My Most Embarrassing Moment

Would you like to hear a funny story?  Of course you would.  This is the story of what I consider my "most embarrassing moment," even though enough time has passed that I'm no longer embarrassed (hence my public re-telling).  It now is simply one of the funniest stories of my life.  Could be that it's a "had to be there" situation, but regardless, you'll probably at least appreciate the embarrassment factor.

I happened to think of this story during a lovely dinner with my friend Nicole.  We used to go to college together and even were R.A.s together for two years (along with Bestie, Ashley, and Ilene... hi guys! :) ).  We were reminiscing about how much we loved college, and this story came to mind.  So, for your reading pleasure, I give you "Amanda's Most Embarrassing Moment:"

We were up in Wisconsin, maybe?  It was R.A. retreat, about a week or so before the rest of the students arrived on campus.  We R.A.s traveled up to a cute little camp on a lake and bonded, as well as prepared for the rigors of R.A.-hood when we returned to Chicago.  R.A. retreat was always a blast.  My particularly favorite activity was when 2nd year R.A.s pretended to break all sorts of rules and the 1st years had to confront them on it.  Awesome.  Well, the girls in my small group decided we'd go out on the "banana boat"-- a big inflatable monstrosity that was pulled behind a speed boat.  It was the shape of a banana, with handles along the middle only, fitting maybe five in a line.  The driver of this boat was notorious for getting out into the middle of the lake, and when everyone was comfortably speeding along behind him, he would yell "SWITCH!" and while the boat is still flying over the water, the passengers on the banana boat had to maneuver themselves into another position.  Keep in mind, it was a banana shape.  There was no room on the sides.  I'm guessing most people just did a back flip over everyone and landed perfectly in another spot, because otherwise, HOW THE HECK DID PEOPLE DO THAT?!  I got on this banana boat with one stipulation: I would NOT be switching when he yelled me to do so.  I simply wouldn't.  I didn't care if he stopped the boat.  I didn't care if I was seen as a spoilsport.  I would NOT be switching.  Why?  Because if I switched, I'd land promptly in the water and wouldn't be able to get back on the banana boat.  I just knew it.  

So we donned our life jackets and off we sped.  I love boats, so it was quite invigorating and fun... until the driver yelled "SWITCH!"  
"No.  I'm not doing it," I yelled over the roar of the motor and the spray of the lake.
"Come on!  Do it!" my girlfriends yelled as they were already switching, somehow miraculously NOT falling into the water.  
Then suddenly, I was switching.  I grabbed onto the one handle in front of my and attempted to do who knows what-- I just needed to get to another spot and FAST.  

But then it happened.  I slipped, and fell into the water.  Only I didn't let go of the handle.  So there I was, hanging onto the handle of the banana boat, going full speed around the lake, my body slapping against the water again and again like a rag doll.  Of course the water was going against my body, which gave me the most lovely water wedgie as it shoved my bathing suit up my booty.  I offered a full moon to anyone who was watching... including but not limited to the MALE R.A. in the boat.

This kept up for quite some time, or at least it felt that way, until one of my friends on the banana boat got the  driver to stop the boat.  At that point, laughing hysterically, my friends attempted to pull me by my life jacket back onto the banana.  What happens when you are laughing hysterically?  You have no strength.  Imagine just how successful the pulling was, what with the silent laughter and all.  Finally they pulled me up, I picked my wedgie, and we made our way back. 

I think I didn't stop laughing about this incident for a good two weeks.  I was mortified, but I was able to make a lot of people laugh, so it was worth it, right?  Right?!

xoxo, A

Hello, My Name is Amanda and I'm a Published Author.

Finally.

After years of writing and many queries, I'm published.

But let's be real here: it's just Chicken Soup for the Soul.  Hahaha!  Everytime I think of it, I laugh.  I mean, there are plenty of people who are really blessed by the Chicken Soup books, but they have never really been my thing, you know?  Still, the story I wrote is one of the most important of my life, and they chose it, and for that I'm grateful.

What's most amazing about this is that God is continuing to use my late youth pastor, years after his death.  That is a legacy.  I pray someday that God will use me even after my death.

Another amazing thing is that this was totally unexpected, and very encouraging.  God has words for me to write, and this gives me encouragement to keep writing them. 

So if you're interested, my story "My First Ebenezer" is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul:Finding My Faith.  I don't get any royalties though.  Hahaha!  Still, there could be some other good stories in there, so take a look, if you're so inclined!  The Kindle edition is available now on Amazon, but it won't be on the shelves until some time in October, I believe.

Meanwhile, I got several copies in the mail.  And my father in law wants me to sign his, just in case I become the next Mark Twain.  Hahahaha.  As if (channeling my inner Cher from Clueless there.  90s girls: wasn't that just a great movie?!  Haha!).

But seriously.  Thanks, God.  This is an awesome thing to happen. :)

xoxo, A