By Allison Owen
As most students know, the last week of the term is rather hectic — especially if it’s the week before a break. So this past week whenever I got really stressed out I’d watch or listen to drum corps. Drum corps helps me “get away from it all” and just relax.
Monday I went to the doctor to get the good ol’ physical taken care of for this summer. After a series of tests — like running in place, moving my arms and legs in random ways, and other various things — my doctor signed the form, clearing me to march this summer. As I was leaving the office, though, I did get some strange looks from other patients who had seen me running around — I think they were afraid they would have to do the same thing.
I also found out why I had been sick so many times this year — I have chronic allergies. I was prescribed some medications and now I’m already feeling a whole lot better.
Whenever I’m going out somewhere I take my corps jacket now, just to see what interesting things come from it. Nothing too exciting has happened yet, but I don’t think I’ve ever had so many people read my clothing before, whether I’m at school or the mall. Now I know what it feels like when I see someone — like the guy who marched with the Phantom Regiment who goes to the local university — with a corps jacket on and take a minute to talk to them.
At school on Tuesday it began to snow like I’ve never seen before. The day before I was in a T-shirt and flip-flops, and I didn’t know it would snow Tuesday, so I wore flip-flops again.
Eric Fox has rubbed off on me.
We had another clinic for new color guard girls after school and I got to help teach some basic guard things. Now when I first started color guard I was the absolute shyest new person ever, so I know how most new people feel (I know everyone thinks they were the worst ones when they started, but I can actually say that and be perfectly honest).
One thing I remember when I was learning the basics was that I was afraid to ask any of the vets questions, so I wasn’t surprised when only a few of the girls were asking questions. There was only one person I wasn’t afraid to ask questions, and that was my “big sis” Jody. The sister thing was when we were paired up vets and new people to work on stuff.
Another thing I got to do on Tuesday was teach across-the-floors. This was the first time our guard had done across-the-floors, so being the excited drum corps member that I am, our director had me take change. Before I could do that I needed to get some water so I could talk loud enough for all the girls to hear me.
I came back in to start teaching them and all of the sudden they weren’t afraid to ask questions. It turns out that when I went out in the hall to get a drink of water our director told everyone how crazy and dedicated I am about color guard. She told them about how self-conscious I was and that no one should be afraid to ask me questions because I was just like them.
It felt great to be able to help girls who were just like me. I get this great feeling inside when I can help someone become better, knowing that maybe someday I can make someone else as crazy about color guard as I am. I remember how nervous I felt when I first started guard. To be perfectly honest, my director had to talk me into auditioning. Looking back I can’t believe I had to be talked into trying out for color guard — now it’s the axis on which my world spins.
It’s starting to get warm again — granted that there are no more surprise snowstorms — and it’s time for me to start running. There are tons of things that have to be done in the short months ahead, but I can’t wait to see what each week has in store for me.
