We Saved a Bird Today & I Helped the Rookies

There is something I've always disliked about doing this 365 Project: the nights where you are just plain tired and already in bed and the thought hits you "I still need to post!". A wide range of curses mosh in your head because there is no other choice other than to get up and write it because you need to keep up. But then again, this is why I decided to do this. I put myself to this challenge and of course, I'm not gonna love it all the time. I can't help but feel proud at how dedicated I've been to this.

Today was once again, HOT. This Wednesday was supposed to be ours. Your brother was supposed to go to 6 Flags with the maid and the house would be ours. Unfortunately, he didn't go because it was too hot. I left the house early anyways. You couldn't go out, so I just stayed at the high school where they were having a morning practice for the band. When I found my way there, I saw them on the field so I just chilled out there for a while. I also eventually went inside to chill in the nice, air-conditioned surroundings. When the band had sectionals, I hopped from section to section meeting rookies and even helping out with music. I felt comfortable. Part of me prefers these simple practices that are relaxed and sometimes makes me wonder why I didn't just march flute. Then again, I know where my passions are and where my perfectionist qualities come into character - guard. Even with rehearsal tonight, I can't help but think that maybe I wasn't meant to exactly be a captain. I like perfecting myself solely because I find it easier. I feel bad when I try to help someone and they have to deal with my chaotic mind. I don't say it to sound self-righteous. I'm just more of the introvert who is better at working on their self. But my own characteristics are not going to get the best of me and prevent me from being who I want to be. As wrong as it sounds, I want to be someone else. I can grow tired of being the shy introvert. I want to be a leader. At HOBY, they told us hey, even if your not a leader, pretend to be one. Pretend to be strong, organized, and set. That's what a leader does, anyway. So, for the greatest sake of this guard, I am going to pretend to be a great captain and do the best that I can. If I pretend enough, I will be.

Today I also got to "have our day". It may not have been what we wanted: a whole house to us, but it was anything. and I was willing to settle for "anything" just to be with you. I stayed for a while - I even got to watch you play Drake's Fortune. It was best that I didn't play because even you said that the part you were at was nerve-racking. Unfortunately, those nervous feelings and paranoia of getting caught at your house enveloped me and I could not help but leave early/on time to get out of there. As it turns out, she didn't come home for another hour! Just my luck -__-' Photos are of Roland ringing me and my Medium Graham Central Station and of my visit this morning.

Once In A Lifetime

Goodness. Where do I start?! To wake up this morning, the first thing coming into mind is "Holy crap, I'm competing at Nationals today." I didn't feel too nervous that morning, until half way through the bus ride. A few hours away, I began to think about it: this stadium is huge! The audience will probably be packed! The butterflies in my stomach twitched. Pulling into the parking lot of the Naval Stadium, I found myself saying "I don't want to perform guys, can we just not?" I know how much of a lie it is; I was more excited than scared. This was a chance in a lifetime to perform at Nationals, and whether we did good or bad, I was completely grateful! Warm-up was freezing, but I tried to ignore that fact. Deep breaths were taken in hopes of taming my excitement and lungs. One of the most thrilling parts other than the performance was standing at the gate, with the field in clear view. I was ready to march on with my chin up high, ready to dominate. As we heard the last band's last note followed by massive applause, my heart nearly skipped a beat. I gathered up my equiptment and gave out my last best wishes to the band. Setting up on the field, I stayed joyful and frolicked across with Jaelynn. haha Standing at opening set, at attention, I was sucking in air and blowing it out as much as possible. My heart was beating 3x faster than usual. Not gonna lie, I glanced at the jumbo tron a couple times. That screen is amazingly huge. It was funny seeing familiar faces up there! Despite a few imperfections with tossing and whatnot, that was the best I have ever felt, coming off the field this entire season! The tempos were decent, performance was amazing, and I was proud to march Belleville. By awards, we were cheering our lungs out, proud to be who we are. We placed 16th of 21. The number sounds bad, but we beat most 2A bands, including 2 open bands. Our score went up and I also found out that our guard came 7th in the Nation. Hearing that, nothing else mattered :) A once in a lifetime chance..used to its best extent.

Nah-shuh-nahlls, baby!

So I really can't believe that I got through today's rehearsal. 9AM-5PM is a pretty long time period! It's such a good feeling to know that your whole band is in a good spot for Nationals tomorrow. :D I want to dominate, and simply do the best we can give to an entire stadium. I think something that pulled me through today was the lovely hour 45 minutes from 12PM-12:45PM of being with you for lunch. Going to 7-11 for lunch is something I have never done, so you're my first. LOL. This is great haha. You're slurpee still looked like poop, btw. The taquito on the other hand, not so bad.. my domo cup was pretty amazing, if I may add :D

BEST COLORGUARD IN NJ 09-10

Today was an extremely great turnout! Your 2009-10 USSBA Best Colorguard in the state, for the second year in the row, is your one and only Belleville! :D I'm so happy to know we came out strongest in the state, even with all my doubts on the line. When we got off the field, I didn't think that our show was the best it could've been. Although, when I looked over a recording of the show with Anna and Jaelynn, I was so proud of how we did! I guess the personal perspective of how we perform isn't always the same as how we are viewed from the audience. Unfortunately, our score dropped down like 4 points, but we can blame the drumline for that, who came in 8th place haha. We placed 4th out of 17 2A bands.. I personally think we could have gotten first, but once again, we look to the band about that. =P Guard gets a ice cream party woooot! XD

Morris Knolls 84.95

I'm actually surprised about our score today..going up 5 points is pretty damned good. Frankly, I kind of thought the show was not so great-but maybe that just me. I will always love the bus rides to and from competitions.. they are just too great. XD On the way there, we took some pictures and immitated Mrs. Miskovich and alll of her facial expressions. Jaelynn does it best! Hrmm...on the way back was the period to be obnoxiously loud! I think that..because we finally got the name of some kid from Montville, Jaelynn and I were hyper. As soon as we hit the road, the two of us began to sing, at the top of our lungs, to just about every song that came on the radio! We didn't know the words to most of them, but thats where our amazing mumbling and humming came in! haha We should make a band. And Ana, if you are reading this. I AM NOT CLINGY.

LOL..let's hope Jaelynn doesn't see this.

[editted new picture just for Jaelynn. She threatened to hit me with a sledgehammer or something]