Rock It Don't Stop It

Now more than ever, I dread coming out to high school functions because I don't really have too many people to say what's up to anymore. I feel old but at the same time am baffled at the way I blend in with these high schoolers that look beyond their years (or it could be the fact that I still get "Are you 16?" Damn it). Mount Carmel isn't even recognizable to me anymore, too much of a Westview vibe going on. But of course, I had to come out for MC Airbands to support my brother and let's face it, MC always holds it down when it comes to airbands. This is also the reason I only come out to band/guard shows because MC kicks ass at that too. Anyways, I was expecting a typical MC airbands show with notable guest performers and good competing groups, but if you didn't go this year you missed out!



It's nice to see Mount Carmel keep the tradition alive with current students and alumni on many of the exhibition teams, from 220, Urban FX, Super Galactic Beat Manipulators, Formality, and many other teams. Plus not only do former Sundevils rock it on the stage, but a good number are leading behind the scenes as current/former captains or directors. Great job guys.

The first big surprise of the night was a special appearance by Kevin Brewer of the Jabbawockeez/SGBM. For me, it was surreal that everyone busted out their cell phones and cameras when he came out because I've been watching him since his days on Culture Shock SD/Jabbawockeez in '03 - now he's celebrity status, which is cool but I'm still getting used to it. Raf even introduced me to him a couple times when we ran into him at Barnes and saw him at his old work (Apple Store at UTC haha). It's funny because he only came to watch and enjoy the show, but I guess everyone recognized him so during intermission they asked him to come on stage to introduce SGBM.

But the WTF moment of the night was when Donnie from Making the Band 4 made an appearance! Seriously, WTF? First the hosts from Z90 were talking about the importance of education and saying no to budget cuts, next thing you know they talk about being able to fly "someone from MTV" out here, then what do you know, Donnie steps through the curtain. Now I didn't even think Donnie was that tight on the show, but when he showed up the inner fangirl inside of me came out (think circa Backstreet Boys in their prime) and my first instinct was to scream and wail my arms like a 14-year old. Oy.



"Don't wanna play no games I want you excluuuuuusive"





All in all, it was a very entertaining show - congrats to my brother's group GCA for getting first!

Random Thoughts Post

So Spring Break already passed by like it was nothing, and today was my not-so-dreaded return to school. I did really well last quarter, so I came into this one with some good motivation and confidence. We'll see how long that outlook holds up (ask me at the end of 2nd week maybe? haha) but I'm taking all biology classes this quarter so I really want to take this opportunity to boost up my Biosci GPA up. I don't have much to say about spring break since I didn't do anything too exciting, so this is just going to be another random thoughts post about stuff here and there.

1. I shouldn't be too surprised, but even during spring break I could not escape the Smash pandemic. In SD or Irvine, late night or in the middle of the day, Smash was there. The surprising part should be that I actually considered getting into the game myself. I played video games like one of the guys in elementary school and I'm pretty good at picking up stuff fast, so why not right? Omg what the heck am I saying.

2. I've been obsessing over American Apparel lately. Their stuff is so comfy and they have a lot of basic pieces that you can wear with anything, even if it is a little on the pricy side. However, I have to say that their ads are LOLtastic sometimes. I was browsing through their site on my lunch break at work and became mortified at this half naked chick in only skinny jeans sticking her ass at the screen while gnawing on her finger. Oh yeah and bare breasts too. Nice. Maybe the 70's porn-inspired advertising is part of the appeal.

Notice the great product placement.

3. I would have thrown such a fit if the Jabbawockeez didn't win ABDC. The West Coast pwns so much at the dance scene, it's crazy. Kaba Modern alum/well-known choreographer Miguel Zarate is going to be on that new Bravo dance show Step Up and Dance, so check that out. I'm also looking forward to the second season of ABDC just to see familiar faces on TV, because you know some of the West Coast teams that we've been watching for years are going to end up on there.

4. I've been so proud of myself for my workout ethic lately. I've been going 3-4 times each week, and I'm going to make sure I keep this going into summer. This is the vain part of me speaking, but I found good motivation in buying clothes that I wouldn't wear unless I was feeling really good about myself (aka little red dress). Because first of all, you don't want to look bad in the clothes, and second, you actually want to try because it would be a waste to spend $$$ on clothes and not wear them, right?

5. So to redeem myself from sounding too superficial, I just want to say I really learned so much during the past quarter in school - and it's stuff that I think is actually relevant to life. I'm more aware and concerned about issues that struck a nerve with me, such as women's rights (or lack of them) around the world and global health issues. An interesting book that I read was "Strapped" by Tamara Draut, which talks about why it's becoming harder and harder for people in our generation to get ahead, from rising college costs, the prevalence of debt among young people, and lots of other issues that really got me thinking about my future. It's somewhat of a depressing read, but an interesting one.