Friday Night Lights

                  Senior year has been treating me alright. It isn't terribly difficult... yet, however, I'm starting to notice the lasts and I might be over analyzing them, but so be it. Every Friday since school start my high school band has put on a pregame and halftime show for the Seymour football games, none of the games previous to last nights have been what you would call, "normal" or at least not in my opinion. The first one we performed on the track, which was fine because the field was too muddy. The second one I believe we performed normally, however, we did not move for our last song. The third, it was raining so the weather wasn't great which meant we weren't in full uniform, but last night was perfect weather and we moved to all the songs and the field wasn't wet at it was great. Last night's performance was bittersweet for many reasons, many of which the majority of the group doesn't even think about, which is why I say I sometimes over analyze. 
                      Last night a TON of alumni came back, some have come back every week to support us, but for those who have recently graduated this was their first time back. It was great because I know I haven't seen this group through EVERYTHING, but I have seen enough to know that the group did not always have alumni that came back every week, or a student section from both Seymour and the opposing team singing and cheering for us, and to see all of that happen last night made me a little emotional. Many asked why I was crying, but all of my close friends knew, it wasn't because I was upset, not because I was sad, it was because I had this super overwhelming extreme sense of pride. I am so proud of us Seymour High School Band because we have come a long way and we aren't going to stop now. Also, last night was the last time I will perform a FULL halftime show, sure there is homecoming, but we are cutting one of our songs for that. Again, not tears of regret, but tears of pride, proud of everything this group has done, how far our director has brought us, and proud of our supportive alumni and community. It feels great. 
                We all make decisions in life that we wonder why we make. An example for me is that I have pretty much vowed since my freshman year that I refuse to go to a college that is more than two hours away. I need to be able to come back and support my fellow band members and I owe more than I could repay to my band director and my band family. Last night we were standing around waiting for the clock to tick down for halftime and I had this weird wave of realization, something that washed over me that assured me that this was a good decision. This urge only got stronger because as we walked out the gates of what we call the "stadium field," the entire high school band was greeted with a line of our alumni giving us high fives. 
                  It started as a joke, however, it has turned into a quite serious term... "Band-family." We truly are and families support each other through thick and thin and when members of a literal family move on or get married their family members don't just let go, similarly, when members of our band family graduate, we don't let them go with ease. Nope. They stay in our hearts forever, always have, always will. I love you Band Family, I owe so much to you and I promise to always come back and support! 


Keep Calm and Return "Home"
Where ever that may be for YOU!

A.B

SNC Day!

               This year my two best friends started their Sophomore year in college at St. Norbert. One thing that is key to a friendship, is communication... If you don't fight for each other and you don't do everything in your will power to visit when you can, it isn't going to end well. Sad, I know, but at the same time it's true. I have pretty much vowed to go to St. Norbert for SNC Day every year. It is my one chance that I get to go visit them, however, this year I almost didn't make it. It just so happens that every year SNC Day falls on the city wide rummage sale and having a job, I am often needed for events that occur within the city limits. After a whole lot of waiting, and pulling a few strings I happily informed my friends that I wouldn't be missing SNC Day this year! Not this year and not the next two either, I will always be there for these ladies. 
                This year I met some new college friends, saw some new buildings, and shared the same laughs that will never get old. They make me feel so welcome, by the end of the day I felt like I was best friends with their room mate! Lizzie's brother and parents were there as well and they went off on their own for the majority of the day and I remember a point in the day where Jonny asked me if I was going to come with him, and I had to tell him no. SNC Day is for my ladies :) I did not go to SNC to visit with friends that I can see everyday at home. I recall Megan saying "She really does love us!" OF COURSE I DO! You ladies mean the world to me, I couldn't do it without you! I can't express enough how these wonderful women have shaped me to be who I am for the better. I miss them every day. Even when we facetime or text all day long, its just not the same as having them by my side. 
                 Lizzie and Megan, I want you both to know that I will forever be here for you, no matter where life takes us. Go out there and make something big of yourselves ladies and I'll do the same. You have both served as a huge inspiration to me since day one, and I hope in some way some how I have helped you too! Your concert was great last night and words cannot express how much I love you ladies! Everything from coming to visit me to the text messages in the middle of the night, it all makes me want to hold my head high and be who I am. I can not wait for the next time we get to see each other all together again! Thank you for all you have done and everything you continue to do each day! You will always be my mates! 

Keep Calm and Visit Your Friends
No matter how far away they are from you! 

A.B

Magical Ribbons

            If you read this blog often its likely you have heard me talk about disneybounding and all the joys that go into it. Approximately one year ago, my friend Lizzie introduced me to something called Magical Ribbons. I'm addicted. Totally addicted. You get bows that go in your hair and add a little touch to your disneybounding experience, or at least that is what I use them for. Previous to my recent order I had two magical ribbons, one R2-D2 and one Dory. Lizzie ordered some ribbons for herself and a few other friends and happened to ask me if I wanted any since some of them were going to be discontinued, and of course, I jumped at the chance. I ordered a Steam Boat Willie bow and a Tree of Life bow. Long story short, the bows came in and when I went to her house Saturday (yesterday) I was already prepared for my Steam Boat Willie Disneybound, and I already have tomorrows Tree of Life outfit planned out. I mean I'm not going to super all out on these ones just because I want to put the bows to some use first, but these are something that whether you Disneybound or not, you should check them out. They do have to be ordered online, and you can see them and purchase them at www.magicalribbons.com . Hayley is phenomenal at getting your orders done as quickly as possible and she does a fantastic job, so I invite you to check out her website and order some magical ribbons of your own!

That's all for this post! 

Keep Calm and Visit HOME! 
Where ever that may be for YOU!

A.B

We Live and We Learn

               Recently, one of my best friends and I got into an argument. Okay, let me start that again. Recently... I got upset with one of my friends, but you want to know something? I said something super super powerful today and the quote goes like this "We are human, we all hurt each other and that's natural, but it's how we treat each other after we've been hurt that matters." So yes, I was upset with my friend for a while based on some of the actions this person made, however, it's over now... We worked it out like friends do, and it is only how we treat each other now that truly matters. Something I think that it's valuable to remember is that sometimes there is a little truth in every joke that we tell. Not always, but sometimes. 
                I haven't blogged in a few days... I guess its my fault, but I really have been just trying to get back into the swing of things again with school and with homework and a job, plus my normal life and family, that doesn't leave a whole heck of a lot of time for blogging and I know other people are feeling this too... it just feels good to write again. 
                  If you can't tell by the frequent topic changes my mind is going 100 mph and can't stay focused on one meaningful thing for more than 5 minutes. Recently, the high school band had our first performance for halftime, however, due to the gross weather we performed on the track standing in V formation instead. We received many great compliments and every year the fireworks during the Star-Spangled Banner never fail to make me jump. We have a couple more performances, but before we know it homecoming will be here. Homecoming. Well... its senior year so we might as well make the most of it! "Band night" also happens to land on homecoming again this year, but that just makes it all the more fun! Then, we make our transfer to concert season, which personally is my favorite part of band. Don't get me wrong, I love pep band and parade marching, but this drill chart deal just doesn't flip the switch for me. 
                Well, I should probably get back to my pile of homework that sits on my desk as well as some emails that I have yet to send! 

But for now, 

Keep Calm and Visit "Home" 
Where ever that may be for YOU!

A.B