Paula Hyman will be contributing columns to DCI.org each Wednesday. Here's her 11th installment. We had camp this past weekend -- and a pretty awesome one at that. We played through a number of charts including the two show tunes we already had, as well as our ballad, which we received at camp. Did I just write the word "ballad" in the previous sentence? I might have, although it could just be a typo, or a figment of your silly imagination. Or maybe it's true -- maybe the Cadets will have a ballad this summer. But I could just be pulling your leg. Who knows, you will just have to wait a few more months to know the real truth.

The Cadets relax in Bristol.
Highlights of camp: Playing in the line, marching, Saturday night's hamburgers, and chocolate chip pancakes on Sunday morning. After camp a few of us went to a Chinese buffet down the street. It was quality. It started to snow on the way home and I kept falling in and out of sleep, so it's a good thing that someone else was driving. There were cars all over the side and middle of the highway, spun around and what not because of the snow. They were going to fast and wham, lost control. We were driving 15 miles per hour, but at least we got home safe and sound. After a quick stop at the store (my roommate wanted some Ben & Jerry's) I came home, ate some Ramen, and passed out for the night. Long weekend! Since Nov. 21, I've had a camp about every two weeks. Now we have to go until January 14 before the next one. That is a long time after being spoiled with something going on every two weeks. We'll survive, but it would be nice to have camp twice a month each month. Just like any other day, today is going to be an adventure. I am going to be meeting my friend Christen in NYC for a day of -- well, walking around the city, I guess. After that I am going home -- home in NY. Just about all of my family will be flying into New York to my sister's house for the holidays. There are going to be so many people there, but it's going to be great to have everyone together. My brother, his wife, and their two little boys are flying in all the way from France. They moved over there a little over five years ago and I've only seen them once since, so I am very excited that they are coming to visit! I'm especially happy for my mom, who gets to have all her "babies" in one place for the first time in at least five years. There are some things I need to do today -- mainly for my car, Ryan. He needs his oil changed, tires rotated, and is in need of a good cleaning. Hopefully I get to all of that before I head to the city -- an unlikely goal, but I'm going to try anyway. My car is currently parked outside at a meter. I hope it runs out of time and I get a ticket -- that would be awesome. It's starting to get really cold up here. Cold enough for snow! That is craziness, considering it's a sunny 75 degrees where I used to live in Florida. Sorry for the choppiness of this article -- it makes it seem like I don't have an attention span, changing topics every few lines. But I do, I swear, I'm just writing what comes to mind for this one. I'm out of here. I have a ton of stuff to do today before I go to the city, so I need to get moving. I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday season! Paula Hyman is a fourth-year member of the Cadets where she is the mellophone section leader. She is 20 years old and currently single. Originally from South Florida, Paula recently made the move to Allentown, Pa., to work for YEA!, the umbrella organization of the Cadets, Crossmen and the U.S. Scholastic Band Association. She ages out in 2006. Past columns by Paula Hyman: Notes from a weekend off Banquets, show and tell -- report from a Cadets camp A Cadets camp report Macy's Day extravaganza Your not-so-typical day Trick-or-treating at a band show Trick-or-treating at a band show It's a show day! What's a free day? Rest stop or heaven? The Move to Allentown Welcome back to the real world