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A note to my mother on her special day:

Dear Mom,

You’re the best. Thank you so much for encouraging me to be the very best dancer that I can be and for teaching me to practice, practice, practice! Thanks to you for driving me to my many classes; for making sure that I am ready for every picture day and performance. Thank you for faithfully attending every recital that I have been a part of since I was four. Thanks for all of your tips, suggestions and hints that not only make me a better dancer but also a better person each and every day.

I love you to Pluto and back, Mommy. <3

Yesterday was quite the day, made especially productive by the purchasing of more toe tape…!

There were very few girls in Bethany’s class, so she came to the conclusion that we would have a “stretch day” (an hour and fifteen minutes of stretching) instead of a regular ballet class. We even got our faces moving (hence the title)! It was incredible! My whole body feels so much better than it did earlier (I was so stiff!).

In pointe, we worked on our dance. It is looking great! We took some time to practice our pirouettes, at which moment I completed a perfect double! YES! My only hold-up is the lightning-speed-shoe-change between the two Hungarian dances (pointe and ballet). Two times in a row, I did not get my shoes off in time to make it “on stage.” I did, however, make it the last time around. On top of that, I practiced when I got home. I’ll make it… I’ll make it…

At the end of class, I was given my second Dancer of the Month Award for improved pirouettes (ironic, isn’t it?)! I feel so blessed. Congratulations to Angela, who also received this award.

My, my, my… so much news to share (this could be extremely random)!

For starters, my feet have been in serious pain lately, to the point where it hurt to… well… pointe! I finally asked Miss Sara what I could do to stop this annoyance. Being a physical therapist, it was not hard for her to find the giant knot in my arch. I am now required to massage my foot every morning and to rub it on a golf ball after classes. Already, the knot has decreased in size and discomfort! But where did that awful pain come from?

It turns out that since September, my pointe shoes have widened significantly (causing blisters and swelling on top of my knot). Therefore, something must be done to fill the space. Miss Sara gave me several different toe pads to try (with my own thin ones), all of which made my shoes too tight and numbed my feet, making it impossible to dance in them. I tried a pair of thin socks, but there was still too much in the shoes (Obviously, I have pretty wide feet).

Things went on this way until yesterday, when my mom found a different pair of stockings in her closet. They are so thin; there is hardly anything to them at all. By using these socks under my tights, I am able to dance in total comfort! Along with that? These socks are, according to my mom, “a dime a dozen.”

Yesterday’s modern class was awesome! We had a few different audiences for our dance, all of which seemed mind-blown– yes! The human ramp went relatively well (minus the one time that I bailed due to the length of the ramp). At the end of class, I was given the Dancer of the Month Award for “bravery, hard work and trust!” I am so glad that I have improved!

Emma and I, after being treated to some delicious bread-sticks from Abby, attended the Training 2 class-rehearsal. The dances are really coming along!

Being an artist’s daughter, I love this picture!

Today has been one hectic day! 

I rushed home from school and hopped into my dance clothes. It was off to ballet with me! Miss Sara gave us a few barre combinations, a couple of center-barre pieces and some middle choreography. We practiced Paquita twice, and then Miss Sara inquired upon our confidence in our recital dances. We went over bits and pieces of Breathe and–what? how?–class was over already!

In Cherubs, the girls did their tummy stretches to start us off. Next, Miss Jennifer asked if I wouldn’t mind performing one of my recital dances for the girls. I gladly agreed! Unable to find my Hungarian music, I completed the dance in silence. The cherubs were in total awe! 

Afterward, we lead the class over to Studio C where they performed for the “big girls.” I then lead them back to Studio A. Already late for her next class, Miss Jennifer asked Miss Holly and I to hand out lollipops to the “princesses.”

On top of all of this excitement, Miss Jennifer explained what my duties will be during Recital 1; I must be in the wings to help the girls on and off stage. How can I possibly wait?

And there you have it, lovely dancers– my Tuesday.

Today’s modern class was glorious, to say the very least. Your beloved details await…!

Being my third picture day this week, I have hair, make-up and costumes down to a science. So there I was, standing in the midst of my dance-sisters, ready to pose away for that little black camera. I love pictures.

We took two different class shots and half a class-full of individual photos. Then Abby came up with an extraordinary idea: why not capture a picture of the five original Training 1s (Emma, Moriah, Caroline, Abby and myself)? I am pleased to say that my sisters and I took two marvelous photos. <3

As is tradition, it was time to run through the dance. Our audience was, once again, Ms. Tina and her girls. We did a fair job, considering the fact that it was our first rehearsal. After watching the younger girls, we had a new audience: parents, Ms. Tina’s girls, Bethany’s younger girls and some “stragglers.” I was a tad worried about the ramp (which we had already done well… twice!), but I am proud to say that everything went perfectly. At the end of the song, the whole room exploded with applause! Moriah’s mom commented, “I can’t wait to figure out your lighting– ah!”

I was hysterical, delighted at all of the feedback. The audience caught us at one of our finest moments! Despite all of this, the smile on my face was not nearly as big as the smile in my heart, knowing at all times that my audience of One was (and is) more proud than any human being could ever be. Through Jesus’s eyes, I am always at my finest. How awesome is that?

Yesterday was the most memorable picture day in all my years as a dancer! Emma arrived at my house early in the afternoon to have our own photo shoot, and then it was off to the studio for class pictures (to be seen in a later post). Only the ballet images were taken in class; other pictures will be taken throughout the week (Cherubs’ are today!). It was so hectic!– from group pictures, to dance run-throughs, to costume changes– ah! So much fun!

Here are some of the best group shots that Emma and I had taken yesterday (Thank you, Mom!). We used all of our different costumes for the shoot– enjoy!

Now, here are a few to make you laugh…

 

These are some of Emma’s best individual images!

Here are my own favorite pictures…!

What better way to celebrate 100 blog posts than to describe in detail the Arts Day 2013 performance of yesterday? Personally, I am so glad that [by chance] this post has ended up as number 100! Happy “Hundredth Day!”

I arrived at the local school at 1:30 P.M., 40 minutes before the performance was to begin. I ran a few errands for the teachers and listened closely as Ms. Tina gave out directions to the group. We then completed a run-through of the dance (which failed miserably) and watched the other rehearsals. The dances were incredible! I do believe that we have some of the world’s best choreographers.

Ms. Tina introduced herself to the elementary-school children, along with the heart behind our studio. After that, she introduced Breathe (We were the first dance!).

Considering the limited amount of space that we were given, along with the slippery flooring, I believe that Training 2 did relatively well; we certainly know what needs to be “edited!” The kids loved it; I’m so glad! Hopefully, we will have the same opportunity next year…!