Author: Aquinnah

If I had to wake up at 5:30am for school every morning, I would always be tired, between classes and dance until late some nights. Thankfully, homeschooling doesn’t ask that of me. FYB, however, asked me to perform for some local kids who do get up early and go to school. I was positively amazed by how AWAKE the elementary students in Arts Chapel were at 8am; how thrilled they were to watch Starz, Faith and the missions team perform. I’m sure the pleasure was ours.

This, taking place yesterday, being Faith’s final outreach production with Firebird, it was bittersweet, but I’m so glad that I got to share it with the theater kids. Faith can get uptight and quiet (I think we’ve taken “professionally focused” to a whole new level of awesome.)– but Starz is always ready for action. One minute, they’re organizing backstage, and then they’re warming up their signing voices, and then they’re working on three different dances at once, and then they’re doing sound check, and in the grand scheme of things, they never stop being PRESENT, onstage or in rehearsal. They are absolutely some of the funniest–and most fun–people that I know. I’m going to miss the Anneites nearly as much as my Firebird friends.

But there’s Recital. And it is now Picture Week. And the ballet/tap kids have dress rehearsal coming up. And I have lots of schoolwork to do.

What a day! Faith, Training and pointe dancers spent several hours of it running all over the local mall. With rehearsals until late last night and five different pieces performed today, I can honestly say that I’m falling asleep sitting up, so when this post comes out repetitive and full of typos, we can all have a good laugh. 🙂

Flashback to Classics 2014: I performed in one dance. It was a lot of fun – something that I will never forget, in fact. Revisiting Hungarian for a day was about equal to somebody handing me a bag full of chocolate coins (emphasis on the chocolate).

That said, upping the dance count to five this year was both nerve racking and exciting. Faced with more quick changes than I ever thought possible, it was a fantastic experience in more ways than one. Given the opportunity to transform once again into Firebird, I soaked up the sunshine (quite literally, since there were windows right above the stage), and the pointe and Training dances went really well, for a first show. Plus, I don’t think I’ll ever worry about a quick change again in my life, especially when I’m surrounded by such lovely people as Abby, Caroline and Moriah. <— three reasons why my head is still on

A special thanks to Ms. Tina, Miss Sara and Miss Mia for their hard work in organizing this event for us and, as always, for their dedication. Also to my mom, who is now a professional when it comes to tutus. I’m pretty sure she could button Firebird up with one hand tied behind her back. That’s talent. And to Abby, Caroline and Moriah because I can’t thank them enough.

My mom once told me that when unexpected–not necessarily fantastic–situations arise, we, as human beings, need to treat those situations as “experiences.” I never planned on giving up my second dog, Grace, and it broke my heart to watch her go. But the pup wasn’t right for our family. I wrote a poem about her once, and while I won’t post it here, I will say that it isn’t flattering. Suggestion: If you ever end up parked on a highway for six hours, you may want to consider turning around. God might be trying to warn you!

In life, I think we’ve all seen an unexpected thing or two. Maybe it was awesome, maybe it wasn’t. The important thing is how we handled that unexpected situation.

I guess, until a few months ago, I never really considered what EXACTLY I was going to do after graduation. It seemed so far away, almost unreachable. Now, I’m planning my future, and as exciting as it is at times, it’s also kind of scary. I want to do so much, say so much. I can’t afford to draw a box around myself and never experience anything. I want to write, and I want to dance, and I want to help orphans, and I want to be everywhere and see all that there is to see. I want to suck every last ounce of life out of just that– LIFE.

Some days are better than others, as we all know. And sometimes, you just need someone to tell you that they know how you feel. A lot of the time, I find that hope in music, especially Bon Jovi, who has a song about pretty much everything. First and foremost, of course, is Jesus. He invented hope.

• Any Other Day by Bon Jovi
• I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard
• All I Want by Jared Anderson
• Just Older by Bon Jovi
• Bad Day by Alvin and the Chipmunks
• Counting on God by The Desperation Band
• Everybody’s Broken by Bon Jovi
• One Of These Days by FFH
• When We Were Young by Benjamin Dunn & the Animal Orchestra
• Livin’ On a Prayer by Bon Jovi
• Noise by Colton Dixon
• Undignified by David Crowder Band
• What’s Left of Me by Bon Jovi
• Breathe You In by Thousand Foot Krutch

I’m back, lovelies!

The west coast, though. I have no words. I’ve never seen ocean waves that arc backward or had crazier hair. There I was – *gestures dramatically* – thinking that California humidity would have nothing on Pennsylvania’s. I was wrong. *shrugs* And I could sit in the Transformers ride at Universal Studios about a thousand times and never get bored (maybe a little nauseous, but not bored). Having Harry Potter along wasn’t all bad either.

I did, of course, need a playlist to get through the drive (and missing the ocean later on).

• California (There Is No End to Love) by U2
• I Don’t Know A Thing by Lucy Schwartz
• Beautiful, Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli
• Firework Katy Perry Piano Cover by Nazareno Aversa
• Complicated by Bon Jovi
• I’ll Be the Light by Colton Dixon
• Every Breaking Wave by U2
• I’m Letting Go [Dented Fender Sessions] by Francesca Battistelli
• Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
• Talk Of The Town by Jack Johnson
• London by Benjamin Dunn & the Animal Orchestra
• Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi

More sunshine.

More warm breezes.

More outside time.

More open windows.

More screen doors.

More grass.

More t-shirts.

More sunhats.

More sandals.

More books.

More movie nights.

More BBQs (SHOW ME THE HAMBURGERS!).

More music.

More road trips.

And less school!

Two modern classes, one ballet class and one pointe class every week, along with a modern intensive in July. I couldn’t possibly be MORE ready for summer.

We can pause for Spring Break, though. I’m putting together my California playlist, folks. Look out.

It’s occurred to me lately how quickly my life is pressing onward. Sitting in the driver’s seat, thinking about college, and a career and LIFE in general, I occasionally feel that my journey is ending, when really, it’s only just beginning.

This playlist is for everyone who woke up this morning and decided to make every moment of today count. As Logan Huntzberger put it, “People can live a hundred years without really living for a minute.”

• New Year’s Day by Abandon
• Beautiful World by Bon Jovi
• Ain’t No Grave by Selah & Jason Crabb & Adam Crabb
• Beautiful, Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli
• Everything’s OK by Chris Rice
• If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback
• The Broken Beautiful by Ellie Holcomb
• Fly to Paradise (Main Mix) by Eric Whitacre Singers, Will Dawes, Hila Plitmann & Guy Sigsworth
• Happy Day by Kim Walker
• I Am Free by Ross Parsley
• If Everyone Cared by Nickelback
• The Middle of Starting Over by Sabrina Carpenter
• My Name is Eustace! by Benjamin Dunn & the Animal Orchestra

This has been such a weird day. I ate chocolate pancakes for breakfast, watched three and a half episodes of Gilmore Girls, found The Forgotten Sisters in the mail and stayed in my PJs until three in the afternoon. I also carried on an entire prank text conversation with my other two musketeers, but let’s not go there. For a lot of people, that’s probably a normal Saturday. Needless to say, it isn’t mine.

So, I also ran dances in my head and looked over the recital line-up for this year. Shows are split up into two days, which is awesome. The dances are all coming along; Prelude 2 and J’y Suis Jamais Alle are finished, and Bible Book Bop and Arise are plugging onward. Multiplied should be finished really soon. Faith is also performing in recital, but I’ll have to add exact pieces in later on [Added 3/11/15] because I’m not sure what we’re performing yet. Anyway, it’s going to be great!

The line-up is currently three different emails in my inbox, so bear with me while I organize everything.

Beauty in Motion Showcase schedule:

The Beauty in Motion Showcase will commence on the evening of May 15th. This recital is for some of the higher-level classes and older students. So many senior solos this year… ah! No crying yet.

4. Arise
Advanced Modern– Miss Sara
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you.” Isaiah 60:1
Attire: black tights, black shorts
Hair: low bun

13. J’y Suis Jamais Alle
Intermediate Pointe 1– Miss Mimi
“The Lord asked, ‘Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?’ And Job replied: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.'” Job 38:16, 42:2
Attire: light pink tights, pointe shoes
Hair: ballet bun

26. Prelude 2
Training 3– Miss Mia
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Psalm 13:5
Attire: light pink tights, pointe shoes
Hair: ballet bun

31. Multiplied
Training 1, 2 and 3– Miss Sara
“For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through one man’s obedience, the many will be made righteous. The law came along to multiply the trespasses. But were sin is multiplied, grace is multiplied even more.” Romans 5:19-20
Attire: light pink tights, ballet shoes
Hair: ballet bun

Recital 1 schedule:

Recital 1 will commence on the morning of May 16th. Lots of littles in this show… so cute!

1. Multiplied

3. With a Smile and a Song*

9. Bible Book Bop
Ballet/tap combo– Miss Bethanny
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalms 119:105
Attire: tan footed tights, black tap shoes

11. Little Bitty Pretty One*

13. Faith Youth Ballet
Finale
The Sun Will Rise

Recital 2 schedule:

Recital 2 will commence on the afternoon of May 16th.

1. Faith Youth Ballet
Finale
The Sun Will Rise

Recital 3 schedule:

Recital 3 will commence on the evening of May 16th. Recital 2015 will be closed with…

19. Multiplied

Training rehearsal: will be on the afternoon of May 10th.

Beauty in Motion Showcase rehearsal: Arise and J’y Suis Jamais Alle will be rehearsed on the evening of May 11th. Prelude 2 and the Faith pieces will be rehearsed on the evening of May 12th.

Recital 1 rehearsal: Bible Book Bop will be rehearsed in class on May 6th.

Phew. Thanks for visiting Recital Central again. I think I may need a nap.