"Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start..." and that is with the Purdue Jazz Band. Most characters in this blog participate in the jazz program. However, I met none of them until the jazz band opted to tour Italy.
The trip was optional and open to all bands within the jazz program. However, most people who signed up came from my specific band group. The only "outsiders" were John Dvorchak, Christopher John, Monica, and James.
I met Monica first. There was a total of four females on the trip, automatically assigning the four of us as roommates. Since the dorms were closing, I offered for her to stay at my apartment until we left. So naturally, I met Monica first.
Next was Christopher John. Due to finals, the Italy band could not rehearse together until ONE WEEK before the tour. Therefore, we practiced approximately 7 hours per day, leaving one hour for lunch. Instead of eating out everyday, I wanted to save money and invited other members to join me on a picnic. However, little did I know that Indiana weather would remain cold and damp the entire week. It was quite miserable. One afternoon, I even prompted Monica to eat outside. We lasted a half hour. Therefore, under these conditions, no one wished to join Monica and me...except Christopher John, who was generally enthusiastic and gung-ho toward the idea of a picnic. Because of that attitude, I often paired myself with Christopher John when I wanted to break from the band and explore the cities of Italy.
Not long after, I met John Dvorchak and James. On the day before departure, one band member held a party. John Dvorchak, Christopher John, and James came but banded together. Already knowing everyone else on the trip, I was determined to learn these boys' names. I'm glad I made the effort.
There are thousands of stories about Italy I could share. However, there is one revelent to the topic.
