One week left in Iowa

JSo my drum corp experience has been going pretty well. There are a lot of unknowns that I still don't even have an idea of how new and challenging they will be, but I have a learned a little while I have been here.

I have been doing great mentally. This is an extremely mental and stressful activity. Physically it's been challenging. I am trying to perfect my technique, and in the process an old injury of mine came up. I'm not hurt, but my ankle that I sprained in cross country hurts so bad every day. One block it got to the point where I felt like I needed to cry. I wrapped it up and took some medicine and felt significantly better. Every day I probably will wrap it to protect my ankle just until I feel like it's strong enough to take the demand that I am forcing it to do. Prayers would definitely be appreciated, but I'm not a quitter!

There have been a good amount of people sitting out of rehearsal because of injuries. There is always going to be someone injured. The trick is figuring out which things you absolutely have to do, and when enough is enough. I haven't sat out any yet, but sitting out for one block is way better than being out the rest of the season.

Lessons that I have quickly learned while I have been here:
-Go to the bathroom whenever possible
-Sunscreen is a necessity
Don't forget your ears,lips, or the back of your legs.
-Eat whenever possible.
I take in around 3,000+ calories every day and am still hungry.
-Sit down whenever you can
Your legs will be happy.
- Wash your mouthpiece
Pimples are no fun
-Showering with your instrument is a necessity
I always thought it was weird when I heard about it, but your instrument needs to be clean and fresh about every five days so you don't get sick. Also just because your instrument will be shiny

So there's a little update to how things are going. Weather in Iowa is still not great. Rainy and cold... We only have a week though until we move to LaCrosse, Wisconsin though so I'm pretty excited. That'll mean packing and cleaning, but it will be a change of schedule. I can't believe how quickly the season is going. 16 days until my first performance. Hope you all are doing well. Thinking of ya!

Dance block.

Week one Helen.