In my almost 2 years of being here, I've learned that the spring semester is really something to look forward to. Aside from how absolutely beautiful the campus looks with the freshly planted tulips, the CMT Awards have been hosted here at the Curb Event Center. I was in the mosh pit last year, so I decided to try something different this year. A friend of mine asked if I'd like to be a seat filler, so I thought to myself: "Self, would you rather stand in a mosh pit of hundreds of people and stand the whole time? Or would you rather sit and enjoy the show while possibly getting the opportunity to sit by celebrities??" Well, seeing as I am slightly inclined to relaxing and enjoying the show, I went with the seat filling option! I had a blast! I had a bit of an issue with wardrobe at first. CMT told all the seat fillers to wear all black. I'm guessing that's because they don't want us taking attention away from the celebs??? That's just silly, but whatev! I don't make the rules! Ha ha. Anyway, I had a black dress I wanted to wear but it was a spaghetti strap dress, so I put my jean jacket on over it so I wouldn't get cold. I was a little nervous that they wouldn't let me in with my jacket because I heard how strict they were about dress code, but they ended up saying my jacket was ok. However, I was wearing heels...apparently we weren't supposed to wear heels. I'm already 5'9", so with heels on I'm about six feet talk at least. Unfortunately, I had to make the trek from the back of Curb Event all the way back to my dorm. I couldn't find any shoes to go along with the black dress, so I ended up just wearing my Chuck Taylors. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I wore Chuck Taylors to the CMT Awards. I wore them proud!

In all, I made this walk about five times that afternoon. First, because we weren't allowed to bring phones in, then because I had to change shoes, and then, after all the trouble, I was told that I didn't have to come back for the show until 5pm. So I went to eat a quick dinner!

I came back around 4:45pm to line up and get ready to go to the show. The show started at around 7:30pm, I think. I ended up sitting next to Maureen McCormick, better know as: Marsha Brady. I wanted so badly to look at her and say "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!!!", but I figured she may have already heard that a time or two, so I just sat in silence while I was in the presence of a television icon. I was also right next to Bobby Brown and his girlfriend. While sitting next to Bobby, I felt the sudden urge to instantly break into song : "don't make me cloooooooose one more doooooor! I don't wanna hurrrrrrrt anymore! stay in myyyy arrrrrrrrms if you dare! or must I imagine you there? I have nothing, nothing, nothing...if I don't..have you". However, I figured that since he and Whitney Houston are no longer together, that might be a bit offensive, so I restrained myself even though Whitney is one of my favorite singers of all time. I guess that's "my prerogative." Ha ha... bad joke. The R&B/Hip-Hop recording artist, Sisqo, was sitting right in front of me. He turned around, looked at me, then looked down at my shoes. He then pointed at my Chucks and giggled a bit. Actually, Sisqo didn't "giggle," he just laughed a bit and smiled as he pointed. I simply shrugged my shoulders and replied, "just felt like rockin' the Chucks tonight!" Then we became best friends for the remainder of the show, so to speak. I was wearing my favorite ring and Sisqo asked if I was engaged...that made me laugh really hard. I think I may have offended him. He kept talking to me the rest of the show, so I don't think he was too offended. Ha ha.

The highlights of my night were some of the performances and random people who showed up to the awards show. First of all, Snoop Dogg at the CMTs?? Absolutely made my night! A couple of my friends on the baseball team met him at Waffle House the night before. I'm a little jealous. Also, Hannah Montana definitely hosted! I was so excited. Yes, I'm in college and I love Hannah Montana. I see nothing wrong with that. The show is really funny and the songs are a lot of fun to blast in the car with friends. Try it sometime! You can't listen to Hannah Montana and not be instantly put in a good mood! I got to see Carrie Underwood in person!! I ran into her at Hollister once at the mall by my house. I don't remember exactly, but I think I cried. I don't get really excited about celebrities, but there are certain people who could make me freak out if I met them: Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, Paul Walker, Denzel Washington (my favorite actor of all-time), and Carrie Underwood. I'm sure there are others, but I can't think of them now that I put myself on the spot. Anyway, Carrie’s performance was incredible. She’s awesome! Brad Paisley was awesome as usual. I got to see Faith again…met her a couple years ago by my house. She’s such a beautiful, talented, kind woman. Oh! The real highlight of my night: NICOLE KIDMAN!!!!! Oh. My. Goodness. I love her. I was hoping and praying that she’d be there with Keith Urban! I thought I was going to cry when I saw her!

Another cool thing was getting to see James Otto perform. I know his wife, Amy, so I’ve been fortunate to get to talk to him a few times. He is so talented! His new song “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” is quickly going up the charts! I’m so excited for him!! He’s great! Everyone should go check out his music!

I could keep writing about this experience forever, but it’s already entirely too long! I have to go work out now!