not feeling so fabulous...

Right before our competition at finals during National Band Championships, my coach told all of the seniors that this was it for us, and the next time we see this band on a field, we'll be in the stands watching.

The Homecoming game was really hard for all of us alumni; we all were in the stands during half-time for the first time in four years. Just when I thought the difficult stuff had passed (first game I wasn't in uniform, first time I wasn't in the circle, etc.), tonight happened.

Tonight, the band had their first competition of the season, and I didn't get to be on the bus, or on the field. It's killing me inside. For something I dedicated four years of my life to, I thought I wouldn't miss it for a long time. Well, the long time is over--I miss it so much.

Actually, I think I'm missing the relationships I had with people because of band. I miss seeing Alie, Claire and Steph at every practice/game/competiton/everything in between. Those three girls light up my day like nobody else can. I miss Cari yelling at me for being a count off. I miss making faces at Kurt from behind the prop as he walked to the front sideline. Actually, I miss Kurt period. I miss the long bus rides that we shared every Friday and Saturday. I miss taking a few deep breaths before lacing up our corsets and not being able to breathe properly. I miss guard. I miss the band. I even miss Mr. H.

The tears have ceased.

Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to be part of something so great, so enriching, so fun. The fall of 2007 was an amazing season for us as band. We nailed drill that no group would ever consider attempting. National Band Championships was hands down one of the best marching band experiences of my life. (The Rose Bowl Parade wins, no doubt!) Best of all, I got to spend nearly every moment of August-December with the most incredible group of people I've ever met in my life, and we made fantastic, long lasting memories. And that can't ever be redone, copied, or replaced. Ever.

The memories are what keep me going.

To Alie, Claire, Steph, Kurt, Big D, Leah, Laurynn, Helen, Bri, Courtenay, Cari, Becca, Mikayla, Candice and Maddy:
We had the best time in the world. It wouldn't have been the same without you. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Road trip, anyone?!

Who doesn't love spur of the moment road trips?! I, for one, love them. So today, the girls and I jumped into the truck and drove the little over an hour route to the GRAND CANYON. I'd been back in 7th grade, but this time was even better!

We stopped in Bedrock City on the way there, though....

Mimmicking Fred Flinstone

Jailbate!

I'm ferocious, watch out! (Rawr!)

Giant dinosaur slide! (I felt like I was four; great feeling!)

Anna and Myself sitting on the ledge of the Canyon

What's not to love?! The Grand Canyon and my favorite purple tank top!

The three of us at the Canyon

We had a lot of fun, as if the pictures weren't evidence enough!

I feel so fortunate to live in Arizona. Granted, I rarely felt that way when I lived in Phoenix, but now that I'm in Flagstaff, it's all different. Some of my favorite things about good ole Arizona:
- The sunsets are priceless
-You can go three hours in any direction and be in a completely different climate
-We have one of the Seven Wonders in our own backyard
-Our winters are never as cold as anyone elses (like the East Coast...brrr!)

I adore the Grand Canyon. I found myself completely awestruck today, while looking down into the unending depths of the Canyon. Such a beautiful creation. I can't wait to go back in November and go hiking!!

Homecoming

Two weeks ago, I headed back home for the Homecoming game and Dance. My best friend took me to the dance, and we made it a double date with Megan and Juan.

Enjoy!

Kurt and I outside my house

Us...again!

Kurt, Myself, Mark, and Nick

By the Toaster car! :]

Kurt, Me, Megan and Juan

My favorite one :]

Megan and I
[known her since Sophomore year!]

Megan, Juan and Myself
[aka- Snow Black, Prince Charming, and Fairy God Mother]

college part II

Wow, I'm an official college kid! It's still completely surreal to me. I love it though!

Classes are in the beginnings of their third week. I love most of them so far. My schedule is pretty spread out, but I don't mind. It gives me the time to take my assignments one class at a time.

Mondays are pretty simple: my First Year Seminar on Social and Political Worlds doesn't start til 1:50pm. Pretty fantastic, eh? Then...I don't have class again until 7pm. I know, it's late for a class to be starting. But, on the plus side, we only meet once a week, and the class is entertaining mostly because of the professor. The biggest (and probably only) downside is that I miss both Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill. :[

Tuesdays are still my least favorite day of the week. I don't think that will ever change. My day starts off at 9:35am with Geological Disasters. You'd think it'd be interesting, right? Well, it isn't. At least not right now. Unless discussing tectonic plates and shifts are entertaining. Let's go with a no. But once we get into earthquakes, which we're hopefully starting tomorrow, it will be a lot better. I hope. I have a break from 10:50 to 12:45; I usually grab lunch and exchange books before heading back to north campus. 12:45 is the time of my own doom: Communication 101. My biggest and most boring class. Three hundred and twenty five people, and a professor that couldn't be more dry. If it weren't essential to my major, I would've dropped it. Class is out at 2pm, and I don't have class until my Geology Lab at 6:15pm.

Wednesdays repeat with my First Year Seminar on Social and Political Worlds. I have an hour break to revive myself with some Starbucks before heading to my next class: Journalism 200. Great class. Very easy. The professor is definitely an interesting one, but I don't mind. He's a real "get to the point, do it and git er done" type of teacher. Class is supposed to get out at 6:40pm. The latest we've gotten out is 5:15. It's fantastic! :]

Thursdays are the same as Tuesdays, minus the Geology Lab. I'm done for the week by 2pm. Love love love that!

So there's a bit of an update on classes. My roommmate and I get along well, and are quickly catching on to the concept of college. I love Flagstaff with all of my heart. It's changed some of my perceptions, though. "Hot outside" is now 84 degree weather, instead of the typical 115 degrees we'd experience daily in Phoenix. I get excited when I can go out in 60 degree weather in jeans and a tank and not freeze, considering 60 degrees is practically winter at home! hahah

As always, I'm living a fabulous life! :]

P.S.- Keep in touch; I'm a fan of snail mail and would love to hear from you! Email me for my address: mazingbarbiemichelle@gmail.com

college: part I

Well, now that things have finally settled down 'round here, I think it's time to share about my most recent adventure: moving up to college!

Over the course of the past weeks, I'd been packing and getting the things I need for my dorm up here. Wednesday night came and went, and was the most difficult night of goodbyes so far. Tomorrow will be hard though; Mom and Dad are going home.

Long story short, I drove up here on my own on Thursday morning with all of my belongings. The road trip never gets old. It's one of the more beautiful drives in the state, all because of the transitions. You start in the dusty ole desert, then slowly it becomes bushes, and you turn the corner, and bam! trees are there. The trees turn darker shades of green with every passing mile, and the trees grow and grow in height.

A little about my roommate: Her name is Aubrey, and we've been good friends since junior year. We went to high school together and also had English class together the last two years. She's a sweetheart and we get along very well.

She was already here when I arrived. We got everything unloaded within a half hour; I didn't finish unpacking til this morning. It's great up here...The weather is BEAUTIFUL, a whole 30 degree difference between Flagstaff and Phoenix. Being here as a whole is great, but it still gets very overwhelming sometimes. For instance: Mom, Dad and I went to Wal-Mart today to pick up the TV for our room, and get an iron/ironing board. The store was ridiculously packed with new college students and their parents, and the supply was dwindiling. In that instance, right in the middle of electronics, is when it hit me that I wanted nothing more to get out of that store, and leave the overwhelmed Michelle there too.

Our room is very cute. Everything has it's place for the most part, so now it's just up to us to play Fung Shuei and see what works best for us.

So far, it's great. Can't wait to start class on monday!

now that the tears have ceased...

i never thought that saying goodbye to your best friend could be so hard. tonight i learned a lesson about life...

"It's never 'Goodbye'; it's always 'I'll see you later'".

That's my quote for the time being.

it started with a sousaphone

it's amazing how any one thing can bring people closer. in my instance, it was a sousaphone. and because of that, i have a best friend whom i love whole heartedly.

he's my best friend, my twin, my drum major, my boots, my mime, my fred flinstone...

he's my kurt.

he's come into my life and left footprints on my heart.

i'll never be the same.