Category: Uncategorized

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…!

(Random Photo!) Jessamine, April’s sister, on American Idol

Would you believe me if I told you that I am under the weather… again?

I am quite sure that you would not be too surprised. This has not been my year.

Despite my agony, I pushed through and made it to dance yesterday. It was then that I realized how blessed I truly am by my dance-sisters.

During stretch-time, Caroline came to chat with me, patiently putting up with the fact that I hardly had a voice. She gave me many “get well wishes,” and was simply herself: Sweet Caroline!

We ran the combined dance so many times, my head was spinning like a tornado! Rachel told me to go sit down; she would hold my spot for me. I declined her offer, but I was certainly thankful.

Abby, despite my many pleas of, “Don’t touch me! You don’t want what I have!” grabbed me by the wrist and said, “Do you need some protein? Yes, you do. Come here.” She then made me eat a delicious protein bar– yum!

All in all, I have been treated like a princess by my dance-family these past few days. There are no words to describe my appreciation for all of my sisters! I love each and every one of you so very much!

(The video above is strictly for your own enjoyment! Whenever I need to smile, I just watch this little clip. This is Emma performing her “signature move.” It will also reveal what goes on at my favorite studio when class is over…!)

Looking back at “My Grade 3 Contemplations,” I probably already have you on the edge of your seat with this title! So, without further ado, your details:

I was taking my daily vitamins yesterday when my mom told me, “There is a little conflict with The Nutcracker this year.“

“Why?” I asked quickly (most likely with a mouth-full of multivitamins).

My mom explained to me that my dad and brother will be deer hunting (with my grandfather) on the exact same week as performances. This would not only prevent them from seeing the show, but it would keep us separated on Thanksgiving– something that has never been before.

That said, I had to make a choice: Nutcracker or Thanksgiving with my family?

Being the family-girl that I am, I have chosen to “go to [my far-off vacationing spot], cook Thanksgiving dinner with Mom and see everyone safely off .”

Well, it certainly has been an interesting week (so far)! Corresponding with my title, Tuesday’s classes included “a little bit of everything.” Good thing, too, because today is our first snow day of the year!

Miss Sara began ballet with barre, as usual. This included plies, tendus and chasses, ronds de jambes and frappes. We then had an extra-long stretching period and headed to the center of the room for adagio. After a tough combination, we went back to the barre and did Emma’s favorite grand battements (which I happen to like too!). We did a lot of jumping: entrechats, entrechats trois, entrechat cinqs and many others that I simply cannot spell! We did an across-the-floor combination which included jumps and turns, after which Miss Sara found herself in awe; we still had five minutes left to learn! So, we completed one of my favorites: tombe, pas de bouree, glissade, sodesha, adding leaps to our list of accomplishments for the day!

Later on, it was back to the studio with me for Cherubs! The girls were quite well-behaved this week, and their dance is coming along wonderfully! Angie took pride in the fact that she has been practicing at home– so sweet!

After a nice, long weekend, I have returned with exciting news!

Miss Sara’s goal for today was to finish the combined recital dance, therefore, warm-up was a quick one. We ran through the dance a few times, and our teacher began to add on the new choreography that she had planned. With about forty seconds left in the song, Miss Sara had to hurry; it was a whirlwind of dancers! Yes, things were crazy, and it will need some fixing-up, but the dance is FINISHED! Praise God for we still have another to begin!

The combined dance is finished, we are moving through the modern dance, pointe is completed, and we are on to the Training 2 dance– look at us go!

Me a very… very… long time ago!

I’ve been thinking…: I have been posting to this blog for almost an entire year (wow!) and have never described my life outside of dance. Of course, I created this page specifically to talk about my dancing, but I do believe that some details about the rest of my life are required to make me a “real person!” Enjoy!

Me now!

When I’m not dancing, you can find me at the dining-room table, working through some algebraic equations, doing English homework or Spanish in my bedroom, or at the coffee table, playing “The Geography Game” with my two younger brothers, Kaden and Brody. All of this to say that I am homeschooled and take a short English class every Tuesday and Thursday morning. I have a passion for writing, and I’d love to be an author one day!

I love to read! I am currently attached to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” I also enjoy crafting (card-making, knitting, etc.) and baking. I have taken it upon myself to prepare dinner for my family (of five) every Saturday– so fun!

Me and Kaden

I adore animals, especially horses, dogs and fish. Currently, I am trying to talk my parents into getting a Pocket Beagle…!

One of my favorite pass-times is a good, family adventure! As all of our grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. live on the other side of the country, we take road trips pretty often. We recently went to see some amazing ice sculptures (about three hours from our home)!

Me and Brody

I enjoy spending time with friends as well; sleepovers are one of my favorites!

Random: And cheesecake. I REALLY like cheesecake.

Now that you know a bit more about me, I feel MUCH better. Obviously, dance makes up quite a lot of my life, but on days like Wednesday (when I have no classes), I am inclined to perform the things above…!