California amazingness...

Yeah.. that's exactly what tour was for me this year. Not only was I with some amazingly awesome people who love God.. and was serving God and singing for Him.. But I was in California!! Yahoo!! It was awesome.. I will try not to make this post too boring..

First day/night, We drove a whole freaking lot.. The drive was great though, I sat by some awesome people and just had a great time talking to them. (I sat by Alex, Geoffrey, Timothy, and Josh. Great fun) Geoffrey and I had fun reading a book called "you know you're a redneck if.." And then just.. chillin..
Geoffrey found his favorite spot ever in the meantime.. to sleep that is.. he slept in the middle of the isle.








Josh had a little bit too much coffee...



I slept in a room full of random girls I didn't know well that night, it was pretty cool! (We stayed in Flagstaff Arizona for the night.

2nd day:
Pulled out of flagstaff and left for the Grand Canyon.. Hehe, the whole way there Geoffrey and I were playing the alphabet game. We went through car models.. and names and everything.. great fun.. I knew nothing about the car models though.. sight.. But.. the grand canyon.. Wow.. it was completely and utterly amazing.. I don't have and pictures for this day though.. because my camera broke on the 2nd day.. aggh.. BUT!! I stole Rache's pics, here are some:












We ran down the canyon.. (It was breathtaking the whole way down..) in about.. 30 minutes I'd say? And then walked back up it in about 2 hours.. (that was my fault.. I forgot my inhaler.. and had an asthma attack..) It was still great though. We ate lunch at some weird grand canyon restaurant. That was great fun. My gang (the ave's) all wore our aviators indoors at the restarant.. we probably scared a few people..

Let's see.. we left grand canyon around 2ish.. and drove forever and a half.. hehe.. ate supper at some restaurant.. Peggy Sue's. Nasty food, but it was a great time.. this evening especially sticks out in my head. We (me, Bri, Josh.. and someone else.. can't remember who else was there..) had some really great deep discussions that night. If you know me well.. you know that I like talking on a deep level more than almost anything.


We got to california around 8ish (California time) and our hotel at about 9:30. Man.. the hotel was amazing.. we pretty much had our own floor and all of us had suite's!! It was a good night.. except for the fact that a few of the guys thought it really funny to call me all hours of the night to sing happy birthday to me.. (IT WASN'T MY BIRTHDAY!!) Thank goodness though, I had a room with Bri, Rachel, and Jessie. It was really really great to be rooming with them. (Thank you God!)
Next morning, may 6th.
We loaded the bus somewhere around 7:30 to head for hometown buffet (my favorite place.. ever... *cough..*) Hometown buffet of course.. wasn't opened. We all went and stood at the entrance anyway! In the meantime, I taught Josh, and Bri how to swing dance. It was alot of fun!! Especially because of the stares we were getting (We were all in our formals..) We finally got inside to the nastiest food I'd ever tasted (Yay!) It was a pretty bad breakfast in a few ways though.. 1 bad food. 2 a friend of mine was REALLY depressed and wouldn't talk to me.. thank goodness though.. I prayed for him alot.. and he came to me later that day to tell me he was doing better!

We left breakfast to head for competition! It was the disney competition, but it was held at Fullerton College. It was SOO cool! I think we did well.

We went to Disney land after competition! It was great fun! I hung out with Brady, Geoffrey, Josiah, Elizabeth, Andrew, Alex and Bri that day! As we were walking in, my hand brushed Geoffrey's and he started yelling OMG THEY WILL THINK WE WERE HOLDING HANDS WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!! It was really embarasing but funny! Agghh.. He was totally joking.. but it was really unexpected.. and I was blushing like crazy.. We had a really great day. Rode every ride we possibly could.. and just had a blast doing it. Andrew became our (Bri and I's) favorite freshman that day as well ANDREW YOU ROCK!! We had contests to see who could hold their arms up the longest on every ride. I did it on almost every ride.. There was one exception.. I kept crushing BRady on a ride because I wasn't holding on.. and the cart would turn.. so I didn't do the arms up thing.. He's too nice for me to crush haha. My favorite ride had to be the.. star ride.. can't remember what it's called.. but it was fast and fun.. I rode it with Brady my riding buddy.. We had great fun screaming and putting our arms in the air hoping they didn't get chopped off (You can't see anything while you're on the ride.)

Well we finally stopped riding to go to the awards ceremony (it was in disney land) late of course... There were WAY too many people there.. but we came out with a Gold First place award! So I'm definitly happy!! They did a fireworks show for us.. and they did a dance for us (We didn't stay though teehee)

I sat next to Brady (Or as he calls himself.. the human pillow) and somehow.. for the first time in my life.. fell asleep.. I never sleep on buses.. I must have been exausted.. Or.. Brady's shoulder is just.. super comfortable.. I'm not sure which.. teehee.. We got back to the hotel at.. 11:30ish.. All looking like we had hang overs.. (It was probably a horendous site..) My room stayed up talking (Even though we weren't supposed to teehee) I'm pretty sure we were up until.. 2:30.

Well.. the next morning (May 7th) We woke up at 4:20 in the morning.. we had to be on the bus at 4:30.. so.. yeah.. we were behind.. We all had slept through our alarms..

We headed out around 4:45 to the Marine's Corp. We got to sing for them that morning.. it was SOO cool.. I was so happy to be there.. and they were so happy to see us.. and worship with us.. I seriously almost started crying it was soo cool. I've never worshipped God so intently with a crowd in my life.. I couldn't talk to them.. or make eye contact with them.. if we came within passing distance.. but I could feel how happy they were to worship with us.. it was real.. and awesome.

We left the Marine corp, and went to a church to do another performance. I hated it.. absolutely.. The people were definitly not interested.. and I just.. couldn't worship for once on tour.. Plus.. everyone's voice's were cracking.. and there was absolutely no enthusiasm.. Plus.. we were all so tired.. we almost fell asleep during the sermon (Which.. I didn't agree with a hundred percent) It was just weird.. long.. and stressful. Plus.. some strange guy was winking at me.. and making me feel rather aqward..

After this we got to drive around for awhile, and eventually went to a beach! It was SOO much fun!! Josh and I attempted to bury our feet in the sand until we were stuck.. it didn't really work because.. my feet kept getting unburied.. It was a really cool beach... but we only got to stay for a very short time.. *tears*

We went to In-N-Out Burgers that night to eat. It was fun haha.. I think we overwhelmed them with our orders of 60 burger meals.. haha.. so me and my friends went outside to wait out the crowd. While we were outside we played chinese fire drill around some tables, stole the drinks off of them.. and then scrambled them.. and put them back.. (It was some of our friends.. don't worry) It was soo much fun.. because they were like.. WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?!?!

I'm pretty sure this is the night we went to Target! Bri and I went to buy Aviators because Josh said.. we "had to" because he wanted us in the gang. So Bri and I picked out Ave's with the help of David! (David is awesome guys.. my favorite sponser!) And of course, we bought cookie dough and starbucks coffee (our tradition for choir tour) We also bought Mr. Wheeler, (Our 2nd favorite sponser) a purse.. It's a really long story.. We went back to the hotel.. played a few rounds of lock.. Ate too much cookie dough.. and then went to bed. (Stayed up too late again talking! I found Rachel in the closet this night.. it was rather odd.. she likes hiding with her pillow and bear.. in a.. closet... I love you rachel!)
Monday May 8th. First.. I just have to talk about this.. we went to breakfast at Burger King. It was alot of fun.. I drew a picture for Mr. Wheeler to go with his purse.. and, it was Jenny's birthday! Josh and the crew.. of course.. wrote a song for her.


There's Jenny in the middle.. blushing rather brightly.. and the guys singing "Sweet Jenny!"


After breakfast, we went to Disney land for the workshop thing with the disney professional guy.. It was SOO much fun!! I sat by Josh and Bri.. because.. on the song that disney wanted us to learn.. I only knew Tenor.. Josh and I were trying to outsing each other as usual.. but ESPECIALLY.. this time.. because he wanted someone with alot of energy for the Mrs. Potts part.. (WHICH I ENDED UP GETTING!! W00T!!!) I'll have to admit though... Josh was better than I was.. BUT I won.. and that's all that matters.. mwahah..a.. It was a really cool workshop though. He made us sing with energy.. just pulled it out of us.. and then.. we put our singing to part of a beauty and the beast clip. It was awesome.. but really weird hearing us.. singing to it..

We went straight from the workshop into California Adventure. This time I hung out with Squad Six and Alex (And of course BRI!!).























Stephan and a couple of guys.. tackled Pluto.. I felt soo sorry for him..

We started of course.. by riding the tower of terror.. I loved it because the guys made sure that there was at least.. ONE guy sitting by the girls.. so we could grip there arms on the drops.. AGGHH!! It was scary.. but ohh so much fun.. (I had a pamphlet on my knee.. It flew in front of my face on the drops.. and then flew out of the elevator.. it was awesome!) The rest of the day was pretty much us dashing around.. attempting to ride everything that seemed exciting in the slightest bit.. I had soo much fun hanging out with Squad Six!! You guys rock!!

May 9th. Universal studios. Bri, Rachel, Jessie and I were officially named Squad Escortees on this day.. John tried to find chains.. so they could drag us around.. Not much to say about Universal studios.. except that.. we were all too tired to ride much.. and not very interested.. so we sat down.. in the MIDDLE of universal studios.. and played cards..



We tried sitting on the foot vibrator thingies..









And then.. we decided Stephan was getting in the way.. so we fed him to a shark... sorry guys..

We ate dinner at universal studios all together. It was great food.. but some girl was hitting on Geoffrey and Josh.. and I was about to beat her up.. grr... you don't hit on my guyfriends.. in my presense... It's ALMOST as bad.. as hitting on my brother.. aggh!! We left the restaurant (FINALLY!) and went to the crappiest hotel that I'd ever been in for choir tour. The rooms were all split up.. the doors were outside.. and it was a creepy part of town.. Thank goodness though Josh walked me to my room and helped me carry my monstrous bags.. heh. I roomed with Elizabeth H., Naomi N., and Mrs. Smith. I really enjoyed being with those girls, they're alot of fun.

May 10th - We left laquinta (For good!) That morning. I was SOO happy we were switching hotels.. We went to a small church and did a recording of our singing!! It was alot of fun.. except that everyone.. including myself.. had lost their voices.. I think we did alright though.. That night (I think it was this night at least...) We went to a little town.. that reminded me SOO much of Mexico.. Everything was in Spanish.. everything.. looked like Mexico.. and it was full of Mexican restaurants. I hung out with Geoffrey, Robert, and Andrew. We had a really great time. We found the most awesome hats in the world.. and I convinced Andrew (And helped him) Buy it.. It looked so cool on him.. as you'll see in this pic.
From left to right Andrew, Robert, Me, Geoffrey.


We got back to the hotel.. John cracked my toenail in half.. and me and my friends.. were GOING to go worship.. pull out the guitars.. and sing.. But.. we had a hotel curfue of nine.. which sucked.. So there I was.. half of a toenail.. and sad and lonely.. But I was quickly cheered up when I figured out Jessie would be in my room with me!! YAY!! We stayed up late playing poker that night.

May 11th - SANDIEGO ZOO!!! One of my favorite places that we went. Of course.. Squad Six said I had to be with them.. or else. Andrew came though, so all was well. We walked around.. and had a great time!





Us in a cave thingie






Josh in the.. cave thingie..






Stephen, Andrew, and John with the monkeys..





Getting ready to go on the bus










My beautiful Bri, and I at the zoo (Bri I love you to death!! You are amazing!!)



We left the zoo *tears..* and headed back to the hotel. Josh, John, Bri and I met in the "comfy corner" (My nickname for THE couch)

From Left to Right Bri, John, Jakub, Me and Stephan.




It was soo cool! We talked for a little while, and then went and found a secluded place to talk about God and how we were doing, and then worshipped for a couple of hours.. This was definitly the highlight of my week.. Just sitting with some great friends.. and worshipped God.. It was so awesome.. We did this from around 3 to.. 5
At 5 we had to leave (sigh..) because we were going to a formalish.. dinner. I got ready in 5 minutes flat.. curled my hair and everything.. I was proud of myself for getting ready so quickly.. teehee..




Josh and I at the Restaurant


After we ate we got to explore Seaport Village.. Man it was beautiful.. it was a little town right by the ocean.. the restaurant we ate at was actually ON the water.. It was amazing..

Rachel and I by the water (Rachel I love you SOO much!! I'm SOO glad we got to room together!)

I hung out that night with Naomi and Josh. Josh was playing the body gaurd role and running circles around us.. "scanning the perimiter" as he called it. We had a really great time.. just walking.. and talking.. away from zillions of people. (we found a trail where there wasn't zillions of choir people.. because we wanted to go somewhere that was quiet)

We got back.. who knows when.. I can't remember.. stayed up late playing poker.. Haha.. I remember that day.. Geoffrey handed me my birthday present, it happened to be a cigar.. Somehow.. he purchased it.. supposedly.. right in front of me.. in the little spanish town. We had a little meeting that night because it was our last night in California. Geoffrey won a ipod because he was nominated by the sponsers as the most helpful, humble and kind person on tour. I was glad he got it.. because he out of all the people on tour I knew.. was the definitly the most of the three.. It was kind of a sad night.. the last night I felt like I was still in choir.. and our last time to sing together.. I am soo thankful for all the wonderful times I've had with choir.. God is truly the center of our choir.. MOST of the time.. and that is soo cool.. it makes me happy..

That night, my room went to bed around midnight because we stayed up late playing poker. w00t!!

May 12th - We went to a graduation ceremony for the marine's corp. It was really cool, I learned one thing this day.. I'D NEVER MAKE IT AS A MARINE!! But it was neat anyway.. we watched them get some sort of a diploma type thingie.. and then we all walked to a museum for the marines. It was a LONG walk.. but a good one.. I got to talk on a deep level with my friend Brady.. about college.. and the future.. and God.. It was neat.. I hung out with Brady and Geoffrey that day. I'm really glad I did too.. we got in some good talks.. and just had a great time exploring the museum. We left the museum after awhile to actually go to the graduation ceremony. There were TONS of people there.. and TONS of marines. The marching band was amazing.. and the marines were too.. I don't know how they did what they did.. and I don't know how to describe it.. but it was cool.. It was also FREEZING out there.. so Brady and Andrew sat close to me to warm me up.. I appreciated it muchly.. haha.. but it was funny..

The rest of the day is pretty much boring.. we left san diego.. only stopping to eat.. At a neat little restaurant called Fuddrucker's. I sat bye Geoffrey and a bunch of random choir peeps. We had a jolly good time for sure. Afterwards was my favorite part though.. We just stood in the
parkinglot for a couple of hours.. and just goofed off.




Me with my loverly.. hairdoe..







not respecting the.. platonic rules.. teehee..








Stephan, me, and John



On the rest of the trip.. all that happened was that we spent the night in Arizona, and then headed home.. Not much exciting happened.. I was sitting by Josh at first, but then switched and sat by Geoffrey (He doesn't like people sleeping on him.. so he wanted to sit by me..) That's about it!! It was super crazy.. hot in Arizona.. just about as bad as Mexico.. and I was happy to get back home.. I missed my family alot.. I gotta go.. it's late..

Love you guys! Hope this post.. wasn't.. too boring..
Sara