Distinguished Young Women

Last weekend ended my participation in Arizona's Distinguished Young Women program. Thursday I had my interview with the five judges and I felt really good about it, except that the ending could have been stronger. Friday I practiced on the stage with the amazing sounds guy and then headed over to the football game (which we barely lost :( ). Saturday felt like three days wrapped into one. There was rehearsal, the first show, and then the second show. I loved Lynn Fox who choreographed the opening number. So cute! Thankfully I didn't die during the fitness routine. It was pretty intense. My question for self expression was, "Name a time you took a risk and failed. What did you learn from your experience?" I talked about Advance Vocal and how someone's negative opinion can't stop you from doing something you loved. </3 I thought I nailed it so I was sad I didn't place in that category. It would have been nice to receive $600 for not making something I worked so hard at. Not like that would ever fix anything, but still nice. :) I was happy with how my talent went and soooooooo proud of all the girls that placed. It was such a wonderful experience and each one of those girls is so special and sweet. Just a final thank you to all the volunteers and ladies that run the program and our supportive audience. I hope everyone can take advantage of such great opportunities.

After DYW from left to right:
Me, Maddi Williams (third runner up), CarriAnn Hunt (placed in talent), Haliegh Crever (placed in self expression)

Choir Retreat was the week or two before that. Lock-in was a party and I feel so bonded to everyone in Concert Choir. So many crazy games and since there was only 20 minutes of sleep, all the details are a little fuzzy. It was a great lead in to the next day to get to know the youngins. Slytherin Wins! My house took the house cup after a scavenger hunt all over the F Building and a day of stations. It was pretty great to see the two most powerful houses being Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Talk about house pride! Now if only our school could be so spirited....

Alright I shouldn't bad mouth the school too much. We have been getting better and I attribute that to the student council and my senior class. We had a secret senior spirit week that was super fun and lots of people participated. The theme for homecoming is Living in the New York Times. Awesome! Now I just need to be asked.... *fingers crossed*

Constitution Fair tonight. The fabulous Maddi Williams will be singing. I can't wait! Everyday is an adventure and I hope I keep a positive attitude that is contagious to everyone around me. <3 I have a feeling my next post will be about the stress of trying to move.... Keep optimistic!

What the pho?!

It's the new inside joke. Last Wednesday was the first half day of the year. To celebrate, a big group of us went to lunch. Levi and Jackson have been talking about this Vietnamese food called pho for awhile. We decided to take their word for it and instead of heading to Cafe Rio or Paradise Bakery for lunch, we went to try pho. First, we crammed eight people in Jackson's truck. It was quiet comical seeing everyone smush together. We arrived at the restaurant and filed in to dimly lit eating area to a table big enough to hold all of us and the two girls that arrived a few moment later. No one really knew what pho was so we just picked a random number off the menu that didn't look to intimidating. Spencer, Emily, and I all ordered a number fourteen. We realized how silly this was after ordering. If number fourteen doesn't taster good, we're all screwed. haha It wasn't too expensive though. At least we weren't going to eat the lining of the stomach of a cow like one of the boys across the table. Eating utensils, including chopsticks, forks, knives, and ladles, were brought out and set on the lazy-suzanne next to plates of roots and leaves. We didn't have to wait long to be served our pho. I'll try to explain it the best I can. The large white bowl was filled with a tan liquid that smelled overwhelmingly of ginger. The soup was so hot one of the girls arriving late said we were sweating. Floating around in the liquid were large chunks of onions, thin bunches of sticky noodles, and bland chicken. I personally thought it looked like something out of Star Wars and was waiting for a live creature to crawl out of the depths of the bowl. Honestly, it wasn't that bad and I may have liked a different flavor, but new food doesn't really sit well with me and I couldn't endure the smell. Both Emily and I felt like throwing up afterwards and Spencer really did during half time of the football game. This is the second time Levi and Jackson have suggested a food to us that we don't really like. We've decided to give them one more chance. :)

Time for theatre news! I'm playing Sarah in The Man Who Came to Dinner at the high school. She's the cook of the household and is in a good number of scenes. This will be the second show I'll ever be in that is just a play and not a musical. It will be fun and I'm not too worried about it. More recently I learned I will be playing MADAME THENARDIER IN LES MIS!!!!!!!!!!!! Eek! I'm so excited to be in this show! I was double cast along with all the other female leads so I won't have to perform on Sundays. I'm a little concerned with her potty mouth, but it will be ok. With two shows, a show choir, a scholarship program, school, preparing for college, and moving this is going to be a busy year. I can't wait to get started. <3