December 24th, 2005
Sunday brought more relaxing and reminiscing and the grand finale, the big banquet. It began with a bang as belly dancers took the stage. They shook and shimmied in a decidedly Middle Eastern (if not Saudi) style. Next came a delicious dinner. Presentations recognizing the Reunion committee and the winners of the sports tournaments followed, along with a most entertaining auction. We danced the night away to the music from a few Brat bands.
Gen Johansson-Sullivan and Jan Fugate- Massaro.
On the Move
Basil Abu-Hamayel moved
from Manila to Dhahran.Desiree Jarlowe moved from Dallas to Frisco, TX.
Elizabeth Ellerbee-Agar moved from Harker Heights, TX to Atlanta, GA.
Chance Hanuseck moved from Charleston to Poca, WV.
Saib Isa moved from Vancouver to Quebec, Canada.
Mark Skutnik moved from Lakeville, CT, to Prescott, AZ.
John Beard, Lesley Wernsdorfer, Brent LeTellier and Bruce Burgner.
Amy Thompson-Steindorff writes:
Danny asked me to write about my first Reunion experience. I was having trouble getting started until I got a phone call from two old friends last week. Danny Gauthier was in Colorado doing safety training tests for Schlumberger. George Tracy works for Schlumberger in Denver. The two of them were tooling around one night and decided to give me a call. I haven’t spoken to George in quite a while but see Danny often. It was such a treat to talk to both of them while they were hanging out together!
They sounded for all the world just like the boys I remembered back in Dhahran. Danny was giving George a safety driving test! George reminded me during this call that he told me years ago I had to experience a Reunion, that there was nothing else like it. He was so correct, and his phone call was the impetus I needed to put my thoughts to paper.
Of course, I was petrified on the first day. I couldn’t decide what to wear first of all. Leave my hair curly or blow it straight? Silver or gold jewelry? Cute shoes or comfortable shoes? Then I worried I wouldn’t find my friends, I’d be all alone, no one would talk to me. I’m too fat; no one will recognize me, etc. and so on. I was making myself a nervous wreck!
When I got to the hotel, I checked in while Brats swarmed all around. Who are all these people? I got to my room (lovely, by the way) and raided the mini-bar for a quick shot of liquid courage. Left my room and found Robin Van Der Zee-Sego. I had not seen Robin in almost 30 years, yet it felt like no time at all had passed. It was so good to see her.
We hung out in her room for a little while, talking, sharing pictures and short bios of our lives since Dhahran. I had to apologize for kicking her once when we were little. It’s bothered me for years and she didn’t even remember what I was talking about!
