Hola from P-town everyone!!
After taking quite the break from writing... well anything, I am back with a vengeance. That's probably because I have 3 papers due next week (but that's a minor detail). Since I'm writing so much, I thought I should renew my commitment to this blog and to its purpose: describing the life of a BYU guard girl. And what better way to do that than recap the most infamous week in any colorguard season: Band Camp.
This was BYU Band Camp 2.0. I was stronger, I was wiser, I was going to learn from my rookie mistakes from last year. And I think I did, but I'm getting ahead of myself. So the colorguard starts Band Camp a day earlier than the rest of the band. Thus, on Saturday, August 20th, I reluctantly parted with my fluffy hotel bed (since I was homeless) and headed over to the Lavell Edwards Stadium. It was great to reconnect with old buddies from last year such as my fellow sophomores Rachel and Meghan and also fun to meet the new girls to the guard. Together, the 2011 BYU colorguard learned proper technique for basics and learned choreography for our first show. Then, in colorguard tradition, we hiked the Y. Last year, the Y hike was brutal, I was hot, I was tired, and those switchbacks were malicious. But this year was totally different. For starters, it was much cooler since a storm had just barely passed it hours before. Second, I think I was just in better shape (thank you Zumba!). And third, we had entertainment. At every switchback, a girl would have to tell a "boy story". What was my "boy story" you ask? The funny and kind of gross story of my first kiss. Ask me about it sometime. At the Y, Ashlee, our coach, introduced the colorguard theme for this year: Charity. What a great theme! I am really excited.
After such a hike, we were rewarded with one day off, which was WAY too short. Monday arrived quickly and Band Camp officially began. We started in the band hall, where our director, Brother Mac, gave us a pep talk. Then we headed to the parking lot to learn marching basics. The afternoon was spent learning more choreography. And thus began the rhythm of Band Camp: learning choreography, learning drill, repeat. But there were a few highlights.
First, the heat. After having a frigid year, Utah decided to heat up for band camp. In the afternoon, we were practicing in hundred degree or above weather. It was brutal. But I was prepared. Last year, Band Camp turned me into some kind of lobster, I was determined to never let that happen again. So I showed up to Band camp loaded with three kinds of sunscreen: one for my body, one for my face, and one for my lips. And don't forget about water. I brought a large cooler and filled it with ice and water and Gatorade and fruit. It was a life saver during band camp, the envy of all the other guardlings.
Second, the band social. Once again, the band was split into birth months and of course, June won the first round, meaning we got to partake of the delicious Brick Oven pasta first. We feasted like kings and then began to mingle. Rachel and I participated in giant Twister, which was way fun. We totally dominated. Colorguard always dominates. Then, Rachel taught me and a few drummers how to play Swedish Twister, which is just as fun, maybe even better, than giant Twister. After flirting with band boys, I left to go spend my night off with my pal Brad.
Third, BOND-A-THON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A ritual so amazing and so spectacular that I cannot even mention it in such an unworthy medium. All I will say is that moving food down your face without your hands is quite difficult. And I have mad drummer skills. Ha!
So after a week of laughter, sore muscles, fatigue and "boy stories", Band Camp 2011 came to an end. I survived the week with only getting a sunburn on my hairline and my neck (a major improvement from last year). I better understand proper technique. But best of all, I made wonderful friends whom I am excited to share this upcoming season with.
