JAZZ and Pokemon

     So today I was thinking about the activities I was most involved and passionate about through out my life. I know when I was younger it was soccer but I stopped early and never really liked it. TV was another one of those things... But to be honest I could hardly remember anything I was into until I got my gameboy... However I do remember getting super involved with a game called Shining Force (it was a Sega game I had for my computer) and its a strategy game that's similar to Fire Emblem.
     I did take piano lessons starting in 3rd grade, and actually music is probably the thing I have invested the most time in. I am more of a performer than a listener.
     Well I got my gameboy with my first game, Pokemon Crystal. It was my 10th birthday present. And honestly Pokemon is one of those things I don't think I will ever easily out grow. I still get super excited about it and know lots about it, play with friends, and can tell you more about it than most people (though I do have a few friends who know a lot about it)
     In 6th grade I also remember getting even more involved with Pokemon cause I had friends to play with but 6th grade was also kind of a different year. For starters I started playing trombone. Then I also played basketball, and believe it or not my team one the championships for the community tournament... I remember my 6th grade class had this thing where we would share something cool that happened in our life and everyone was surprised I even played basketball. I also played baseball, which honestly I didn't like much and we also lost every game....
     7th grade I joined a jazz club called Whiskey Hill. This probably is one of the more influential things to my life. Though there were times I absolutely just wanted to throw my Trombone against the wall, I am glad I was in it and also got to have some of the most unique opportunities of a lifetime through it. Playing in Disney Land, during the performance the trombone players even got up and danced to show ourselves having fun. I can honestly say I never get stage fright and am completely comfortable in front of audience whether it be singing, doing comedy, a speech... Well really I just feel confident on a stage.
     I didn't really start anything new until high school... I got more involved with my church my sophomore year and was a camp counselor that Summer. But the next real activity was Racquetball. I was horrible at it but its definitely my favorite sport. I think I lost every game except one when in it in high school. Choir was something else I joined after having been in the musical Chicago... Which was fun but that form of theater isn't for me.
     Now really the main activity is Choir. I am so thankful to have joined my old college choir. I made many friends and was able to keep doing something I am passionate about. Now that I am done, I want to find a new choir to be a part of.

Negatives and Positives Forms of Encouragement

So the other day I got to hang out with my choir friends whom I haven't seen in a while. It was great seeing them all. By the end we started playing Truth... Basically truth or dare but only with out the dare because we're too lazy. We were all mature and trusting enough to feel comfortable to admit to a lot.
It was also nice because we were able to be personal and not have to worry about each other judging each other.
By the end of the time together the few of us who stayed that late (we left at 5:30 in the morning) we started saying the very minor things that annoyed us about each other and also the things we love most about each other. Both of which I felt we were all able to be completely open and honest about. I realized its amazing to have a great fellowship that trusts each other enough to be so truthfully open about things.
The negatives that were said about me I kind of expected and non of them were really that negative, I think because we're all close enough to each other to not really be that bothered by each other. I'd love to share the things that were said but then I'd feel like I am being self centered. And we all agreed NOTHING LEAVES THE ROOM! Though I have a feeling nobody would mind about that part of the night to be said.
But in the end it was a much needed night for all of us. I learned more about myself and had lots of encouragement, which I very much so needed right now.