Turkey Memorial Day

At long last, Thanksgiving break has come. The best thing about this is that college students everywhere are getting a sneak peak at what winter break will feel like in less than a month. The worst thing about this is that there are still three weeks of school to endure. I am so ready for this semester to be done.

Yet, at the same time, there are parts of this semester I don't want to be over. I'm not ready for marching band to end, partially because I may have just finished my last season of FMB. I may have a class conflict next fall that will keep me from wearing the uniform for my fourth year of college. I hope more than anything this is not the case; I'll be truly heartbroken if I can't come back for a fourth year...

In other news, aside from almost being completely done with marching band, life is treating me fairly well. I'm really broke, but I can manage. I'm really happy with my life, this is the happiest I've been, honestly. I know so many wonderful people, and I am blessed to be with a wonderful guy, and extremely blessed to have the greatest of friends. I have so many things to be thankful this year; I'm healthy, I'm happy, and I wish the same for everyone I know and love. Also, please pray for the families of the turkeys who were sacrificed for this holiday weekend. Happy Turkey Memorial Day!

That is all.

Thank you and good day.

"Autumn leaves are floating..."

Wow, it's definitely been way too long since I last posted. Guess I'll be making up for lost time.

I decided that this summer, summer 2011, truly was the best summer I've ever had. Looking back at all the things I did, I don't regret anything, and there was seldom a dull moment. Who could ask for anything more? I ended my summer moving out of my parents' house and into my first apartment in BG. It's definitely taken some getting used to, living fairly independently, but I enjoy it. I have two very tolerable roommates, but I wouldn't trade them for anyone else.

So, what have I been up to since my last post, besides living in town, making it through my 21st birthday and surviving another semester of college? Well, I also survived another Fundies Week. It was a rough first few days, trying to figure out what all the duties were as a Secretary, but after Wednesday night I felt much better about everything. I'm proud to say I'm a third year saxophone in the Falcon Marching Band. Grant it the band is very chatty this year and Dr. H has yet to give us a whole day off, it has still been a fun season thus far. Halftime shows this year: "I Hear America Singing" (Patriotic, 9/11 and such), "Beatlemania" (Beatles music), "Let's Hear it For the Boys" (Boy band show, Backstreet Boys, Hanson, New Kids and N'Sync), and "Styx and Stones" (Styx and Rolling Stones music). The patriotic show was very well-received by both audiences, and the Beatles show went fairly well when we performed it at Defiance High School last weekend (though we could have done much better without the mud). Kappa Kappa Psi has also been going well, we have a good-sized MC class that should have a lot of potential. I have gone from being a co-chair for a committee to a chair for the committee; I am honored the Brothers have confidence in me that I can handle this, hopefully I will not let them down.

I am also happy to say that after 21 years of being single, I am finally in a relationship with a wonderful young man that I have admired for quite some time. Kevin and I have been dating for a month now, and despite the crazy shit that has happened in the past month, I am so thankful I have him in my life to get me through the hard times. Hopefully I've been there for him as much as he has for me, and I'm looking forward to what the future brings the both of us. :-)

For being so busy with life, being a full-time college junior, working two part-time jobs, being a Secretary for Falcon Marching Band and a Committee Head in my Fraternity, and everything in between, I wouldn't want to have it any other way. Let's see where life takes me yet, but I sense good things ahead.

That is all.

Thank you and good night.

The Best Summer I've Ever Had?

I don't want to speak to soon, since my summer is not over just yet, but this has been a fairly positive summer for me. A lot of good things have happened, and I've yet to have a dull weekend. What could be better?

Since my last post (which feels like ages ago), I've been a lot of places and I've done a lot of things. I went and watched fireworks in Bowling Green with a wonderful person during the patriotic weekend, and the weekend after I survived the performance of "Bye, Bye Birdie." The show has been named "The Miracle of Grand Rapids" based on the insanity of how we managed to pull off a good show after thoroughly rehearsing with a full cast for only a week and a half. I think the two biggest surprises of the entire weekend was when I received a bouquet of orange/yellow roses from the man playing my husband, and when my grandfather came to the Saturday night performance, two days after we were informed they weren't going to make it. Still kind of surprised...

The weekend after I went to the drive-in with the family to witness the last installment of the Harry Potter movies: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. It was, to put it simply, wonderful. A few things were left out, but other than that it was a fantastic movie. That Sunday I got up early to meet up with a friend in Lima to make a great journey down to Cincinnati for a Reds game - my first Reds game. Got to see a lot of awesome band people and enjoyed my first time in Cinci, from Five Guys to Skyline to Graeter's and seeing some fun sites. Hopefully I can visit again soon.

The next day I went to the zoo in the morning with my family and got to see the new baby elephant - so cute! That afternoon I left for Michigan for the remainder of the week, spending my first night at my aunt's house then the rest of my time at my cousin's house, taking care of her son. During my stay in Michigan I became mildly addicted to the old 60s show "Batman." Unfortunately I don't have cable at home. I left Saturday morning to get to a wedding in BG, and was seriously contemplating on going back to Michigan that night after losing power at the house. I didn't, though. The day after I went with Alissa and saw the school edition of Les Miserables. Wow! What a phenomenal show! I'd love to see the professional version done some day.

The Tuesday after I worked almost 6 hours stuffing and sealing every single envelope sent out to all the members, old and potential, of the Falcon Marching Band. It was tedious, but the fact we got it done in one day is amazing. The next day I returned to Michigan and stayed till Friday - and to give Lynda a break I took Gavin home with me that weekend. It was more like revenge on my brothers; they were not amused. Lynda picked up her son Sunday afternoon, and thus began my final weeks of summer.

I practiced my FMB music on and off during the week, trying to put together a wedding present and such. My parents somewhat met my future roommates during dinner at Pollyeye's. At long last Friday night arrived, and I headed to BG to get ready for the second wedding of the summer - my Big's wedding. And such a lovely wedding it was! A second congratulations to Eddie and Lindsay, I'm happy for you two. Not that they read this, not that anybody reads this...

And now we're to my last week of summer. Fundies Week begins on Sunday for me, and I have so much to do between now and then. Not sure when I'll update this next, but hopefully I won't leave anyone hanging. Oh, and my big 2-1 is in less than two weeks. On to year three of college!

That is all.

Thank you and good day.

June Bug

Holy Jesus it's been a while. June is almost over, and I haven't updated this in over a month. Let's see if I can summarize these last two months as best I can.

As of May 14, I haven't worked a single job anywhere. Correction: I baby sat Eric and Melinda's daughter for two hours yesterday, but that's about it. When I wasn't in class I was working in the band office, or trying to learn my lines at rehearsal. Speaking of Birdie.... wow, what a roller coaster THAT has been. We managed to get an Albert (thank God for Joel!), we lost our Randolph but got a new one (yay Cole!), we're on our third Harvey Johnson (Max is awesome!), and after going without a Conrad to having a Conrad to losing that Conrad, we finally have a PERMANENT Conrad (Thank you, Matt!). Opening night is in 10 days, and we finally have a full cast... well, as full of a cast as we'll get.

I passed summer classes with two A's and a B, better than I thought I'd do. Remind me to never take summer classes again.

My sister (who was a Valedictorian, by the way) became an official alumnus of Otsego High School, and as of last Thursday she's an official student at the Bowling Green State University. No FMB for her, though, which saddens me quite a bit, but if she's happier giving up music, then so be it.

Other than working in the band office and recruiting the youth of America, I've made my weekends fun. I've yet to had a dull Saturday or Sunday. I've gone out clubbing quite a bit, I visited Tony in Canal Fulton with some friends, Alissa's grad party and other grad parties, and I've simply enjoyed myself.

Now July is almost here. I've got a show, maybe a few days in Michigan, and a wedding. And Fundies week is in 47 (almost 46) days away. Let's see where life takes me now. I'm staying optimistic, and gonna take my time.

That is all.

Thank you and good night.

A Sweet Sample of Summer

And that title is an example of alliteration.

It's been quite some time since I have updated this, but I assure you it's because I've been out living the college experience. Allow me to recap my final weeks of my second year at Bowling Green State University.

I went summer job hunting over spring break with no luck, and will commence the hunt sometime next week. I also spent spring break catching up on sleep that college always seems to rob me of. Alas, spring break always ends far too soon, and I was again back in the swing of school.

I attended my high school's production of "Hairspray" with a group of my college friends, and it was a fantastic show! Everyone enjoyed themselves, and my siblings all did great in their roles, especially my sister as the hooker. The rest of March remains a blur, mostly writing fiction and poetry and getting ready for all that April had in store.

April was jam-packed every single weekend. I started April by attending the annual Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma Formal, and had a great date to go with as well. :-) Unfortunately I agreed to get up and work at the first New Student Orientation at 7 in the morning, but luckily I got my date to go with me to help at that. Then I had to go to real work for the rest of the weekend. The following weekend I went to the Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma North Central District Convention, held in Indiana. It was a great learning experience for me, not just as a Brother but as a person. It's definitely had me look at some things in a new light. Hopefully I can continue to become a better person from this.

I also auditioned for leadership in the Falcon Marching Band. I wasn't terribly surprised when I wasn't selected, since I butchered my playing audition and messed up big time at my marching audition. While waiting for leadership results I went to a campout with some of the Brothers. Since my phone was dead the entire time I was at campout, I greatly appreciated the break from normal life and spending time in an unnatural environment known as the great outdoors. Hopefully I can go again next year and have another break away from reality. After discovering I was not chosen for leadership, I immediately applied for secretary once Dr. Hayward sent out the email. I then went on with the rest of my week working on separate projects for all of my classes.

The last weekend of April was Easter weekend, which I spent sleeping in on Saturday for the first time since spring break and attending a saxophone's vocal recital. Amy rocked her recital, I'm going to miss her immensely in band next year. The next day I attended church for the first time in months and then proceeded to pick up my Big Sister for my family's dinner in Toledo. The food was great, and it was even more fun to see my cousins for the first time since Christmas. Alas, I had work to do so I had to head back to BG and get stuff done. The final week of classes wasn't expected to be nearly as insane as it turned out to be. But I survived it, and was selected to be a co-chair for the Public Relations-Outreach-Service Committee somewhere in there too, along with an entire day of free food on the last day, thanks to nice teachers and the student dinner for Dining employees. Then, during Finals Week, I received the news I had been waiting for a long time - I was selected to be one of the Falcon Marching Band secretaries! The best news I had gotten that entire week. :-)

I ended finals week saying goodbye to my dearest friends and trying to get rid of my meal plan money. I also took a few finals at some point... only two, though, haha suckers. I ended my sophomore year and officially am a junior. Unfortunately I also worked my last shifts at both of my jobs and am now unemployed until I find a summer job. My luck with finding year-round jobs has not been the best, but I'm trying to be optimistic.

And now here I am, starting my summer, looking forward to doing another summer show (I found out yesterday I was cast as Doris MacAfee for "Bye Bye Birdie"!). I start summer classes next Monday, and I have two weddings so far to attend. And there's 98 days until Fundies Week begins again... I guess I will see where the roads of summer will take me over the next 98 days. Life is a highway, after all.

That is all.

Thank you and good night.

Checkpoint

February flew by, bringing with it a multitude of snow and ice and even a shred of 60 degree weather. Quite a month, I must say.

To start off, I am proud to say that my Little Brother Chelsea is officially Active in Kappa Kappa Psi and my Little Sister Ashley is officially Active in Tau Beta Sigma. And Eddie did make it to Third Degree, which made me the happiest Little Brother imaginable.

I've gone apartment hunting with some people, and as of now it looks like we'll be signing a lease for Mercer Manor after spring break. I'm looking forward to it.

Spring break officially begins for me the moment I get out of my Spanish class tomorrow. Yay.

Did I mention my mind is all over the place and I'm really tired? That's why this post is much shorter than I had anticipated. I apologize for my brief visit, but at least you all know I'm still alive.

That is all.

Thank you and good night.

Cold

Well, 2010 ended, and now it's 2011. And boy am I busy as ever again.

Winter break went well for the most part. I saw people I hadn't seen in ages, including old high school friends and my SSO friends. I traveled as far south as the Columbus Zoo for the SSO reunion and as far east as Sandusky (Perkins, actually) for Eddie's graduation party. Both were fun times with both people.

But alas, all good things must come to an end, and now I'm back in the swing of yet another semester. Even though I'm only taking 13 hours this semester, two of my classes involve a great deal of writing, so I'm definitely occupied with homework. I guess that's why I'm a writing major...

I also successfully got my second speeding ticket this year. I didn't think it was fair since my car had died earlier that day and I was borrowing my parents' minivan, a tank vehicle I wasn't accustomed to driving. The cop was an asshole. Yes, I said it. Just another reason for me to grow spite against authority.

My mood has still been swinging in the lows, I'm not sure why. Some days are just incredibly frustrating, especially when I feel like all I do is stupid stuff. I hate feeling stupid, and I've felt like that a lot lately. But I know it's my fault. Oh well.

I also became a Big Brother again and received a Little Sister! Her name is Ashley and I am super stoked to have two Little girls that I have no doubt will become Active members in our organizations within the next few weeks. I really hope my Big Brother can make it to the final degree, it'd mean a lot to me. It'd be similar to having a parent come and watch their child graduate, at least for me it would. We'll see.

I really don't have much to say. I'm tired, it's been a long week of frustration, stupidity, and Reading Clinic.

That is all.

Thank you and good night.