Category: Uncategorized

My New Ballet Shoes (canvas, split-sole, x-strap)!

Do not fear, lovely dancers; my title choice is not all-together irrelevant!

Both Thursday and Friday have been quite eventful (I guess it has just been one of those weeks!), but I suppose that the former surpasses the other. Your precious details:

I walked up to Studio C ten minutes early for modern on Thursday, only to find that my sisters were already dancing! Freaking out, I burst into the room, and the girls exploded, “AQUINNAH!” Confused, I looked on rather breathlessly. Was I late? It was not until Miss Sara told me to “come be a body” that I realized: my dance sisters were helping the Training 1’s practice the combined recital dance. Duh– haha!

It was soon time for modern to begin, so I rushed into my foot-paws. I broke a good chunk of my big toe-nail off on Wednesday, and quite irritatingly, I couldn’t get my Band-Aid to stay on at that moment. That aside, we completed a quick warm-up, ran the dance a few times and added some new choreography. The last, new piece that we learned involved April performing an assisted front-walkover, which had the whole room on the edge of their seats. Moriah and Allison, the “assistants,” actually said their good-byes before attempting “the easiest gymnastics move on the planet.” As a matter of fact, we all gave her a hug and told her to “come out alive.” Miss Sara decided that we should go work on something instead of watching April’s fate. “Go contemplate the meaning of life,” she said.

I said, laughing, “We are currently contemplating the meaning of April’s life!”

Ballet was fairly normal yesterday. Emma and I started talking about those amazing mugs that you can write on. She plans to put one on her birthday wish-list so that she can write something to the extent of, “I’m a dancer. And this is tea.” on it. Can’t wait to see it!

In pointe, we changed a few things in the dance and began “cleaning.” Phew!

These past few days at the studio have been quite eventful!

On Monday I attended my final, required, make-up class. During plies, I realized that my ballet shoes are much too small, so I took them off for the rest of my dance-time (excepting jumps, for Miss Sara feared that I would slip and fall). I will be purchasing a new pair tomorrow when my mom and I take a trip to see Kendra, my hair dresser!

During our ronds de jambe combination, Miss Sara came by to check my “spiral,” which I am still working on. Toward the end of the song, she told me that I had just completed the best ronds de jambes in the history of my dancing. YES!

Now, you must remember the decision that I have made about Grade 3 before I go any further. Are you ready? Well, while in Training 2 yesterday, Miss Sara talked to April, who was considering taking grades one, two and three this October. I was called to join the conversation, wherein we all proclaimed that a semi-private, Grade 3 class will come to order this year, so that the two of us can begin working on the choreography for next year. Mondays from three to four o’ clock seem like our best option, but we still have some time to think; the class may begin whenever we are ready.

Also on Monday (wow!), Miss Sara was inclined to take out a section of our dance, slide another section in and tag the removed choreography at the end. This we did; it is a little bit confusing, but we’ll get used to it sooner or later.

Miss Sara gave me a couple of new daily stretches today. My turn-out is coming along remarkably quickly, but I still have some work to do.

The cherubs’ recital dance is firmly in my brain. It is SO cute, as is Lucy, the newest addition to our class. Walking out today, she pointed at me and said, “Mommy, that’s my teacher!”

Surprise! I thought that it would be fun to wait and share with you the joys of my “Master Class with Miss Tina” earlier this afternoon.

I was the first to arrive in Studio C, where Miss Tina and I chatted a bit. Eventually, Hannah (lyrical 2011-2012), Sarah (pointe) and two others found their way inside, and the class began!

Miss Tina held a Bible study where she spoke a bit on “hope,” and how God is the only thing that our hope can truly be placed in. It was a wonderful message! After giving us many verses from scripture, Miss Tina split the five of us up into groups and told us to choreograph a mini-dance to our favorite piece. I was in a group with Hannah, and the two of us decided to base our choreography off of Psalm 42:5 (which, like all of the chosen verses, speaks of hope). We performed it for the other girls and it was on to warm-up! Soon after, Miss Tina gave us a stretching combination; I feel like spaghetti!

After some amazing across-the-floor work, we learned a dance, choreographed to “One Thing Remains,” which went along with our hope theme. As this was a 13+ worship class, the dance was like none that I have ever done before; I loved it! In about an hour, we were able to create a dance to the majority of our beautiful song!

We took a short break from our choreography to spend time in prayer. Miss Tina instructed us to place our hope in God and to dance the rest of our unneeded baggage off. It was amazing! The owner of my dance studio turned the lights down and let us enjoy our time with the Lord– how fun!

At the end of our two-and-a-half hours, the “parental units” came in to watch us perform!

Over all, I had a wonderful experience today– the best master class that I have attended yet! I can’t wait for next time!

On Thursday, as I prepared myself for my second make-up class, Miss Sara asked if she could have a minute with me. Of course, I agreed. Upon hearing what she had to say, my heart began to race.

Essentially, my teacher wanted to know my thoughts on Grade 3. She explained to me that it would be a good idea to contemplate taking my third Cecchetti Exam next year, not because of skill level, but because…

• If I were to train for Grade 3 this year, I would do it alone. Abby and Caroline have yet to take their second exam, and Emma took her’s last year. 
• There is no guarantee that Miss Sara’s friend, Jennifer, would let me take my exam with a few of her students, leaving me to dance alone.
• Dancing alone would mean extra money and two judges examining me under the microscope.

On the up side, I might be able to take my Grade 4 exam with Valerie and Bree, the girls who took their Grade 3 with Emma, as they are currently having contemplations of their own.

If I were to take my Grade 3 next year, I would…

• have already been training for two years (better scores!).
• possibly be able to dance with Abby and/or Caroline (or others).
• not be alone (no microscopes!).
• have more fun!

For these reasons, I have decided to wait until next year to take my Cecchetti Grade 3 examination. If by that time I am still a loner, I will have no choice but to be brave…! Despite my waiting, I will still be training this year; Miss Sara is currently tracking down a book for me to study.

That it is (see title).

And this is a random post! Enjoy!

Emma e-mailed me this weekend to let me know that an image of one of my Christmas leotards (pictured in “My Unintended Vacation”) has been spotted in Pointe Magazine! I feel like a “fashionista” each and every time I wear it!

Friday classes went well; I am all caught up on the pointe recital dance. Phew–! It is a little tricky, but I’m sure we’ll all catch on. Besides, the Stop Game is perfect for any kind of performance!

I used the Training 1 class before Training 2 as a make-up yesterday. One down; two to go! Miss Sara said that I can make up my pointe class as well, which I might just accomplish…! My plan, at the moment (it is ever-changing!), is to make up another class on Thursday, another on Monday and possibly pointe next Thursday. Anyhow, the Training 1 and 2 dance was extremely easy to catch on to (Thank the Lord!) and we were able to add a bunch to the choreography.

Today, Miss Sara gave me a huge challenge in ballet; the combinations were extra difficult! However, it was a good difficulty and I highly enjoyed myself! One of my teacher’s challenges for me was to “spiral” (turn out) my legs more than ever before.To give me a feel for it, Miss Sara wrapped a thera-band around my leg and helped me through our ronds de jambe en l’air combination. She then let me try on my own. My face exploded with delight as my teacher screamed, “Yes… yes… YES!”

Miss Jennifer caught me up on the Cherubs’ recital dance today as well– so cute!

A random bonus: My balancing is getting SO much better– yay!

Additionally, today is my great-grandmother’s 98th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREAT-GRAMMY! I love you so much!

Hello lovely dancers– I have returned to you! Yesterday was my first day back in class– what a blessing, to be with all of my sisters once again! Now, without further ado, your details…:

I arrived fifteen minutes early and chatted with Emma and April on the topic of “American Idol.” April’s older sister auditioned this year, and we are all extremely excited to see her on television! Good luck to her!

Finally, it was class-time! I rushed into the room, threw down my back, sipped a bit of water and went to work! I got a lot of “Aquinnah, where were you last week?” questions from the girls, as I disappeared rather suddenly. Miss Sara inquired upon my travels and I could say nothing but, “It was interesting.”

One of the more interesting moments during my travel-time was the plane ride home; I caught a head cold from one of the strangers sitting near me… ugh! That said, I avoided flipping upside-down for the majority of modern. I suppose that I will have to do the same this afternoon….

Anyway, we worked a lot on “rebounding” during class. Miss Sara compared the term to a rubber ball bouncing on the floor— what a great relation! We also worked on the recital dance, which would have been much easier had Moriah been there (a group of us have to contort her body at one point), but I am glad to be caught up!

I have gotten a lot of compliments on my Christmas leotard!

Hello from… well… “my far-off vacationing spot!” My grandmother is very ill at the time, so I’ll be camping out here until Wednesday. So far, I have missed modern class but will also not be around for three ballet classes, pointe or cherubs. Thanks to my best friend, who is filling in for me once again! Love you girl! <3 Speaking of Emma, be sure to check out her blog to get all the details on what is happening back home. Also, don’t forget to take a look at my profile page to snatch the link for her new blog: Call Me Healthy!

What of Monday and Tuesday (when I was still at the studio)? Well, the Training 1 and 2 recital dance is coming along splendidly! I am adoring everything about it. My little cherubs performed their first barre combination during their darling class– so cute!

Emma called this morning and told me all about modern– I missed some recital choreography. Thankfully, Valerie will be able to teach me my part when I return, as she is in my group. I was also informed that Miss Tina was not able to order our recital costumes (the modern ones), as the company was sold out, so red, sparkly shirts are our alternative.