were once again in need of a nap.
3:00 a.m. - A dragon came in and ate all the peasants.
4:00 a.m. - The night was starting to wear on many people as the walking slowed down, and people headed to their tents. Yet somehow the army reserve team kept someone jogging at all times. They are the few and the proud.
5:00 a.m. - Michael Jackson showed up! Who knew he was best friends with the dean of admissions at Case.
6:00 a.m. - Those who had gone home for some sleep were awoken as a corn hole tournament was started. And if I'm not sleeping...no one is.
7:00 a.m. - By this time, we were the walking dead. As cool as zombies are here at Case (apparent by the fabulous Zombie vs. Humans game here on campus), we decided to sleep.
9:00 a.m. - Several people reconvened to help teach all the young children of Cleveland soccer...there were only 2 kids in Cleveland that day. But that's ok, any chance to goof around with a soccer ball is welcome.
11:00 a.m. - Relay for Life finally winded down. It was a crazy night, but because of the lovely team of women's soccer, cancer is one step closer to being cured. What a great night!
**Since I am not capable of staying up for the whole 18 hours of Relay for Life some of these events may be dramatizations. You'll know which ones...
