So I am back in Kansas. Things are better this time around because we are staying in Manhattan (yes, there is a Manhattan in Kansas!!!) as opposed to Junction City (which in many ways is still a one horse town…Wal-Mart was the main attraction there!). We are within walking distance to the ‘mall’, there are more shopping plazas here, there is a Target in addition to the Wal-Mart and Kansas State University is within 5 miles of here. That is important because college towns tend to be filled with fun places like bars and pool halls! I also have my sister Athena with me so I am not that token black chick as in previous trips.

Today, I experienced my first tornado warning. The entire state was practically under a severe storm warning/tornado watch. The wind was fierce as it blew past the building. Around 1730, an alarm almost similar to a fire alarm went off indicating that the storm and possibly a tornado was coming. According to the reports, Manhattan was in the direct path of this storm. We all gathered into the hallway of the first floor and watched as the rain poured down and the wind howled. Ten minutes later, the alarms were turned off on the first floor, but remained on the 2nd and 3rd floor (where my room was). I ran upstairs briefly to get some ‘important things’: my GameBoy Micro, my DS, my GameCube games and memory cards, my wallet and my camera (leaving behind the 2 new Xbox 360’s that I purchased…CRAZY!!!). Twenty minutes later, the alarms were turned off on the 3rd floor and we were allowed to return to our rooms (I stayed in Athena’s room located on the first floor during that time).

It truly was an experience like no other. I know for a fact that I didn’t want to be where that tornado did touch down.

My trip this time is only 18 days compared to my 30 days last time. This is good because I get some time to spend with Will, my family and the girls before embarking on my 2 month stay in San Antonio, Texas, not to mention being able to make our annual pilgrimmage to the New York Auto Show!