It's been a very busy past couple of weeks. We just returned from band camp on Saturday. Andrew, Kris and I were chaperones once again. It was really nice being there with Andrew. Gave us some good bonding time. He and I don't get much of that because it's usually Andrew and Kris, Helen and me. But with Kris busy with drumline all day Andrew and I talked together. This was my fifth bandcamp. I didn't go freshmen year of highschool (I thought I was too cool for marching band and didn't know any better) and I missed camp last year due to RA training. Band camp is a million times more fun than RA training. Even if you do find yourself half-way up a mountain with pouring rain and thunder and forty anxious kids. As exciting as band camp was, I didn't sit down to write about that. I figure I've got plenty of time to dwell and recap the week in Sunrise while I make the annual band camp video. Right now, however, another event is taking place. Kris and I are in the process of moving out and in to our first house. We have two other roommates, Travis and Dina, but since they won't be moving in for another week at least and most of the stuff in the house belongs to me or Kris, it kind of feels like it's our place. The house belongs to Tim and Jackie. They bought it and fixed it up for Ashley. Another set of renters later, the timing was perfect for Kris and I to take over. So a clean-up renovation took place and the house looks great. Dad surprised me with his excellent taste in carpet and paint color. We've got hand-me-down items from all directions; couches, a desk, pots and pans, dishes, and electronics from Jackie and Tim, a tv and mixing bowls from my parents, a grill from Nick and Kristen, a tv and knife set from Kris' parents, and I think Kris may even get a bedroom set from Tim's nephew and his wife, Chad and Bless. It's really great having all the hand-me-down stuff. I keep saying I'd rather have a second-hand house than an empty one. And you know what? So far everything looks terrific. I was there all day today cleaning and unpacking stuff. It was a bit weird being there by my self, a little rush of excitement for the space and the power of deciding where things went and how something should look. Of course, the house will share the personalities of four people, but there's plenty of space for everyone and I think we'll have a very nice arrangement. At least, I hope. Now that my "stuff" is being packed and shipped away mom's rearranging the furniture I had shifted to accomodate my things and vaccumming in corners where I've had boxes and picture frames occupied for months. I don't know how I've acquired so much stuff, but at least it's not junk. : ) I picked up a couple applications today. I really need to get a job and begin earning a paycheck. My bank account is making me nervous, but such has been anticipated. Before I know it school will begin and I'll be running around like crazy again. Classes, internship, work...it's a lot, but it's exciting. I've been a bit cranky tonight on account of being over tired. We didn't get much sleep at all during band camp and the night we got back Kris, Andrew, myself and our new pal Becca (Saguaro's dance teacher and my band camp roomie) attended the DCI show to support Travis in the Academy. So that was another looong night. Last night we moved stuff to Tempe and hung out at Kris' house; another long night for me. And then all day unpacking and cleaning. Not to mention our house has suddenly become infested with mosquitos. So during the night, I start away by a buzzing noise by my ear, discover I've been bitten, and then sporatically have to turn the lights on suddenly to find the damned bug and kill it. I usually find on just hanging out on a pillow beside me like he's inclined to be my new bedtime bear. And if I don't manage to kill it on the first try, he disappears and I have to turn out the lights and feign sleep before he settles down again. It's very annoying. And on top of that, my fan is still offbalance, so I have to keep it on low or else it squeeks horribly. So I'm constantly being woken up by misquitos or sweating in the night. And then, to my greatest annoyance and the straw that broke the camel's back, I got in the shower the other morning to find that the water was cold. The pilot light had gone out. Again. So I was tired, irritated, dirty, and all around in a foul mood. I cried all morning. And then I cried at church. I was a genuine emotional wreck, for a number of reasons I don't care to elaborate further than the aforementioned. Anyway, I'm better today. And although I'll probably still be tired tomorrow, I'll be happy to be unpacking more bags and boxes with CK in our new home. : )