Well it's been over a week now since I arrived in Miami for my second year of college, and you haven't heard anything from me, so I figured I'd give you a little update!

I arrived last Tuesday and on Wednesday night leadership training began for the 2008 flavor of the "Band of the Hour," UM's award-winning Marching Band. As a student leader I have two roles: section leader and website coordinator (shameless plug: UBand Website link to the right, designed by me). I had the honor to meet Mr. Tom Keck, the new director of the "Band of the Hour" and of the Frost Symphonic Winds. Mr. Keck is an incredible person, someone who in just a week or so has shown the entire band that he is 100% committed to working with the students to make this band really special and extremely big. Oh, and as a side-note, he looks almost EXACTLY like Steve Carell, and when he wore an "I Love Lamp" shirt the other day, he had the whole band on his side forever.

Our first show of the season consists of the music of Bon Jovi, with three tunes: You Give Love a Bad Name, It's My Life/Lay Your Hands on Me (medley), and Livin' on a Prayer. In just 2 days of drill rehearsal we have already set all of the pregame routine and all the drill for the opener. The band seems to be working as hard as the staff is to make this an awesome season!

Our first home game is a week from TONIGHT against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (who?), and then the very next week, we travel to Gainseville to take on the Florida Gators (BOO!) The games look like they're going to be a blast, and I can't wait!

Classes start in just under a week, and I am very excited for that, believe it or not! I have been enjoying my time off though, and am just so happy to be back!