Going Insane

The definition of insantiy is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.  Does that make me insane? 

Starting with Thursday..
7AM-3PM work followed by class and work study until 11PM.  Not to mention, homework.

And then there's Friday..
10AM audition, meaning be there at 830AM, meaning leave by 8.  Alarm set for 7AM.  Class, work study until midnight, more homework.

And Saturday..
Work 9AM-4PM brunch mayhem. Serious non-stop power walking, talking, and seating of guests.  Class and yet again work study until 10PM.  (Inserting normal life occasion here).  Movie night with friends.  Lion King and Scatagories until 2AM.  Asleep and 2:02AM

I made it to Sunday..
Rockette Audition at 11AM. Alarm sounds at 8AM; COFFEE, shower, hair, makeup, leotard and tights, heels, taps.. go time.  Arrive at the music hall at 945AM. Lucky #105 out of over 200.  Here's the best part.  FINISH AUDITION AT 445PM.  Yes.  That's right, it was 6 hours long.  Womp.  Grab food, work study until 9PM.  Homework.

So here's the thing, this was a normal weekend.  As normal as it gets.  So why do I expect anything different?  I'm a dancer, who lives in Manhattan.  And a student, who works 2 jobs.  And a girl, who likes movie time.  So the answer is yes.  You can just go ahead and call me insane, because at this point I will embrace it whole heartedly. 

All the World Wide

My dear friend just got back from an unforgettable visit to Africa.  She, and her entire family of seven, spent 3 weeks in Togo serving the people there.  You see her father is a surgeon and the entire family are all very involved in the church.  How great is it that he can use his profession as a window to help so many in more than one way. Her blog is gorgeous, read for yourself. 

Africa is beautiful, God is beautiful, people are beautiful. 

http://lydiablickley.blogspot.com/

art makes the world full

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ949OYP8vw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

In case you ever forget how beautiful art can be.. just listen.

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Carnival

Yesterday was a wonderful day.  Somewhere between 11AM and noon my dear friend and roomate Katherine stopped by where I was working with tears in her eyes.  She had just recieved some news that would be the start of her career.  She was on her way to class when she answered a phone call that informed her she had just booked her first job, her first dance job.  She will be dancing for 6 months on the Carnival Cruise Line that will be traveling the Paradise Caribben route.  Now this may not sound like the most exciting job, but it is actually hard to book it.  If you make it to the end of the audition they inform you that they may keep your name on file.  If they decide they would like you on board they may contact you within the next 6 months.  Katherine had actually auditioned in October, and had given up on hearing from them.  Yesterday was an answer to all of our prayers.  In March she will head down to Florida for rehearsals and dock out the second week in April.  I am like a proud mother, her extremely hard work and dedication has paid off.  Not only is this an amazing opportunity, but she gets to pair dance and travel.  I'm talking about getting paid to dance and travel around the world.  How wonderful.  I could not be happier for her, and only wish I would get to keep her a little longer.  Her life is just starting, and I wish I could be there with her traveling the globe.  This has given me hope as I begin to dive into the scary scary world of auditioning.  Everything is possible, and who knows maybe I'll be traveling the world and dancing next year?!  Such a happy day, ended by celebrating with pizza and a movie and cinnamon rolls (for breakfast this morning). 

Perfomance Time

Come enjoy DANCE in a relaxed and casual setting!
Snacks, drinks and LOTS of DANCE!

Suggested donation: $5 at the door
All donations going to PINK! Supporting the global campaign against breast cancer

Come support a wonderful cause, watch wonderful dance, and have a wonderful night!

So take the night off and come watch us share dance with you.



forever friends

My 'forever friend' came to the city this weekend. We say 'forever friend' instead of best friend. It just fits. I love her like my sister. I am just filled with joy and as content as can be. Although only here for a mere 36 hours (a little sad) we still managed to pick up right where we left off. An hourlong fiasco finding a parking spot, the 'BRGR' restaurant, a dance showing, laughter beyond measure, car rides in downtown Manhattan, more parking issues, cookies, hours of 'remember when' stories, pure joy. Friends. The big man upstairs is such a wonderful guy for bringing such loving and warm people into my life. I can't express how happy I am to have spent just 36 hours with some of the most true loving, caring, hilarious, and talented people.

Thank you.

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The one picture I got, oh well.

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Casual Friday Night

In attempt to fully take advantage of this lovely city (one of many resolutions) we figured it was time to take a visit to the stunning Highline.  After class my roomate and a friend from Joffrey and I met to start this mini adventure.  We kicked it off by heading on over to Pizza Pete's one of the many 'whole in the wall' places we want to experience a little bit more of.  2 huge slices of pizza, a large coke and $7 later we were officially stuffed and ready to walk it off.  Next stop the Highline.  For those of you who may not be familiar with this, the Highline was once an above ground railroad that traveled from 14th to 33rd St along 10th Ave.  It stopped running in the 80's and just within the last 2 years has been completely renovated into a railroad park stretching about a mile long right above the middle of Manhattan.  Pretty neat, eh?  I'd visited it before during the day, but was excited to experience its full glory at night with the city lights shining.  Here's the funny part.. We took the elevator up 3 stories, walked enough to catch one photo and were promptly told that the park was closed and asked to leave.  2 minutes was all we got.  Who knew closing time was at 7pm?  Not this girl.  A little bummed and feeling as though we still needed to walk off some pizza, we decided to venture for a while, having no where to be.  We stumbled upon the most expansive 'market' I've ever whitnessed.  What once was an abandoned church has now been completely remade into a rather chique rather large market.  You know the three of us took full advantage of our find and spent a good hour and a half exploring.  Tempted to go wild in the 50% off section, I can proudly say I resisted.  That's not to say I left empty handed, I mean they had a gelatto shoppe.  The previous walking I had taken part in was a complete loss when I ordered a small salted caramel brownie gelatto.  Oops.  A complete opposite of what we were going for, but I can't complain.  Love this city.  So much. 

XO

miss independent

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Did I mention this is what I was doing in Astoria? Meet Selah. Babysitters be jealous
Photo cred: Corey Melton

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Little Things

Yesterday I made the trek to get to Astoria I braved the extreme cold: holding close my Dunkin' Donuts coffee and bundled up in my mittens, oversized scarf, and wool hat anxiously waiting for the A train to arrive. Once on the train I had one of those moments.  You know, one of those 'I can't believe He makes this for us' moments.  I was filled with so much joy when the shuffle on my iPod played beautiful song after song.  Beautiful beautiful music.  Isn't he wonderful, to create something so gorgeous for all to hear.  If you just open your ears the music will seep into your soul.  And that joy will without doubt warm your soul.  So beyond grateful for all his simple gifts that warm my heart and soul.

dancer problems

To Do:

-Buy socks

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Because of some weird copyright rules we weren't allowed to take pictures..so this is as best as I could get without getting caught. Couldn't tell you how breath taking it was. Picture does no justice.

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wonderful and talented friends

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Lifelong Memories

I have never really been all about the 'New Years' hoopla and all it brings, but this year was different.   I rang in the new year in the city that never sleeps with just a few of my lovely friends, dancing the night away at the absolutely stunning Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre Studios.  6th floor with floor to ceiling windows.  Beautiful view of the city is an understatement.  It seemed like the perfect way to sum up my wonderful year and kick off 2012. As I looked at the clock which read 11:27 I couldn't help but be filled with awe.  Over the past 365 days I have experienced so much life and love.  It is honestly hard to comprehend all that has happened.  Mistakes, failures, successes, friends, love, laughter and family.  So for two minutes I reflected on how beautiful life is and how much it has to offer.  And although there are days where nostalgia seems to take over,  I look forward to what is to come.  Life is unpredictable, but isn't that part of what makes it so great?  So in attempt to appreciate each day a little bit more,  I am diving into life's exciting adventure and living to create memories for life.