Staying Afloat

Just like that, my summer is gone.

I survived another Fundies Week and made it into the Falcon Marching Band for a second time, making me an official Veteran. Fundies Week went all right, even though I likely spent more time in the CMA basement fitting shakos, raincoats, gauntlets and garment bags on everyone that passed through than actually learning drill outside in the ungodly August heat. The last day ended on a rather sour note when Amy (the alto squad leader) and I decided to dump two buckets of water on Eddie. Eddie's reaction did not go as I thought it would... long story short after arguing some and a thorough chew-out, his phone was fine and I went home upset that I'd never be forgiven. I think he's forgiven me to an extent, but I wouldn't be surprised if he got his revenge and returned the favor to me sometime in the future.

Oh, and I turned 20 at some point. Out of my teens and into my roaring twenties, but still too young to drink. Damn.

I also went back to work this past week. Most people who remember me from last year were happy to see me return to Hell with them. I guess that means I did something right my first year. The supervisors said I was one of their hardest workers, so I'll take that as a sign that I won't lose my job anytime soon.... hopefully.

I also began year 2 of college. With the exception of my World Literature class, I'm content with my other classes, despite how early some of them are. I get up at 6:45AM 3 days a week and 6:00AM on my work days. I feel incredibly exhausted before marching band, so I'm going to try and fit in some naps beforehand. If I can get somebody to give me a wake-up call, I should be fine. One benefit to this fall compared to last fall is that I only have evening class one night a week instead of 3 nights a week, therefore I can go home after band, eat with my family, do my homework and be to bed at a decent hour. With Kappa Kappa Psi starting up again, that may change depending on when we hold our degrees and whatnot. On the other hand, I HATE packing microwavable meals to eat on campus, and the meal plan money I thought I was going to receive has not been put on my BG1 Card yet, and at this rate I'm not sure if it ever will. Oh well, if I'm nice enough to people maybe I can mooch off them.

Other than that, I'm back into the swing of college, trying to stay afloat like everyone else in this world.

That is all.

Thank you and good night.

Accomplishment

I wrote a short story today.

I know that doesn't sound too impressive, but believe me, it is.

Especially when one counts in all of the following situations.

1. The last time I wrote and finished something was February 2009.

2. I've never written out an entire story in one day.

3. My short story is going to be ripped apart by ravenous beasts in my Creative Writing Workshop in less than a month.

I received an email this morning from one of my professors that starting the second week of the semester we're going to be "workshopping" each other's completed short stories or poems. I'm not too big on poetry, so I decided I'd write a short story instead. I've had the general outline of the story in my head for several months now, but hadn't put it to words until today. I began writing it around ten and, after working on and off all day, finished it by 7:15 or so. I had my sister and my mother, two of my personal critics, read it. I received their approval. I then emailed my professor and told her that I'd like to have my work read through on September 3 if it wasn't already filled. We'll see if I'm lucky #3 or not. I figured the sooner I get it over with the better, so that way the animals in my class can devour on other work as the semester drags on.

In other news, marching band starts in 8 days for me. I'm officially on the Uniform Committee so that'll hopefully enhance my chances of making it in and not getting cut. I practiced my music for an hour yesterday, but the feeling that I'm going to be beaten out by better players still lingers in the back of my mind, a dark feeling I can't shake no matter how much I practice. Still, I will put forth all my effort and hope for the best.

I feel a sense of accomplishment, and I have a little bit of optimism that I can keep up this trend for the impending semester... and most likely the remaining years of my college life.

That is all.

Thank you and good night.

Another Attempt at a Revival

Okay, take three.

After being trapped in college land for three fairly successful semesters and forgetting my own password to my blog, I will once again try and bring alive my flat-lined blog. Allow me to recap the last 11 months of my life.

Marching band continued on through the rest of the fall semester. The halftime shows became more challenging but also brought pride after each performance. I love my family of saxophones and the memories I've made with them all will last for a lifetime. As King Leonidas sort of once said, "Saxophones! What is your profession?" Haha we are a quirky section, but we're lovable nonetheless.

I also made friends that I cannot imagine my life without. One of my newer friends is named Eddie, whom I somehow befriended on that day I went to work in the band office the first time - I believe that's the last time I posted a blog. Eddie encouraged me to attend the informational meetings of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, the honorary band fraternities and sororities at BGSU. Eventually, I received a bid from Kappa Kappa Psi, the Fraternity, and eventually eventually, Eddie became my Big Brother. A few short months later, through several more hours in the band office, a short but sweet girl named Beth became my Big Sister. Then, in January, I became an active Brother in Kappa Kappa Psi. Now I work in the band office every chance I get... but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I grew to despise my job more and more in the spring semester. Tuesdays through Thursdays I got up at 5AM, left my house no later than 6AM to arrive on campus by 6:30AM and begin work at 7AM. On Tuesday nights I had class till 9:30 at night, on Wednesday nights I had my meetings till 10 or 11, and Thursdays I had class till 8:30. My hours of sleep were few. This fall semester isn't looking too promising either, with a Sunday night shift from 8PM-2:30AM every week, and an 8:30AM class on Mondays. Oh well, such is life until I find a better job I actually enjoy.

Life also threw a personal curve ball; in mid-December my mother was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. Through several rounds of chemo therapy and several days of radiation treatment, my mom is finally nearing the light to this tunnel. She's a strong woman, I hope I aspire to be half as strong as she is.

The same day I found out my mom had cancer was the same day the marching band found out they weren't going to the bowl game at the end of the year. Over the next few days the university managed to find money to take the leadership and the seniors to the bowl game as well as 10 lucky people whose names were drawn from a small plastic bin. To my greatest luck, I was the second to last name drawn. A few days later 10 more lucky band kids were chosen, and together we represented The Falcon Express at the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. The four hour flight there and back was rather unpleasant, and the Idaho Vandals are incredibly immature, but with those exceptions the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that made me so much more grateful that I chose to join the Falcon Marching Band.

I also did the annual summer musical, this year's was Oklahoma! and was probably one of the best times I've had doing a summer show. Maybe it was the outstanding cast or the lack of children in the show, either way I had a great time and made some new friends and strengthened my current friendships.

Now, here I am, sitting in the living room, typing on my laptop while half-watching a Wipeout rerun when I should be studying for a Spanish final. Now that I know my password to this blog, maybe it'll be easier to put down my daily ramblings. We'll see as my summer winds down and the school year starts up.

That is all.

Thank you and good night.