The conference was AWESOME.
My dad was one of the drivers and a chaperone, which was great since- while on the way to Prescott- he bought me some Reeses Pieces at a rest stop. We carpooled in a rented van with a lot of people from Seattle and from the Northern States where its filled with forests and is cool. Since it was nighttime while we drove through Phoenix's desert region, the people missed out. So when they woke up the next morning in the freezing (for a Phoenician) forest after it just rained, some said: "oh, Phoenix is just like Seattle". I cracked up.
The conference was held at a Jewish campground, which I thought was kinda weird since there was Hebrew writing and Jewish promotional writing everywhere. The campground was very rugged and was freezing for someone who is used to hot days and very little rain. The bathrooms were disgusting and the water was freezing! The food wasn't very good. The French Toast was hard like a rock and the staff served Mexican beef and such, which I hate. There were apple trees around the campground which attracted mountain lions at night. Staff patrolled the grounds at night when it was freezing and usually raining. They stood around in ponchos with flashlights, lighting our paths. I feel sorry for them. However, they were all male; maybe the prospect of meeting a mountain lion in the PITCH BLACK forest was no big deal. The cabins had little bowls of Hershey Kisses as treats for us (which I helped myself too). Unfortunately, mice found their way into the neighboring room. I didn't see what the problem was. Rats are one thing, but mice are so small and harmless (unless they carry diseases). Besides, why would mice bother humans. They're just looking for food. So, most of those girls slept on our room.
The conference itself had little skits and personal experiences. One skit was of Harry Potter, where Lord Voldemort was slain by... CHEESE WHIZ! :P Everyone was sorted into the four Hogwarts houses. I was in Slytherin (the staff just handed out cards); but the good news is, is that Slytherin answered the most questions correctly and recieved prizes. I got a cinnamon smelling candle from a large selection of scented bath products and stationaries.
We had a talent show which was freaking hilarious. There was this guy named Max who performed a comedy routine. He was so funnny my throat hurt from laughing. :P The adults had a dance contest with the teenagers (which got somewhat graphic). And we even had a fashion show where Max in a French (actually German) accent, commented on the clothes. Guys dressed as girls. Sadly, the models went on for too long and it lost its humour in the end.
I am truley enlightened to the world of SGI Buddishm. I know that I can become a great leader like Sensei (President Ikeda). I will try to chant every morning and every night so that I can become the Buddha like Sensei.
I will never forget this experience.