We went back to The Corner for breakfast. Nom! This place is so good.

This was the last few hours before the reveal of how much money they raised For The Kids this year. There was no open seats at the BJC. Look how gorgeous the sea of color is!

And look how much they raised! $10.6 million. Sheesh! It’s unbelievable how much people can do when they band together.

To be there … to feel the crowd. You can’t even explain it.

We all went to:

The Allen Street Grill
100 West College Ave
State College, Pennsylvania
(814) 231-4745

Free bread and butter. So delicious.

Pesto Chicken [grilled chicken breasts topped with spinach and pine nut pesto, finished in the oven and served with garlic whipped potatoes and steamed vegetables] | $14.95

This place is pricey but I was full after eating all of that. The chicken was a bit dry though and the vegetables weren’t cooked all the way. To fix that, I dunked them in ketchup and everything tasted better.

Marisol and I went to Starbucks then went to the Hotel Lobby and wrote a song for Andy. It was fun and it’s definitely a memory that will last forever.

Last day, Day 5. Keep a lookout.

For breakfast we went to:

The Waffle Shop
1610 West College Ave
State College, Pennsylvania
(814) 235-1816

Belgian Waffle with four sausage links [golden brown, light and airy, the one and only] | $6.95 One Egg | $0.95 Our Own Famous Home Fries | $1.95

The waffle bland but still delicious nonetheless. I ate it with my ketchup. Like usual. The food was not bad at all but it was very greasy and made my stomach feel disgusting afterward.

Which was not a good idea at all because it was time for the THON 2012 Tour.

We got to go down on the dance floor and see everything from the dancers’ point of view. I didn’t want to leave. So much excitement!

My friend is a Hospitality Captain and was working on the dance floor during this time but sadly, with all the people, I wasn’t able to see her.

We went to the dancer alley and saw such inspiration. The dancers get to see who they do it for. There were so many down the hall. But it makes sure the dancers get pumped up enough.

We also got to see where the captains hang out. They have designated sleeping times and rooms. Just look at that spreadsheet. It’s crazy how everything is done. The person’s name is even on there so if you miss your time, you don’t get to sleep.

We took a few pictures with some Star Wars characters.

A few of us went to:

Jersey Mike’s Subs
4123 Washington Road
McMurray, Pennsylvania
(724) 942-0202
www.jerseymikes.com

Grilled Veggie Wrap [grilled peppers and onions, melted swiss and provolone, lettuce, tomato, and home-style ranch dressing] | $6.45

I got it to go so that we could head back to the hotel and get an hour and a half rest time before having to head back.

It was very delicious but I wished they didn’t drench it with dressing. It was slimy sticky!

We headed back at 6pm for the 10pm Pep Rally session. But before that began, they got us doing some Yoga so everyone can stretch out. They think of EVERYTHING!

It’s amazing how much spirit Penn State has. I mean, I know they are a big school and it’s been established. But standing there in that Center, you feel like you are a part of them. Freaky to say but I did do one of their chants. I’m an imposter.

I don’t even remember what we did that night. I think we just sat around and chilled since we were so tired.

Day 4 … coming up next.

For breakfast, we went to:

The Corner
100 West College Avenue
State College, Pennslyvania 16801
(814) 237-3051
www.cornerroom.com/individual.php?id=2

I stole one of Cindy’s homefries. It was so delicious!

Corner Special [three buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, and your choice of bacon, ham steak or sausage] | $7.25

It was so good. The only thing I didn’t like was the eggs. They were funky tasting.

Everyone made fun of how I eat my pancakes. I usually don’t dip them with anything and eat them plain. I don’t use butter or syrup either.

But today I was a little weird and dipped them in ketchup …

No, it’s not weird at all ..

“The Original” Grilled Stickie Bun | $2.55

I shared half of this with Liliana. It was really good, really stickie. But too sweet!

We toured all over the place around campus.

Then we went to get some sweets!

Berkey Creamery
119 Food Science Building
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
(814) 865-7535
www.creamery.psu.edu

Alumni Swirl [vanilla ice cream with swiss mocha chips & blueberry swirl] | $3.95

I think that was the price. I’m not a big fan of ice cream and it gave me a heart attack that it was this big! Three scoops? I was hoping for half a scoop.

Nonetheless, it was delicious. Jakob got the same flavor as me. That’s my face of fear. Ice cream coma.

We all went shopping a little bit then back to the apartment to rest up.

Then came the THONventure.

THON Opening Night … geezes. So amazing.

Inspirational. One day, this will be FTK.

I bought food at the BJC while waiting. Chicken tenders with fries and the THON Theme cup. So excited.

Breathtaking. Unbelievable. We stayed all the way until they finished the Line Dance. It was hella long but so worth it being there and being able to live it.

We road the bus back to The Corner for dinner.

New England Clam Chowder [a rich creamy soup made with Meyer Dairy cream with chopped clams, potatoes, vegetables, & bacon.] | $2.50

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy | $1.95

So good. I love The Corner Store.

We went back to the hotel and hung out sang songs and talked. It was great and getting to know them was that much better. I feel more connected to everyone on this trip.

Three different situations made me annoyed and such but in the end, it doesn’t matter. What happened has happened and all I can do is pretend everything is okay.

Day 2, check! Tomorrow we have plans to go down on the floor of THON. I’m excited. My friend is in Hospitality on the floor where she helps feed the dancers. Hopefully she’s free when I’m down there so I can give her a quick hug and hello.

Hope everyone’s weekend started out amazingly!

So yes. I did not sleep at all. And I still have not slept. Whoo!

It started out with a 3:30am drive to the airport with Patricia, Shayna, Shayna’s Mum, and Flor.

Shayna and her mum left and Jakob arrived right when we were walking in! So these are the earliest risers that got there first! We win …

Shayna made little baggies of breakfast for all of us. It consisted of a blueberry muffin, a Capri sun, little pieces of candy, and a bag of pretzels.

Us all enjoying our breakfast. We sent this blurry picture to Shayna to let her know we love her and wished she was with us.

Us in our seats. We got to pick anywhere we wanted to sit. There was a lot of open seats so a lot of us had our own row … like Tim J. here who sat in front of me. Jakob sat in my row and we had an open seat in between us.

Before we took off, the view. And after we took off, the view. So pretty!

It was a 3 hour plane ride to Baltimore.

I was so hyper before we took off. But once we were up in the air, the hyperness died off. I tried hard to fall asleep but failed so I pretty much just shut my eyes and listened to music Trisha gave me the night before.

Little snacks we got on the plane. I only ate the Wheat Thins and still have the Ritz. I got water and Tim J. threw the Plane Cookies at me which I still had until later that night.

The view from the sky as we were about to land! It’s so pretty!

Hello Baltimore!

We grabbed food quickly from the food court at the airport. A bunch of us bought food from Quizno’s. I got a veggie sub. Yums!

Then we got on our charter bus to have a 3 hour drive to Pennsylvania.

It was a pretty fun bus ride. I really wished I got some sleep but we had fun reading a Cosmo magazine Patricia bought. Ryan was going crazy over it! And Tim J. somehow felt the need to talk to me and share with me things that happened in the past and his failed Valentine’s Day. I feel sorry for him.

Next thing I know … SNOW!! Life is amazing.

I am in love with this weather. It’s cold but not cold enough where I want to kill myself. I wish I could move up to a cold place when I get older.

We arrive at The Atherton Hotel and this is the lobby. Hello. You’re gorgeous!

And the rooms aren’t shabby either. It’s just the three of us (Liliana, Marisol, and me). So big! So much room! I get to have a bed ALL to myself! hehe

A group  of us walked around the streets before getting dinner. Everyone else went their separate ways. (Courtney, Andy, Patricia, Tim J., Liliana, Marisol, and me!)

I found a Wilson Volleyball!! It’s so cute … I want it!

Everyone was starting to get hungry so we went to:

Green Bowl
131 W. Beaver Avenue
State College, Pennsylvania 16801
(814) 238-0600
www.thegreenbowl.com

All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet for $11.95. We all jumped on it. You pick what you want and they cook it! It looks dead but there were people here!

I ate ALL of that. And another plate. I can make this at home but it was nice having more ingredients than usual.

Andy, Liliana, and I at the restaurant. We only found this place because the Penn State students suggested it.

I would probably not waste $11.95 on this kind of food since I can make it myself, but it was good enough to satisfy all of us and our hungry tummies.

Afterward, we all walked back to the hotel and we chilled in my room. Ryan and Dilip walked in to let us know they were going to have a drink in the hotel bar downstairs. The 21+ club followed suit. Aka: Patricia, Marisol, Tim J. and I.

I got a Shock Top that was on Tap. Yum!

Then Bob and Cindy came in with Emily and they had a drink. Along with Murtuza, Lance, Jakob, and Tim S. Eli walked in to hang out with us a little.

A few of us played pool and then some of us went back to our rooms to relax.

It’s been a busy, fun filled day. It’s only 10pm here where back home, it’s 9pm. This time change is confusing me and I am starting to get tired from not sleeping!

I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings!

I hope you all have an amazing Friday!