It's now the middle of the strangest spring break I've ever had. Spring break likely started Friday with it being club day at school. I managed to attended 2 clubs, Bible Club and FCCLA. I usually don't go to them because of the classes I'm taking, but we weren't doing much since it was the last day before break. I was very thankful for FCCLA meeting during my last class, band. We have a strange schedule with the band classes where juniors and seniors have band everyday, but the freshman and sophomores alternate band days and gym days. Were playing a piece requiring 2 piccolos, and I play second. The first piccolo is a sophomore. Friday just happened to be his gym day and also happened to be a day the band director wanted to play the piece. I'd usually stick through it, except there are 2 piccolo duets in which we stand out a lot. Solos aren't exactly my thing, and I almost always mess them up even after practicing. So you can imagine how nervous I was feeling even after such a great day. Halfway through the class we had almost reached the first duet, and the office announced that all club members were to be released for club. Friday worked out well for me, I managed to play the beginning of the piece very well on piccolo, AP bio was pretty much a movie day, we talked controversies in government, and we had a food day in english ending with Bible club and a great speaker.
Monday was the only day I got to myself, so I of course spent it sitting around watching movies. Yesterday was the interesting day where mom and I went to the local community college to talk to advisers, went to lunch downtown, went to the dentist, got smoothies, and got haircuts. The dentist was better than expected at first when they gave me a graduation card with a $20 gift card to Barnes and Noble. They also didn't mention flossing at all. But there was a catch to the kindness; I have to get my wisdom teeth out, all 4. I doubt it'll happen soon because of school, graduation, the AP exam, and trips, but I'm still not looking forward to it.
Today is almost to myself, but dad is home working around the house. I might ask a friend to meet me at the Burgers, Shakes, and Cream for ice cream, but apparently it's a but windy and cold out. I'm trying to relax before tomorrow when we'll be visiting Virginia Tech. I have another appointment with an adviser at the community college tomorrow morning, but then we'll be driving to VT for another appointment with an adviser. Friday will be another free day with dad home. Now excuse me to my scheduled tv shows and relaxation while I avoid AP assignments.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Saturday, April 12, 2014
A Poem About Summer
To me, summer starts when the first thunderstorm arrives;
summer starts when you can walk around at night without wearing a jacket;
it starts when coffee shops serve iced drinks again;
it starts when music festivals are selling tickets;
summer starts when the marching band schedule gets released for the first time;
it starts when the seniors’ caps and gowns arrive;
it starts when field trips become a weekly thing;
summer starts when churches announce mission trips for the youth;
it starts when summer camps send out fliers;
it starts when music can be heard anywhere;
Maybe this is why I love summer so much;
It promises new days where anything can happen;
there’s no specific order of events;
there’s always so much to do;and time to do it.
summer starts when you can walk around at night without wearing a jacket;
it starts when coffee shops serve iced drinks again;
it starts when music festivals are selling tickets;
summer starts when the marching band schedule gets released for the first time;
it starts when the seniors’ caps and gowns arrive;
it starts when field trips become a weekly thing;
summer starts when churches announce mission trips for the youth;
it starts when summer camps send out fliers;
it starts when music can be heard anywhere;
Maybe this is why I love summer so much;
It promises new days where anything can happen;
there’s no specific order of events;
there’s always so much to do;and time to do it.
Meeting Old Friends
I’d say today’s been a pretty good and productive day. I haven’t done any of my homework, but I feel really relaxed and calm. I slept til 10:30 and had my second favorite breakfast, french toast. I also had my 2 cups of coffee while scrolling through pinterest.
My dad was working around the house today, so mom and I went to look for shoes to wear to prom as well as some straps for my dress. We went to an arts and crafts store to find the straps, and ran into a neighbor who had moved into town around 8 years ago. Her 2 daughters were my best friends. One is a year older, and the other a year younger than me. The oldest is currently at college as a musical theater major and part of an A Capella group. The youngest is a junior in high school as a proclaimed writing major. After we bought our stuff at the store, her mom invited us to the smoothie shop on the lower level. The youngest sister was there waiting for us, so we sat there with our smoothies for about 30 minutes catching up since we haven’t talked in person for 7 years. We've all changed so much in such a short few years. Not only did I discover my favorite smoothie, but I got to meet an old best friend again. And we talked as if we still lived down the street from each other.I really wish I'd gotten to visit them more often after they moved. They truly were my closest friends even though none of us were in the same grade.
After we left, mom and I went to mall to get the shoes and check out the new stores at the mall. We got a really late 3 o’clock lunch at Sbarro. We went to Food Lion to get ingredients for lunch tomorrow. And now we’re home.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Senior Year and Many Events
I just now realized how close graduation really is, I have a little over 2 months left of high school. The first of many senior meetings started Thursday on the topic of upcoming dates and the senior trip. We had the choices of: $115-Busch Gardens w/ lunch at Short Pump, $115-Dollywood w/ Ripley's Aquarium, $115-Baltimore shopping trip and Nationals v Phillies in DC w/ Cheesecake Factory, or $25- All you can eat buffet and carnival games at the local baseball stadium. The winner by 40 votes was Baltimore. We go there on a Thursday and get back at midnight. The very next day we have our senior breakfast, awards ceremony, and senior luncheon. We'll all be attacking the coffee machine at the senior breakfast conveniently scheduled the day after the senior trip. It'll be fun though, most of us have been to all the choices except Baltimore.
Last night was the start to many bonfires and birthday parties coming up. Last night was my friend Katey's surprise 18th birthday party at a local restaurant. Her family and a few friends were there, and we discovered how awesome her family is. Next weekend is my dad's birthday, so we'll be having the family over for supper that night. The next Friday I'm having a bonfire/game night with some friends, and it's also the night of the spring ball. The next day is Courtney's birthday bonfire at her family's farm. After that we have graduation parties to plan. May 31st is Relay for Life and the Blue Ridge Music Festival. Many things to prepare and so little time.
In other news, I'm probably attending the local community college for 2 years and later transfer to a university. This means I'll be getting a job to occupy my time I'd rather spend exploring a college town far away from here. One idea was being a waitress at my favorite BBQ place which is owned by my friend's parents. Another idea was being a freelance writer at the town paper. My favorite idea I'll only get to do in the summer, is being a counselor at a summer camp.
I've gone to a few summer camps, all of them being in middle school and high school. I've gone to many girl scout day camps, and two over night camps. I went to a church camp overnight for an entire week, the longest one I've gone to. I've gone to band camp 4 times, all of them being overnight for a week. Last summer I went with the juniors and seniors of my youth group camping for 2 nights. This summer I'll finally get to go to Student Life Camp with my youth group, that will be the longest camp I've been to once the week is over.
I'm interested in being a counselor at a summer camp because I love being around kids, and I love to teach. I've changed because of the camps I've gone to, they've made me who I am today, and I want to be a part of that experience for other kids. I never really appreciated summer camps while I was actually there, but after I left, the camp left something inside me that's stayed there. I miss going to camps, and I know I'm too old to go to a stereotypical summer camp as a camper, so why not be a counselor. I may be quiet sometimes, but I've learned that it's children that bring me out of my shell.
I've spent my entire weekend reminiscing instead of doing homework, and it's probably gonna stay that way. I'm so done with this school year and all the snow we've been getting.
Last night was the start to many bonfires and birthday parties coming up. Last night was my friend Katey's surprise 18th birthday party at a local restaurant. Her family and a few friends were there, and we discovered how awesome her family is. Next weekend is my dad's birthday, so we'll be having the family over for supper that night. The next Friday I'm having a bonfire/game night with some friends, and it's also the night of the spring ball. The next day is Courtney's birthday bonfire at her family's farm. After that we have graduation parties to plan. May 31st is Relay for Life and the Blue Ridge Music Festival. Many things to prepare and so little time.
In other news, I'm probably attending the local community college for 2 years and later transfer to a university. This means I'll be getting a job to occupy my time I'd rather spend exploring a college town far away from here. One idea was being a waitress at my favorite BBQ place which is owned by my friend's parents. Another idea was being a freelance writer at the town paper. My favorite idea I'll only get to do in the summer, is being a counselor at a summer camp.
I've gone to a few summer camps, all of them being in middle school and high school. I've gone to many girl scout day camps, and two over night camps. I went to a church camp overnight for an entire week, the longest one I've gone to. I've gone to band camp 4 times, all of them being overnight for a week. Last summer I went with the juniors and seniors of my youth group camping for 2 nights. This summer I'll finally get to go to Student Life Camp with my youth group, that will be the longest camp I've been to once the week is over.
I'm interested in being a counselor at a summer camp because I love being around kids, and I love to teach. I've changed because of the camps I've gone to, they've made me who I am today, and I want to be a part of that experience for other kids. I never really appreciated summer camps while I was actually there, but after I left, the camp left something inside me that's stayed there. I miss going to camps, and I know I'm too old to go to a stereotypical summer camp as a camper, so why not be a counselor. I may be quiet sometimes, but I've learned that it's children that bring me out of my shell.
I've spent my entire weekend reminiscing instead of doing homework, and it's probably gonna stay that way. I'm so done with this school year and all the snow we've been getting.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
I'm Back
I know I haven't posted in a week or so, but I figured no one really reads this so... Anyways, we got an Excellent at State Assessment a couple weeks ago, since then we've been looking at music for the spring pops concert in May. This concert has always been my favorite since it's more relaxed, and because we're familiar with most of the music. In past years we've played things such as Hallelujah, which by the was the senior song which I'll get to later,Led Zeppelin, in which a senior saxophone had the best time of his life, and Star Trek, where we played around with the stage lights.
The senior song is usually the slowest piece we have at the spring concert, and throughout the piece we have the seniors stand one by one.
This year we're playing Frozen, At A Dixieland Funeral, Stormchaser, Grand Serenade for an Awful lot of Winds and Percussion, Groove Music, and an undetermined piece which will likely be either The Incredibles or Reverberations. When us seniors were little 8th graders, we were supposed to play Reverberations with the high school band, but we couldn't handle it. It seems like we're gonna have a fun concert; the jazz band I think is playing Walk That Dinosaur, so it'll be fun.
Drum major tryouts are coming up, and one of the sophomores auditioning used to be one of the shyest people in the band. I remember when we met at auditions and we discovered we have the same name, and thus the friendship began. She's one of our best clarinet players now, and a great leader. Tryouts this year are gonna be tough though. The show music was announced today, and a potential show theme to go with it. The music is on inspiremusic.com and called Immortal. The show online is a vampire show, but we'll probably change it to be based off of Dorian Grey. It's so sad I won't be marching in it since I'm graduating, but I'm glad in a way that I'm leaving. I kind of burned out last year, and there's been a lot of tension between another girl in the section and I. The show has a flute solo in it, so the two of us probably would've killed each other.
This year we're playing Frozen, At A Dixieland Funeral, Stormchaser, Grand Serenade for an Awful lot of Winds and Percussion, Groove Music, and an undetermined piece which will likely be either The Incredibles or Reverberations. When us seniors were little 8th graders, we were supposed to play Reverberations with the high school band, but we couldn't handle it. It seems like we're gonna have a fun concert; the jazz band I think is playing Walk That Dinosaur, so it'll be fun.
Drum major tryouts are coming up, and one of the sophomores auditioning used to be one of the shyest people in the band. I remember when we met at auditions and we discovered we have the same name, and thus the friendship began. She's one of our best clarinet players now, and a great leader. Tryouts this year are gonna be tough though. The show music was announced today, and a potential show theme to go with it. The music is on inspiremusic.com and called Immortal. The show online is a vampire show, but we'll probably change it to be based off of Dorian Grey. It's so sad I won't be marching in it since I'm graduating, but I'm glad in a way that I'm leaving. I kind of burned out last year, and there's been a lot of tension between another girl in the section and I. The show has a flute solo in it, so the two of us probably would've killed each other.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Colleges, Biology, and Books
I know it's March, but I have this urge to apply to a couple other colleges. I applied to VT, but I'll likely go to VWCC for financial reasons. I have the opportunity to go to VWCC my first 2 years for free, maybe. There are 2 other places I want to apply to, but my parents aren't as willing to help me if I go there. The reason I want to go to the other places is so I can leave this town. I love my hometown, but I've never been away from it for more than a week or two every summer, usually just a few days at a time. My house, as I've discovered this year, is very distracting when I try to do homework. I know there'll be a lot more to do by going away to college and more to distract me, but there'll also be more places to help me concentrate. I have trouble studying at home and it's showing in my grades.
I have this need for adventure as well, I know I'll be doing plenty of exploring this summer, but living in a new place would be a wonderful opportunity. I could get to know a new place and discover it like I have home. I want to meet new people, not see the all same ones in a community college. I want opportunities, a job, friends, adventure, and so many things, but it's not about what I want is it? I'm not sure where it is God is leading me to go. I'm not sure how I'll know when He does tell me.
I did notice today though, that I seem to be trying to follow in the steps of a friend of mine, Grace. She's a year ahead of me but only 2 months older, she goes to VT and has been a mentor and friend to me for many years. As I was thinking about my path today, I noticed how similar a path I'm trying to follow is to her's. I don't mean to copy, but I think she's noticed and has distanced herself from me. Not that it's a bad thing, she has a lot going on and doesn't need me as much I need her.
You may ask how I so suddenly got to thinking about all this so late in application season, there are few reasons, all of which happened today. I saw Grace on my way home, my friend got accepted into his first choice, my band friends were talking of graduation cap decorating, and I received a magazine for possible applicants to JMU.
My overall goal is to attend VT, so JMU would be very hard to transfer from since they have a reputation of holding onto their students, in ways that range from love of the school to not enough math courses to transfer. A lot of my friends go to JMU, including my best friend, so I've considered applying there as well as another nearby university. Both are a but more costly than VWCC though.
Enough about college, lets go back to today. As a result of being sick all weekend, I didn't have a chance nor the energy to study for the test in AP Biology today. And because I didn't study, I could remember hardly anything, making me bs the entire thing. I gave the most sarcastic answers, the teacher will be rolling on the floor laughing, or crying of how badly I did. I'm not exactly proud, but I wrote an explanation, not an excuse, but a reason to why I did so poorly. So I'm hoping for mercy.
As for books, I've gone back to reading and watching Harry Potter again. I'm too busy to really get into any novels, so I'm reading some books that're good , but not enough to not let me go do things I need to get done, as well as some I can always fall back on.
No homework tonight, so I've got time to read and write, that's if my parents let me though. I got a desk in my room and moved my laptop in there, so I'm almost always in my room. My parents are complaining about it, but whenever I join them in the living room, it's just to watch tv or get criticized. I should probably stop typing before I fall asleep, cough medicine is making me a bit drowsy.
I have this need for adventure as well, I know I'll be doing plenty of exploring this summer, but living in a new place would be a wonderful opportunity. I could get to know a new place and discover it like I have home. I want to meet new people, not see the all same ones in a community college. I want opportunities, a job, friends, adventure, and so many things, but it's not about what I want is it? I'm not sure where it is God is leading me to go. I'm not sure how I'll know when He does tell me.
I did notice today though, that I seem to be trying to follow in the steps of a friend of mine, Grace. She's a year ahead of me but only 2 months older, she goes to VT and has been a mentor and friend to me for many years. As I was thinking about my path today, I noticed how similar a path I'm trying to follow is to her's. I don't mean to copy, but I think she's noticed and has distanced herself from me. Not that it's a bad thing, she has a lot going on and doesn't need me as much I need her.
You may ask how I so suddenly got to thinking about all this so late in application season, there are few reasons, all of which happened today. I saw Grace on my way home, my friend got accepted into his first choice, my band friends were talking of graduation cap decorating, and I received a magazine for possible applicants to JMU.
My overall goal is to attend VT, so JMU would be very hard to transfer from since they have a reputation of holding onto their students, in ways that range from love of the school to not enough math courses to transfer. A lot of my friends go to JMU, including my best friend, so I've considered applying there as well as another nearby university. Both are a but more costly than VWCC though.
Enough about college, lets go back to today. As a result of being sick all weekend, I didn't have a chance nor the energy to study for the test in AP Biology today. And because I didn't study, I could remember hardly anything, making me bs the entire thing. I gave the most sarcastic answers, the teacher will be rolling on the floor laughing, or crying of how badly I did. I'm not exactly proud, but I wrote an explanation, not an excuse, but a reason to why I did so poorly. So I'm hoping for mercy.
As for books, I've gone back to reading and watching Harry Potter again. I'm too busy to really get into any novels, so I'm reading some books that're good , but not enough to not let me go do things I need to get done, as well as some I can always fall back on.
No homework tonight, so I've got time to read and write, that's if my parents let me though. I got a desk in my room and moved my laptop in there, so I'm almost always in my room. My parents are complaining about it, but whenever I join them in the living room, it's just to watch tv or get criticized. I should probably stop typing before I fall asleep, cough medicine is making me a bit drowsy.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Camp and Assessment
Yesterday the concert band went to concert assessment at a local college where we performed three pieces and a sight reading piece. This was our first year going all grade 5 music, meaning our sight reading piece would be a grade 3. We did well, but not as well as we did at the concert. The sight reading was terrible. Personally, I did pretty good on our concert pieces, but the sight reading was still bad. The best part was the bus ride. It was likely the last time the seniors will get to ride the band bus. Parents wonder why most of the pictures from our competitions are from the bus ride, but it's honestly the best part of the trip. If there was a bad thing about assessment besides the sight reading, it was having the urge to cough throughout the entire piece in which I play piccolo. I held it down well enough that I could play the most needed parts from the piccolo, but the three measures I play a soli with the flutes, I missed half because of the tickle in my throat.
I've officially turned in my deposit for Student Life Camp at Myrtle Beach this summer!! After all these years watching my friends come to church on a Sunday in mid-June carrying their bags for a week at the beach and coming back with stories, pictures, and jokes, I finally get to join them. I'm sure my friends are getting tired of me expressing my excitement over this, but I can't contain myself!!
I'm excited that it's finally warming up and the smell of summer getting stronger, even though it makes the senioritis worse. The only thing between me and graduation is the AP exam. Everything else I've got planned shouldn't hurt me as painfully as the AP exam. I've got spring break, prom, game night, senior festival, Relay for Life, other school club events, youth group events, and end of the year banquets to look forward too. I'm gonna be celebrating May 18th when that exam is finished. We'll of course still have work to do in the class, but none of it will be near as stressful as the exam. The exam isn't required, but if I've suffered through this class all senior year, I'm gonna take the exam. The thing I'm afraid of most is how close summer really is, meaning the exam is even closer. Worrying won't help, but it sure does pass the time.
It might be a couple days before I post again depending on how much I hate the test in AP Bio tomorrow, so hopefully finishing Macbeth in English will put me in a good mood.
I've officially turned in my deposit for Student Life Camp at Myrtle Beach this summer!! After all these years watching my friends come to church on a Sunday in mid-June carrying their bags for a week at the beach and coming back with stories, pictures, and jokes, I finally get to join them. I'm sure my friends are getting tired of me expressing my excitement over this, but I can't contain myself!!
I'm excited that it's finally warming up and the smell of summer getting stronger, even though it makes the senioritis worse. The only thing between me and graduation is the AP exam. Everything else I've got planned shouldn't hurt me as painfully as the AP exam. I've got spring break, prom, game night, senior festival, Relay for Life, other school club events, youth group events, and end of the year banquets to look forward too. I'm gonna be celebrating May 18th when that exam is finished. We'll of course still have work to do in the class, but none of it will be near as stressful as the exam. The exam isn't required, but if I've suffered through this class all senior year, I'm gonna take the exam. The thing I'm afraid of most is how close summer really is, meaning the exam is even closer. Worrying won't help, but it sure does pass the time.
It might be a couple days before I post again depending on how much I hate the test in AP Bio tomorrow, so hopefully finishing Macbeth in English will put me in a good mood.
Friday, March 7, 2014
More From Today
My snow day has been as unproductive as expected. I should be studying or practicing, but the cold feeling from last night has returned. I hope it's just a snow day thing and not the fever coming back. I'd love to go to assessment tomorrow. The medicine is really helping, so maybe it'll hold me over til the end of assessment. I probably should've known this was coming though. I almost always get sick at least once every winter and it came last night. I just wish it was a one day thing. The worst part is constantly being cold and having this cough. I don't cough a lot, but when I do it hurts. Maybe the cold is coming from not eating a lot today. For some reason whenever I'm home for a day or it's really hot outside, I don't eat much. I might feel really hungry, but I won't be able eat as much as I would on a normal day.
The most productive thing I've done today is helping to relay news to people in the band. I suppose watching Gilmore Girls and college move-in videos don't count as productive, they seem to increase my senioritis. At least today has been a relaxing day.
The most productive thing I've done today is helping to relay news to people in the band. I suppose watching Gilmore Girls and college move-in videos don't count as productive, they seem to increase my senioritis. At least today has been a relaxing day.
Concert Assessment and More Snow
Today so far has been filled with various texts from all across the band. Tomorrow is concert assessment and today we got a snow day. The funny story for today is that this day was supposed to be a scheduled day off. Because of all the days we got out for snow though, they turned this teacher work day into a make-up day. The students didn't take the news well, especially those who'd have to miss because of previously scheduled doctor's appointments, scholarship lunches, and jobs. As a result, today became a senior skip day. I wasn't planning on skipping because we had a paper to prepare for english, a test in AP Bio, nothing but talking in gov't, and a last rehearsal in band before assessment.
Even though I was flute section leader in the marching band but not the concert band, I still have those mannerisms and take on some of the jobs myself. Those jobs including taking care of music and instruments so they make it onto the bus and stay in good repair and getting out news. You can imagine, today I'm hoping none of the flutes do anything stupid, and they all remember to bring their music and instruments tomorrow. Like I said, today has been full of texts across the band. The band director texts the concert band section leaders (not me), and they text all the people they have in their phone who are in band, even if they aren't in their section. There are a handful of people who aren't in marching band, but are in concert band, so few people have contact with them. This is why when we have an event going on or changes in the schedule, we get multiples of the same text to make sure everyone gets the news.
It's good for me that we got today off. I got a fever last night and a headache bad enough I couldn't study for the test we were supposed to have in AP Bio. I'm fine now, with a cough though, but I'm thankful I got a day to relax. I haven't gone to sleep before 11 any night for the past 2 weeks, save last night. The medicine I'm taking has helped a lot, though the side effect of increased heart rate is a little worrying. I just pray that I'll continue to get better so I can make it to assessment tomorrow. The main reason I want to go isn't because I'm obligated and required to go, but because of 2 reasons; it'll likely be my last trip on the band bus, and I play piccolo in one piece with a few measures in which I stand out a lot. I actually got a complement from the band director yesterday on my piccolo playing even though I was sick and not playing as well as I can. I hope tomorrow I'll have enough confidence to play out in that piece and give it my all.
The one regret I have from marching band is not giving it my absolute all. I kind of gave it my all, but not getting into shape before the season started made me unable to give it my absolute all. That's why I want to do what I can in concert band and encourage those joining the marching band next year, so they know just how much marching band is worth. I doubt I'll get invited back to band camp as an instructor, the chance are very slim, but I'm still allowed to visit for a few hours. Those few hours will be very fun for me and full of memories. The past four years of marching band, I've kept a journal for part of the season, 3 of those years the journals were from band camp, I'd have to look back through the journals to see if they go farther through the season. Even if I only kept journals from band camp, the pictures I've saved throughout the seasons are filled to the brim with stories that'll keep the memories alive. Marching band is worth it. "They never said it would be easy, they just said it'd be worth it."
Even though I was flute section leader in the marching band but not the concert band, I still have those mannerisms and take on some of the jobs myself. Those jobs including taking care of music and instruments so they make it onto the bus and stay in good repair and getting out news. You can imagine, today I'm hoping none of the flutes do anything stupid, and they all remember to bring their music and instruments tomorrow. Like I said, today has been full of texts across the band. The band director texts the concert band section leaders (not me), and they text all the people they have in their phone who are in band, even if they aren't in their section. There are a handful of people who aren't in marching band, but are in concert band, so few people have contact with them. This is why when we have an event going on or changes in the schedule, we get multiples of the same text to make sure everyone gets the news.
It's good for me that we got today off. I got a fever last night and a headache bad enough I couldn't study for the test we were supposed to have in AP Bio. I'm fine now, with a cough though, but I'm thankful I got a day to relax. I haven't gone to sleep before 11 any night for the past 2 weeks, save last night. The medicine I'm taking has helped a lot, though the side effect of increased heart rate is a little worrying. I just pray that I'll continue to get better so I can make it to assessment tomorrow. The main reason I want to go isn't because I'm obligated and required to go, but because of 2 reasons; it'll likely be my last trip on the band bus, and I play piccolo in one piece with a few measures in which I stand out a lot. I actually got a complement from the band director yesterday on my piccolo playing even though I was sick and not playing as well as I can. I hope tomorrow I'll have enough confidence to play out in that piece and give it my all.
The one regret I have from marching band is not giving it my absolute all. I kind of gave it my all, but not getting into shape before the season started made me unable to give it my absolute all. That's why I want to do what I can in concert band and encourage those joining the marching band next year, so they know just how much marching band is worth. I doubt I'll get invited back to band camp as an instructor, the chance are very slim, but I'm still allowed to visit for a few hours. Those few hours will be very fun for me and full of memories. The past four years of marching band, I've kept a journal for part of the season, 3 of those years the journals were from band camp, I'd have to look back through the journals to see if they go farther through the season. Even if I only kept journals from band camp, the pictures I've saved throughout the seasons are filled to the brim with stories that'll keep the memories alive. Marching band is worth it. "They never said it would be easy, they just said it'd be worth it."
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Bible Club and Dove
I woke up today thinking it'd be a bad day since they uncanceled school Friday and we didn't get a delay today. Apparently I was wrong. Within an hour I was in a really really good mood, which isn't how you'd usually describe me in the morning. For the fist time since December, I went to Bible Club in the wonderful Mrs. Stritzky's room upstairs. I was a few minutes late, but I was gladly welcomed in and invited into the discussion. We talked about everyones' church's mission trips coming in the summer, what exactly lent is, and we prayed in a group.
I got to my first class, english, and we had a GREAT time reading Macbeth. Our teacher is also the drama teacher, so she had us acting in front of the class while we read from the book/script. In AP Biology we had a relaxed day going over the study guide for the plant quiz Friday and watching a video about plants. Government was spent taking notes and going over the test which we all did well on for once.
Band was probably the best class today. I play flute mostly since a new kid came up from the middle school last year. He's our best flutist and piccoloist, so naturally, he gets the best parts of both instruments. I will admit I was angry at first since I'd just gotten the hang of being the piccolo in class, but we became friends and the rest is history. We're kind of partners now in band, he helps me with the questions I have, and I relieve the tension in the air radiating from the lowest chairs in the section. It's us two and a couple other flutes who actually practice, so it gets stressful sometimes.
Anyways, I figured out how our band director determines which one of us will get the piccolo part. Chase gets the part with the most differences from the flute part, and I get the part most similar to the flute part. Chase plays much more confidently than I do on piccolo, I'm always afraid of standing out too much. Because of this, we both get piccolo parts for the winter concert, Chase gets the piccolo parts for assessment, and I get the piccolo parts for the spring concert. What surprised me though, was when our band director upgraded me from 2nd flute to piccolo in one of our assessment pieces. Chase already had one piccolo part and played it really well, so I was confused when I received the other part. What surprised me even more was when the band director ask me if I was okay with switch since it was a week and a half before the concert and 2 and half weeks before assessment. One does not simply say no to the band director, so I said yes.
Because of AP Biology, I haven't gotten much time to practice for assessment and it's really been stressing me out in class. As a result, I didn't play out at the concert last week. Today however, I prayed a simple prayer for confidence in my playing. That was the best I had ever played the part on piccolo. There's a few measures in the slow section where I was having trouble since I really stand out in that spot, and I got it today!!
So today was a good day and I'm now at home avoiding my homework and eating Dove dark chocolate. We got a HUGE study guide for such a little quiz on Friday and I've only read the first page, so I'll need to get to that. In other news, I heard about a show called Almost Human, and I watched some clips on Youtube and I LOVED it. I really don't want to study, but I have practice tomorrow and I won't get home til 6. I like studying in silence, which my house is the opposite of. The library isn't an option either since it closes at 5 or 6. So I'll go study now and hope the quiz is easier than this study guide.
I got to my first class, english, and we had a GREAT time reading Macbeth. Our teacher is also the drama teacher, so she had us acting in front of the class while we read from the book/script. In AP Biology we had a relaxed day going over the study guide for the plant quiz Friday and watching a video about plants. Government was spent taking notes and going over the test which we all did well on for once.
Band was probably the best class today. I play flute mostly since a new kid came up from the middle school last year. He's our best flutist and piccoloist, so naturally, he gets the best parts of both instruments. I will admit I was angry at first since I'd just gotten the hang of being the piccolo in class, but we became friends and the rest is history. We're kind of partners now in band, he helps me with the questions I have, and I relieve the tension in the air radiating from the lowest chairs in the section. It's us two and a couple other flutes who actually practice, so it gets stressful sometimes.
Anyways, I figured out how our band director determines which one of us will get the piccolo part. Chase gets the part with the most differences from the flute part, and I get the part most similar to the flute part. Chase plays much more confidently than I do on piccolo, I'm always afraid of standing out too much. Because of this, we both get piccolo parts for the winter concert, Chase gets the piccolo parts for assessment, and I get the piccolo parts for the spring concert. What surprised me though, was when our band director upgraded me from 2nd flute to piccolo in one of our assessment pieces. Chase already had one piccolo part and played it really well, so I was confused when I received the other part. What surprised me even more was when the band director ask me if I was okay with switch since it was a week and a half before the concert and 2 and half weeks before assessment. One does not simply say no to the band director, so I said yes.
Because of AP Biology, I haven't gotten much time to practice for assessment and it's really been stressing me out in class. As a result, I didn't play out at the concert last week. Today however, I prayed a simple prayer for confidence in my playing. That was the best I had ever played the part on piccolo. There's a few measures in the slow section where I was having trouble since I really stand out in that spot, and I got it today!!
So today was a good day and I'm now at home avoiding my homework and eating Dove dark chocolate. We got a HUGE study guide for such a little quiz on Friday and I've only read the first page, so I'll need to get to that. In other news, I heard about a show called Almost Human, and I watched some clips on Youtube and I LOVED it. I really don't want to study, but I have practice tomorrow and I won't get home til 6. I like studying in silence, which my house is the opposite of. The library isn't an option either since it closes at 5 or 6. So I'll go study now and hope the quiz is easier than this study guide.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
National Marching Band Day and Mardi Gras
So I know I created this blog a ways back, but school kinda gets in the way. In case you don't know, I'm Megan, I'm 18 and a senior in high school, and I'm on a quest to find out who God wants me to be. I play flute, piccolo, and tenor saxophone in my school's marching band and concert band as well as occasionally playing with the church orchestra. I enjoy simple things such as a pretty picture, stories, coffee, and chocolate. There are many things I'd like to say I love to do, but I've realized that many of those things I've never truly experienced to their full extent, so when I get to things I'll share em. I do love to tell stories, watch movies, read, and blog (on tumblr). As for potential college majors, I've always wanted to be an Animal Science major, but lately I've also been considering journalism, education, and english. I like science, but I'm not good at it. I love things about all those potential majors, but there are the bad things though. For animal science I'd get to work with animals, but I'd have to worry about injury with a bad case scenario being never getting to play my flute again. In journalism I'd get to write and travel, but I've heard bad things about actually getting a job in journalism. With education I could teach, but I have no idea what I'd want to teach. With an english major I could teach, and that brings me back to the last sentence. In summary, I don't know what I want to do, so I'm praying that God will tell me what to do before I get too far into the wrong major.
As for today, my school got a 2 hour delay due to the snow and ice from yesterday which we had off. Because of all the days we've missed from snow, they took away the teacher work day Friday. Naturally, everyone protested having to come Friday and the seniors made it a senior skip day. I was planning to skip a half day, but there are two classes I can't miss. I can miss english first block, but AP Bio I must go to. I can skip gov't third block, but in concert band fourth block we're having our last rehearsal for assessment Saturday.
I'd like to say I'm that one senior who actually wants to be at school, but the senioritis has already set in. I love my classes and teachers, but I'm done with the tests. I'm so stressed from my AP class and concert band, that I have no free time. This post is being written in my homework time, but all I have tonight is a coloring sheet. My teachers seem to understand though they aren't letting us have it easy. All this stuff to do is leaving me scatter-brained. I can't concentrate as much as I used to, and the more abundant warm days aren't helping. The snow is leaving and the heat is coming. I can't help but read summer-themed novels and plan out my summer. I don't want to wish away senior year, but I want out.
In other news, I discovered today that my gov't teacher is a Trekkie like me!!
As for today, my school got a 2 hour delay due to the snow and ice from yesterday which we had off. Because of all the days we've missed from snow, they took away the teacher work day Friday. Naturally, everyone protested having to come Friday and the seniors made it a senior skip day. I was planning to skip a half day, but there are two classes I can't miss. I can miss english first block, but AP Bio I must go to. I can skip gov't third block, but in concert band fourth block we're having our last rehearsal for assessment Saturday.
I'd like to say I'm that one senior who actually wants to be at school, but the senioritis has already set in. I love my classes and teachers, but I'm done with the tests. I'm so stressed from my AP class and concert band, that I have no free time. This post is being written in my homework time, but all I have tonight is a coloring sheet. My teachers seem to understand though they aren't letting us have it easy. All this stuff to do is leaving me scatter-brained. I can't concentrate as much as I used to, and the more abundant warm days aren't helping. The snow is leaving and the heat is coming. I can't help but read summer-themed novels and plan out my summer. I don't want to wish away senior year, but I want out.
In other news, I discovered today that my gov't teacher is a Trekkie like me!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)