1 Hawaii rocks my stinking socks. It rocks so much, it rocks more than Jamie. Oh my GOD, I can't believe I just said that.

2 I love DTT, and I am so deprived while I'm here in Singapore and DTT probably taking off in Hawaii right now.

3 We got a silver, that's if you're to slow to even know.

This trip, was a hell lot of fun. Duh-ly so. And I'm sorry if I didn't get any of you something, as in missed out on you, because I didnt have enough money. Alright, I probably did but I spent it all away. And I got to blog about this entire trip, the past entire week, right now, anyway, I don't think I'd be able to sleep.

Alright, where do we start? Gathering at the airport in the wee hours of 3, was pretty interesting. Everybody all looking so dead, and only a few being excited because it was probably a long time since they got on the plane. One good classic example would be me. I was so darn pretty worried for my luggage being overweight. Amazing enough, it wasn't. Jo's was. Haha! It was quite cool to have people going "Wow" at your instruments and staring at them as if it was...the President of Singapore or so. We went on to get the postcards, which was definitely not enough for the number of trumpeters in the exchange but who cares. And then proceeded into this bookshop in which, every single junior of mine, starting getting horny. Gosh. I wonder who made them this way.

The plane ride was quite alright. Interesting, and I thought the first plane ride's food was pretty nice. The rest, was close to bull shit. United Airlines service is impressive. Oh they made us feel extra special, when they announced about us on the plane, like "The St Anthony's Canossian Secondary Concert Band is on board the plane with us today and they will be taking part in the ...We wish them all the best..." Oh Japan's airport is quite alright, but compared to Singapore's, their efficiency, not that good.

Let's skip the plane ride. I think what we did there was more interesting. Oh yeah, on the way to Hawaii, I took Callista's window seat and sat beside this stranger whom she was pretty much afraid to sit beside. Since I was wanting a window seat, I volunteered to sit beside him. He introduced himself, to be Mr. Barnes and he was duper nice. He's a Hawaiian and when we reached Hawaii, he went "Finally. Home." Now, keep this in mind. I'll explain the rest later. Oh yes, he even gave me this Vitamin C thingy, because I had running nose on the plane.

I got stucked at the security check thingy. They thought my passport was fake, I think. I was like close to panicking. Oh wells. I managed to get in. They then welcomed us with that garland of orchids which in fact, stinked up everyone's hotel room because we were told not to throw it away. It was hilarious as to how the two people welcoming us, kissed us and the reactions were like "eww". Goodness. So mean. Haha. The bus was nice. Much better, way better than Singapore's.

Since we couldn't check into the hotel just as yet, we went shopping. Shopping, as in walked around, and didn't really buy anything in fear that Ala Moana would have much nicer stuff. We finally checked in in the afternoon and had "Study Time". Yeah right. Everything was noise and pure fun and entertainment when you're in the same room as Cindy, Michelle and Callista. Oh my God... How Spastic. Haha. It was then when they realised I loved the word spastic and they started counting the number of times I said it. Oh yes, to conclude, it was almost close to a pig sty with them in the room.

The Korean Air people, arrived the next morning and by then, the UA people had had their breakfast at Perry's Smorgy already. Oh yes, at that point of time, we thought the food was good or alright. We then had the time to explore the place once again, and "play with water" at the beach. Oh damn it, I have to say, their beach is fucking nice. Haha. And that game of real or fake was really dumb. Michelle and I buried ourselves in the sand and it was then, I realised that dearest Sandra and Callista have no idea how to apply sunblock. Who in the world puts patches of sunblock on your face, that you have white stuff here and there. You're like supposed to rub, and spread it. But no, they didnt. Haha. Spastic. Then, we got ourselves a tattoo, airburshed. Haha. Oh yeah, and we had to walk to Pacific Beach Hotel for every rehearsal or so and it got so irritating all thanks to slow administrators in our school, and thanks to them, we didn't get to stay in Waikiki Resort and that's pretty much irritates me because THEY were there. Haha. Damn it. We sounded great in Ahi room, but definitely not in the others. Thank God the exchange with Epping was in Ahi. Haha. Oh yes and we found out Concord was in the same hotel as us. It was then, when the first question bout us was post. "Is Singapore in China?"

Had breakfast in Smorgy's once again, and I thought it wasn't THAT bad just as yet. Note, the buffet breakfast had the same food day after day. Headed for the Pearl Harbor Memorial and damn because I didn't get to get anything from there. It was pretty interesting. Very in fact. Oh almost all dozed off during the video and when it came to the bombing part, everyone woke up. Then proceeded on for rehearsals again, then "Study Time" in which we spent most of the time preparing for the Dinner, or rather, clearing up the room. The dinner, was sucky. I think the AJ people were rather idiotic, and the West Ranch people were too quiet. And bloody hell, we didn't get to sit with the Epping Boys. Some did though. Like Jeanette and Alex. In fact, I wouldn't mind sitting with Alex. At least there'd be someone to talk to. One word for the dinner: Horrible. Dancing, wasn't even like dancing. And we suspected something to have happened there.

Day 4. Adjudication Day. I know Cindy had to say "Today got adjudication..." then I could wake up. Haha. Breakfast at Perry's once again. It was then we realised that the food were the same. Then we had to prepare for Ala Moana. Everyone was dressed in their uniform and all, full school uniform and then 5 minutes before we left our hotel rooms, we had teachers telling us to change into our band uniform. I could have whacked the hell out of them. Dumb arses. Performance was quite alright, with many people asking where we were from and all. Amount of audience was quite good as well. Given only 15 minutes to get our lunch, some people went to shop. Like what the hell. Haha. Anyways, proceeded directly to Pacific Beach Hotel for soundcheck. I thought it was horrible. Everything was such a rush. And finally the Adjudicated Performance. The intermediate band had a breakdown, and like at most random places, they started crying. Well, I think they did well. Anyways, some of us thought it was a horrible idea to let us watch the other bands perform before us. We had West Ranch after the Intermediate Band, which truly, and honestly did intimidate us alot. They were really good. But what would you expect from a marching band. Nothing but good stuff. Concord was next, and they weren't too good. Completely off tuned and weren't playing as a band. Then we had to leave but we do know AJ Dimond and Epping Boys, were just as awesome. Good thing we didn't hear Epping. Haha. Last up, us. It was nerve wrecking at first, so I decided to go hysterical. But it didnt help. Haha. I managed to calm down, but Cindy became nervous because of her solo, which in turn, turned out great. So we walked in into the ballroom. People stared. I could sense it real bad. To add on, I was left with no seat. Damn Cindy and Amanda. Like what the fuck. Anyways, we started off pretty well, with Fantasy followed by Pirates which made the audience more alive, and Virginia, which did not turn out that well. Oh wells, I think we deserved that silver anyway.

We then had exchange programmes with Epping and AJ. Oh goodness. I think the workshop with Epping was awesome. Haha. DTT! Lol. I am so going to get hold of every picture taken at the Luau to see if DTT is possibly in any of them. Anyway, before that I was cautioned by the trombones of Alex. Alex Long, the jerk who talks non stop. Turned out, I had to sit beside him. I think he was pretty nice but, too much of a show off. All the trumpeters we exchanged with had this tendency of reaching notes too high, notes you'd never be able to hear in SAC. Haha. Why? Because all doubled up on the jazz band. So duhly, those would come naturally. Anyways, the combined with Epping, was quite good I must say. AJ's exchange didn't turn out that good because the pieces they gave us, were way too complicated. I could almost die when I saw a high high E, in the fourth bar. I was like what the fuck. I only managed to play the long notes, which didnt even turn out too nice. Surprisingly, they had difficulty playing Virginia, and Fantasy. Haha. Honestly, their articulation weren't even that good. Both bands got us something and I felt bad, because we didn't get enough because we didn't expect AJ's trumpet section to be huge. Their gifts weren't that cheapskate as compared to our postcards. Haha. They gave us stuff toys, figurines, books and all. It was duper cool. Oh yes, that was also the day, I speed shopped. I bought so much clothes at Ala Moana without even trying them on. Who cares. Because my dearest section people, had to inform me that we might not have the time to go back the next day. Upon hearing that, full blast for shopping. I spent as if there wasnt a tomorrow. Now looking back, I think I must have been out of my mind. Anyways, it sort of made me pissed as to how we couldn't go back. But it was sure fun speed shopping.

Last day, sort of. I told myself I had to observe DTT, but no I didn't. I think the Luau was most probably a waste of time because some of us didn't eat. To add on, it was in the hot sun. However, I think the performance was awesome. It was hilarious as well. Oh yes, the Luau also displayed public signs of affection. NEWS! Epping Boys' Nathan had moved so quickly on a Mountain View girl. Goodness. And to think everyone thought he was hot. He was such a playboy. Goodness. It was really scary how fast it was. Faster than Dash from The Incredibles. Lol. Oh and thank you, to my dearest section for taking photos of DTT. It was hilarious how you all took the effort to do that. We went back to the hotel to do more shopping, and then proceeded on for command performance. It was none other than Epping Boys who peformed. I think they deserved it. Everyone went crazy because it was the boys. Oh yes. Right. Anyway, the performance was quite good, and that includes the choir. And their piece entitled "Johnny Said No" It was hilarious how they sang it, that every band member started imitating them. Haha. Oh and the opening piece. Everyone thought the guy zao sia. The nerve wrecking part of the entire performance was announcing of the results. Upon hearing AJ had gotten a silver, it was less than 10% that we would be able to get a gold. I suppose we're alright with what we've gotten because we did deserve it. But, thing was, I heard this from one AJ's band member. "We've got a silver!" in a rather excited tone apparently. I supposed they didnt expect much. We expected too much. Oh wells. I just hope we do well in SYF. It's to the extent I don't even care how the school would think.

We were so darn reluctant to return back to Singapore because we don't want to go back to school. Hawaii's air is much nicer and everything in Hawaii is duper awesome. We know we're in deep shit when we're back in school. Who cares. We also realise that when we were in Hawaii, time passed really fast in Singapore. Apparently. Yes. Haha. So, when we were in the plane, we touched down in Singapore, we were like Boo and all because we didnt want to be in Singapore. As compared to the Mr. Barnes, obviously returning to your home Hawaii would be awesome. Returning home in Singapore is nothing but blah. Oh and the UA people were so nice as to congratulate us, just that they were like "Contrations" instead of "Congratulations". Lol. They were really sweet. Haha.

I miss Hawaii's air.
I miss rushing for rehearsals.
I miss having that going-to-vomit feeling in the lift of Ohana West.
I miss slotting the key into the door of the hotel.
I miss talking to Concord people.
I miss having parties in the room.
I miss having prank calls.
I miss the streets of Hawaii, where people were all in their beach wear, and the breeze would be so cold yet nice.
I miss walking to every corner of Hawaii and seeing the ABC stores.
I miss running in the corridors of the hotel.
I miss the exchange programs, especially the one with Eppings.
I miss Anna and Keith directing us to our rehearsal venue.
I miss greeting Aloha to everyone we meet on the street and Mahalo as well.
I miss going up the bus by the wrong side.
I miss walking to Pacific Beach, with our instruments and people being amazed.
I miss the buskers.
I miss the beach, the sand, the sky, the clear waters.
I miss burying myself in the clean sand.
I miss fighting with Emily the strange.
I miss Perry's Smorgy although it isn't that good.
I miss shopping in Hawaii.
I miss the Marlin Room, Moi Room, Ahi Room, the Grand Ballroom.
I miss the cold water provided during practices.
I miss the salty 99 cents hotdog.
I miss the bathtub, the huge room we had as compared to the others.
I miss the neighbours complaning about how much noise we make.
I miss the airconditioning in the hotel room, and the blanket, and the windows.
I miss having human alarm clocks wake me up.
I miss going everywhere and seeing pineapples and more pineapples.
I miss the bitch slang other schools had.
I miss struggling with my phone's calculator to convert US dollars into Singapore dollars.
I miss the plane rides.
I miss the room service provided.
I miss World Projects and the team.
I miss Japan's toilet bowl.
I miss missing Singapore and being happy in Hawaii.
I miss DTT.
I miss Hawaii and everything in Hawaii.

I think this is a nightmare. Being in Singapore has got to be a nightmare. I have to go back to Hawaii soon. I must. Lol.

9 more days to SYF.

Mrs Audrey Cullum-CFH

MRS AUDREY CULLUM
2:27 AM