The saddest thing (saddest? Is that a word?) about the tournament was that I didn’t have the camera with me, so I got NO pictures, and that is making me feel very un-inspired. Christina H. took some pictures, though, and promised to bring me a CD of them, so I may still end up posting a slideshow. Stay tuned!
I competed in Apologetics as well as Dramatic Interp this time. Apologetics is awesome! This being my first try, I did not do terribly well, but I had a great time. My speaking time never exceeded 3:51. Which is to be expected. But anyhow, even though I was not very good, it was really amazing, and I’m looking forward to the State tournament next week, where I can do it again!
Highlights or interesting facts from the Houston National Open:
1.) Timing every preliminary debate round! I like timing.
2.) Flowing for the first time. (fun!)
3.) Watching all the duos in the finals round! They were all amazing. Naturally I’m biased towards the teams from Texas, though. 
Fox/Louis and Fleming/Hardy rock.
4.) Timing OI semi-finals.
5.) ARCers. I love y’all
6.) Getting to play the piano just a little bit every day at our hosts’ home. It was all the music I had, besides my singing!
7.) I spilled water *counts on fingers* like 7 times over the weekend.
So, yeah, it was memorable! I’ll try to get that slideshow up, because I am well aware of how boring narratives are, and I’m not one of those people who have the power to make them amusing, deep, or otherwise original.
~Grace
