I'm not unemployed anymore - I actually have a very fabulous job as a preschool teacher with the University of Michigan child care centers. But I'm still posting, albeit a little more irregularly, and I don't want to ignore the personal progress I've made since starting this blog by renaming it.

Blog inspiration: I read 48 States in 48 Days by Paul Jury in the summer of 2011. It was fabulous...although he planned way less for his roadtrip than I would have. And at the same time, my lovely Anna was constantly reminding me that our lives were awesome, despite the fact that we didn't have job prospects, new cars, boyfriends/husbands, houses, etc., like so many people we knew. So, in an effort to appreciate my life and the crazy uncertainty that it is, I started writing this blog about the little adventures I have. (And by "writing a blog," I mean "making a list" because I make lists, not narratives.) Even if there isn't a BIG adventure that happens every day, I try to find at least one thing to list :)

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Miles and States

  • I had a truly amazing day today. I really love the kids in the Farmington Marching Band. They are such fantastic people and I'm so lucky to be able to work with them. I actually cried when we got back to the school, as I was telling the girls how much I love them and how proud I am of them. It was a little silly, but I was also grateful that I could really show them how much I care and how much they mean to me. Good job tear ducts...you always fail me - unless I'm frustrated or watching Grey's - but today you done good.
Other things about States:
  • The morning rehearsal was fantastic. It was freezing and I/Anna/the guard was there really early but when we got on the field, it was covered in frost and it was beautiful. I was really mad that I forgot my own camera battery at home but Candice let me borrow her camera for the morning and I got some really great pics:


  • One of my favorite parts about working with Farmington is that I get to take care of everyone, not just the guard girls. The band kids come to me if they need ibuprofen or a tennis ball or a butterscotch or a band-aid. When we got on the bus, I was taking care of the drumline, in addition to doing guard hair :) Also on the bus, I decided to wear my moccasins all day instead of my black pointy shoes...best decision ever. I could feel my feet/toes the entire day and still looked pretty cute.
  • It was weird being first in our Flight because we didn't have to wait for anything - I actually felt kind of rushed. In addition, as soon as we got there, things started going wrong. At least half the guard needed their hair redone. We didn't get the flags off the truck before it left (Mr. Savage saved us, on Bob). One of the girls ripped a 3-inch hole in one of the new silks. Warm-up was shorter outside and longer inside than I thought/expected. It was a mess. At one point, I just had all the girls stop practicing and breathe with me. They were nervous, I was frustrated...we needed it.
  • But then good things started happening. We got a little wait time before we performed, which gave me time to hug, kiss and wish good luck to each of the girls. I was able to remind them about the taped numbers/hashes. I got to wish luck to my drummers. Saw and waved to Brad Fernandidaz (it's been great seeing him all season).
  • And they had a FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE!!! Yay!!!
  • Afterwards, we got to enjoy the sunshine while watching Senior Circle. It was cute, especially watching people (like Lauren) get all angry and then weepy. Anna and I chatted...well, she kind of chatted at me...we determined she hasn't had enough people to talk at lately, so she unloaded it all on my on Saturday :) It was fun.
  • Then we got to watch most of the other bands. Jenison was fantastic and I'm so glad they got 1st. They were purely awesome - no props or floors and only a little amplification. Their amazingness was due to their fantastic use of flags, their drill and guard effects, and the performance of their music. Loved it so much.
  • We ended up getting 9th, with 75.07, which was a little less than our last competition score, but their run was so great, I hope they didn't care.
  • I fell asleep on the bus ride home and I think someone got a picture of me...at the very least I heard some comments regarding how I could sleep in such a position on a bus (I blame the 9 hours of sleep in 2 days, plus all those 5 a.m. mornings  and years of riding Band Buses).
  • The watermelon cupcakes were a total success with the kids and the parents (again). I love that they love them!
  • The after-party was not at the school this year so Anna and I stopped by on our way home. It was fun to just be with everyone (I think almost all the band kids were there, plus lots of parents) and not have to do anything. Plus there was dancing, which was super fun, and free food :)
  • A lot of why I cried after Saturday was because this is the last constant in my life and it is now over (if not forever, at least for the year) and my change-challenged brain does not like that.  And it just stopped so suddenly...we were working working working until the very end and then - it was done. Plus, I just love these kids and this job so much, it's ridiculous. The students and parents are so amazing, some of the best people I've ever met. (How does band attract those kind of people? I love that about this life.) 
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