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Published: August 24th 2008
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Final Finale
My very last performance with the band Well, the time has come to go home. Last night's performance was an emotional whirl wind! I was happy one moment, and ballin' my eyes out the next. I got through my solo on America the Beautiful okay, but after some strong prayer! I was so emotional during that song, and so was the rest of the band. I lost it during the finale during "Eternal Father Strong to Save." Even the boys were crying! Every night after the show, the cast has to walk down the Royal Mile and load the buses, and there is always a crowd behind the blockades. Well, last night we decided to run up and high five them! Oh, it was so cool and they all started cheering "U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A!" We then did our whole "Hail Golden Eagles" chant in the middle of the street. That is a moment in my life I will never forget. I helped pack up all the uniforms last night, and headed to bed. I had to help this morning with loading up palets with large instruments, uniform boxes, and I mustn't forget...Dr. Conger's golf clubs! It cost a fortune to ship that stuff back to the U.S.! (Hey, they're playing a Sheryl Crow song right now in here! How appropriate...yay Kennett!) I packed my bags and all of my souvenirs. For some reason I have more room in my bag this time. Probably because I am throwing away all my toiletries and my band shoes. That's right...my band shoes! After 5 years of marching band and a Tattoo, they are discusting!! Mr. B said in '99 several of the seniors left their shoes on the Esplanade! I'm about to go to a place to exchange my pounds for U.S. dollars, and the place doesn't charge any fees! We check out at 7:00 and load the buses at 9:00 for an overnight bus ride to London. My flight leaves at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow, and we arrive in Chicago at 2:50 p.m. CST. We then have a 7 hour bus ride back to Cape. I luckily don't have anything to do on Tuesday (Except see Mom and Dad! That's also dad's b-day!) but I feel for those band kids that have 8:00 classes on Tuesday morning. If you aren't doing anything Thursday night, we are performing our Scotland show during halftime of the football game. Well, unless anything really interesting happens on the trip home, I guess this is the part where I do my official sign-off. I have had an amazing time on this trip and have developed a lifetime of memories and friendships. I have made friends with people who I thought I would never even talk to. The performance oppurtunity was unbelievable and how awesome was it that I got to play with the caliber of musicians from all around the world that I got to play with. I've learned a lot of things about myself during this time. I've learned its okay to not be so passive all the time (haha!) and that it is easy to talk to people, even if you don't know them. I've learned that Americans are very convincing. For example: At the beginning of this trip, the Indian Band hated us, but last night they were taking pictures with us, giving gifts and hugs, and saying that we were their favorite group. The Golden Eagles I believe to be great ambassadors to the U.S. Even the French and Polish people love us! I have learned that other countries have every right to accuse us of being gas hogs and using up the world oil supply. I wish we could have the small cars that they have here. I have definitely learned to love the fact that we have "dog dropping" cleaning fines in the U.S.! I have learned that my parents truly mean the world to me, especially after supporting a fellow band mate who just lost one of her parents. And last but not least...I have learned (because I had very little or no access to them) that I have two addictions: Internet and Taco Bell!! I have had a great time writing this blog and I thank you for reading it and living vicariously through me. I hope you've enjoyed everything and the pictures! Thank you for the many messages and comments. I would also like to thank the SEMO University Relations office for posting these on the SEMO website. I've heard many comments about them, especially from parents of the band. Sounds like I'm going to have several new friends when I get home!
Ci-Ci ya later (oh, I can't wait for some Ci-Ci's pizza!)
Peace!
Brooke Privett
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