One of the things I miss is my flag. It's is so beautiful here at HKUST and the weather has been amazing so I have had the urge a few times to go play flag. Except I don't have a flag. (Insert sad face) And I was sure there wasn't colorguard in Asia. I mean, colorguard and marching band are totally American things, right?
At least that's what I thought before my trip to Taipei earlier this month.
It was my first real day in Taipei, Taiwan and our first stop was the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, which was right down the street from our hostel. It was sprinkling, so we took our obligatory pictures outside and then headed for the museum where we learned about the life of Chiang Kai-Shek and his pretty sweet cars.
When the rain finally subsided, we made our way to the National Theater and the National Concert Hall and their vibrant colors and oriental design. To our surprise, the area around both buildings were taken up by different groups. On one side, there was a traditional dance group practicing. On the other side, a posse of Asian kids doing hip hop.
Then, in my peripheral vision, I saw a rifle spinning in the air.
No, I thought, it can't be.
But as I got closer, I realized that there was a troupe of high school students tossing rifle on the deck of the National Theater. My curiosity was piqued. Was this some military-like performing group or did I actually stumble on a colorguard in Taiwan?
I climbed up the stairs to the deck to investigate and sure enough, there were flags too.
I about died of happiness. My travel buddy honestly must of thought I was crazy the way I was blabbering on and on about how cool it was to find a colorguard in ASIA of ALL places!!
Here's the evidence (which I secretly took with my Bond skills):
At last, I have taken the time to upload all my pictures from San Diego.
Our first night, Rachel, Angela, and I went to this tiny Vietnamese restaurant. The other two had never had pho before so I convinced them to be adventurous and try some. And guess what? They loved it! Three cheers for trying new things!!
Then we followed that with some baby Ben and Jerry's.
The next day we got to visit La Jolla Cove, a personal Toller family fav beach spot. Too bad the water was ice cold! But we had a blast for the 45 minutes we had. Then it was off to perform in a parade and meet the marvelous SDSU colorguard. And then the band was set free in the Gaslamp Quarter. The guard headed to Ghiradelli's for some delicious ice cream. Cause cool kids have dessert before dinner!
Wednesday was jam-packed with fun adventures and experiences. First was performing at a Battle of the Bands at the famous USS Midway Museum.
The following picture is the result of Malicious trying to push me over the railing into the marina. Rude!!
Here is a picture of the Star of India. In 5th grade I swabbed those decks. I hunted for rats. I sang sailor songs. Oh nostalgia...
We then went to SeaWorld!!
And then we visited the San Diego Temple. Gracious, that temple is gorgeous. If I don't elope to Hong Kong, maybe I will elope to San Diego.
Then Thursday morning, Ashlee, Janell, Angela, Nuffer, and I rented a bike and toured the private island we were staying on. It was FULL of adventures including my supposed terrible giant bike driving.
And then, to top it all off, BYU beat SDSU!!! And I got to touch the hand of almost every BYU FOOTBALL PLAYER!!!
So basically it was a fantastic way to end a marvelous semester.
I am sitting in my king size bed at the Paradise Point hotel in San Diego!!! And I feel like I should be on my honeymoon or something because this place is SOOOOO romantic. But I'll talk more about the hotel later.
The Bus Trip
After sleeping in, Angela, Nuffer, and I got up at 5:15, gathered our things together and headed to the stadium. And we paid for being late. Since I was sick I was hoping to have a seat to myself so I could sleep. But alas, I was sharing a seat, a seat with Malicious, a malicious tuba player who likes to hang around the guard.
Ugh.
But we made do and I was able to get some sleep on the bus.
Other than that, the ride was pretty uneventful. I mostly just watched movies and kept myself drugged up on Advil Cold And Sinus.
The Hotel Room
The room is actually a bungalow with a patio. WHAT!!! And 15 feet away from the door is a lake. DOUBLE WHAT!!
Inside is a large room painted a warm yellow with African-inspired art. There's a flat screen TV and a stereo for an ipod. We use that stereo a lot. For dance parties. And we've had like 5 in the past 12 hours.
One of those dance parties was more a dance exhibition from my roommate and captain. When we were musing about new costumes for the colorguard, a (great) idea was thrown out that we should wear gold spandex and wrap a bow around our chests, thus looking like a present. Adorable, right? Well, when we turned on Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You", my captain flung open the door wearing gold spandex and a cranberry bow and proceeded to dance for us. This was complete with body rolls, booty shakes and an awkward "Santa's lap" moment.
After a weekend of packing and moving and being mothered, I am about to embark on the grandest of semester finales. I get to go to San Diego.
One of the many perks of being on the colorguard. For the next 4 days, BYU will pay for my food, transportation, Seaworld, and lodging on a private island. WHAT!!!!
So stay tuned as I write about the crazy adventures of a BYU guard girl in San Diego.
I'm moving to Hong Kong!! Yay for making decisions!
I'm going to Mesa for Thanksgiving and I'm going to have a whole week there! A whole week!!!
Getting to wave a 30 foot streamer from the balcony of the De Jong hall. One moment, I was nobody and the next I had a dozen cameras focused on me.
Admirers (albeit 5 year old ones). As I was preparing and cleaning up after previous streamer moment, my band director's young son was following me around saying "pretty girl, pretty girl". Now if only I can enchant someone my own age...
Spontaneous trips to Barnes and Nobles to get a Caramel Apple Spice. Goodness, I forgot how much I miss books and Starbucks.
This picture
Weird
Driving in a snowstorm (Arizona standards) to colorguard practice and fishtailing in the parking lot.
Falling twice on my face during pre-game. Hopefully, I will soon take the time to document the whole ordeal on this blog.
Dating seminars. Especially when you get called to do a role play about getting asked on a date and maybe blurted to your role play partner that you saw him at the game last night cause he was sitting 4 rows in front of you and having him totally not remember and get a little weirded out all in front of a group of people you have to see almost everyday.
The strong, overpowering need for some snuggles. Darn you winter!
In my previous post, I talked about how I need to make and treasure more moments, especially because my college years aren't going to last forever.
And I have an obsession with beautiful gowns.
These two concepts combined equal another college adventure.
In a spontaneous decision, Nuffer and I decided to head to University Mall and try on pretty dresses. There's something about wearing pretty dresses that makes a girl feel like a princess, or in other words, she's amazing and fabulous and classy. So we grabbed our guard sister Keriann and went to the largest bridal store in Utah (oh snap!).
There were SOO many beautiful dresses. Here are a few that I tried on.
Not a great view of the dress. But let me tell you, it was SOO sparkly! And so heavy!
I just love red dresses. This one was nice and fitted with pretty roses on the hips.
The second picture recalls a "Little Mermaid"-esque pose. I just knew this green would
go great with my ginger locks.
My favorite dress! I was pretty close to buying this dress, that's how in LOVE I was with this dress.
This picture doesn't give the dress justice.
It was made with a heavy material and looked amazing when I twirled.
Friend dates. The kind where you're friends, it's not officially a "date", but it kind of feels that way. Love those. All the fun without the pressure. Cause you're friends.
No Colorguard practice!! So much time on my hands.
Seeing my darling Chanda and hearing about all her adventures in Korea. And we might be in Hong Kong at the same time!!!
Country Swing dancing. There is nothing better than being being swung, flipped, dipped, and twirled around. And dance skills might have just been added to the "perfect man" list.
Going to the Oquirrh Mountain temple with some of the guardies. I love that temple because it is so classy inside.
Found someone to buy my contract in Monticello. Thank heavens!!!
Weird
Getting asked on a date after I'd just gotten out of shower, hadn't wiped the raccoon eyes yet, and not wearing a bra (though I was wearing a shirt!). And the sad thing is: this isn't first time I've been asked out on a date in such a manner.
Being deathly tired while watching the Notre Dame vs. BYU game at a friend's house. It took all of my willpower to stay awake.
Continuation of the Homecoming Creeper story!!!! Yes, there's more.
My car alarm going off for about 10 minutes at the temple. And I could NOT figure out how to shut it off. Finally, after calling my mom, I learned that all it took was opening my trunk with my key. Weird.
5th wheeling. Especially after you've been rejected by three men in one day. But hey, it was good for my ego, keeping it humble.
The band is basically over. And it's October 14th. We only have 3 more performances left in the season: a game, a concert, and a bowl game. How crazy is that?
Yesterday was Homecoming. And that means a very long day for the colorguard.
I was up at 7 AM, after only sleeping 5-6 hours, to get ready for the Homecoming parade. I realized I had left my uniform top in the guard room, so when I picked up my carpool, we had to make a stop at the stadium. But alas, the door to the guard room was locked! And there was no one there with a key!! So the few guardlings that were there got a little dramatic. Fun dramatic, not crying dramatic. I think the band thought we were crazy. I think they usually do. But at last, Brother Young came and saved the day and I was able to get my top and head to the start of the parade.
At the start of the parade route, the colorguard practiced by the BYU Rugby team. Yes, the lesser known, arguably more attractive counterparts of the BYU Football team. They were super funny and took pictures with us.
Then Cecil O. Samuelson, President of BYU, came over and talked to the guard and we got a picture with him and the BYU Rugby team.
Then the parade commenced. I felt that the parade was way easier this year. I didn't feel that tired. Must be cause I'm SOOO buff. ;)
After we finished the parade, we had to book it back to the stadium to eat and get ready for the game. It was our favorite: Black Jack Pizza (read with a bit of sarcasm). We scarfed it down, changed into our short-sleeved uniforms (cause it was sunny--yay!) and headed to Helaman Fields for practice.
Fast forward the end of Pre-game. As we waited for the BYU players to come out, the Oregon State kickers came onto the field to practice. I didn't pay them much heed until SWOOSH! a football whizzed past my face. Oh so scary!! For the next three minutes I stood in fear, suspiciously eyeing the OSU kickers. But the ball never got close to me again, though it did hit a cougarette. (hehe)
Halftime went well. The audience loved the Bond show. Sweat dripped down my face in buckets afterwards. But it was worth it. Our show was pretty awesome.
But the most interesting part of my day was definitely getting hit on by a total creeper. I noticed him during the first half of the game. Most people in front of us look back, mostly to see a replay on the jumbotron. But this guy... he was looking back at me. And staring. Obviously, I was uncomfortable. So I pretended he didn't exist. But in the third quarter, he literally shouted at me to get my attention.
"Hey, do you know that you have beautiful hair?"
Yes, I've been told that a time or two.
I thanked him and tried to end the conversation, but, alas, he would not have it.
"What's your name?"
"Sarah."
"Where are you from Sarah?"
"Arizona."
"Where in Arizona?"
"Mesa."
"Really? There's a lot of Mesa kids here at BYU."
Wouldn't I know it. Luckily, at this moment, the conversation ended and he turned around to watch the game, as the colorguard snarkily remarked, "Hey Sarah, did you know that you have beautiful hair?"
Real funny, girls. Real funny.
Later on, both Mom and Jiff would point out that I'd probably just given my name to a major creeper and would have a stalker within the week. Crud.
Got an A on my Humanities midterm, and it was an essay midterm.
BYU beat USU, thank goodness! Didn't want to hear the crud from my Aggie relatives if USU won. But my Aggie cousin did that this awesome picture.
My family was in town!! So much food and clothes!!
Survived one of the craziest guard days ever: performed once at devotional and then twice at the stadium for Rocky Mountain Invitational.
Weird
Making decisions. It's SOOOOO hard! Mission, Hong Kong, or school...oh my!
Collided with a trumpet player during our Rocky Mtn performance. My shoe totally came off. Luckily, I'm a sneaky chica and slyly grabbed my shoe and put it back on. And no one noticed.
Watching all your friends decide to go on missions. It's like freshman year only with girls.
BYU murdered Hawaii 47-0. And Tysum Hill is a beast. So much so, that my brother requested that I marry him cause his football skills are "so sexy".
Got to hold a baby!! And a cute baby!! Thanks Amy for entrusting your child to my care for five minutes. It was totally worth getting slobbered on.
Making new band friends!!!
Adorable small children cheering "Rawr! Gooooo Cheerleaders" to the colorguard after halftime. My day was totally made. And it's even better with the actions. Just ask me and I'll totally reenact it for you.
Once Upon A Time is back on!! Totally got a little teary-eyed in the first five minutes. "Grandpa?"
A on my Marketing test.
Weird
Totally botching the flag transition during the James Bond halftime show...on the jumbotron. Ouch!
Wearing a bun 4 days this week. Yeah, that's how busy and stressful this week has been.
Forgetting to put salt in my brownies. Not as delicious as they could have been.
Realizing that I really like to code websites. Crud, I'm such a nerd.
So to make your Wednesday even brighter! I added a video for your enjoyment! My first choice was a Disney Princess Hipster Music Video. But they say the f word. So instead, enjoy the awesomeness of Mittformer!!!! Part transformer, part presidential candidate. Ignore the political crud they throw in there, that's no fun! Instead check out Mittformer's sweet cartwheels and clever representation of political segments.
The life of a BYU guard girl is always crazy, but I have to say, I love it. Here's the second installment of my new blog feature- Wonderful and Weird Wednesdays.
Wonderful
Free breakfast and lunch thanks to the lovely people at Loreal.
Watching EviDance with Angela, watched this ah-mazing dance to one of my favorite songs. Here's a video of the couple performing at DanceSport.
My Women in Entrepreneurship class. Women can do anything they set their minds to. Amen.
Hanging out with the trombone section all day Saturday. Who knew that trombones could be cool? I do now.
Weird
Getting hit on by a guy named Chasen at Sonic. Nuffer and I were just innocently dancing while we were waiting for our food. Then, he came over and asked us to be in a music video. Pretty much, he told a really awkward but intricate story. And gave us his number. I deleted it.
My thought process while watching Casino Royale, especially the scene when Vesper is crying in the shower in her 1K+ dress and Bond comes and comforts her. My mind? "I wish Bond would join me in the shower"... wait...sometimes I can be really naive.
Ute fans. Is it that hard to get off the field? Although BYU lost anyway. Sad day.
Disclaimer: Boys-- when we girls are together without you, crazy things happen.
That's why I love my guard sisters.
Anywho, this year the Cougar Marching Band is doing a James Bond show to celebrate 25 years of "shaken, not stirred." And let's just say that some of us guard girls have taken this whole Bond thing to heart.
It all began after the guard went to the Timpanogas Temple Friday night. Because of miscommunication, my car heads to the wrong Sonic for treats afterwards. So my car abandons the whole Sonic venture and drives over to In n Out (a much better choice).
Outside the Timpanogas Temple
Nuffer, Angela, Hannah, and Quinn at In n Out
There we change out of our dresses and into more comfortable clothing (aka aladdin pants).
My favorite part of this pic? The kids in the background.
We were waiting for our food, making fun of Quinn for being an In n Out virgin (she's not anymore). Then, a boy from Nuffer's class walks in. And he's cute. So we prod Nuffer to go chat with him. And since she's a gutsy chica (so jealous), she's fakes a need for straws and strikes up a conversation with the boy. Meanwhile, the rest of us are admiring and mocking Nuffer's bravery.
This is when things get interesting.
I don't know if it was the fact I was wearing aladdin pants in public or what, but I have the great idea of taking pictures of Nuffer talking to this boy. So Angela takes my camera and sneaks over to some plants and snaps some pics of Nuffer and boy through the leaves.
We made sure we didn't get his face, for privacy reasons.
While of this crazy is going on, I notice that the couple in the booth next to us were watching and cracking up at our behavior. I didn't mind. Honestly, I would do the same if I was in their position. And then, I'd probably write a blog post about it.
At last, all of food was ready, so Nuffer ends the conversation with the boy and comes back to our table. The boy? Walks over and sits with the couple in the booth next to us. Let's just say that we book it out of there, trying not to bust out laughing.
Later, we found out that couple was the boy's sister and her boyfriend. Hilarious, right?
Yes, my title is in Spanish. Why? Well, continue reading and the answer shall be manifest unto you.
This year, the BYU Colorguard is starting a new tradition. Every Saturday, the guard will get together and visit the temple(going to different temples, since there are so many so close). Today was the first day. The temple? Draper.
For me, it all started with my alarm going off at six this morning. I hit the snooze button (six is too early) and finally awoke to have one of my roommates come in and invite me to go to the temple. What a crazy random happenstance! (to understand this reference, check out Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog, you won't regret it.) She was going to Provo so I politely declined and at 7:45, headed out to pick up some of the other girls. By 7:15, seven of the guard girls plus our drum line priesthood and our captain's roommate were on the road to Draper, Utah.
The inside of the Draper Temple was beautiful. Like a really classy hotel. Warm toned walls with dark wood. But even better than the beautiful interior was the Spirit in the place. There is a wonderful peace in the Temple, making it a place to contemplate decisions or seek guidance. Today, I was seeking goals for the semester. And I got them. And surprisingly to me, they were spiritually based. I'll share a few.
Become charitable
Increase the amount of service I do
Have an open heart
This is interesting because usually my goals are more task based like start a business or go on six dates this semester. Honestly, those are a lot less daunting than my goals this semester.
After we finished at the Temple, we all headed to Kneader's Bakery for their french toast. Let me tell you: they have good french toast. For only $5!. And you can eat as much as you want!!!!!! But there is a downside: it's really hard to get through your first two slices. Not only did I try to get through my french toast(I failed), I also tried Kneader's new White Chocolate and Berry frappe. And it was heaven. Frappes always are. As we feasted, we laughed over the guys pictures of their former haircuts and facial hair. There was almost everything--helmet head, goatees, the swoosh. It was special.
As we were driving back home, we ran into an awesome surprise. There was a Latin-American festival in downtown Provo! Since two of the girls in the car served their missions in South America, we stopped and explored the festivities. We were wondering through when we discovered the main stage, where they were doing zumba. ZUMBA!! My absolute favorite way to exercise!! So I dragged Rachel and my "little sister" Solangie onto the stage to do some zumba--in heels and skirts. Cause we cool like that. I had a blast. And doing all the steps in heels just made the experience 10x better. And we might be doing zumba in colorguard in the near future. (insert excitement sounds)
And the best part of this whole story is that it all happened before noon!
