Yeah, okay, so I’m in denial that Christmas performances are finished, and fall semester is over, and at this point, my diet pretty much consists of cookies and hot chocolate. But I think I’m finally getting over the tendonitis, and that’s about the best gift I could’ve asked for.
I will never forget the past few weeks. I don’t want to. By the time we performed Carol of the Bells for the last time, I was so shocked, I couldn’t even cry. My last Christmas dance at the studio… over. As I looked around at my beautiful dance family, I knew that I was home. My whole heart was there, and when I leave one day, part of it simply won’t be able to come with me. It’ll stay right there, in the studio, forever. For now, I’m not really ready to swallow that that day will come at all.
Carol of the Bells
To my teachers and sisters: many hugs. Thank you for another crazy year of learning and laughter. Merry Christmas to all! I’ll never be able to thank God enough for giving me each of you.
Happy belated Thanksgiving, America! At this–the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year–I have ever so many things to be thankful for. I’ve been blessed with a family who loves and supports me, with friends who grow alongsideĀ me, with teachers who want to see me improve and with a house that has green gables. I’m able to wake up each morning knowing that I am provided for, cherished and chosen for something that will make the lives of those I touch a little brighter. It is my hope that as the snow starts to fall and this semester ends, those people around me will know how much I support and cherish them.
And now that Thanksgiving Break is coming to a close, I remain grateful, in large part because I can finally play Christmas music without getting mean looks. The lights are up, and we just decorated our first real tree (you know, the kind that makes your house smell like a fir forest) in ten years. Good stuff.
It’s almost December, and that means lots of rehearsals and very little time for shopping. Between Achilles tendonitis for the second year in a row, two viruses and whatever I did to my shins yesterday, it has not been an easy semester. But I’ve learned a lot by watching. I’ve done a lot of praying. I taught myself to accept the FasciaBlaster. It’s frustrating, and painful, and like anyone, I occasionally have to hit the snooze button on my alarm. I made myself new boundaries, even when I wanted to push forward, and I’m glad I did. Knowing how to be kind to myself makes me feel like I’m doing something right.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be performing “Do You See what I See?” (worship), “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” (ballet) and “Carol of the Bells” (modern). On Friday, the Training Division and Advanced Modern will be performing locally, which I’m very excited about.
In other news, I’m finished choreographing my senior solo, “Welcome Home” and have picked a costume. In fact, all of my Recital costumes have been posted. Take a look…!
Welcome Home (with pink ballet flats)Advanced WorshipAdvanced ModernCombined Training
Aren’t they lovely? I’m thrilled. Our Training 3 costume will be black tights, a black leotard and a burgundy skirt with a belt, if I remember correctly.
Almost time for Rudolph. Have a wonderful week, beautiful dancers.
I just love Christmas. I love snow, and hot chocolate (massive toss-up between peppermint and caramel right now), and movies (I think I’ve seen Elf three times already….), and pajamas, and bells and music.
I performed my final Christmas piece of the season yesterday, and I’m almost ready for break… because combined Training class, of course! Last week’s Friday lesson ended up being the nursing home outreach and a hot chocolate party, so I’m super excited to see what this final class of 2015 brings.
I’m having a terrible time cutting the video of Christmas Eve in Sarajevo, but if I ever figure it out, I’ll post a part of that right HERE. Before we performed the T3 piece, Miss Sara taught us the Spanish variation from Nutcracker. It was a good day.
Wednesday was rather awesome, too. We drank hot chocolate and created group pieces in jazz, and then I taught both ballet/tap and 1A. I wasn’t sure what to expect from my first tap class as a teacher, but it was such a joy to work with the kiddos! The 1A kids learned half of the Sugar Plum variation, which was a total dream come true for me. By the smiles I was getting, I think the little ballerinas were pretty happy. š Christmastime is just the best.
Enjoy these hours leading up to the big day and a very happy New Year to you and yours,
The final week of Christmas performances has struck again, and I’ll be teaching two classes today. I’m so ready to be done with Personal Finance for the year. On a more random note, since we don’t perform One Small Child until tomorrow night, Moriah, Emma and I decided to have tea yesterday. Presenting the best three minutes of your day thus far…:
I think it’s safe to say that my writing is better than my camera face. *cheesy smile*
It’s been a weekend of SATs, Christmas decorations, glitter and a second Thanksgiving spent at home, all preceded by a week of costumes and Christmas dances by the ballet/tap and 1A kiddos. I am happier than I’ve been in weeks. The holiday season usually sees to that.
Pre-Training
Intermediate Pointe 2
Leaps and Turns (with tan tights and tan jazz shoes)
Ballet/Tap
Ballet 1A
Advanced Modern (skirt in black with black leotard)
Training combined (with fans)
Gorgeous, right? This year’s Training 3 piece will be performed in our navy leotards and black wrap skirts. I am so super excited about all of these dances! For now, we’ll be performing Mary, Did You Know tomorrow and Christmas Eve in Sarajevo at a nursing home on Friday. It’s going to be a good week.
But first!– super secret Christmas projects to complete before Monday strikes again.
Happy Sunday,
Girl who Had to Ask for Extra Time to “fill in the corresponding circles” on the SAT because Her Name is So Long
