My Weekend

This weekend was Valentine's Weekend. I am sure there were many couples who took it as a 3 or 4 day weekend. Specially with Monday as a holiday for many and Saturday the actual Valentine's Day.

I went to a LDS Singles Conference. This is a conference for 31+. There were many people who were on the ++ part. Friday night was great. I went to the conference by myself. I wasn't sure if I would know anyone there or not. This woman sits down in front of me. She turned around and asked me if I was sitting by myself. I told her yes, so she asked me to sit next to her. She was there by herself too. So I did. Then a few minutes later she noticed another woman behind us that she was sitting by herself. So this new friend asked the other girl to come and sit next to us. So she did.

We listened to a Jericho's Road. This is a Christian Band or a Mormon boy band. They did a good show. After the show was several activities. Dances, speed dating, 10 questions 10 tables 10 minutes (similar to speed dating), karaoke and games in the library. I prayed a lot that I would make a friend to hang out with there. I was so glad that I meet these ladies. Later that night I discovered a friend but she was a social butterfly and interested in meeting men (the point of the conference, to meet someone). It was nice, I had a good time. I meet a man who seemed very unsure of why he was there but a nice guy.

The next day the was bright and early. Sister O. was an amazing speaker. Then there were several workshops and lunch. I really enjoyed the workshops. I would have liked another day of them. Then after lunch were more workshops. Then a show of family relics. I took a nap and missed dinner. After dinner was Sister Oaks speaking to us. She was funny and an amazing speaker. She really hit home. Because of my nap, I was a few minutes late to the talk by Sister Oaks and ended up sitting by myself because it was too many people to find my friends. Then this woman walked up to me and whispered hello and asked me to sit with her group. It was an old friend from Blythe, CA. I grew up in Blythe, CA. This woman actually said a few nice words at my father's funeral. It was nice seeing her.

Sister Oaks event ended early. So 2 of the people from Blythe I knew came to my apartment. I gave them some energy drinks. Then we went back to the Conference. They went to sing at the Karaoke thing. I went to the dance and hung out with my social butterfly friend. Through her I meet some more very nice woman and men. While she was dancing, I checked on my friends who Karaoke. They had the speed dating thing going again as well at the games thing and 10 Questions /10 Minutes/ 10 Tables things. There were 2 dances. 1 was more modern or recent music. The second was more older music. At the dance on Saturday night I meet this guy and his roommate. They both seemed to be nice and live in town.

There were several people at the conference who do not live in town. They passed out flyer's for other singles conferences going on.

Sunday was Sacrament meeting which was early. Then lunch then a talk by 2 brothers from Utah who swam the English Channel. They were very good speakers and successfully swam over 21 miles in the English Channel. Then Kenneth Cope sang and spoke to us. He is an amazing speaker and singer.

I was very happy I went. I was really scared before going because I wasn't sure if I was going to know anyone. I went to the whole weekend by myself. They said something like 1100 people were there. The first night was more of a group thing but the second night was more of a couple thing. I really happy I meet these two woman. One of them, we went to all of the workshops together. I choose some and she choose some. The people who did the workshops were very, very good. At least the ones I went to.

The food wasn't very good but I think I am bias. Mainly because of all of my allergies and I really don't like the company who catered the event. They are a local restaurant who also do catering for big events like this. I have had them many times and wouldn't ever eat at their restaurant.

On Sunday when I was waiting for my new friend to show up, the guy I meet Friday night, came up to me and started talking to me. He was a nice guy. I haven't seen the guys I meet Saturday. I didn't exchange phone numbers wit anyone but the girls I meet Friday night. I hung out Monday with one of the girls from Friday night. I am really glad I went. I was told by one of my new friends from Friday night, that if you take the weekend for the spiritual value it will be a good weekend. I did this because I didn't think I would really meet someone (to date). I was late on Sunday and missed the Sacrament and I am not happy about that but that's life.

I feel better about myself and where I am in life. I was having issues before the conference. Personal issues. Issues with self esteem and self worth. Feeling bad an embarrassed about not having a job, etc. The conference was so good, I feel better about myself. I know I will struggle with issues my whole life. This weekend was so great I want to go to 1 or 2 of the conferences coming up. I hope I get a job in time so I can go. A job were I can have the weekend off to attend. That would be awesome.

The feeling from the weekend was similar to the feelings I get in the Temple. Love in my heart, peace in my soul and a clear mind. Also a hunger for knowledge. I may not be a good flirt anymore because of esteem issues but I am getting my confidence back. I would recommend every single who can to go this conference next year. Also, look at the other conferences in your area. I know there is one coming up in Huntington Beach, CA very soon. As well as one in Sacramento, CA.

I got a flyer for a information site called http://www.theldssinglessite.com This site is to let you know what is going on in your area for singles. They have a section for 18 - 30 years old (young adult singles [YSA]). They have a section for 31 - 45 (mid-singles) and I believe they have a section for singles 31 +. You should check this site out also.

One thing I thought was really smart of the conference organizers. We had to wear badges showing we paid to be there and for security reasons. The front had our name on it and the back had the schedule for the weekend on it. That way you had the schedule of events with you at all times. They also made a booklet with bios of all the people who spoke, sang and talked to us. This includes the workshop people. They had pictures of all of them too. They booklet had the schedule for the whole weekend in the front and a daily one (with room assignments) in it. Then a map of the place on the back. It was very helpful but the badge thing was an amazing idea.