Author: Aquinnah

I have a lot of news to share, so let’s jump right in…–!–:

Yesterday was a full afternoon of ballet, complete with a make-up class (I’ll explain that later on in this post.). In Training 2, we completed a “quick barre,” had a speedy stretch and cleaned up the Hungarian Dance (a.k.a. The Combined Dance). I believe that we stopped the music 19 times, but you’d be better off asking Emma…! We ran Breathe once and then quite suddenly, class was over…!

Today was another Tuesday, jam-packed full of a little bit of everything (as usual)! We did a lot of barre in ballet along with stretching, adage, jumping and Paquita. Fun, fun! Then it was on to cherubs; we had  a very small class of only nine girls today. They did their “tummy stretches,” practiced forward rolls on the mat, did silly/sit-down songs and worked on their “Little Ballet Dolls Dance” (a.k.a. their recital dance). Kaylyn’s grandma came to watch one of our run-throughs and actually started crying! I felt like such a teacher…

My Training 1 make-up class on Monday went well; we did A LOT of barre. Because the 1’s had to work on their recital dance for a few minutes or so, we (Emma, Angela and I) worked on turns.

Now, why is it that I have typed up this lengthy update for you? It just so happens that I will be beginning my Spring Break travels on Friday morning, so I will be missing class. I have pre-made-up for all of the classes that I will be missing while I am away (I will be missing two ballet classes and a pointe class) besides pointe (which I will be doing on Thursday). My guess is that we will be finishing the modern dance on Thursday (Sadly, I will not have the time to blog again before my trip). I am sure that something eventful will take place in Bethany’s class on Friday, and I will miss dance clean-up in pointe as well. Darn.

I guess that my poetry writing is starting to catch up with me (see title)…

Yesterday was another entertaining modern class, spent deciding how to get me off of the human ramp. It was more of an hour-long conversation, as we didn’t want to wear Valerie down (she takes all of my weight during the arabesque). We tried a few different things, but we finally decided that the left side of the ramp (which is able to move as I arabesque on the right) will run around to the other side and lift me off. I was a little bit worried at first (I am up so high!), but everything worked out perfectly. Phew!

After modern, I still had a long night ahead of me, for I decided to take Training 2 afterwards (to make up for the pointe class that I missed a while ago). We did quite a bit of barre work, had a long stretch, worked on pirouettes and ran through the dance once. Great class!

Today was quite eventful!

I was planning to make up a class by attending Training 1 before Training 2 (I will be missing at least one more just before Spring Break, as we are taking yet another trip.). To my surprise, the Pre-Training students (and others) were using that very class as a “Training Audition.” Not wanting to interfere, I decided that next Monday will do the job just as well.

Miss Tina sent Emma (who’s sister, Lily, was in the audition) and I down to Studio A to dance on our own. Using Dalainey’s Mom’s hotspot, we were able to connect to the internet and find our recital music.We practiced most of our dances (all but pointe) and had a really great time! Emma is still fighting off a cold, but I was hyper enough to cover both of us…!

It was soon time for ballet class. We ran through the combined dance and then did barre in the center. After a quick stretch, we worked on the Training 2 dance. I missed A LOT of choreography on Thursday, so I had to catch up. But, just like the song (“Breathe” by Superchick) says, I needed to “just keep breathing!”

I caught on to the dance fairly quickly– phew!— and it is now complete! I was even able to do it on pointe! Speaking of which, Miss Sara still hasn’t decided whether or not the beginner pointe girls will use their shoes for the show, but she did make the point that Emma and I are pretty solid– yay!

I survived!

Yes, lovely dancers, I am still alive and so are my sisters! No blood, no guts… we’re okay!

Yesterday, we spent most of our class-time learning the ups and downs of the”human ramp.” One of the hardest parts was figuring out who to step on (which sounds so mean!). Although I repeated my mistake several times, I believe that I have finally figured out how NOT step on Abby’s poor neck. It was also a challenge to avoid Emma’s spine, but I eventually found footing.

Now would be a good time to say: I sincerely apologize for hurting any-one of my dance-sisters yesterday!

Well, I finally got to the top of the ramp, where Allison and Cassi were ready to help me stand up (I make my way on all-fours). Miss Sara then lifted me off the top and brought me safely to the ground. Of course, that will be impossible at the recital, so how am I going to get down? My teacher is still contemplating that part, but it seems like an arabesque is in order…! As Moriah would say, we’re doing the “Chinese Swan Lake” (Watch it here: Chinese Swan Lake )!

The snow has melted, and the studio is open! Due to the fact that Kristen and Valerie did not attend ballet this morning, Emma and I had a semi-private class together with Miss Sara– so fun!

First off, we completed all of our “favorite barre combinations.” These “favorites” of ours include plies with confusing arms, calf-killer tendus, crazy-fast degages (made perfect with sautes), and painfully slow grand ronds de jambes. Thankfully, we received a good, long stretch afterwards.

Much to our delight, Miss Sara decided to teach us a variation from Paquita. It was fantastic! Some of the sections were a bit difficult, but we managed to make it through the entire piece!

Well folks, it’s been called: yet another snow day. Since I will have no news today, I figure that I should give you a fun post to read! I found an amazing post on dance-sister Mary’s blog, and after making it my own, my version is ready to be read!

Are you a dancer? If 25 or more of the items on this list apply to you, you must be!

1. You own more leotards than t-shirts.
2. You have a permanent part in your hair.
3. You have mastered the art of putting your hair into a neat ballet bun that will NEVER fall out.
4. You have forgotten what you look like with your hair down.
5. You gave up on having smooth, uncalloused feet years ago.
6. Something hurts? Normal. Something doesn’t hurt? Wow… strange…
7. Stage make-up is second nature to you.
8. French test? That will be an A++ please.
9. You end up wearing full-on dance attire at least four times a week.
10. You hardly know anyone outside of dance.
11. Your studio’s dressing room is for far more than just dressing.
12. The word “ballerina” sounds a bit too girly to describe you.
13. You are used to being yelled at for imperfections.
14. Adults are mainly people who speak to you in a foreign language and expect you to get it EVERY TIME.
15. You run through ballet shoes faster than you care to purchase new ones.
16. You find hairpins EVERYWHERE.
17. Junk food is a real treat.
18. Your dance bag holds enough supplies to stock a small country.
19. You have fifty different “moms.”
20. You can put on pointe shoes with your eyes closed.
21. Your calendar has room for nothing besides “Dance at…”
22. Oh, look, there is a guy lifting you off the ground! What’s abnormal about that?
23. Sleep is a rare creature.
24. You’re at the studio more than you’re at home.
25. NEW COSTUMES! <3
26. Homework? Take it to the studio.
27. You have better posture than all of your friends.
28. You could kick your hanging light-fixtures if it was ever needed.
29. Summer is summer. Not Summer “Break.”
30. Your thighs and calves scare some people.
31. Your local dance-supply store is the best place to shop.
32. You stretch everywhere.
33. You have an extremely graceful appearance when trying to catch your balance.
34. You have a full-blown field hospital in your dance bag. 
35. You are introduced as, “My Dance Friend” more often than not.
36. It’s not weird for your teacher to show you EXACTLY what muscles you should be using.
37. Your main mode of transportation is tombe, pas de bourree, glissade, sodesha.
38. Your family is annoyed by #37.
39. You are always running through dances in your head.
40. You even dance in your dreams!
41. Your dance-friends are more like family than anything else!
42. Quit dancing? Never. <3

Why has Moriah claimed my Instagram account, you ask? Well, basically, it’s because she knows that mine is much better than her’s (Take that for calling me “pale,” Hun!). Haha, no, that’s just not true. Maybe it is because Ballet Emmanuel is following me? No… not that either… maybe it’s because…:

Modern was quite something today! We did a light-speed-warm-up, had a considerably long stretch and moved onto the recital dance! We ran through the dance, fixed some timing issues, practiced and then added on new choreography. 

As we neared the end of the song, Miss Sara began to count measures. She finally cried, “Perfect!” leaving us all in suspense. “Now,” she said, “I am SO excited about this next part, but you aren’t allowed to freak out.”

A gasp went around the room, followed by intense laughter from me. “You’re brave, right Aquinnah?” Miss Sara inquired.

“Yes!” I laughed, speaking it into existence.

My quote was followed by Moriah’s comment, to which I replied, “Oh, okay.” Of course, she knows that I would take my Instagram with me to Heaven, but since I’m going to survive (I promise), I think I’ll keep it. Why am I speaking in future tense now? I had to leave a bit early, as we had company for dinner tonight, but Emma called me and gave me all of the details…

I am going to run up a human ramp, created by my sisters. From there, it’s a bit questionable, but supposedly I am going to be thrown up into the air and land in a “basket.” Oh, my…! That WAS NOT part of the deal when I left… but I’m excited…!